Our Philosophy on Treating Elbow Pain

Elbow pain isn't always just an elbow problem.

The way your shoulder, wrist, hand, and even your lifting or work mechanics function can all influence how much stress is placed on the elbow.

Rather than simply treating the painful area, we evaluate the entire upper extremity to identify the factors contributing to your symptoms.

Our goal is to reduce pain, restore strength, improve function, and help you confidently return to the activities that matter most.

Common Causes of Elbow Pain

Elbow pain can develop for many different reasons, including:

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia)

• Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia)

• Tendinopathy

• Ligament sprains

• Muscle strains

• Distal biceps tendinopathy

• Triceps tendinopathy

• Nerve irritation

• Sports injuries

• Repetitive work-related injuries

Because several elbow conditions produce similar symptoms, a thorough evaluation is essential to determine the true source of your pain.

Common Symptoms

Elbow pain can present differently depending on the underlying condition.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain gripping objects

• Pain lifting weights

• Pain carrying groceries

• Pain opening jars or doors

• Pain during pulling exercises

• Tenderness around the elbow

• Stiffness

• Weak grip strength

• Pain with repetitive movements

• Numbness or tingling in some conditions

Every patient's presentation is unique, which is why treatment should always begin with a comprehensive evaluation.

Why Does My Elbow Pain Keep Coming Back?

Many people experience temporary relief after resting, wearing a brace, taking medication, or avoiding activities, only to have symptoms return when they resume normal use.

Often, the underlying contributors haven't changed.

These may include:

• Reduced forearm strength

• Weakness throughout the upper extremity

• Poor lifting mechanics

• Grip overload

• Repetitive work demands

• Training errors

• Sudden increases in activity

• Reduced tissue capacity

Our goal is to identify these contributing factors so you're not constantly managing flare-ups but instead building long-term resilience.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Research supports physical therapy as an effective treatment for many elbow conditions.

Depending on your evaluation, treatment may include:

• Soft tissue mobilization

• Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

• Joint mobilization when appropriate

• Progressive forearm strengthening

• Grip strengthening

• Wrist and shoulder strengthening

• Mobility exercises

• Load management strategies

• Sport-specific rehabilitation

• Return-to-work progression

• Individualized home exercise program

Every treatment plan is tailored to your diagnosis, goals, activity level, and lifestyle.

Our Evaluation Process

Your first visit includes a comprehensive one-on-one assessment that may evaluate:

• Elbow range of motion

• Wrist mobility

• Shoulder mobility

• Grip strength

• Forearm strength

• Muscle flexibility

• Functional movement patterns

• Lifting mechanics

• Activities that reproduce your symptoms

Understanding why your symptoms developed allows us to create a treatment plan focused on long-term recovery—not simply temporary pain relief.

Who We Help

We commonly work with:

• Active adults

• Office professionals

• Weightlifters

• Golfers

• Tennis and pickleball players

• CrossFit athletes

• Tradespeople

• Weekend warriors

• Individuals with repetitive work demands

Whether your goal is lifting weights, returning to your sport, or working comfortably throughout the day, your rehabilitation is built around what's important to you.

When Should You See a Physical Therapist?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if your elbow pain:

• Lasts longer than one to two weeks

• Continues returning

• Limits work or daily activities

• Prevents you from exercising

• Makes gripping painful

• Causes weakness

• Interferes with lifting or carrying

• Prevents you from enjoying your favorite activities

Early treatment often leads to quicker recovery and may reduce the likelihood of persistent symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stop lifting weights if my elbow hurts?

Not necessarily.

Many elbow conditions improve with appropriate exercise and load management rather than complete rest. The goal is to modify activities while gradually rebuilding strength and tissue capacity.

Can physical therapy help tennis elbow?

Yes.

Tennis elbow is one of the most common elbow conditions treated with physical therapy. Progressive strengthening, load management, manual therapy, and education are often key components of recovery.

Can physical therapy help golfer's elbow?

Yes.

Many individuals with golfer's elbow improve through a combination of strengthening, mobility exercises, activity modification, and progressive return to their normal activities.

Should I wear an elbow brace?

An elbow brace may help reduce symptoms during certain activities, but it should complement—not replace—a rehabilitation program designed to address the underlying contributors to your pain.

Why does my elbow hurt when I grip something?

Gripping places significant demand on the forearm muscles that attach near the elbow. If those tissues become irritated or overloaded, gripping everyday objects can become painful.

How long does recovery take?

Recovery depends on your diagnosis, symptom severity, activity level, and consistency with treatment. Some individuals improve within several weeks, while more persistent conditions require a longer rehabilitation program.

Why Choose Get Up Physical Therapy?

• One-on-one, uninterrupted sessions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy

• Personalized treatment plans based on your goals

• Evidence-informed rehabilitation

• Hands-on care combined with individualized exercise programming

• Focus on treating the underlying cause—not simply masking symptoms

• Convenient location serving Park Ridge and surrounding communities

Movement Is Medicine

At Get Up Physical Therapy, we believe movement is one of the most powerful tools for recovery.

That doesn't mean pushing through pain or ignoring symptoms. It means identifying the right movements, progressing them safely, and helping you rebuild strength, endurance, and confidence in your arm.

Our goal isn't simply to reduce pain.

It's to help you grip stronger, lift confidently, and return to work, sports, and everyday activities without elbow pain holding you back.

Schedule Your Evaluation

Elbow pain shouldn't keep you from doing the things you enjoy.

If you're looking for one-on-one physical therapy in Park Ridge that focuses on identifying the root cause of your symptoms and helping you return to work, exercise, sports, and everyday activities, we'd love to help.

Schedule your evaluation today and take the first step toward moving with confidence again.