About elbow pain
Elbow pain is common and can often develop without any clear injury.
What causes it?
Elbow pain often relates to overuse, especially with:
- typing or using a mouse
- DIY or gardening work
- sports like tennis or golf
- poor metabolic health, for example, suffering from diabetes or obesity
What can affect it?
- Repeating the same hand/wrist motion over time
- Gripping tools or weights too tightly
- Muscle weakness in the forearm
Management tips
- Take breaks from repetitive activity.
- Use a cold compress if it feels inflamed.
- Don’t stop using the arm completely, gentle use is helpful.
Exercises to try
- Wrist extensor stretch: Hold your arm out straight with palm facing down. Use the other hand to gently bend your wrist downward until you feel a stretch in the top of your forearm. Hold 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 3 times.
- Towel twist: Hold a rolled towel with both hands. Twist it as if you’re wringing out water, first in one direction, then the other. Repeat 10 times each way.
