What We Treat > Elbow and Wrist Pain

Physical Therapy for Aching Wrists and Elbows

Stratton Rehabilitation Clinic provides professional physical therapy services that can alleviate pain and improve function in the wrists and elbows. Whether the pain is due to overuse, injury, or a chronic condition, a specialized therapy program can help reduce symptoms and promote healing. Contact us for your wrist and elbow pain treatment.

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What’s Causing Your Elbow and Wrist Pain?

Elbow and wrist pain can result from various causes, ranging from overuse and repetitive motion to trauma, medical conditions, and even poor posture or ergonomics. Here are some of the causes of your aching wrists and elbows:

Elbow Pain Cause

Tennis Elbow is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons on the outer elbow from repetitive motions like gripping or lifting, leading to pain on the outside of the elbow.
Golfer’s Elbow affects the inner elbow, often from repetitive wrist and forearm actions.
Elbow Bursitis occurs from inflammation of the bursa, causing swelling and pain at the elbow tip, especially after pressure or repetitive motion.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome results from compression of the ulnar nerve, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.
Elbow Sprains and Strains are injuries to the ligaments or muscles from trauma that lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the elbow.

Wrist Pain Causes

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve that leads to numbness, tingling, and wrist pain that worsens at night, often due to repetitive motions like typing or using a mouse.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis involves inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty gripping, often from repetitive thumb motions.
Wrist Sprains and Strains occur from trauma, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the wrist.
Osteoarthritis in the wrist affects the cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Wrist Tendinitis causes pain and swelling due to inflammation of the tendons, often from repetitive activity.
Ganglion Cysts are fluid-filled lumps that form on the wrist and may cause pain.

Physical Therapy Treatment for Elbow and Wrist Pain

If pain persists despite self-care measures, or if you experience symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, or severe swelling, it’s important to consult Stratton Rehabilitation Clinic for a more targeted treatment plan.

Physical therapy can be highly effective for managing wrist and elbow pain, but a personalized treatment plan and diligent follow-through are key to achieving optimal recovery.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Your Elbow and Wrist Pain

Advanced Pain Management and Inflammation Reduction

Cold therapy helps reduce swelling and numb pain in acute conditions like tendinitis of the wrist, especially after exercise. Heat therapy is beneficial after the inflammation subsides, as it relaxes muscles, improves blood flow, and reduces stiffness, aiding conditions like arthritis.

Manual Therapy

Physical therapists from Stratton Rehabilitation Clinic employ several techniques to alleviate discomfort and improve function in the wrist and elbow. Joint mobilization involves gentle hands-on methods to enhance range of motion and reduce stiffness. Soft tissue mobilization includes techniques like massage and myofascial release, which help relieve muscle tightness and promote circulation. Additionally, trigger point therapy targets specific muscle knots to alleviate tension and referred pain.

Elbow and Wrist Strengthening Exercises

Stretching exercises for the wrist and elbow are important for improving flexibility and range of motion, especially after injuries or for conditions like tendinitis of the wrist and elbow. Key exercises include wrist flexor and extensor stretches, elbow flexion/extension stretches, and forearm stretching to alleviate tension and stiffness.

Posture Correction

Poor posture can lead to wrist and elbow pain, particularly in conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. For conditions like tennis elbow or repetitive strain injuries, it's important to maintain neutral wrist and elbow positions during daily activities to prevent worsening the injury.

Neuromuscular Re-education

Proprioception training involves exercises designed to improve the body’s awareness of joint position and movement. It is particularly beneficial if mobility, coordination, or motor control is lost following an injury or surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow and Wrist Pain

Can tendinitis of the wrist keep coming back?

Yes, wrist tendinitis can recur, especially if the underlying causes or risk factors aren't addressed. Tendinitis occurs when a tendon in the wrist becomes inflamed, often due to repetitive motions, overuse, or poor biomechanics. Stratton Rehabilitation Clinic provides specialized therapy to strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles, improve flexibility, and correct any biomechanical issues.

What is soft tissue mobilization in alleviating wrists and elbow pain?

oft Tissue Mobilization (STM) is a hands-on treatment plan used by physical therapists to treat pain and dysfunction in the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia (the connective tissue that surrounds muscles). When applied to the wrist and elbow, soft tissue mobilization aims to reduce pain, improve circulation, increase flexibility, and restore normal movement. It's especially effective for treating conditions like tendinitis, muscle tightness, ligament sprains, and other soft tissue injuries that cause wrist and elbow pain.

Is carpal tunnel syndrome genetic?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may have a genetic component, but lifestyle factors and repetitive hand movements mainly influence it. It often results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If you suspect you have CTS or are at risk, consulting with Stratton Rehabilitation Clinic is advisable for diagnosis and specialized treatment services.

Does carpal tunnel syndrome cause elbow pain?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can sometimes cause elbow pain, although it is not the most common symptom. This is because the median nerve, which is compressed in CTS, extends from the neck and travels down the arm, passing through the elbow before reaching the wrist and hand. If the median nerve is irritated or compressed in the carpal tunnel (at the wrist), it can cause symptoms that radiate up the arm, including the elbow.

Advanced Pain Management for Your Elbow and Wrist Pain

Stratton Rehabilitation Clinic provides effective pain management techniques if you’re dealing with chronic elbow and wrist pain. We have personalized treatment plans to address the root causes of your pain and promote long-term healing. Our approach combines the latest advancements in pain management with targeted therapies to restore function.

Contact us now for specialized rehabilitation services designed to help you achieve lasting relief.