Whether you've taken a tumble, pushed yourself too hard at the gym, or have been dealing with a repetitive strain injury (RSI), we're here to help.

Sometimes, the pain may have developed over time and could be connected to an injury in your wrist, shoulder, or neck. The elbow has to work harder than usual to compensate for other areas that are not functioning properly.

Common elbow complaints we treat:

Tennis elbow, golfers elbow, elbow and arm fractures, tendonitis, muscle or tendon tears, bursitis, and nerve entrapment, among many others.

If you experience pain in your elbow, you may also feel pain going down into your forearm or wrist, otherwise, it may feel like it is in the upper arm.

It is highly recommended to consult a professional to determine the source of the pain. Remember, it is not just important to treat the symptoms but to target the source of the pain and prevent it from coming back. We are here to help!

Elbow pain can often be caused by:

• Overuse (or repetitive strain) - Now living in the digital age, we are more likely to be using a mouse, keyboard or laptop, which puts us at a higher risk of experiencing elbow pain. Even if we are not sitting at a desk, physical activities such as DIY, gardening, learning a new instrument or moving home, can also trigger a bout of elbow pain.

• A new hobby or sport - Doing too much too soon, or increasing physical activity too quickly, when your body isn’t used to it can cause problems. We recommend a “Body MOT” for those who want to get into or increase physical activity.

• Trauma such as sports injuries, road traffic accidents, falls, and twists are all incidents in life that can cause lasting problems if not properly addressed and rehabilitated properly.

• Previous injuries to the wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck. Old injuries can come back to haunt us if not managed properly.

• Imbalances in strength, mobility, flexibility, posture, or alignment can all contribute to elbow pain. Weak or tight muscles can impact joints, muscles, tendons and nerves in other parts of the body. Your body functions as a team, and we want to ensure that one body area isn’t left doing all the work.

• Referred pain - The body is an exceptionally complex machine, even if you don’t have pain in your neck, it can sometimes cause elbow pain. We use the consultation and our Body MOT service to make sense of the source of it.

• Age/Arthritis - As you get older, you lose 3-8% muscle mass per year which can help us to understand why things might get harder with age. Arthritis isn’t a disease; it is wear and tear, and it is inevitable, even for those who don’t have pain. However, it doesn’t mean you have to live in constant pain. We can’t get rid of arthritis but we can help reduce pain by making you more resilient and keeping your muscles and joints functioning at their best, like a well-oiled machine. Here's a link to our blog for more information about wear and tear, arthritis, and keeping your body well-maintained.

• Women’s health issues such as those related to pregnancy, post-natal or menopause can cause various problems with the body.

• Underlying medical history such as diabetes, rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, nutritional deficiencies, and neurological problems, can make you more susceptible to experiencing pain in different parts of your body. Our team collaborates with other healthcare professionals to ensure that you receive the appropriate care, even if physiotherapy is not the best option for you.

• Core, pelvic floor and breathing function - The way your diaphragm, ribcage and core function can have a significant impact on the rest of your body. Believe it or not, men have a pelvic floor too!  

Why do I have elbow pain?

The DR Physiotherapy Approach

At DR Physiotherapy, we are here to help you get back to feeling like yourself. We offer a variety of treatments and exercises tailored to your specific symptoms and goals. Our step-by-step system is designed to pinpoint the source of your pain, so we can work together to get you back to doing the things you love and keep living the life you want!

Step 1: The Puzzle

We listen to your story. Our consultation helps us to determine the best course of action for us so we can start to get to work!

Step 2: The MOT

We conduct a thorough screening of your body to look at how it is functioning. We assess your range of movement, strength, and posture, and produce a report of findings. This will help us to create a personalised treatment and rehabilitation program that fits your needs.

Step 3: The Plan

We will sit down with you and explain to you how your body is functioning, what the likely cause of your symptoms are, and provide you with clear and expert advice on how we will help you get back to doing the things you love. You get to create the goals, and we will help you achieve them.

Step 4: The Action

We will get started with the plan created for you. This involves expert hands-on treatment, guidance on day-to-day management, and rehabilitation exercises. It helps to target, not only the symptoms but also the source of the pain.  

Step 5: The Goal - The Progress - The Recovery

At every session, we will review your progress since the previous visit and keep working towards your goal. The treatment and exercises will change along the way as some areas start to improve. Your symptoms will begin to improve, making you feel better, but it is essential to stick with the plan and focus on achieving your goals. This way your symptoms can be resolved long-term, rather than returning in a few weeks or months.