Elbow Pain: What Causes It and How Physiotherapy in Calgary Can Help

Elbow pain can disrupt your work, workouts, and everyday activities like lifting groceries or

typing at your desk. Whether it’s a nagging ache or sharp pain with gripping or twisting, elbow

pain often stems from repetitive strain or biomechanical dysfunction.

At our Calgary physiotherapy clinic on MacLeod Trail, we treat elbow injuries by addressing

the root cause—not just the symptoms—using manual therapy, exercise, and movement

retraining. Located at 8989 MacLeod Trail SW, we proudly serve adults from Haysboro,

Acadia, Kingsland, Fairview, and surrounding South Calgary neighbourhoods.

Common Causes of Elbow Pain in Adults

1. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

• Pain on the outer part of the elbow

• Caused by overuse of wrist extensor tendons

• Common in racquet sports, weightlifting, or computer work

2. Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)

• Pain on the inside of the elbow

• Overuse of wrist flexors

• Linked to repetitive gripping, lifting, or throwing

3. Elbow Bursitis (Olecranon Bursitis)

• Swelling at the tip of the elbow

• Can be due to trauma, prolonged pressure, or inflammation

  
  

4. Triceps or Biceps Tendinopathy

• Pain near the elbow joint with pushing or pulling movements

• Often seen in strength training or manual labourers

5. Nerve Entrapment (e.g., Cubital Tunnel Syndrome)

• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the forearm/hand

• Involves compression of the ulnar nerve around the elbow

6. Referred Pain from Neck or Shoulder

• Cervical radiculopathy can mimic elbow pain

How Physiotherapy at MacLeod Trail Helps Elbow Pain

1. Comprehensive Physiotherapy Assessment

We assess:

• Muscle and tendon integrity

• Joint mobility

• Grip strength

• Movement biomechanics of the entire arm and shoulder

2. Manual Therapy Techniques

• Joint mobilizations to improve elbow mechanics

• Soft tissue release for forearm muscle tension

• Neurodynamic techniques for nerve mobility (Cleland et al., 2007)

3. Targeted Strengthening and Stretching

• Eccentric loading for tendinopathies (Stasinopoulos & Johnson, 2005)

• Forearm, wrist, and shoulder stabilization exercises

• Postural correction to unload elbow structures

4. Pain-Relieving Modalities

• Dry needling for trigger points

• Taping or bracing when needed for support

5. Education and Activity Modification

We’ll help you:

• Adjust sport or work techniques

• Reduce repetitive strain

• Modify grip or lifting positions

Why Early Intervention Matters

Without timely care, tendon injuries can become chronic and harder to treat. Research shows

early physiotherapy improves tendon healing, reduces recurrence, and speeds return to

activity (Bisset et al., 2006).

Your Local Elbow Pain Experts in South Calgary

If you’re dealing with elbow pain that just won’t go away, let our experienced team at 8989

MacLeod Trail SW help. Whether your pain is from work, sport, or lifestyle habits, we’ll build

a personalized plan that works for you.

Book Your Elbow Assessment Today

Take the first step toward pain-free movement. Our expert Calgary physiotherapists are ready to

help you grip, lift, and move comfortably again.

References

 Bisset L, et al. (2006). Mobilisation with movement and exercise, corticosteroid injection,

or wait and see for tennis elbow: randomised trial. BMJ.

 Cleland JA, et al. (2007). Comparison of cervicothoracic manipulation and mobilization

for elbow pain: randomized trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther.

 Stasinopoulos D, Johnson MI. (2005). Eccentric training vs. pulsed ultrasound for the

treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Clin Rehabil.