Elbow Pain Physical Therapy in Ann Arbor
Tennis elbow isn’t just for tennis players. If gripping a bar, doing pull-ups or even picking up your coffee mug hurts, Dr. Joe will find out why and build an elbow that can handle your training again.
Tendons Don’t Heal With Rest Alone. They Need the Right Load.
Most elbow pain in active adults is a tendon problem: the tendons on the outside (tennis elbow) or inside (golfer’s elbow) of the elbow get overloaded, usually after a jump in training volume, a new movement, or a lot of gripping.
Resting it helps it feel better, but tendons adapt to load. When you go back to training, the tendon is no stronger than before, so the pain returns. Braces and injections may take the edge off, but they don’t build capacity.
The answer is a structured tendon-loading program, paired with a look at your grip, pulling mechanics, shoulder and wrist, so the elbow stops taking all the stress.
Elbow Conditions We Treat
Whether it’s the outside, the inside or the back of the elbow, we’ll find the driver.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylalgia)
Pain on the outside of the elbow with gripping, lifting or wrist extension. Common in lifters, climbers and desk workers.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylalgia)
Pain on the inside of the elbow, often with pulling, curling or throwing.
Elbow Pain From Lifting
Pain with pull-ups, rows, curls, front rack or catching cleans. We look at the whole kinetic chain.
Triceps & Biceps Tendon Pain
Pain at the back or front of the elbow with pressing, dips or heavy pulling.
Elbow Stiffness
Loss of motion after an injury, immobilization or surgery.
Post-Injury & Post-Surgical Rehab
Rebuilding strength and range of motion after an elbow injury or procedure, coordinated with your physician.
Elbow Pain Ruining Your Workouts?
You don’t have to give up pulling and gripping. Most lifters do best when we modify their training rather than stop it.
Simple changes like grip width, bar or handle choice, volume and exercise order can take a lot of pressure off a cranky elbow while the tendon rebuilds.
Swap the movements that flare it for ones that train the same muscles without the pain.
Specific exercises that make the tendon stronger week by week.
Shoulder and upper-back strength and mobility often change how much load reaches the elbow.
What to Expect at Your First Elbow Visit
A full 60 minutes, one-on-one with Dr. Joe. Treatment usually starts the same day.
Your training and history
What you do, how much, and what changed before the pain started. This is often the key clue.
A focused exam
Grip strength, tendon loading tests, and a check of your neck, shoulder and wrist to make sure we’re treating the right thing.
A plan you can start today
Hands-on treatment to ease pain, a tendon-loading exercise to start, and training modifications so you keep moving.
How We Treat Elbow Pain
Calm the irritated tendon, then build it back stronger than before.
Strength Training
The core of elbow rehab: progressive tendon-loading exercise and a smart return to full training.
Learn more →Dry Needling
Eases tight, tender forearm muscles to reduce pain and make loading more comfortable.
Learn more →Soft Tissue Mobilization & Cupping
Soft tissue work to the forearm, upper arm and shoulder to improve comfort and motion.
Learn more →Mobility Programming
Shoulder, wrist and upper-back mobility so your elbow isn’t compensating.
Learn more →Joe is the best!! He was incredibly patient and thorough in his care, and I began improving very quickly after our first appointment. After completing a couple more sessions with him, my injury has now completely resolved and I’ve even experienced additional improvement in my overall performance as a runner.
Do I need to stop lifting?
Usually not. We’ll modify grip, load and exercise selection so you can keep training while the tendon recovers.
Should I wear a brace or strap?
A counterforce strap can reduce pain for some people during aggravating tasks, but it doesn’t fix the underlying problem. We’ll help you decide whether it’s worth using while you rebuild strength.
How long does tennis elbow take to get better?
Tendon problems tend to improve steadily but gradually, often over several weeks to a few months with consistent loading. Dr. Joe will give you an honest timeline after your evaluation.
Do you take insurance?
OLO is cash-based and out-of-network. HSA/FSA cards are accepted, and we can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. See our FAQ.
When to see a physician first
Physical therapy is a great first stop for most elbow pain. But some symptoms need a medical evaluation right away. Seek urgent care or call 911 if you have:
- A visible deformity or inability to move the elbow after a fall
- A sudden “pop” at the front of the elbow with a bulge in the upper arm
- A hot, red, swollen elbow with fever
- Numbness or weakness in the hand that’s getting worse
Not sure? Call us. If something in your evaluation doesn’t add up, Dr. Joe will tell you and point you to the right provider.
Related conditions we treat
Ready to Grip, Pull and Press Without Pain?
Tell us what’s going on. We’ll call or text to get you scheduled, or set up a free consultation if you’d like to talk it through first.
5.0 ★ from 184 Google reviews · No referral needed to start · HSA/FSA accepted