What causes elbow pain when bending and straightening my arm?

You rely on the use of your elbows for many of your actions throughout the day. Getting dressed, taking a shower, cooking, gardening and many other activities all require the use of your arms and the elbows. When one or both of your elbows are in pain when bending and straightening your arm, it can be difficult to get through these normal daily activities.

If you’re suffering from elbow pain when bending or straightening your arm, you should take a moment to get to know what could be causing it and visit a physical therapist for treatment if you suspect you have any of these conditions: 

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a form of inflammation in the elbow joint running along the outside of the elbow. The pain from tennis elbow can spread down the back of your forearm and feels worse when bending or straightening your arm.

Tennis elbow can develop from overuse of the arm in physical activities that involve repetitive twisting of the wrist, such as:

• Playing tennis
• Swimming
• Manual labor with hammers, wrenches and screwdrivers
• Typing at a computer

Golfer’s elbow

Also known as medial epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow is a form of inflammation in the elbow joint that runs along the inside of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow is the result of frequent use of the arm in physically demanding activities involving gripping motions, such as:

• Swinging a golf club
• Climbing
• Lifting weights
• Throwing a ball

Strained biceps

Your biceps is the muscle on the front side of your arm between your elbow and shoulder. It powers your lifting motions by contracting your elbow joint. Overuse of the arm in physical activity, such as frequently lifting heavy objects, can cause you to pull the muscle, which is an injury known as a strain. 

Visit Excel Sports & Physical Therapy for elbow pain treatment

Are you suffering from elbow pain when bending or straightening your arm? It’s our mission at Excel to help patients like you manage your pain and regain the use of your arm. Our physical therapists can examine your elbow and develop a personalized treatment routine to assist you in reaching your recovery goals. All the treatments we develop are personalized to your needs, but you can generally expect your treatment to include:

• Gentle exercises and stretches
• Joint mobilization
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Grip and posture guidance
• Patient education and more

If you’re ready to start your journey toward recovery, contact our team today for more information about elbow pain or to schedule an initial appointment.