Elbow Injuries and Conditions: How Physical Therapy Can Help

By Frank J. Scerbo Lorenzo, PT, DPT ///

When the weather turns cold, elbow pain and stiffness often feel more intense and harder to ignore. The therapists at Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Edgewater, NJ, specialize in helping people manage pain, restore mobility, and get back to comfortable daily activities.​

How Physical Therapy Helps

• Reduce pain and irritation
Targeted hands-on techniques, modalities, and smart activity changes help calm irritated tissues so you can feel better without needing total rest.
• Restore mobility
Gentle, guided stretching and joint mobility work help you bend, straighten, and rotate your arm more comfortably while still protecting healing tissues.
• Build strength and support
Strengthening the forearm, elbow, shoulder, and upper back reduces joint strain and supports healthier, less sore movement.
• Improve flexibility
A personalized stretching program eases tight muscles and tendons, helping reduce that cold-weather stiffness that makes every reach or lift feel harder.
• Return to daily activities
Treatment focuses on real-life tasks—lifting, typing, carrying, sports, and workouts—so progress in the clinic directly supports what you need to do at home, work, and the gym.
• Prevent future flare-ups
Posture, movement patterns, and activity habits are reviewed so you understand what may be driving your symptoms and how to protect your elbow going forward.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

During your first visit, your physical therapist will take time to listen to your story—how your elbow feels, when it bothers you most, and what you want to get back to doing. The evaluation typically looks at:

• Elbow motion and strength
• Joint mobility and soft tissue flexibility
• How the arm, shoulder, and wrist move together
• Specific tasks or positions that trigger your pain

From there, a clear, individualized plan is created and adjusted as you improve, so each week feels like a safe, purposeful step forward.

Common Treatment Techniques

Your program may include:

• Therapeutic exercises for strength, coordination, and endurance
• Manual therapy to reduce stiffness and improve joint motion
• Electrical stimulation, heat, or cold therapy for pain relief and recovery
• Stretching and mobility drills tailored to your specific limitations
• Education and a simple home exercise plan, so you keep making progress between visits

Not every patient needs every technique, and your therapist will always explain which techniques are being used and why.

Take the Next Step Toward Relief

Elbow pain—especially when winter sets in—can be discouraging, but it is very often treatable with the right plan and guidance. Many people see meaningful improvements in pain, strength, and function through physical therapy, without relying on medications or invasive procedures.

If your elbow has been bothering you or you are unsure whether physical therapy is right for your situation, the team at Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Edgewater, NJ, is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or speak with a therapist about your symptoms so you can start moving more comfortably again.

 

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Dr. Frank J. Scerbo, PT, DPT, MS, CSCS, received his Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Columbia University and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University). He is a Certified Advanced Hip Clinician and Certified Overhead Athlete Specialist through the Hospital For Special Surgery. His specialty is in the area of adult and pediatric orthopedic physical therapy, with a particular interest in post-surgical rehabilitation. Dr. Scerbo is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is an adjunct Professor for the Kean University Physical Therapy Program. He has been on the advisory board for the Hospital for Special Surgery’s Rehabilitation Network for the past 10 years.

If you would like to book an appointment with Dr. Scerbo or any of our expert licensed physical therapists, please call us at (201) 941-2240 or use our convenient online appointment form.