Physiotherapy for Elbow Pain

Physical therapy can help relieve many types of elbow pain and get you back to your normal activities. This guide explains treatment options based on your specific problem, how sessions are conducted, and exercises to do at home. For an overview of the conditions that cause elbow pain, see our comprehensive guide to elbow pain. To understand the structures involved, see our page on elbow anatomy and our section on elbow pain.
Why is physiotherapy effective for treating elbow pain?
Physical therapy can reduce elbow pain and make it easier to perform daily activities through exercises, task modifications, and—depending on the problem—manual techniques. For pain on the outside of the elbow, the guide by Lucado and colleagues specifically recommends resistance exercises and certain manual techniques.1 The program focuses on strength, range of motion, and exercise tolerance. It combines education with therapeutic exercises. You’ll work with your physical therapist to assess how each option affects the movements that are important to you.
Several conditions can cause elbow pain. Epicondylitis affects the tendons—the strong bands that connect muscles to bones. Olecranon bursitis is the irritation or inflammation of the small fluid-filled sac that protects the tip of the elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome involves the ulnar nerve, which transmits sensation to the little finger and controls certain muscles of the hand. A problem with the joint—where the bones meet—can also cause symptoms. An evaluation helps distinguish between these conditions.2, 3, 4
10 Quick Tips to Understand Your Pain
One tip a day for 10 days to help you better understand your pain. About a 2-minute read.
What distinguishes physiotherapy from other treatments?
Medications, injections, and physical therapy each play a different role. Physical therapy teaches you how to pace your activities and gradually increase the amount of effort required of your muscles and tendons. Research shows that resistance exercises are among the recommended options for lateral pain, located on the outside of the elbow. The guide by Lucado and colleagues recommends them for subacute pain—which has been present for several weeks—or chronic pain, which persists for more than three months. The exercises target the wrist extensors—the muscles that raise the back of the hand. They can be isometric (without movement); concentric (involving muscle shortening); or eccentric (where the muscle resists movement by lengthening). The recommendation is Grade B, indicating moderate scientific evidence in this guide.1 The choice of exercises and the progression should take into account your strength, symptoms, and preferences.
Education can help you understand your options, adjust certain activities, and participate in decisions about the program.
How does a physical therapist evaluate your elbow?
The physical therapist will assess your elbow by discussing your symptoms and examining your range of motion, strength, and sensitivity. Your activities and goals guide this assessment.Your shoulder, wrist, or neck may also be examined if your symptoms warrant it. To find out what to expect, see how a physical therapy evaluation works at Physioactif.
What does a physical examination of the elbow include?
The physical examination includes several elements:
Visual observation:- Swelling or redness
- Deformity or asymmetry
- Arm position at rest
- Tender spots on the epicondyles, the bony protrusions on either side of the elbow
- Tension in the forearm muscles
- Condition of the olecranon bursa (tip of the elbow)
- Bending and straightening the elbow to bend and straighten the arm
- Pronation and supination, to turn the palm downward or upward
- Wrist movements
- Resistance tests to measure strength and determine which types of exertion trigger symptoms
- Tests for positions that may compress the nerve in the cubital tunnel
- Tests that check whether the bones of the elbow stay in place during movement
How long does the initial assessment last?
The duration of your initial evaluation will be confirmed when you schedule your appointment. This session is intended to identify possible causes, assess relevant symptoms, and agree on an initial plan. The plan may change depending on your progress.
How does physiotherapy treat lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)?
Physical therapy treats lateral epicondylitis with progressive exercises for the muscles that extend the wrist, combined with activity modifications. These exercises can be performed while holding the wrist still, lifting against resistance, or slowing its descent. The guide by Lucado and colleagues recommends these three approaches with a Grade B recommendation for subacute or chronic lateral pain.1 The physical therapist tailors the level of effort required to build your strength and improve your ability to use your arm.
Lateral epicondylitis is one of the possible causes of elbow pain. Despite being called “tennis elbow,” this pain can be associated with repetitive or strenuous tasks involving the forearm—whether at work, during leisure activities, or while playing sports. Office work, carpentry, and cooking can all place strain on the forearm in different ways. The physical therapist will assess the specific tasks that are causing you problems; your occupation alone is not sufficient to determine the diagnosis.
What is the exercise protocol for tennis elbow?
