Condition guide
Elbow Pain Physiotherapy
Assessment and treatment for elbow pain linked to tendon overload, joint irritation, and repetitive upper-limb use.
Elbow pain may involve tendons, the joint, a recent injury or symptoms travelling from elsewhere in the arm or neck. The useful starting point is understanding which movements and tasks are affected. Physiotherapy may help with movement and gradual loading, while significant injury or new loss of feeling needs medical assessment.
This guide is general information and does not replace a clinical assessment.
When to get urgent help
Call 999 for sudden arm pain with chest pressure, heaviness or tightness. Arm pain brought on by exercise that settles with rest needs NHS 111 advice. Severe pain with difficulty moving, a snapping injury, deformity or numbness needs urgent medical assessment rather than a routine physiotherapy appointment.
NHS: Elbow and arm painCommon Symptoms
Pain on the inside or outside of the elbow
Pain with gripping, lifting, or keyboard/mouse use
Reduced grip strength or forearm fatigue
Symptoms during sport or repetitive tasks
Seek Prompt Medical Advice If You Have
Acute trauma with significant swelling or deformity
Major movement loss or locking
Progressive neurological symptoms in hand/forearm
Severe persistent pain after injury
If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or seek urgent medical care.
Assessment
Review any injury, recent workload change and the exact location of elbow symptoms
Check bending, straightening and forearm rotation alongside grip-related tasks
Consider neck or nerve symptoms if discomfort travels or the hand feels altered
Identify major movement loss, swelling or other findings that require medical investigation
Treatment
Temporary changes to painful lifting, gripping or repeated tasks while keeping suitable movement
Exercises selected around the affected movement and current arm strength
A gradual return to work or sport rather than a sudden jump in arm loading
Review of function and symptoms, with further assessment if pain worsens or does not improve
Aftercare & self-management
At your appointment, agree which exercises to do, how often to practise them and when to review your progress.
Vary repetitive arm tasks and reduce the load of activities that clearly aggravate symptoms
Keep the elbow moving comfortably unless an injury-specific restriction has been given
Build back towards normal activity gradually using the agreed exercise plan
Seek urgent advice for a hot swollen elbow, major injury or sudden loss of power or feeling
Plan your visitClinic, prices, insurance and home visits
- Your clinic & directions
- Newham clinic, Plaistow
Newham Leisure Centre, 281 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8SD
- Self-pay
£60 for a 30-minute physiotherapy appointment.
Prices & self-pay- Health insurance
Cover depends on your plan and chosen physiotherapist.
Insurance & cash-plan guidance
Would a home visit suit you better?
If getting to the clinic is difficult, explore physiotherapy at your visit address. Suitability depends on your condition, care needs, travel and the available clinician; the clinic price and insurance arrangements above do not automatically apply to home treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is elbow pain always tendon-related?+
Not always. Assessment helps distinguish tendon, joint, nerve, or referred pain causes.
Can I keep training upper body?+
This depends on the cause and severity. Avoid training that provokes marked pain, and seek assessment after an injury or if swelling, loss of movement, numbness or weakness develops. Suitable activity can then be rebuilt around the findings.
How quickly can grip strength improve?+
Progress varies by irritability and load history. We use staged loading and monitor response.
Related care and guides
Further reading
For public health information, self-care guidance and advice on when to seek medical help:
About your care at Nexus: meet our physiotherapists and read our clinical governance information.