Elbow Pain

Don’t let elbow pain limit you any longer

Are you experiencing persistent elbow pain that’s affecting your ability to perform daily tasks or participate in your favorite activities? At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we understand the frustration and discomfort that comes with elbow pain, and we’re here to help you find relief and get back to doing the things you love. Our modern and comprehensive approach to physical therapy focuses on addressing the underlying causes of elbow pain and restoring optimal function and mobility.

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Learn more about Physical Therapy for Elbow Pain

Dealing with elbow pain can be a frustrating experience, impacting your ability to perform everyday tasks and hindering your quality of life. Understanding the nature of elbow pain, including its sensations and potential causes, is the first step toward finding relief and improving your overall well-being.

What Does Elbow Pain Feel Like?

Elbow pain can manifest in various ways, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Common sensations associated with elbow pain include:

  1. Dull Ache or Throbbing: Many individuals with elbow pain experience a dull, persistent ache or throbbing sensation in the affected area. This type of pain may worsen with movement or activity and may be accompanied by stiffness or tenderness.
  2. Sharp or Shooting Pain: In some cases, elbow pain may present as sharp or shooting pain, especially during specific movements or activities. This type of pain can be intense and may radiate down the arm or into the hand, depending on the underlying cause.
  3. Tingling or Numbness: Elbow pain may also be associated with sensations of tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in the arm or hand. These sensations may indicate nerve involvement and can be indicative of conditions such as nerve compression or irritation.
  4. Swelling and Inflammation: Elbow pain may be accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area, particularly if the pain is caused by inflammation or injury to the joint or surrounding tissues.

Common Causes of Elbow Pain:

Elbow pain can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from overuse and repetitive strain to acute injuries and underlying medical conditions. Some common causes of elbow pain include:

  1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Tennis elbow is a common overuse injury that occurs due to repetitive motions, such as gripping or twisting, causing inflammation and microtears in the tendons of the forearm muscles that attach to the outside of the elbow.
  2. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Similar to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury that affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow, resulting in pain and inflammation. It is often caused by repetitive gripping or flexion of the wrist and fingers.
  3. Elbow Tendonitis: Tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendons, can occur in the elbow due to overuse, repetitive strain, or sudden injury. Tendonitis may affect various tendons around the elbow joint, leading to pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion.
  4. Elbow Bursitis: Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints and reduce friction between bones and soft tissues. Elbow bursitis can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness around the bony prominence at the back of the elbow.
  5. Elbow Fractures or Dislocations: Traumatic injuries such as fractures or dislocations of the elbow joint can result from falls, accidents, or direct blows to the elbow. These injuries can cause severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility of the affected arm.
  6. Arthritis: Various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, can affect the elbow joint, causing chronic pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Arthritis-related elbow pain may worsen over time and significantly impact joint function.

At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we take a patient-centered approach to treatment, focusing on your unique needs, goals, and preferences. Our treatment philosophy revolves around empowering you to take an active role in your recovery and providing you with the knowledge, tools, and support you need to achieve optimal outcomes. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms, and we take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and circumstances.

Key Elements of Our Treatment Philosophy:

  1. Comprehensive Evaluation: We begin the treatment process with a thorough evaluation of your elbow pain, including a detailed assessment of your medical history, symptoms, functional limitations, and movement patterns. This evaluation helps us identify the underlying causes of your pain and develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
  2. Hands-On Therapy: Our physical therapists specialize in hands-on therapy techniques aimed at reducing pain, inflammation, and muscle tension in the elbow joint and surrounding tissues. Manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release can help improve flexibility, restore range of motion, and promote tissue healing.
  3. Therapeutic Exercise: We prescribe specific therapeutic exercises designed to strengthen the muscles surrounding the elbow, improve joint stability, and enhance overall function. These exercises may include resistance training, stretching, range of motion exercises, and functional movements tailored to your specific condition and goals.
  4. Modalities and Advanced Technologies: In addition to hands-on therapy and exercise, we may incorporate modalities and advanced technologies into your treatment plan to provide pain relief and accelerate healing. Modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat therapy, and cold therapy can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote tissue repair in the elbow joint.
  5. Education and Self-Management Strategies: We believe in empowering you with the knowledge and skills you need to manage your elbow pain effectively and prevent future injuries. Our physical therapists provide education on proper ergonomics, body mechanics, injury prevention strategies, and self-care techniques to help you maintain optimal joint health and function.

