Physio for elbow pain
A physio can help with elbow pain that has not gone away after a few weeks, or that flares up whenever you grip, lift or type. The NHS says elbow and arm pain is not usually a sign of anything serious, and its common causes, such as tennis elbow, tendonitis and strains, are joint, tendon and muscle problems.
Physiotherapy is used for exactly these problems. A few arm symptoms need urgent help instead, so check the warning signs on this page first.
- When to get it looked at
- See a GP or a physio if the pain does not go away after a few weeks.
- Getting a physio
- In many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy without seeing a GP, or you can pay privately.
Does this sound familiar?
- Pain on the outside of your elbow when you grip, lift a kettle or turn a door handle.
- You cannot quite straighten your arm fully.
- It aches after a day of typing, gardening or DIY.
- It started after a knock or a strain and has not settled.
These are common ways people describe elbow pain. They are not a diagnosis. If you recognise them, check where it hurts to see a suggested next step.
Common causes of elbow pain
Apart from an injury, the NHS links these symptoms with these possible causes. Do not try to diagnose yourself: a physio or GP can assess it.
| What people notice | What the NHS lists as a possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain on the outside of the elbow, and your arm is hard to straighten fully | Tennis elbow |
| Joint pain, stiffness and swelling, and the area is hard to move | Tendonitis or bursitis |
| Pain, tenderness, bruising and swelling | A sprain or strain |
| Pain and stiffness coming down from the shoulder | Frozen shoulder |
| Pain and stiffness in the joints | Arthritis |
When to get help first
If you have elbow pain and any of these, do not wait to see a physio. This is the same list our check asks, taken from the NHS pages below. If you are not sure, call 111.
Call 999 or go to A&E
If you have elbow pain and:
- Sudden pain, pressure or tightness in your chest that does not go awayIncluding chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck, jaw or back, or comes with sweating, feeling sick, light-headed or short of breath.
Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E
If you have elbow pain and:
- You hurt your arm and heard a snap, or your arm has changed shape
- Severe pain in your arm, and it is difficult to move
- Your arm tingles or feels numb
Get help from NHS 111, or ask for an urgent GP appointment
If you have elbow pain and:
- You feel hot, cold or shivery, or generally unwell, as well as the pain
- Your arm hurts when you exercise, but the pain goes away when you rest
- The joint is hot and swollen, or the skin around it has changed colour
See a GP
If you have elbow pain and:
- You have lost weight without trying to
What you can do now
If none of the warning signs apply, the NHS suggests:
- Put a heat pack, or a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel, on it for 10 to 15 minutes every few hours.
- Raise your arm if it is swollen.
- A pharmacist can advise you on painkillers.
See a GP or a physio if the pain does not go away after a few weeks.
What a physio usually does
Physiotherapy is used for joint, tendon and muscle problems like the ones that cause most elbow pain.
- At a first appointment, a physio asks about your symptoms, your health and your daily life, and may check how you move, your strength and your balance.
- Treatment may include exercises to improve movement and build strength, and manual therapy, where the physio uses their hands to massage and move the area.
- You usually get advice on managing your symptoms and exercises to do at home between sessions.
In many areas of England you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy through community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, without seeing a GP first. Waiting times can be long. You can also pay to see a physio privately. The NHS says to check they are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Questions people ask about elbow pain
Can a physio help with tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is one of the problems the NHS lists for its community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, which include physiotherapy, and in many areas you can refer yourself. You can also see a physio privately. A physio can assess what is causing the pain, show you exercises and talk through the activities that bring it on.
What can I do at home for elbow pain?
For the first couple of days, the NHS suggests a heat pack, or a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel, for 10 to 15 minutes every few hours, and raising your arm if it is swollen. A pharmacist can advise you on painkillers. If it has not gone after a few weeks, see a GP or a physio.
When should I see someone about elbow pain?
The NHS says elbow and arm pain is not usually serious, and to see a GP if it does not go away after a few weeks. A physio is another option at that point, and in many areas you can refer yourself. If you have any of the warning signs listed on this page, follow that advice instead.
Can arthritis cause elbow pain?
Yes. The NHS lists arthritis among the causes of elbow and arm pain, usually with pain and stiffness in the joints. It also lists frozen shoulder, where pain and stiffness come down from the shoulder. Do not try to work out the cause yourself: a GP or physio can assess it and suggest what helps.
Sources
- NHS: Back pain page reviewed
- NHS: Shoulder pain page reviewed
- NHS: Elbow and arm pain page reviewed
- NHS: Hip pain in adults page reviewed
- NHS: Knee pain page reviewed
- NHS: Chest pain page reviewed
- NHS: Septic arthritis page reviewed
- NHS: Unintentional weight loss page reviewed
- NHS: Physiotherapy page reviewed
- NHS: Get NHS help for back or joint problems page reviewed
This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. A physio or GP can assess your own situation.