How physiotherapy Help In Relieving Elbow

Introduction

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of elbow pain and dysfunction. Therapists have an anatomical and functional understanding of the elbow’s three joints. They can use this information to treat the many potential causes of a patient’s symptoms, including those located close to and far away from the elbow.

The physiotherapist can evaluate the patient’s elbow and rule out any underlying conditions that could be causing the patient’s complaints. Based on the assessment’s findings, a personalised, multi-pronged treatment plan may be designed to address the individual’s unique set of challenges.

What are the Causes of Elbow Pain?

Pain in the Elbow Caused by Torn Ligaments

The ligaments around a joint link the bones and keep everything in place. The ligaments that surround the elbow joints are plentiful. One or more ligaments in your elbow may be damaged if your elbow is subjected to sudden, excessive forces, such as in a fall, or if you repeatedly strain your elbow.

Pain in the Elbow Caused by Muscle Overuse or Tendonitis

The majority of patients visit a doctor because of this specific symptom of elbow discomfort. Overuse of any of the several muscles that traverse the elbow joint can lead to strain or unhealthy tissue (tendinopathy).

Bursitis-Caused Elbow Pain

This can happen if the elbow is subjected to abnormal repeated strain or if it sustains direct impact.

Arthritis-Related Elbow Pain

Injuries to the elbow, especially fractures, and overuse, especially beyond age 60, are the most common causes of osteoarthritis in the elbow.

Dislocation or Fracture of the Elbow

Elbow fractures can be of various types, but they are almost always the consequence of landing on an outstretched hand.

Radial Tunnel Syndrome, the Cause of Your Elbow Ache

The triceps and the wrist extensors (two key muscle groups that span the elbow) receive their nerve supply from the radial nerve, which runs along the back of the upper arm and forearm.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

Within the first two days after the commencement of severe pain, you may receive:

• Taking time to let the arm heal by doing less work or doing different work.
• Using cold compresses on the sore spot.

• Applying compression with elastic bandages or other supports to the sore muscles.
• Whether or not a brace or support to protect your muscles is helpful throughout recovery is something your physical therapist will decide.

When the First Two Days Are Over

To aid in your speedy recovery, your physical therapist will begin a therapy plan designed just for you. They could try therapies like:

• Treatment involving the use of one’s own hands, or manual treatment.
• Therapeutic exercises for discomfort.
• Procedures involving either cold or hot therapy, or both, are available.
• They will evaluate your muscle weakness and provide a personalised training plan to help you recover.

The components of your physical therapy plan are as follows:

Facilitating movement. Your physical therapist may recommend massage or other forms of manual (hands-on) treatment. As a result of receiving this therapy, you should feel reduced discomfort and more range of motion in your joints and muscles.

Gaining muscle power. Tennis elbow can develop from a lack of muscular strength. Wrist and forearm muscles are sometimes the weak link. Weakness in the postural, or “core,” muscles that support the body is often at the root of the issue.

When healing from tennis elbow, physical therapists may suggest a variety of activities, including the following:

• Your physical therapist may have you do some light, passive exercises at the beginning of your therapy, when the pain is at its worst. They’ll move your wrist and elbow gently, sparing the muscles in those areas.

• Active activities, such as moving your wrist and elbow without help, can be started as soon as your symptoms improve. In order to keep you safe, your physical therapist will direct you.

• When your symptoms subside and your muscles strengthen, you can go to utilising weights or resistance bands to further improve your strength. To ensure you make progress and don’t re-injure yourself, your physical therapist will keep a close eye on your exercise sessions.

Your physical therapist may show you how to adapt your routine so that it doesn’t cause you pain or harm. Change is inevitable, whether at work, on the pitch or at home. If you’re experiencing pain in your hands, wrists, or forearms, a physical therapist can recommend adjustments you can make to your workspace, computer setup, kitchen appliances, sporting equipment, and even gardening tools. They will stress the value of regular stretch pauses to allow your muscles to recover from the stress of repeated motions and postures.