Elbow Pain in
Chillicothe, Ohio and Waverly, Ohio
Premium physical therapy for active adults and athletes
The Elbow Joint
The elbow is primarily a hinge joint that allows for bending (flexion) and straightening (extension), but its function is more complex than it appears. Several muscles that cross both the elbow and adjacent joints (such as the shoulder and wrist) contribute to movement and load transfer, increasing the demands placed on the joint.
Key neural structures, including the ulnar and radial nerves, pass through the elbow region, making it a common site for nerve-related symptoms like numbness or tingling. Stability is provided by a network of ligaments on both the inner (medial) and outer (lateral) aspects of the joint, which help maintain proper alignment and resist excessive forces during daily and athletic activities.
What Causes Elbow Pain?
While the elbow is a highly stable joint, it is prone to overuse injuries from repetitive bending and straightening seen in activities like golf, tennis, pickleball, and throwing. Limitations or weakness at the shoulder can increase stress on the elbow, which is why both areas are often treated together. Symptoms may also include numbness or tingling due to the intricate nearby nerve structures.
Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Overuse injury causing pain on the outside of the elbow from repetitive gripping or wrist extension.
Radial tunnel syndrome: Compression of the radial nerve near the elbow, leading to aching pain along the outside of the forearm, often mistaken for tennis elbow.
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) Overuse condition affecting the inside of the elbow, often from repetitive wrist flexion or throwing.
Elbow bursitis (olecranon bursitis): Inflammation of the bursa at the back of the elbow, causing swelling and tenderness.
Tricep tendonopathy: Overuse or strain of the triceps tendon at the back of the elbow, causing pain with pushing or straightening the arm.
Bicep tendonopathy: Injury or degeneration of the biceps tendon near the elbow, leading to pain and weakness with bending the elbow or rotating the forearm.
Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain/tear: Injury to the inner elbow ligament, commonly seen in throwing athletes, causing pain, instability, and decreased performance.
How do I fix my Elbow Pain?
Elbow pain can take longer to resolve due to the constant demands placed on the joint in daily activities and the number of muscles that cross both the elbow and neighboring joints. Our approach is designed to address these challenges by identifying and treating the true source of your symptoms—not just where you feel pain, but why it’s occurring.
We begin with a comprehensive assessment to guide a personalized plan based on your goals, activity level, and specific limitations. Whether your symptoms affect daily tasks or performance, your treatment is tailored to help you move more efficiently and with less discomfort.
Sessions typically combine hands-on techniques—such as soft tissue work, joint mobilization, dry needling, or cupping—to reduce pain and improve mobility, followed by targeted exercises to restore strength, stability, and movement quality in the elbow and upper extremity. As you progress, the focus shifts toward building resilience and preventing future flare-ups.
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