Tendons are the strong bands of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Two common types of forearm tendinitis are lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow). Forearm tendinitis can happen when these tendons become inflamed due to:

• Repetitive motions — Jobs or hobbies that involve repetitive gripping, twisting or forceful movements of the forearm — for example, computer work, playing sports like golf or tennis, or using tools for extended periods — can lead to inflammation.
• Improper technique — Incorrect posture or form during activities can put excessive stress on the forearm tendons, causing pain. 
• Sudden increase in activity — Pushing yourself too hard in a new activity can be overwhelming to your tendons, leading to inflammation. 
• Underlying conditions — Certain medical conditions, like arthritis or diabetes, can make you more susceptible to tendinitis. 

This inflammation in the forearm tendons can cause the following symptoms:

• Pain in the forearm, especially near the wrist or elbow
• Tenderness to the touch
• Weakness in grip
• Difficulty doing activities that require gripping or twisting motions
• Clicking or popping sounds in the forearm

Tendinitis is a common condition, responsible for about 30% of musculoskeletal problems that prompt people to seek help. It can affect people of any age. Forearm tendinitis can be frustrating to deal with, but the good news is, there are a variety of ways to help manage your forearm tendon pain, including physical therapy. 

How can you heal forearm tendinitis?

There is hope if you’re struggling with forearm tendon pain. It can be a treatable condition with conservative methods, including:

• PRICE protocol — The PRICE protocol is a standard approach to help manage forearm tendon pain and promote healing:
• Protection — Protect your forearm from getting hurt more by avoiding activities that make your pain worse. Sometimes, wearing a splint or a brace can help keep your forearm stable and help prevent more injury.
• Rest — Give your forearm a break. Rest means taking care not to use your forearm too much. It may mean taking a break from sports or certain activities until your forearm feels better. 
• Ice — Ice can help reduce swelling and pain in your forearm. Do this especially in the first couple of days after you notice the pain. 
• Compression — Compression entails using something like an elastic bandage or sleeve to gently press on your forearm. This can help reduce swelling and give support. Wrap the bandage around your forearm snugly but not too tight.
• Elevation — Keep your forearm raised above your heart level. This can help drain fluid away from the swollen area, which can help reduce swelling. Prop your forearm up on pillows when you’re sitting or lying down.
• Medication — Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce pain and inflammation associated with forearm tendinitis. Make sure you follow the dosage instructions on the label and consult with your health care provider before taking any medication. 
• Physical therapy — A physical therapist can help you learn exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons in your forearm, improving flexibility and reducing strain on your tendons. Your physical therapist may also use techniques like manual therapy to help promote healing and relieve pain. 
• Heat therapy — After the initial phase of your forearm tendon pain, you can use a heating pad on your forearm to help relax your muscles and improve blood flow to the area. Heat therapy can be beneficial for chronic tendinitis and stiffness after the initial inflammation has subsided. 
• Ergonomic modifications — Making adjustments to your workspace or daily activities can help prevent forearm tendinitis from happening again. Make sure your workspace setup promotes good posture. Use ergonomic tools like wrist rests or adjustable desks to reduce strain on your forearm muscles during activities. 

How can physical therapy help with forearm tendon pain recovery?

Physical therapy can play a significant role in helping you manage your forearm tendinitis pain and promoting long-term healing. After a thorough evaluation, your physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and condition. Here’s a closer look at some of the key techniques your physical therapist may use to help ease your forearm tendon pain:

• Manual therapy — During manual therapy, your physical therapist will use their hands to perform a variety of techniques to help improve flexibility, reduce tension and promote healing in your forearm tissue. These hands-on techniques can include:
• Soft tissue mobilization — Your physical therapist will use their hands to gently knead and stroke your forearm soft tissue. These motions can help loosen tight muscles, improve circulation in the area and reduce inflammation. It can feel like a welcome wave of relaxation washing over your forearm as tension and discomfort ease. 
• Joint mobilization — Your physical therapist may use gentle gliding or stretching techniques to help improve range of motion in your wrist and elbow joints. This can indirectly improve movement and reduce stress on your forearm tendons. 
• Electrical stimulation — During electrical stimulation, your physical therapist will place electrodes on your affected forearm. These electrodes deliver low-intensity electrical currents that can help:
• Manage pain — The gentle buzzing sensation can help block pain signals. This can offer temporary relief and make it easier to do other therapeutic exercises.
• Boost circulation — The electrical stimulation can be like a mini workout for your blood vessels. The increased blood flow to the injured area delivers essential nutrients for healing and boosts the recovery process. 
• Promote healing — The gentle electrical pulses will stimulate the healing process. This can help encourage your body’s natural repair mechanisms to work their magic.
• Myofascial release — Fascia is the tissue that connects muscles and other soft tissue. Sometimes, this tissue can create trigger points that feel like knots and contribute to pain. During myofascial release, your physical therapist will use sustained pressure applied with their hands to help smooth out these fascial restrictions. You may feel a dull ache at first with the applied pressure, but gradually, the knot should start to soften and release. This can help significantly improve range of motion and reduce pain. 
• Therapeutic exercises — Your physical therapist can create a personalized therapeutic exercise program using targeted stretching and strengthening exercises to address specific concerns. These targeted exercises are intended to:
• Strengthen your forearm muscles
• Improve your flexibility
• Enhance proprioception
• Dry needling — Dry needling is a physical therapy technique used by certified practitioners. During a dry needling session, your physical therapist will manually insert thin, sterile needles into specific trigger points in your forearm muscles. These needles can help:
• Relieve pain
• Improve muscle function
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) — During IASTM, your physical therapist will use a variety of specialized stainless steel tools to apply pressure and glide over the affected tissue in your forearm. IASTM is intended to help:
• Break down scar tissue and adhesions
• Promote healing
• Boost circulation
• Reduce inflammation and pain

This is just a glimpse into the variety of modalities available that a physical therapist can use to help address forearm tendon pain. Your specific physical therapy treatment plan will depend on your evaluation by your physical therapist. They will choose the specific techniques and exercises based on your individual needs and the severity of your forearm tendinitis. Don’t hesitate to ask your physical therapist questions about the techniques they’re using and how they can benefit you. By actively participating in your physical therapy treatment and combining these techniques with self-care practices, you can facilitate healing from forearm tendinitis.

Continuum Wellness can help you manage forearm tendinitis with a personalized journey 

At Continuum Wellness, we understand that forearm tendinitis can be a frustrating condition, and our licensed physical therapists are here to help. Using a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, myofascial release and therapeutic exercises, we can help you manage your pain, improve flexibility and strength, and regain function in your forearm. 

Call us or request an appointment today for help addressing your forearm tendon pain due to forearm tendinitis.