What’s Causing My Elbow and Wrist Pain — And How Can Physical Therapy Help?
—July Newsletter —
Remember the last time you accidentally slammed your funny bone? That sharp, radiating pain is deeply unpleasant — fortunately, it usually only lasts a few moments. But what happens when that pain lingers? If you’re dealing with pain in your elbow, forearm, or wrist, Movement Specialists Physical Therapy is here t o help!
Wrist and elbow pain can have several potential causes. Three major nerves run through the arm and can become entrapped, leading to numbness, tingling, and pain. You can also injure the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the elbow and wrist joints, which can cause mobility restrictions and pain in the impacted area.
Our team of physical therapists will help you get to the bottom of your elbow pain — and we’ll help you find a way to resolve that pain for good. Call us to schedule an appointment and get started today!
A Closer Look at the Causes of Wrist and Elbow Pain
When you come in for your appointment, the first thing we’ll do is carefully review your symptoms and run a few simple movement screens to help pinpoint the cause of your pain.
Overuse injuries are one of the more common causes of wrist and elbow pain. You’ve probably heard of conditions such as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow — both are examples of overuse injuries. They stem from repetitive movements or awkward postures that strain the joint’s soft tissue, leading to a gradual onset of symptoms.
You can also suffer acute injuries, particularly in the wrist. These injuries happen suddenly rather than over time. Wrist sprains, in which the ligaments in the wrist suffer damage, are among the most common. You can also fracture the bones in your wrist and elbow, which will typically require medical intervention.
Nerve disorders are another common source of discomfort in the elbow, forearm, and wrist. They occur when one of the nerves running through the arm becomes entrapped, leading to pain, numbness or tingling, and mobility restrictions. The location of your symptoms can let you know which nerve is affected:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the median nerve and can become trapped in a structure in your wrist (the carpal tunnel). You’ll typically experience symptoms in your wrist and hand.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome affects the ulnar nerve, which passes through a narrow structure in your elbow (the cubital tunnel). If the nerve becomes entrapped in the cubital tunnel, it can cause symptoms in your elbow and hand.
Finally, arthritis can affect your elbows and wrists, leading to pain and restricted range of motion.
Let’s Get to the Root of Your Wrist or Elbow Pain!
Pain in the wrist or elbow can seriously impact your quality of life, making it difficult to perform day-to-day movements like brushing your teeth, typing on a computer, or preparing a meal. The team at Movement Specialists Physical Therapy will help you get to the bottom of your pain to find lasting relief.
Call us to schedule your initial appointment today!
Sources: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Physiotherapy_Management_of_the_Elbow, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532948, https://physio-pedia.com/Carpal_Tunnel_Syndrome
What Physical Therapy Can Do to Help Ease Your Wrist and Elbow Pain
Once our therapist has determined the source of your pain, we’ll develop a customized treatment program to help you find relief. The good news is that physical therapy alone can resolve most common sources of wrist and elbow pain. Here are a few of the techniques we might incorporate into your program:
- Manual Therapy: Manual therapy techniques help reduce pain and restore mobility restrictions. We might guide the joint through its current range of motion, manipulate your soft tissue, or try other techniques.
- Therapeutic Exercises: We’ll create a targeted, progressive exercise program to ease your symptoms. We’ll start with gentle stretches and mobility work, then move on to strengthening exercises to help support and stabilize the impacted joint.
- Braces and Splints: Some conditions might benefit from a brace or splint, which temporarily immobilizes the joint as you work on treatment. We’ll let you know if it’s a good choice and help you find the right device to suit your needs.
- Injury Prevention: We’ll let you know what you can do to prevent future injuries. We might show you ergonomic adjustments to reduce the impact of repetitive movements, postural corrections to minimize strain on your wrist or elbow, or other strategies.
Location! Location! Location!
We’re excited to share that Movement Specialists Physical Therapy is expanding with a third location coming soon to Gretna! This new clinic at 59 Westbank Expressway, Gretna, LA 70053 reflects our continued commitment to making high-quality, personalized physical therapy more accessible across the greater New Orleans area.
Our Gretna location will be staffed by experienced providers including Hunter Beaugez, Joseph Squatrito, and Elise Hood, offering the same evidence-based care our patients know and trust. Whether you’re recovering from injury, managing pain, or working toward better movement, our team is here to help you stay active and feel your best.
Try Our New Word Search!
💡 How to Play
Welcome! Test your Wrist & Elbow Pain knowledge. Spell all 8 hidden words using the clues below. Type your word in the box and click Submit. Can you find them all?
