Kids & Babies
Elbow pain in a young pitcher is often Little League elbow, an overuse injury of the growth area on the inside of the elbow. It is linked to throwing too much without enough rest. Elbow pain in a young thrower is a reason to stop throwing and get it checked, not something to play through.
Every throw pulls on the inside of the elbow. In kids, that area has a growth plate that is weaker than the bone around it. Too many pitches, pitching on back-to-back days, pitching for more than one team, or throwing when the arm is tired can irritate or injure it.
Signs include pain on the inside of the elbow during or after throwing, losing speed or accuracy, swelling, or trouble fully straightening the elbow.
The first step is a break from throwing so the elbow can settle, plus a check-up to rule out a more serious injury. Your child can often keep running and training their legs.
Rehab then builds strength in the shoulder, upper back, core and legs, since good pitching uses the whole body. A gradual throwing program brings the arm back step by step before pitching in games.
Follow pitch count and rest guidelines, such as MLB and USA Baseball's Pitch Smart. Avoid pitching through tiredness or pain, take time off from throwing each year, and track pitches across all teams, including practice.
See your child's pediatrician promptly if:
A physical therapist can check shoulder and elbow motion, strength through the arm, core and legs, and throwing mechanics, then guide a step-by-step return to throwing. Parents are involved, we give clear guidance to share with coaches on pitch counts and rest, and we coordinate with your child's pediatrician.
At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi. We can usually see new pediatric patients within 1–2 weeks.
Read our full guide: Youth sports injuries →
Ready to feel better?
Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.
Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026