Specific Techniques We Use to Treat Elbow Pain:

  1. Soft Tissue Mobilization: Gentle manipulation of soft tissues surrounding the elbow to reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow.
  2. Joint Mobilization: Controlled movements of the elbow joint to improve range of motion and reduce stiffness.
  3. Therapeutic Exercises: Customized exercise programs targeting specific muscle groups to strengthen the elbow and improve joint stability.
  4. Modalities: Application of therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and heat or cold therapy to reduce pain and inflammation.
  5. Functional Training: Incorporation of functional movements and activities to improve mobility and enhance overall function in daily life.

At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we understand the challenges that come with elbow pain, and we’re here to help you find relief and get back to doing the things you enjoy. Here are some of the ways you can benefit from getting physical therapy from our clinic to treat elbow pain:

1. Personalized Treatment Plans:

At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we believe in providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs, goals, and preferences. Our experienced physical therapists will work closely with you to develop a customized treatment plan designed to address the underlying causes of your elbow pain and promote healing, mobility, and strength in the affected area. Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, dealing with overuse-related pain, or managing a chronic condition, we’ll create a plan that’s right for you.

2. Pain Relief and Symptom Management:

Elbow pain can be debilitating, affecting your ability to perform everyday tasks and enjoy your favorite activities. Our physical therapy interventions are aimed at providing pain relief and symptom management, helping you feel more comfortable and improving your overall quality of life. Through a combination of hands-on therapy, therapeutic exercises, modalities, and advanced technologies, we can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and restore normal function in the elbow joint.

3. Improved Mobility and Function:

Elbow pain can limit your range of motion and mobility, making it difficult to perform simple movements and activities. Our physical therapy treatments are designed to improve mobility, flexibility, and function in the elbow joint, allowing you to move more freely and perform daily tasks with greater ease. By targeting specific muscle groups, strengthening weak muscles, and improving joint stability, we can help you regain the ability to reach, grasp, and move your arm without pain or discomfort.

4. Faster Recovery and Return to Activity:

Whether you’re an athlete looking to get back on the field or someone who simply wants to return to their normal routine, our physical therapy services can help expedite your recovery and facilitate a safe return to activity. By addressing the root cause of your elbow pain and providing targeted interventions to promote healing and tissue repair, we can help you recover more quickly and reduce the risk of re-injury. Our goal is to get you back to doing what you love as soon as possible with confidence and peace of mind.

5. Education and Empowerment:

At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, we believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their health and well-being. In addition to providing hands-on treatment, we offer education on proper ergonomics, body mechanics, injury prevention strategies, and self-care techniques to help you manage your elbow pain effectively and prevent future problems. By arming you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your health, we can help you achieve long-lasting results and maintain optimal joint health over time.

Dr. Megan Mullin is a consummate professional and a gifted physical therapist. The wide array of healing modalities that she uses is inspiring and impactful. I cannot recommend Megan highly enough.

-Gail Straub, Empowerment Institute

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joan c physical therapy patient testimonial

Dr. Mullin is extremely caring and kind. She listens fully and is attentive to your needs. Megan is truly gifted, intuitive & has helped me so much. She is delightful to work with and I actually look forward to my physical therapy appointments!

-Joan C., Patient

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joan c physical therapy patient testimonial
david g physical therapy patient testimonial

Megan is a body wizard. She is also a student of the most cutting-edge
body healing modalities. You could not be in better hands
working with Megan.

-David Gershon, Entrepreneur

joan c physical therapy patient testimonial
david g physical therapy patient testimonial
gail s physical therapy patient testimonial
orthopedic physical therapy san luis obispo ca & woodstock ny

Take the Next Step

Don’t let elbow pain limit your life any longer. Experience relief from elbow pain and regain your quality of life with comprehensive physical therapy at Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy. Schedule an appointment with us today and take the first step towards a pain-free and active lifestyle.

Request a Consultation