Elbow pain

What is it?

What is it?

Elbow pain is a common discomfort both in people who play sports and in those who perform repetitive movements in their work or daily activities. It can appear when lifting weight, gripping objects, training, typing, or even during everyday movements.

Although it is usually associated with injuries such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, the source of the problem is not always found solely in the joint. In many cases, biomechanical alterations, muscular overload, and an inadequate distribution of forces throughout the entire upper limb are involved.

Most common symptoms

• Pain in the inner or outer part of the elbow.

• Discomfort when carrying weight or holding objects.

• Sensation of weakness in the arm or forearm.

• Pain when flexing or extending the arm.

• Stiffness or a sensation of overload.

• Tension in the forearm musculature.

• Pain that can radiate to the wrist, hand, or arm.

  
  

Why does it appear?

The elbow acts as a connection point between the shoulder, forearm, and hand, constantly receiving forces from all of these structures. When any of them loses mobility, stability, or the capacity to correctly distribute load, the joint can begin to compensate and develop pain.

Among the most frequent factors are:

• Repetitive movements.

• Muscle overload.

• Deficit in shoulder stability.

• Maintained tension in triceps and forearm.

• Biomechanical alterations.

• Poor load distribution.

• Sensitisation of the nervous system.

The importance of the kinetic chain

The body functions as a connected chain, where the shoulder, triceps, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand work together to control movement and absorb loads.

In many cases, the musculature of the triceps and shoulder transmits excessive tension toward the elbow, causing this joint to bear more load than it should. Likewise, a sustained overload in the forearm or hand can also increase stress on the elbow.

Therefore, treating only the painful area does not always resolve the problem. A functional assessment allows for the identification of which structures are generating the overload and the correction of the root cause of the injury.

Therapeutic approach

Treatment is adapted to the needs of each patient and can combine different techniques to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent recurrences:

• Manual therapy.

• Myofascial release.

• Dry needling, when indicated.

• Specific work on the triceps and forearm musculature.

• Therapeutic exercise.

• Re-education of movement and loads.

• Improving shoulder and wrist mobility.

• Regulation of muscle tension.

Therapeutic exercise and movement control.

Postural education.

Treatment objectives

Reduce pain.

• Restore mobility and strength.

• Improve load distribution.

• Correct biomechanical compensations.

• Promote a safe return to daily and sporting activity.

• Reduce the risk of recurrences.