Three steps you can take to avoid elbow nerve pain

Elbow Nerve Pain

Have you ever hit your funny bone? Most people can say yes to this, and if you can, then you know exactly what elbow nerve pain feels like. 

Unfortunately, this type of pain lasts longer for some people than for those who have hit their funny bone. The best remedy for elbow nerve pain is to avoid developing it in the first place. Physical therapists can help you find ways to avoid this type of pain, and they can also help you treat your elbow pain effectively if you do develop it. 

Taking these three steps can help you avoid elbow nerve pain

Nerve pain in your elbow is typically caused by a condition called ulnar nerve entrapment. The ulnar nerve runs through a structure called the cubital tunnel in the elbow. Impacts to the elbow and repetitive movements can cause this structure to become inflamed. As a result, the ulnar nerve gets pinched or trapped, causing it to send out pain signals. Some ways that you can avoid developing this painful condition include: 

  1. Not leaning on your elbow — Leaning on your elbow for long periods of time compresses structures in your elbow. This is especially true if you’re leaning on a hard surface like an unpadded chair arm or desk. Since there’s not much soft tissue padding the elbow joint, this compression can easily pinch or irritate the ulnar nerve. 
  1. Wearing elbow protection — Falling onto your elbow can trigger ulnar nerve entrapment. People who play certain sports, like football, or who do activities like skateboarding are more likely to fall on their elbows. Wearing elbow protection can reduce the pressure a fall places on your elbows, which can reduce the risk of ulnar nerve entrapment. 
  1. Avoiding repetitive movements — Work- or sports-related tasks that require repetitive elbow movements can lead to ulnar nerve entrapment. This is the case because repetitive movements can irritate soft tissue in the elbow, such as the olecranon bursa. In turn, the irritation can cause inflammation that narrows the cubital tunnel and pinches the ulnar nerve. If you can, avoid doing long stints of repetitive elbow movements by taking frequent breaks. 

Excel PT offers effective treatment if you do develop elbow nerve pain

You aren’t out of luck if you’ve already developed elbow nerve pain. Our team at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy is prepared to help you treat your pain. Our free screenings allow us to pinpoint the source of your elbow pain. In addition, we can construct a customized therapy plan for you that’s designed to reduce your pain and prevent it from returning in the future. These goals are often accomplished using therapy techniques such as: 

Contact our team today for more information about how we can treat your elbow pain or to schedule your initial appointment.