Important note: You can use each letter in the grid more than once! Good luck!
Found Words (0/8):
🩺 Puzzle Clues
All 8 hidden words relate to Wrist & Elbow Pain Relief. If you read our latest article, you’ll definitely recognize these!
- (6 Letters) The Tunnel: The narrow structure in your wrist where the median nerve can become compressed.
- (7 Letters) The Pathway: The narrow structure in your elbow that the ulnar nerve passes through.
- (7 Letters) The Culprit: Type of injury stemming from repetitive movements or awkward postures, like tennis elbow.
- (7 Letters) The Support: Temporary devices used to immobilize a joint alongside braces during treatment.
- (7 Letters) The Tissue: Fibrous soft tissues in the joints that can face strain and injury alongside muscles.
- (8 Letters) The Break: A sudden, acute bone injury in the arm or wrist requiring medical intervention.
- (8 Letters) The Restoration: What physical therapists aim to return to your joints through manual therapy and stretching.
- (9 Letters) The Condition: A common joint disorder causing chronic pain and restricted range of motion.
Do You Know Someone That Needs Our Help?
Advanced Pain Relief Now Available in Metairie!
We’re thrilled to announce that Movement Specialists Physical Therapy is now offering Shock Wave Therapy and Smart Ice Laser Therapy – cutting-edge treatments designed to accelerate healing, reduce pain, and promote recovery for stubborn injuries like plantar fasciitis, tendon pain, and more. These services are available exclusively at our Metairie location and provided as self-pay options. Using the 45W Smart Ice Laser and Focused Shockwave units, our team can help target pain at the source and get you moving again – faster and more effectively than ever before.
Patient Success Stories
“Superb Care!“
“I had an excellent experience at this physical therapy facility. The staff is incredibly friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, and they made me feel comfortable and supported from day one. They took the time to thoroughly understand my issues and created a treatment plan tailored to my needs. Thanks to their expertise, guidance, and encouragement, I’ve made significant progress and am on the road to complete recovery. I truly appreciate the care and attention I received and would highly recommend this facility to anyone in need of physical therapy.”
–M.K
July Healthy Recipe:
Simple Roasted Sungold Cherry Tomato Pasta
A creamy, summery tomato pasta that’s full of fresh flavor and just the right amount of cozy. Sweet, roasted Sungold cherry tomatoes are blended with shallots, garlic, chili peppers, goat cheese, and Parmesan to create a silky, vibrant sauce.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cups sungold or cherry tomatoes
- 2 shallots, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 – 3 tablespoons crushed Calabrian chilli peppers in oil
- salt and black pepper
- 8 slices prosciutto
- 1 pound long or short cut pasta
- 4 ounces goat cheese, ricotta or cream cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In an oven-safe pot or large roasting pan, toss together the butter, tomatoes, shallots, garlic, thyme, Calabrian peppers, salt, and pepper. Arrange the prosciutto on top of the tomatoes. Bake 15-20 minutes, until the prosciutto is crispy.
- Pull the prosciutto off the tomatoes and set aside.
- Using an immersion blender, puree the tomatoes into a creamy sauce, or use a blender.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until it is al dente. Just before draining, remove 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain.
- Add the pasta, goat cheese, parmesan cheese, basil, and 1/2 cup pasta cooking water to the tomato sauce, stirring until smooth. If needed, thin the sauce with a little of the reserved pasta cooking water.
- Divide the pasta between plates. Top with parmesan, prosciutto, and fresh basil. EAT and ENJOY.
Did You Know You Can See a Physical Therapist Without a Referral?
Not everyone knows you can go directly to your physical therapist if you are dealing with pain or an injury. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with an old or new problem. In all 50 states, you can schedule a visit with one of our therapists to get help sooner than later.
Direct Access is all about having the freedom to make your own decisions without being bound by outdated rules. It allows you to be in charge of your healthcare so you can focus on your recovery instead of waiting for another appointment to get you the help you need today!
Direct Access also helps you save money, schedule when you want, and speeds up your recovery so you can get relief and get back to doing what you love. If you have questions about Direct Access or would like to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, contact Movement Specialists Physical Therapy now!
Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following?
- Move without pain
- Bend and move freely
- Balance confidently and securely
- Sit for long periods comfortably
- Walk for long distances
- Live an active and healthy lifestyle
If you know someone suffering from aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Movement Specialists Physical Therapy today. Forward this newsletter or have them call us directly for a physical therapy consultation.
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
