Elbow, wrist and hand physio in Manchester
Get back to gripping, lifting, typing and training without that nagging pain in your elbow, wrist or thumb.
Elbow and wrist pain treatment in Manchester city centre
Reviewed by Nick Chatziviltsos, PgDip, HCPC-registered physiotherapist (PH114351), November 2026
At a glance
Who it's for: desk workers, lifters, climbers, racket sport players, tradespeople and new parents with elbow, wrist or thumb pain.
What we do: grip and strength tests, a nerve and neck check, hands-on treatment and a tendon-loading plan.
Typical recovery: sprains often improve within about 2 weeks. Tennis elbow can settle in weeks, but sometimes lasts over a year.
What helps most: changing the activities that hurt for now, and a steady strength programme.
Get urgent help: a crack, a changed shape, or a numb, blue or cold hand after an injury: go to A&E.
Your elbows, wrists and hands do something almost every minute of the day. So when they hurt, you notice it everywhere: at the keyboard, carrying shopping, lifting your child or holding a bar.
Most elbow and wrist pain comes from tendons that have been asked to do more than they're ready for. Rest helps for a while, but the pain often comes back when you return to normal. A gradual strength plan is what usually fixes it.
We're inside F45 NQ, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station. So we can rebuild your grip and forearm strength with real weights, then get you back to what you love.
🛠️ How we treat elbow and wrist pain
Step 1. Find out why it hurts
We find which tendon or ligament is sore with hands-on tests. We measure your grip strength and compare sides. We also check your neck and nerves, because they can cause arm pain too. We show you on a 3D anatomy model what's going on.
Step 2. Settle it down and keep you moving
We change the activities that hurt rather than stopping everything. That might mean a new grip, a different bar or a tweak to your desk set-up. Treatment may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue work and IASTM, a tool-assisted soft tissue technique. You'll get early exercises from your custom rehab plan.
Step 3. Build you back stronger
Tendons get better when they're loaded steadily over weeks. We build your forearm, grip and shoulder strength on the F45 NQ gym floor. Then we bring back the lifts, sport or work tasks that used to hurt.
Elbow or wrist pain stopping you working, lifting or playing? Your first 60-minute session includes treatment. Book your assessment →
👥 Who our elbow and wrist physio is for
Desk workers with elbow or wrist pain from long days of typing and using a mouse.
Lifters, climbers and CrossFit athletes with pain on pull-ups, curls, rows or holding a bar.
Tennis, padel, squash and golf players with pain on the outside or inside of the elbow.
Tradespeople and musicians who grip, twist or repeat the same movement all day.
New parents with thumb-side wrist pain from lifting a baby. See pre and postnatal physio.
Anyone recovering from a fall onto an outstretched hand, once a fracture has been ruled out.
⚠️ Common elbow and wrist symptoms
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. If anything under "When elbow or wrist pain needs urgent help" sounds like you, follow that advice first.
Pain on the outside of the elbow when you grip a mug or shake hands: it might be tennis elbow.
Pain on the inside of the elbow when you grip, pull or throw: it might be golfer's elbow.
Pain on the thumb side of the wrist, worse lifting a baby or pinching: it might be De Quervain's.
Wrist pain, swelling or weakness after a fall or twist: it might be a sprained wrist.
Elbow or forearm pain with neck pain, or tingling down the arm: it might be pain coming from your neck, such as a trapped nerve in the neck.
Pins and needles in your thumb and fingers, often worse at night: it might be a nerve problem at the wrist, such as carpal tunnel. We check this at your first appointment.
Swollen, stiff finger or wrist joints on both sides, worse in the morning: it might be inflammatory arthritis.
🧪 What happens at your first appointment
Your first session lasts 60 minutes, so treatment starts the same day.
Your story. When it started, what makes it worse, your work, your training and your goals.
Safety screen. We check for signs that need an X-ray, your GP or urgent care.
Physical exam. Hands-on tests, grip strength, and a check of your neck and nerves.
Your diagnosis. In plain English, using our 3D anatomy model.
