Elbow Pain & Symptoms Guide

Elbow pain can occur not only from racket sports but also from computer work, cooking, cleaning, and repetitive lifting of objects. We must examine whether the pain is on the outer or inner side, and whether pain is reproduced when extending or flexing the wrist.

If pain radiates to the hand or you feel your elbow is locking, we also check for nerve and joint problems in addition to tendon overuse.

• Pain on the outer side of the elbow when lifting a cup or bag
• Pain when opening a bottle cap or wringing out a towel
• Pain on the inside of the wrist when bending it or during a golf swing
• Numbness on the side of the little finger when bending the elbow for a long time
• The elbow cannot be fully extended or feels like it is catching.
• Swelling and bruising after trauma

We do not determine the exact cause based solely on the painful location when pressed; we also examine actual wrist and finger movements and muscle strength.

If the elbow shape changes after a fall, or if it is severely swollen and cannot move, evaluation for fracture or dislocation is necessary. Even if the joint becomes red and hot with fever, or if sensation and strength in the hand rapidly decline, prompt consultation is recommended.

If your fingers appear pale or cold and the pulse feels weak, you should check the vascular condition.

We ask about your occupation, exercise habits, repetitive hand movements, and the time when pain began. We check elbow flexion and extension, resistance movements of the wrist and fingers, and grip strength and pain location.

If there is numbness in the little finger or weakness in hand strength, we examine the nerves around the neck, elbow, and wrist together to determine which area is related to the symptoms.

If there are no warning signs and it is necessary to manage the connected movement of the elbow joint and wrist/shoulder, as well as tension in surrounding muscles and tendons, Chuna manual therapy may be considered.

Acupuncture and pharmacopuncture can be selectively performed depending on the pain site and the condition of muscles and tendons. It is important to control the repeated dosage rather than using strong stimulation, and to monitor changes in grip strength and grasping movements after treatment.

Rather than completely prohibiting movements that cause pain, we adjust the handle thickness, tool usage method, number of repetitions, and rest intervals. Once the pain subsides, gradually restore the strength of the wrist and elbow muscles starting from a low intensity.

Most elbow pain can be treated with usage modification, Chuna manual therapy, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and strength recovery exercises. While pain relievers or injections are sometimes considered when pain is severe, studies on outer elbow pain (tennis elbow) have shown that although steroid injections reduced pain for a few weeks, outcomes after 1 year were actually poorer with frequent recurrences.

Pain on the outer side of the elbow may be prominent when extending the wrist or lifting objects, while pain on the inner side may be prominent when flexing the wrist or throwing objects. However, we do not diagnose based solely on the location of pain; we also examine repetitive movements performed during work or exercise, along with wrist and shoulder mobility.

Determining in which situations pain is reproduced—such as lifting a cup, turning a doorknob, using a keyboard and mouse, or during racket sports—helps formulate a load management plan.

If swelling develops quickly after an impact and you cannot straighten the elbow, or if the joint repeatedly feels caught and unable to move, the joint can be assessed for a fracture or a problem inside it. If the tip of the elbow is red and hot, indicating fever, it is also necessary to examine for inflammation and infection.

In this condition, we do not strongly press the painful joint or repeatedly stretch it to its full range of motion.

If you experience numbness in your little finger and ring finger, or if the symptoms worsen when sleeping with your elbow bent, we can examine the nerve passing through the inside of your elbow. Symptoms on the thumb and index finger side should be evaluated together with the neck and other peripheral nerves.

We compare finger strength and grip strength, as well as sensation, and also check the movement of the neck, shoulder, and wrist to determine whether the issue is isolated to the elbow.

We do not assess recovery solely by whether you can lift an object once after treatment; instead, we evaluate the number of repetitions without pain during work and exercise, as well as your response the following day. If you return to your previous exercise volume immediately after the pain has decreased, it may be re-stimulated; therefore, it is recommended to gradually increase the load.

Chuna manual therapy can be an option for managing shoulder and wrist movements connected to the elbow joint area, and acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and exercise can be combined according to the pain site and function.

Indicate whether the pain is on the inner or outer side of the elbow, and how the pain changes when gripping objects, turning doorknobs, or using a keyboard. If swelling, locking, or numbness in the fingers occurs, record the time of onset and duration.

During periods of severe acute pain, you can reduce repetitive gripping and twisting, as well as lifting heavy objects. Once the pain subsides, gradually restore the strength and endurance of the wrist and elbow muscles. Even if pain is relieved by analgesics or injections, it is recommended to re-evaluate wrist and shoulder movements and load distribution if symptoms recur during the same work-related motions.

Movements that place stress on the elbow tendon include gripping an object with the wrist bent or lifting a heavy object with the arm fully extended. Keep items close to your body and use both hands; if the handle is too thin, make it thicker to reduce the required grip strength. Reduce the time spent pressing the mouse while your wrist is bent during computer work.

Once the pain subsides, begin with light resistance to restore endurance in the wrist and elbow muscles. It is important to distinguish between pain felt slightly during exercise that worsens afterward with swelling, warmth, and night pain, and cases where joint locking and numbness in the hand progress; such cases should not be managed solely as simple tendon pain.

Reduce the frequency and force of painful movements, but maintain activities that do not cause significant discomfort, such as eating, light washing, and short computer work, within your limits. To prevent loss of strength from repetitive rest, begin low-intensity gripping and wrist exercises during the recovery phase, and gradually increase them based on pain response the following day.

It is advisable to record how many times you grip and twist objects daily during work or exercise, the weight of the object and thickness of the handle, and whether the pain varies with wrist or finger movement. After treatment, we check whether you can lift a cup, turn doorknobs, and if your keyboard and mouse usage time has increased.

Braces and straps can serve as assistive devices to reduce strain in specific activities, but they do not replace the underlying cause of pain. Determine the duration and location of use; once pain subsides, gradually restore endurance in the wrist and elbow muscles starting from low intensity to adapt to repetitive tasks.