The program gradually strengthens the muscles that extend the wrist. The eccentric exercise below involves slowing the descent of a weight. It is one option among several possible exercises. Start without weight or with light resistance, as directed by your physical therapist.5
Eccentric exercise with weights:- Sit down with your forearm resting on a table, your palm facing down, and your hand hanging off the edge
- Use your other hand to lift the wrist. Remove your support, then let the wrist lower slowly, controlling the movement. If you’re using a weight, choose one that you can control from start to finish.
Lower the weight slowly and maintain a controlled movement. The load, number of repetitions, and progression are adjusted based on your symptoms, strength, and target activities. If a reaction persists or further limits the use of your arm, you should reduce the load and revise the program.
What other techniques are used for tennis elbow?
In addition to exercises, your physiotherapist may use:
Manual therapy:- Mobilization of the elbow joint through guided movements using the hands to relieve pain and facilitate arm movements
- Manual therapy targeting the muscles and surrounding tissues of the forearm. The guidelines recommend this option with a Grade C—indicating weak scientific evidence—to relieve pain and facilitate daily activities when lateral pain has persisted for more than three months.1
- Counterforce bracelet or wrist brace: These supports, known as orthoses, can immediately reduce pain and improve strength during a painful activity. The guide classifies this recommendation as F, meaning it is based on expert opinion. Medium- and long-term results remain inconclusive.1
- Adhesive tape: The guide recommends rigid tape for immediate and short-term relief, with a grade of B. Elastic kinesiology tape receives a grade of C when used in conjunction with other treatments.1
- Ergonomic advice for work
- Shoulder or neck movements, if warranted by your symptoms or the examination
- Strength of the muscles that stabilize the shoulder during arm movements
- Postures and Work Organization During Tasks That Involve the Arm
How does lateral epicondylitis progress over time?
Pain and arm function may improve gradually over several months. A meta-analysis tracked the progress of groups that received no active treatment or a placebo, with no specific expected effect. At one year, 89% of the 213 people for whom this outcome was available reported being fully recovered or much better. This proportion reflects a perceived improvement, not evidence of complete tendon repair.6
Your progress may vary. Pain, strength, and exercise tolerance do not always change at the same rate.
The workload and other options are reassessed based on observed changes and targeted activities.
How is medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) treated?
Physical therapy for medial epicondylitis combines modifying painful movements with stretching and gradual strengthening. This pain is located on the inside of the elbow. The exercises specifically target the muscles that flex the wrist and turn the palm downward.2 Lucado’s recommendations regarding the outside of the elbow do not constitute direct evidence for this other area.
Medial epicondylitis can make it painful to grasp, lift, or rotate the forearm. In a study of 20 people whose symptoms had persisted for more than six weeks despite treatment, limitations in arm function decreased after a program combining various treatments and eccentric exercise. The average difficulty score dropped from 34.7 to 7.9 out of 100 after about six weeks. Since the study did not include a control group, it is not possible to isolate the effect of the added exercise.7
How does the treatment differ from tennis elbow?
Treatment for medial pain primarily targets the muscles that flex the wrist and turn the palm downward; treatment for lateral pain primarily targets the muscles that extend the wrist. For example, to strengthen the flexors, keep your palm facing upward: lift your hand, then resist the downward movement. Your other hand can help with the lift at first.5 The evaluation then specifies the movements and loads appropriate for your activities.
Things to consider before choosing an exercise:- Which movements and positions trigger or alleviate the symptoms?
- What load is currently allowed?
- Which wrist movements are relevant for the activities you're resuming?
- The number of repetitions and the type of contraction are chosen based on your assessment and your response.
- The program is reassessed based on symptoms, function, and the targeted activities.
Recovery can take time. The study of 20 people involved an average of 12 visits over about six weeks, but these figures apply to this small group—they are not a standard number of sessions that should be prescribed for everyone.7
Should you be concerned about numbness with golfer's elbow?
Medial pain accompanied by numbness warrants evaluation, as a problem with the ulnar nerve may also be present. At the elbow, this nerve passes through a groove between the medial epicondyle—the inner bony prominence—and the olecranon, the tip of the elbow. A bent elbow can compress and stretch the nerve.8 Numbness usually affects the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger. Report these symptoms promptly; progressive weakness or muscle atrophy in the hand requires immediate medical evaluation.4
How does physiotherapy help with elbow bursitis?
