Hand, Arm & Elbow

Befit Physiotherapy has a fully equipped Physiotherapy Clinic run by experienced physiotherapists, conveniently located in Carlingford. Arm, Elbow and hand pains respond favourably to physiotherapy intervention when an early treatment is sought. An accurate diagnosis by a qualified physio is vital to the correct management of your pain.

Elbow and arm pain can be caused by local muscle, tendon or joint injury. Alternatively, elbow pain can be referred from your neck joints. It’s similar to sciatica of the upper limb. Many elbow conditions can take many months or even years to heal when the diagnosis is incorrect or treatment is neglected early. Please do not delay in consulting your physiotherapist if you experience elbow pain.

Common Sources of Elbow Pain

• Cramps
• DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
• Fibromyalgia
• Golfers Elbow
• Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain)
• Olecranon Bursitis
• Overuse Injuries
• Pinched Nerve
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• RSI – Repetitive Strain Injury
• Stress Fracture
• Tennis Elbow
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Elbow Arthritis
• Proximal Humeral Fracture

Hand pain can be caused by disease or injury affecting any of the structures in the hand, including the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, blood vessels, or connective tissues. Repetitive motion injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, can cause pain in the wrist and hand. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most common types of arthritis in the hand. Tumors of the structures in the hand are a very rare cause of hand or finger pain. Certain conditions such as diabetes can cause damage to the nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, or tingling of the hand, arms and legs. This phenomenon, known as peripheral neuropathy, can also sometimes cause hand pain. DeQuervain’s disease is a swelling and inflammation of the tendon around the thumb, causing pain in the thumb and lower arm. Trauma or injury to any of the structures in the hand is another common cause of hand pain.

At Befit Physiotherapy, we treat all the conditions mentioned above, please ask your physiotherapist for their professional treatment advice.

Common Treatments for Hand, Arm & Elbow pains

With accurate assessment and early treatment, most elbow pain responds extremely quickly to physiotherapy allowing you to quickly resume pain-free and normal activities of daily living. An Ice Pack can be used to relieve a hot painful elbow joint. Ice Packs can be applied for periods of twenty minutes every couple of hours (never apply ice directly to the skin as it can cause an ice burn). Exercises to maintain forearm muscle strength are encouraged to provide support for the affected joint. This strengthening should be done under the supervision of a qualified Physiotherapist. Exercise Bands, Grip Strengtheners, Therapeutic Putty and Hand Therapy Balls can all be used to maintain grip strength and dexterity.