Usually, when people have elbow pain, they only need to take a few days of rest and use self-help treatments. However, if the issue doesn't get any better, it is possible that a doctor will refer you for different treatments for elbow pain. These treatments vary greatly.

Treatments for Elbow Pain:

1. Physical treatments, particularly physiotherapy, which can help make your elbow stronger, thereby preventing further problems. A physiotherapist can help you to exercise your elbow in order to strengthen it. At home, you should stretch at least once per day, as well as complete the full range of movement the elbow should be able to do. This prevents your muscles from seizing up.

2. Acupuncture, which is a common technique for physiotherapy nowadays. A lot of people find this helpful, although these is still insufficient evidence on its effectiveness.

3. Epicondylitis clasps, which are fitted by a physiotherapist. These are generally offered only to those with a golfer's or tennis elbow. It does not help those with radial tunnel or cubital syndrome. Here the joint is taped or strapped so that strain is reduced.

4. Steroid injections, which can be prescribed if you do not seem to recover, or if the pain is very severe. After the injection, the pain generally becomes worse before it gets better, sometimes for as long as 48 hours. Most people will only need one injection, but some people will need more. The side effects tend to minor if only a few injections are given. There is no evidence to suggest steroid injections help with those who have had a tennis elbow for six weeks or more. Usually, steroid injections speed up the recovery, rather than actually helping to recover. Steroid injections may be given to the joint in those who have elbow inflammatory arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Platelet rich plasma injections (PRP injections), which represent a relatively new method, but is quickly becoming one of the most popular treatments for elbow pain if this is caused by a tennis elbow. Here, the patient gives a blood sample in which the platelet count is then increased. The new blood is injected straight into the area where pain is felt, helping the tissue to heal. PRP has been demonstrated by various international studies to be more effective in increasing function and reducing pain than steroids.

6. Surgery, which is generally given as a last resort option only. Different types of surgery exist, depending on the patient and the condition. Usually, these are done on an outpatient basis. As part of the aftercare program, you will have to complete daily exercises and you will need physiotherapy as well. After two weeks, you are likely to have to return to see the surgeon for a checkup. You will also be required to take at least two weeks off work. If your job requires a lot of manual labor, you may need to be off for between four and six weeks.

Overall, the best treatment for elbow pain tends to be rest, stretching the arm, and taking over the counter painkillers.