Elbow pain is rarely just about the elbow
Elbow pain often shows up during throwing, lifting, gripping, or repetitive use, sometimes suddenly, sometimes gradually. It might feel sharp, achy, tight, or unstable, and it can be frustrating when rest doesn’t seem to solve it. At Petroski Physio, we don’t start by guessing a diagnosis. We start by understanding why your elbow is being stressed, how much load it’s tolerating, and what’s contributing to the pain, whether that’s coming from the elbow itself or elsewhere in the system.
Nick Petroski, DPT
Petroski Physio
The Real First Step: Understanding Load and Volume
Most non-surgical elbow pain isn’t caused by a single bad movement. It’s caused by repetitive stress, changes in volume, or poor force distribution through the arm.
Before we talk about treatment, we look at:
When your elbow pain shows up
How much load, volume, or repetition you’re exposed to
How your shoulder, wrist, and trunk influence elbow stress
This helps us determine whether your elbow needs better support, improved capacity, smarter load management, or all three.
Common Pitfall #1
Resting until symptoms disappear, then returning to the same activity at the same volume. Pain often returns because nothing about the stress has changed.
Common Pitfall #2
Treating the elbow in isolation. Ignoring shoulder or grip mechanics often shifts stress right back to the elbow.
Our Approach
Non-surgical elbow rehab focuses on restoring tolerance to load, not avoiding it.
Phase 1: Calm irritation and restore control
We reduce symptoms while improving elbow, shoulder, and wrist coordination. Early work focuses on controlled loading and movement efficiency.
Phase 2: Build strength and capacity
Strength and endurance are progressed through the entire arm. The goal is to prepare the elbow to tolerate repetition and fatigue without breaking down.
Phase 3: Return to sport or activity demandsThrowing, lifting, gripping, and sport-specific tasks are reintroduced gradually. Progress is guided by symptom response, workload tolerance, and movement quality.
Petroski Physio is the best rehab facility I have ever been too. I came in with severe pain in my shoulder and elbow, and the Petroski staff fixed me up. The staff was super welcoming and I immediately felt apart of the Petroski family. My shoulder and elbow were healed within 12 weeks with rehab and resting. There is no better rehab facility I would recommend to anyone else. Thank you Petroski.
FAQs
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