Treatment. Hands-on work and your first exercises, the start of a rehab plan built for you.
Your plan. What to keep doing, what to change for now, and how many sessions we expect.
We don't offer scans or injections. If you need an X-ray, a scan or an injection, we'll write to your GP.
💷 Elbow and wrist physio prices
First appointment. 60-minute assessment and treatment: £95.
Follow-up, 30 minutes. £55.
Follow-up, 60 minutes. £95.
Free consultation, 15 minutes. Free.
We work with Bupa, WPA, Vitality and Aviva. Check your cover with your insurer before you book. Online physiotherapy works well for elbow and wrist exercise reviews, and we also offer home visits.
⏱️ How long will it take to get better?
Sprains often improve within about 2 weeks. Tennis elbow can settle in weeks, but the NHS says it can sometimes last over a year. Changing the activities that hurt for now, and a steady strength programme, help most.
✅ Elbow, wrist and hand conditions we treat
Pick the one that sounds most like you to read more. Not sure which one you have? That's what your first appointment is for.
Tennis elbow: pain on the outside of the elbow when you grip, lift or twist
Golfer's elbow: pain on the inside of the elbow when you grip, pull or throw
De Quervain's (thumb-side wrist pain): pain at the base of the thumb, worse when you lift, grip or pinch
Sprained wrist: a sore, swollen or weak wrist after a fall or twist
❓ Elbow and wrist FAQs
🚨 When elbow or wrist pain needs urgent help
Most elbow and wrist pain isn't serious. But after an injury, some signs need help fast. Don't wait for a physio appointment if you have any of these.
Call your GP urgently or 111: a hot, swollen elbow or wrist with a high temperature or shivers (see your GP the same day or call 111); severe or worsening pain, large or increasing swelling, or you can't use the hand (call 111 or go to an urgent treatment centre).
Call 999 or go to A&E: the hand or fingers look blue or grey, or feel cold, after an injury (call 999 or go to A&E now); you heard a crack, or the elbow or wrist has changed shape or points at an odd angle (go to A&E); numbness, tingling or pins and needles in the hand after an injury (go to A&E); pain in the hollow at the base of the thumb after a fall (go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E for an X-ray, even if it seems minor).
Not sure if you need physio or just a few weeks' rest? Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly. Book a free call →
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Yes. A steady strength programme is one of the best treatments. The NHS suggests physio if home treatment hasn't helped after 6 weeks.
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It often improves within a few weeks. The NHS says it can sometimes last over a year.
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Usually not. We'll change your grip, your exercises or the weight so you can keep training.
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It can help some people in the short term. It works best alongside a strength plan, not instead of one.
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Most sprains improve within about 2 weeks. Severe ones can take months.
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It can play a part. Small changes to your mouse, keyboard and breaks often help alongside exercise.
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Usually not. If you need an X-ray after a fall, or a scan, we write to your GP.
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No. We use hands-on treatment, IASTM and exercise. If an injection might help, we'll write to your GP.
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Yes. Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether physio is the right next step.
📍 Book elbow and wrist physio in Manchester city centre
Athos Physio is inside F45 NQ, 77 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BU, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens. We're open 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, so you can come before or after work.
First appointment £95 for 60 minutes. Insured with Bupa, WPA, Vitality or Aviva? Check your cover first.
Call or WhatsApp 07475 433300, or book online.
Other services: Physiotherapy and active rehab · Sports massage · Pregnancy and postnatal physio · Home visits · Online physio
Written by Nick Chatziviltsos, physiotherapist and founder of Athos Physio, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, HCPC registered. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Insurance providers we are affiliated with
Athos Physio is a full-service physiotherapy clinic
We offer injury rehabilitation, post-surgery functional strengthening, deep tissue massage and pain relief, and strength training expertise. We support you in becoming pain-free so that you can achieve a limitless life experience. If you want to speak with us before booking a session you reach out via WhatsApp, call us or email us.
We are based in Manchester city centre a couple of minutes walk from Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens Square