physiotherapy for elbow pain in Cheltenham
elbow pain relief, regain your grip on life
Elbow pain can make simple things like lifting a bag, typing, or even pouring a cup of tea, feel frustrating. Physiotherapy offers an effective way to ease pain, restore movement, and strengthen your elbow so you can get your daily life back in usually 4 to 6 weeks. Clinical guidelines emphasise that elbow pain is often due to repetitive strain or overuse injuries, and physiotherapy / exercise therapy is usually the recommended treatment option.
Why Use a Physiotherapist for Elbow Pain?
- Natural Pain Relief – Gentle, evidence‑based techniques reduce pain through movement, strengthening muscles, improving posture, and restoring mobility, without relying on medication or invasive procedures.
- Improved Mobility – Targeted exercises and manual therapy improves mobility so you can bens, straighten, and rotate your arm more freely.
- Long‑Term Prevention – Physiotherapy builds strength in the muscles and tendons that support the joint and helps to prevent future injury, which stabilises the joint and reduces the risk of future injury.
- Personalised Care – Every person is different, causes of elbow pain are generally overuse injuries from the many ways we use this flexible joint. We design exercises and therapies that match your body’s needs.
Treatment For Elbow Pain May Include
- Manual therapy - A hands‑on physiotherapy technique using joint mobilisations and soft tissue massage to ease stiffness and tension, relax tight muscles, and improve circulation.
- Guided exercises - Focus on strengthening, stretching, and retraining movement to relieve pain and prevent injury. They are safe, progressive, and tailored to each athlete’s needs, making them a cornerstone of rehabilitation.
- Stretching exercises - These are a key part of pain relief because they reduce stiffness, improve flexibility, and restore mobility in injured or overworked muscles. They are often combined with strengthening for complete rehabilitation.
- Shockwave therapy - This non-evasive treatment works by improving blood flow, stimulating cell activity, and breaking down scar tissue to promote healing. It is often used in conjunction with other physiotherapy treatments.
- Education - Guidance on posture, lifting techniques etc. to reduce stiffness, and to ease discomfort.
Common Shoulder Pain Conditions We Treat
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) - Pain on the outside of the elbow from repetitive gripping or lifting.
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) - Pain on the inside of the elbow from repetitive wrist flexion.
- Weight lifting sore elbow (triceps tendonitis) - This is an overuse injury from weightlifting
- Arthritis - Stiffness and aching from joint wear and tear.
- Sprains or strains - Sudden injury from lifting or twisting.
- Overuse injuries - Repetitive tasks like typing, DIY, or sports.
What to Expect
The
most important factor in choosing elbow pain treatment is a clear, accurate diagnosis. At Straight Back Physio we will begin with a thorough assessment to understand your pain and its causes. Together, you’ll create a treatment plan that balances hands‑on therapy with exercises you can do at home. With consistent physiotherapy treatment, patients regain flexibility, reduce pain, and move more confidently in everyday life.
Causes of elbow injuries
Your elbow allows you to throw, lift, swing, and much more. If any injury or strain affects any parts of your elbow (including the nerves surrounding them) it can cause pain, pins and needles, and discomfort. There are many reasons for elbow pain, some of which are outlined below:
Tennis Elbow
‘Tennis elbow’ is a type of tendonitis that occurs when the tendons on the outside of your elbow are overloaded, by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Despite its name, it doesn’t only affect tennis players! Any repetitive motion involving the arm, like painting, typing, or even gardening, can lead to this condition. Using physiotherapy for tendonitis injuries like tennis elbow can be a very effective form of treatment.
Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, which can spread into the forearm and wrist. Activities like lifting, gripping, or bending the arm can make the pain worse. The condition often develops gradually and can worsen over time if not addressed.
Shockwave treatment for tennis elbow can be really helpful to reduce pain and inflammation. Early treatment and proper care can significantly improve outcomes and help return to normal activities.
Golfers Elbow
Golfer's elbow causes pain on the inside of the elbow from overuse of the muscles and tendons that control the wrist and fingers. Despite its name, it isn't limited to golfers; it can affect anyone who performs repetitive gripping or wrist movements, such as painters, or carpenters.
Symptoms include stiffness, weakness in the hands and wrists, and numbness or tingling radiating into one or more fingers. The pain can worsen with certain activities like gripping objects or flexing the wrist.
Using physio for golfers elbow can be an effective treatment option and will also use acupuncture and exercises to aid recovery. Early diagnosis, intervention and proper management can speed up recovery and prevent deterioration of the injury.
weightlifting sore elbow
Formally known as triceps tendonitis it is an overuse injury from weightlifting that causes pain where the triceps muscle meets the elbow joint. Poor form, repetition, too much weight or insufficient recovery time can lead to the development of weightlifters elbow..
Elbow pain while lifting can be a challenging condition to manage, but with the right approach, it is often possible to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies for weightlifters elbow, you can take proactive steps to address this common issue among weightlifters and maintain a healthy, injury-free training routine.
“After breaking an arm and then injuring my neck I went to see Straight back Physio, based on a personal recommendation. The difference that they made was immense - the level of discomfort decreased quickly and there is no doubt that the speed of my recovery was improved significantly.”
RH, Google review
Book now
Schedule an appointment with a elbow physiotherapy expert in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, we provide a comprehensive approach to elbow pain treatment, utilizing various recommended therapies specifically designed to help you stay free from pain and injuries. Our preventative services are aimed at supporting your overall well-being and boosting your activity levels.
Recover faster, our chartered physios can usually get you back to redoing the activities you can't do now within 4 to 8 sessions.
We understand that some people may want to find out a bit more about the cost before they book an appointment at our physiotherapy clinic. Our unique
save as you recover packages can save you up to 20% on the cost of a single session.
Insured
For insured clients we can either work directly with your insurance provider or offer receipts for cash-based plans, allowing you to reclaim your expenses.
Not Covered by Insurance
If you want see the best physiotherapist in your area, feel free to book an appointment at our Cheltenham physiotherapy clinic without needing a referral from your GP.
Why Choose Us
No other local physiotherapy clinic can match our level of expertise and rehabilitation services, thanks to our extensive experience and in-house gym facilities. You'll receive the full benefits of physiotherapy through a tailored combination of interventions designed to guide you on your path to recovery.