Physical therapy helps manage non-infectious bursitis by protecting the tip of the elbow, modifying activities that irritate it, and supporting a gradual return to movement. Follow-up care takes swelling and pain into account.3
Elbow bursitis is characterized by swelling at the tip of the elbow. It can occur in people who repeatedly rest their elbows on a surface.
What is the role of physiotherapy in bursitis?
To relieve symptoms and protect the area:- Protecting the area with a pad
- Apply ice to the affected area.
- Education on positions to avoid
- Use support or gentle compression only if recommended by a healthcare professional, without tightening or worsening symptoms
Cold therapy is still an option for relief: use it only if it helps you, protect your skin, and stop if it makes your symptoms worse.
When swelling and symptoms allow:- Gentle mobility exercises
- Gradual strengthening
- Modifying work habits
- Plan for Resuming Activities That Require the Use of the Elbow
When does bursitis require medical intervention?
Swelling that spreads or significant warmth at the tip of the elbow should be evaluated promptly by a doctor. Red, warm skin or pus discharge may also indicate an infection. An infection may be present even without a visible skin injury. Fever and chills are also signs that should be reported immediately. An infected bursitis may require antibiotics, and sometimes a fluid sample or drainage; physical therapy is not a substitute for these treatments.3
Non-infectious bursitis may improve with elbow protection and non-surgical treatment. If swelling or pain persists despite these measures, the doctor may reevaluate the options.3
How does physiotherapy treat cubital tunnel syndrome?
Physical therapy for cubital tunnel syndrome focuses on correcting postures and activities that compress the nerve and may include nighttime protection and guided movements. Advice on avoiding positions that aggravate the condition can reduce discomfort. The additional benefit of splints or sliding exercises, compared to advice alone, remains uncertain in mild to moderate cases.9
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition affecting the ulnar nerve around the elbow. It causes numbness in the little finger and the adjacent half of the ring finger, tingling, and sometimes weakness in the hand.
What exercises help the ulnar nerve?
Guided arm and wrist movements can be tried to help the ulnar nerve move through the surrounding tissues. These are sometimes called nerve glide exercises. The physical therapist determines the range of motion—that is, how far you move—and monitors your response. The following example comes from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), an American association of orthopedic surgeons. Have someone demonstrate the sequence to you; it should not increase numbness.4
Ulnar Nerve Gliding:- Hold your arm out in front of you and straighten your elbow to a comfortable position.
- Gently bring your wrist and fingers toward you.
- Next, extend your wrist and fingers by moving them away from you.
- Gently bend your elbow.
- Return to the starting position and repeat slowly, following the instructions you were given.
- Stop if the numbness or pain gets worse.
Perform the exercise as often as agreed upon with your physical therapist. If numbness increases, stop and have the movement checked. Persistent worsening, loss of strength, or loss of sensation warrants a medical reevaluation.
How to protect your ulnar nerve every day?
Certain positions may be temporarily adjusted if they worsen symptoms:
At night:- Avoid sleeping with your elbow bent at a sharp angle
- Use a night splint that keeps your elbow straighter
- A towel placed loosely around the elbow can limit its flexion while sleeping
- Do not lean on the inside of your elbow
- Vary your positions and avoid keeping your elbow sharply bent for long periods of time
- Use headphones instead of holding the phone
- Avoid keeping your elbow bent for long periods (reading, phone use)
- Take regular breaks during repetitive activities
How can cubital tunnel syndrome progress?
Many people can manage their symptoms by adjusting their activities and wearing an elbow brace. However, severe nerve compression or weakness in the hand may require surgical evaluation.4 The 2022 review describes the treatment options.8 The 2025 Cochrane review now includes a trial comparing written advice to surgery, but its results are too uncertain to determine which option improves function more in this comparison.9 Progressive weakness or atrophy—a decrease in the volume of the hand muscles—warrants prompt medical evaluation.
How does physical therapy help people live with elbow osteoarthritis?
Physical therapy helps people with elbow osteoarthritis maintain their range of motion, strengthen their arms, and adapt movements that cause pain. These treatments are among the non-surgical options described by the AAOS.10 The program takes into account your symptoms and the activities you want to continue doing.
Elbow osteoarthritis involves changes in the cartilage—the smooth lining that facilitates movement between bones—and other joint tissues. It can cause pain and stiffness, similar to osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. A past injury or repetitive strain may contribute to the problem, though they do not alone explain all the symptoms.
