This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, contact routes and treatment arrangements may differ in other countries.
How you can ease elbow and arm pain yourself
To ease elbow and arm pain, try these things for a couple of days:
- put a heat pack or a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel on your arm – do this for 10 to 15 minutes, every few hours
- take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
- raise your arm if it's swollen
See a GP if:
- elbow or arm pain does not go away after a few weeks
Refer yourself for back or joint help
In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.
Get help from NHS 111 if your arm:
- hurts when you exercise but the pain goes away when you rest
- is swollen and you have a very high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery
Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if:
- you have severe pain in your arm and it's difficult to move
- you've injured your arm and you heard a snapping noise or your arm has changed shape
- your arm tingles or feels numb
Call 999 if:
- arm pain has come on suddenly and it occurs with pressure, heaviness or squeezing across your chest
This could be a sign of a heart attack .
Causes of elbow and arm pain
Apart from an injury, these things can cause arm and elbow pain.
Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
Elbow and arm pain
Elbow and arm pain
Putting a heat pack or pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel on your arm can help ease elbow and arm pain. You can also take painkillers.
Possible causes of elbow and arm pain include tendonitis, sprains and strains, frozen shoulder, arthritis and bursitis.
Content supplied by the NHS website, refreshed 19 August 2026. View the original NHS article ↗
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