Elbow pain treatment in Austin, TX.
Aching on the inside or outside of the elbow. Pain when you grip, lift, carry, or straighten the arm. Sometimes it is tennis elbow, sometimes it is not. Either way it gets the same approach: find the driver, then rebuild capacity.
About elbow pain.
Most elbow pain lives in the tendons that cross the joint. Pain on the outside is usually the wrist extensor tendons, the tennis elbow pattern. Pain on the inside is usually the wrist flexor and pronator tendons, the golfer's elbow pattern. Both are overload problems: the tendon is being asked for more than it can currently handle, and it complains under grip and load.
Not all elbow pain is tendon pain. Elbows also get stiff after fractures, dislocations, and time in a sling or cast, and stiffness needs motion work, not loading. Pain can also refer into the elbow from the neck and shoulder. Sorting out which problem you actually have is the first job, because each one is treated differently.
If your pain sits on the outside of the elbow, our tennis elbow page goes deeper on that specific pattern. This page covers the whole elbow: inside, outside, front, back, and stiffness after injury.
Not sure what is going on? Try our symptom checker for an educated guess in 60 seconds, or skip straight to a free 15-minute phone screen.
What is usually behind it.
Outside elbow pain (tennis elbow)
The wrist extensor tendons, overloaded by gripping, racquet sports, lifting, or manual work. The most common elbow pain we treat.
Inside elbow pain (golfer's elbow)
The wrist flexor and pronator tendons, overloaded by gripping, pulling, throwing, or swinging. Common in golfers, lifters, and climbers.
Stiffness after injury
Motion lost after a fracture, dislocation, or weeks in a sling or cast. Elbows stiffen fast and need early, graded motion to win it back.
Front and back tendon pain
Biceps tendon pain in the front of the elbow with pulling and lifting. Triceps tendon pain in the back with pressing and pushing.
Referred pain
Neck and shoulder problems can present as elbow pain. We screen above the elbow so we do not treat the wrong structure.
Joint irritation
An arthritic or irritated joint aches with load and end-range motion and stiffens after rest. The plan combines load management with strength around the joint.
Elbow pain care at Forever Forward.
Every plan starts with a full one-on-one assessment. No aides, no hand-offs, no 15-minute sessions. We find what is driving the problem, not just where it hurts, then build your plan around it.
Sort the source
A full hour, one-on-one. We test the tendons on both sides of the elbow, measure joint motion, and screen the neck and shoulder so the plan targets the actual driver.
Rebuild capacity
Progressive loading dosed to the tendon involved. Enough to remodel it, not so much it flares. Grip, wrist, and elbow strength built in sequence.
Restore and return
Motion work for stiff elbows, then a graded return to lifting, work demands, and sport, with technique and volume addressed so it stays fixed.
What the $99 assessment looks like.
A full hour with Mark, one-on-one. Thorough assessment, clear diagnosis in plain language, and one clear recommendation for what to do next. If you do not love your first visit, your $99 is refunded. No referral needed to start in Texas.
Cash pricing is published right on our site: evaluation $225, visits $175, with package discounts. We are in-network with Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and veterans save 20 percent on cash-pay care.
Straight answers.
What is the difference between tennis elbow and golfer's elbow?
Location and tendon. Tennis elbow is the outside of the elbow, the wrist extensor tendons, stressed by gripping and backhands. Golfer's elbow is the inside, the wrist flexor and pronator tendons, stressed by gripping, pulling, and swinging. The treatment principle is the same: progressive loading matched to the tendon.
My elbow is still stiff months after a fracture. Can PT help?
Usually, yes. Elbows are notorious for losing motion after injury and immobilization, and graded motion work can win back meaningful range even months later. The earlier it starts, the easier it goes, but late starts still improve.
Should I stop lifting while my elbow heals?
Complete rest weakens tendons and usually just delays the problem. The better move is modified loading: keep training with adjusted grips, loads, and volume while the tendon program does its work.
When is elbow pain something more serious?
Locking or catching, visible instability, deformity after a fall, or numbness and tingling into the hand all warrant a prompt medical workup before or alongside PT. We screen for these at the first visit and refer when they are present.
Patients rate us 5 stars.
Read our Google reviews to see what one-on-one care feels like, then come see for yourself with the $99 assessment.
Stop guessing. Get assessed.
Start with the $99 New Patient Movement Assessment, backed by our love-your-first-visit guarantee. Not sure PT is right for you? Call for a free 15-minute phone screen first.