What exercises are recommended for elbow osteoarthritis?
Mobility exercises:- Gentle elbow flexion and extension
- Forearm rotations (pronation/supination)
- Frequency adjusted based on stiffness, tolerance, and intended activities
- Exercises with an elastic band
- Light weights for forearm muscles
- Progressive shoulder strengthening
- Movements that mimic your daily activities
- Gradual progression toward more challenging tasks
Is heat or cold helpful?
Heat or cold can be used for comfort, but are not required before or after exercise. Protect your skin.
Keep only the treatment that works for you, and stop using it if it irritates your skin or makes your symptoms worse.
Can you stay active with elbow osteoarthritis?
You can continue to be active even with elbow osteoarthritis by adjusting your movements and exertion to match your tolerance. For example, temporarily use lighter objects, break a task into several steps, or alternate between tasks. The goal is to maintain the use of your arm without causing your symptoms to worsen.
Your physical therapist can help you tailor your activities based on your symptoms, function, and goals. Our pain management strategies can also help you between sessions.
What does a typical elbow physiotherapy session look like?
A physical therapy session for the elbow combines progress assessments, exercises, and advice tailored to your activities. Manual therapy may be added if it addresses a specific need. The content varies depending on the diagnosis, symptoms, and your goals. To learn more about how we conduct our sessions, see how a physical therapy treatment works at Physioactif.
What happens during a session?
At the beginning of the session, your physical therapist will ask you about your symptoms and check on the exercises you’ve been doing at home. You’ll then adjust the plan together.
Manual processing, if it serves a specific purpose:- Joint mobilization
- Manual therapy targeting the muscles and surrounding tissues. For lateral pain that has persisted for more than three months, the 2022 guidelines recommend this option with a Grade C recommendation for pain relief and to facilitate daily activities.1
- Guided nerve movements, when warranted by the evaluation of a nerve-related problem
- Exercises tailored to your specific issue and goals
- Technique correction
- Exercise progression
At the end of the session, your physical therapist will explain the exercises and adjustments you should try at home. You can ask questions and point out anything you find difficult to do.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions depends on the problem, its impact on your daily activities, and your ability to follow the program at home. For example, a trial involving 35 people with flank pain reported approximately eight visits over four to six weeks for the two physical therapy programs being compared.1 This result describes a trial, not a standard treatment plan for everyone. The table instead shows what the follow-up program entails based on your specific condition.
| Problem | Purpose of the Follow-Up | What causes the plan to be adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral epicondylitis | Build strength and endurance for grappling and lifts | Response to the exercises and ability to perform the targeted movements |
| Medial epicondylitis | Strengthen the muscles that flex the wrist and turn the palm downward | Exercise tolerance and the possible presence of neurological symptoms |
| Elbow Bursitis | Protect the tip of your elbow and resume the movements | Changes in swelling; seek prompt medical attention if signs of infection appear |
| Cubital Tunnel Syndrome | Reduce positions that cause discomfort and maintain the hand's functionality | Numbness, muscle strength and mass; worsening symptoms should be evaluated |
| Elbow Osteoarthritis | Maintain mobility and make daily activities easier | Pain, stiffness, restricted movement, and difficulty performing tasks |
The number and frequency of sessions are determined in consultation with you and then adjusted based on your progress and needs.
What exercises can you do at home?
Home exercises build on the work done during sessions. Their content and frequency should be realistic for your daily life and adjusted based on your response.
What basic exercise routine can I do at home for lateral elbow pain?
Stretching exercises, if recommended: Extensor Stretch:- Extend your arm straight out in front of you, palm facing down, without locking your elbow
- Bend your wrist so your fingers point toward the floor. With your other hand, gently pull your hand toward you until you feel a stretch on the outside of your forearm. Hold the position for about 15 seconds, then release. The AAOS program recommends five repetitions; your physical therapist will adjust this number based on your specific situation. Do not push through the pain.5
- The physical therapist will determine whether another exercise is appropriate based on the movements that trigger your symptoms.
- The load, range of motion, and frequency are selected based on your tolerance and the targeted activities.
For lateral elbow pain, gradual loading of the wrist extensors may be recommended. The type of contraction, the load, and the progression are adjusted based on the observed response.
10 Quick Tips to Understand Your Pain
One tip a day for 10 days to help you better understand your pain. About a 2-minute read.
