Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Management of elbow pain due to tendinopathy in adults according to current NICE guidelines:
- Offer a supervised group exercise programme tailored to the individual's needs, preferences, and abilities to manage chronic primary pain, which includes tendinopathy-related pain.
- Encourage patients to remain physically active for longer-term general health benefits.
- Consider psychological therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for pain management if appropriate.
- Do not offer biofeedback or electrical physical modalities such as TENS, ultrasound, or interferential therapy as there is no evidence of benefit for chronic primary pain.
- Consider a single course of acupuncture or dry needling delivered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals in a community setting, limited to no more than 5 hours of healthcare professional time, if other treatments are insufficient.
These recommendations apply to adults aged 16 years and over with chronic primary pain, which includes tendinopathy-related elbow pain.