What basic exercise routine can I do at home for ulnar tunnel syndrome?
Nerve Sliding Exercises: Gently repeat the sliding exercise described above. Stop if your symptoms worsen.
Nighttime protection:- Wear the recommended splint or wrap a towel loosely around your elbow
- Keep your elbow straighter while sleeping
How Can You Exercise Effectively at Home?
Consistency: Stick to the agreed-upon frequency for your program. If it doesn't fit your schedule or your comfort level, let us know so we can adjust it.
- Answers to the exercises: Use your body’s response during and after the session to adjust the workload in consultation with your physical therapist. Reduce the workload and have the program reevaluated if symptoms persist or further limit your activities.
- Gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. If the pain gets worse and persists, reduce the intensity.
- Patience: Symptoms and abilities may change gradually. Adjust the program based on your response.
What should you keep in mind during your recovery?
Tracking your recovery involves monitoring your symptoms, your strength, and the activities you want to resume. Your daily activities, sleep patterns, and personal circumstances also help tailor the program. Their role varies depending on the situation; they cannot be used to calculate an individual recovery timeline.
What factors can be adjusted as you progress?
- When to Seek Care: Seek care when pain or limitations persist and you need a clear plan
- Consistency in Exercise: Stick to a realistic schedule, based on the program and how your body responds
- Modifying Provocative Activities: Reduce activities that worsen your symptoms.
- Confidence and Concerns: Discussing What Facilitates or Hinders the Resumption of Activities
- Good Sleep: Sleep is a topic of discussion if it affects your energy levels, your daily activities, or symptom management
When should we review the program?
- Persistent symptoms: Have the diagnosis, goals, and intensity of the program reevaluated
- Activities that cause symptoms to worsen over the long term: temporarily adjust their intensity, duration, or organization
- A program that's hard to follow: work with your physical therapist to simplify or modify the exercises
- Stress and worries: Talk about them if they make it harder to manage your symptoms
- Health context: Discuss, if relevant, sleep, smoking, medications, and other health-related factors
When should you see improvement?
You may see improvement in pain, strength, or a specific activity, though the timeline for improvement varies depending on the condition. For epicondylitis, the AAOS exercise program typically calls for six to twelve weeks of progression; however, the duration of the program does not guarantee that symptoms will disappear.5 The plan is reassessed sooner if symptoms worsen, if weakness or loss of sensation develops, or if the course of the condition is unexpected. Some exercises may be continued if they remain beneficial, though there is no guarantee that they will prevent a relapse. See also : What to Do If You Don’t See Improvement in Physical Therapy.
How should activities be adjusted after follow-up?
You can adjust your activities after your follow-up appointment by alternating tasks, changing your grip, or gradually increasing the level of effort required. Choose the adjustments that truly help you with your activities.
Why continue a maintenance program?
Depending on your activities and goals, you may continue doing certain exercises after your follow-up appointment. We’ll work with you to determine how often to do them, and this may change over time.
Your exercise program can combine the wrist stretches you’ve already learned with a few strengthening exercises. Use a level of resistance that you can control, and then adjust the number of repetitions and frequency based on your activities and tolerance. Your physical therapist can help you choose which exercises to continue doing.5
Which options should you try depending on the task?
At the office:- Adjust the height of the mouse and keyboard based on the task and for comfort
- Forearms resting on a comfortable support
- Position the screen at a comfortable distance for the task
- Regular breaks
- Tools adapted to your hand
- Try a different approach, tool, or method depending on the task
- Task rotation
- Frequent short breaks
- Adapted equipment
- Adequate warm-up
- Gradual training progression
- Adjust the technique based on the sport, symptoms, and goals
What changes should we watch for during the recovery?
Certain changes may require you to temporarily adjust activities or have the program reevaluated:
- Slight tenderness to the touch on the outer part of the elbow
- Forearm fatigue faster than before
- Morning elbow stiffness
- Slight discomfort during repetitive activities
If a change persists or further limits your activities, temporarily adjust the workload and have the program reevaluated as needed.
When is physiotherapy not enough?
Physical therapy can help with many elbow problems, but certain injuries first require a medical evaluation and specific protection. An elbow sprain involves a ligament, a band of tissue that connects bones. An elbow dislocation means that the bones in the joint have come out of alignment. An elbow fracture is a broken bone. Each injury requires its own treatment plan.
What are the signs that indicate a medical consultation is necessary?
A worsening of symptoms, progressive weakness in the hand, or muscle atrophy require prompt medical evaluation. Repeated lockups and progressive loss of movement also warrant medical attention.4, 10
- Call 911 if you experience sudden arm pain accompanied by pressure, heaviness, or tightness in your chest.
- Seek urgent medical attention if your arm hurts during physical activity and the pain goes away when you rest.
- Seek medical attention right away on the same day if your arm is swollen and you have a high fever, feel hot or cold, or have chills.
- Go to the emergency room if severe arm pain makes it difficult to move your arm.
- Go to the emergency room after an injury if you heard a cracking sound or if your arm has changed shape.
- Have any tingling or numbness in your arm checked out right away, even if you haven't been injured.
- Request a prompt re-evaluation if a neurological problem that is already being monitored worsens.
- See a doctor if you experience frequent joint locking or a progressive loss of range of motion.
These symptoms shouldn't wait until the next physical therapy session.11
What other options are available to complement physical therapy?
Injections:- Cortisone: This medication reduces inflammation. For lateral elbow pain, injections may provide short-term relief, but their long-term results are less favorable. The effects, risks, and other options should be discussed with your doctor based on the diagnosis.12
- PRP, or platelet-rich plasma: This product is prepared from your own blood. For lateral elbow pain, the 2021 Cochrane review concludes that PRP or injections of autologous blood—taken from the same person—likely provide little or no significant benefit in terms of pain and functional activity compared to a placebo injection. At three months, the mean differences favored the injections by 0.16 out of 10 for pain and 1.86 out of 100 for limitations, with uncertainty consistent with no difference.13 A 2026 review found a small benefit of PRP over placebo for pain between one and three months, but this benefit becomes uncertain when studies with methods most likely to bias the results are excluded. It found no definite benefit of PRP over placebo beyond six months.12 Discuss the expected benefits, risks, costs, and uncertainties with your doctor.
- Prolotherapy: This injection uses, among other things, dextrose, a form of sugar. The 2009 review reported preliminary favorable results in small groups.14 A 2022 meta-analysis, covering eight studies and 354 participants, found improvements in pain and function at 12 weeks compared to other active treatments.15 The 2026 meta-analysis also found a pain-relief benefit compared to placebo between one and three months. Improvements in functional ability were less clear, and injection protocols varied.12 This option should be discussed with a doctor; the small sample sizes of the studies do not allow for the exclusion of rare adverse effects.
- The decision to undergo surgery depends on the diagnosis, any loss of strength or sensation, difficulties with daily activities, the risks involved, and your preferences.
- The expected outcomes and risks depend on the procedure and the diagnosis.
Since this page covers several elbow conditions, there is no single surgical guideline that applies to all of them.
How to Choose a Physical Therapist for Your Elbow?
Ask the physical therapist what expertise they have in treating your specific condition and how they structure the evaluation and follow-up process. For guidance, see how to tell if you’re receiving quality physical therapy.
What questions should you ask your physical therapist?
- What is your experience with elbow problems?
- What approach are you using to address my problem?
- How many sessions do you anticipate?
- What exercises will I need to do at home?
What makes for effective elbow treatment?
- A comprehensive evaluation also includes an examination of the shoulder, wrist, or neck if your symptoms or initial test results warrant it.
- Education helps you understand your problem and the steps you can take.
- A clear plan helps you know what to expect and how to measure your progress.
- Home exercises are part of a tailored program that you can follow between sessions.
- Good communication allows you to ask questions and get clear answers.
What are the key takeaways about physiotherapy for the elbow?
The key aspects of physical therapy for the elbow include assessing the problem, prescribing appropriate exercises, adjusting daily activities, and monitoring for warning signs. Treatment varies depending on whether the pain involves a tendon, a bursa, a nerve, or the joint.
- Resistance exercises and certain manual techniques can help relieve lateral elbow pain. Other problems require different treatments. Any exercise that worsens symptoms or causes an unusual sign should be reevaluated.
- Strength training is one of the effective approaches for tendons. For tendon pain, the workload is increased gradually based on symptoms, strength, and activities. The at-home program is tailored to be realistic and manageable.
- The progression of tendon pain varies from person to person. We monitor tolerance to exertion, strength, and activities rather than a fixed timeframe.
- A treatment plan can be discussed: certain exercises or adjustments to daily activities may be continued if they remain beneficial, although this does not guarantee that a relapse will not occur.
- Epicondylitis, bursitis, cubital tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis each require treatment approaches tailored to the specific condition.
If you have persistent elbow pain, please don't hesitate to see a doctor.
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Make an appointmentReferences
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- Lucado AM, Day JM, Vincent JI, MacDermid JC, Fedorczyk J, Grewal R, et al. Lateral Elbow Pain and Muscle Function Impairments. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(12):CPG1-CPG111. (Back to sections: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow) - OrthoInfo - AAOS. (Back to sections: 1, 2)
- Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis - OrthoInfo - AAOS. (Back to sections: 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - OrthoInfo - AAOS. (Back to sections: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Therapeutic Exercise Program for Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow). (Back to sections: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Ikonen J, Lähdeoja T, Ardern CL, Buchbinder R, Reito A, Karjalainen T. Persistent Tennis Elbow Symptoms Have Little Prognostic Value: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2022;480(4):647-660. (Back to section: 1)
- Tyler TF, Nicholas SJ, Schmitt BM, Mullaney M, Hogan DE. Clinical outcomes of adding eccentric exercises to the rehabilitation of golfers' elbow following previous failed treatments. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2014;9(3):365-70. (Back to sections: 1, 2)
- Anderson D, Woods B, Abubakar T, Koontz C, Li N, Hasoon J, et al. A Comprehensive Review of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2022;14(3):38239. (Back to sections: 1, 2)
- Caliandro P, La Torre G, Padua R, Giannini F, Reale G, Padua L. Treatment for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025;4(4):CD006839. (Back to sections: 1, 2)
- Osteoarthritis of the Elbow - OrthoInfo - AAOS. (Back to sections: 1, 2)
- nhs.uk. Elbow and arm pain. 2017. (Back to section: 1)
- Xu Y, Lin W, Qi Z, Yan Z, Yan Q, Xu J, et al. Time-Dependent Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Treatments for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Pain Res. 2026;19:604185. (Back to sections: 1, 2, 3)
- Karjalainen TV, Silagy M, O'Bryan E, Johnston RV, Cyril S, Buchbinder R. Autologous blood and platelet-rich plasma injection therapy for lateral elbow pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2021;2021(9). (Back to section: 1)
- Rabago D, Best TM, Zgierska AE, Zeisig E, Ryan M, Crane D. A systematic review of four injection therapies for lateral epicondylosis: prolotherapy, polidocanol, whole blood, and platelet-rich plasma. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(7):471-81. (Back to section: 1)
- Zhu M, Rabago D, Chung VC, Reeves KD, Wong SY, Sit RW. Effects of Hypertonic Dextrose Injection (Prolotherapy) in Lateral Elbow Tendinosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2022;103(11):2209-2218. (Back to section: 1)
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We offer a three-pronged quality assurance approach: optimized treatment time, a second opinion from a physical therapist, and ongoing expertise to ensure effective care tailored to your needs.


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At Physioactif, excellence guides everything we do, but our patients are the best ones to tell you about it. Take a look at their verified reviews to get a real sense of their experience.
Discover our physical therapy clinics
We have locations in several areas to better serve you.
Blainville
190 Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse Road, Suite 110,
Blainville, Quebec
J7B 1A7
Located in Blainville, near Rosemère, the Physioactif clinic is easily accessible to residents of the area and the surrounding communities
Boucherville
690 Rue de Montbrun, Suite S,
Boucherville, Quebec
J4B 8H2
Located in Boucherville, the Physioactif clinic is easily accessible to people in the area
Laval
3224 Jean-Béraud Ave., Suite 220, Laval,
QC H7T 2S4
Located in Chomedey, in the heart of Laval, the Physioactif clinic is easily accessible to people in the area
Montreal
8801 Lajeunesse Street,
Montreal,
QC H2M 1R8
Located in Ahuntsic, near Villeray, the Physioactif clinic is easily accessible to residents of both neighborhoods
Saint-Eustache
180 25th Avenue, Suite
201 Saint-Eustache
QC J7P 2V2
Located in Saint-Eustache, the Physioactif clinic is easily accessible to residents of the area and the surrounding communities
Vaudreuil
21 Cité-des-Jeunes Boulevard, Suite 240,
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec
J7V 0N3
Located in Vaudreuil-Dorion, the Physioactif clinic is easily accessible to people in the area
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