Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow: it sounds like something you get from hitting one too many backhands. But the truth is, most people who get it don’t even play tennis. Pain on the outside of your elbow that won’t quit could very well be tennis elbow. Fortunately, one of the most effective ways to treat tennis elbow is physical therapy.
At Evolution, our experienced PTs and DPTs can work around your schedule and help provide the comfort and support you need in recovery and rehabilitation of your tennis elbow.
What Is a Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow. It happens when the forearm’s extensor tendons, called the extensor carpi radialis brevis, get overworked. Repetitive movements like gripping, lifting, or wrist extension can cause tiny tears in the tendon, leading to inflammation and degeneration. It creeps up gradually, and without treatment, it can stick around for months or longer, continuing to cause pain and discomfort.
Symptoms of tennis elbow include a burning or aching pain on the outside of the elbow, which can then radiate down the forearm and worsen with activities such as turning a doorknob or holding a coffee cup. Over time, if left untreated, the condition can lead to decreased grip strength and limited function in the affected arm. Although it’s typically not associated with a specific injury, tennis elbow develops gradually and can become chronic without appropriate management.
What Triggers Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is most often triggered by repetitive wrist and arm movements that strain the forearm muscles, especially during gripping or lifting. It commonly affects people between the ages of 30 and 50, but can occur in younger or older individuals depending on activity levels. While athletes like tennis players are at risk, it’s just as frequent in people with jobs or hobbies involving repetitive arm use—such as carpenters, mechanics, painters, and even office workers who spend long hours typing or using a mouse.
What Can Mimic Tennis Elbow?
Several conditions can mimic tennis elbow because they cause pain in or around the elbow. These include radial tunnel syndrome, which involves nerve compression and presents with similar outer elbow pain, but more diffuse and often worsened by forearm activity. Cervical spine issues, such as a pinched nerve in the neck, can also refer pain to the elbow. Arthritis of the elbow joint may cause joint stiffness and pain that resembles tennis elbow. Additionally, conditions like golfer’s elbow, which affects the inner elbow, can be confused with tennis elbow if the pain is generalized or radiates. Proper diagnosis is essential to distinguish between these conditions.
What Does Tennis Elbow Feel Like?
The classic symptoms are pain and tenderness on the outer part of your elbow that can travel down your forearm. It flares up when you grip things, lift stuff, or twist your wrist—like when you shake hands, open jars, or turn doorknobs.
Tennis elbow can often be described as a dull, radiating pain above the elbow. It may also be felt more in the raised forearm muscle near the elbow. Commonly, pain that shows up during everyday movements—and doesn’t go away quickly – is the usual experience.
Tennis Elbow versus Golf Elbow
These two are easy to mix up. Both are overuse injuries, both affect tendons in the elbow, but here’s the main difference:
Tennis elbow – outer elbow pain (from wrist extension and gripping)
Golfer’s elbow – inner elbow pain (from wrist flexion and forearm rotation)
They’re two sides of the same coin, just caused by different movements.
Can a Physical Therapist Treat Tennis or Golf Elbow?
Physical therapists are highly effective in treating both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, often serving as the best first-line providers for these conditions. They use targeted exercises to stretch and strengthen the forearm muscles, manual therapy to reduce pain and improve function, and educate patients on modifying activities to prevent further strain. Physical therapy addresses the root cause of tendon overuse, promoting long-term recovery and reducing the risk of recurrence without the need for medication or surgery in most cases.
PT Treatments for Tennis Elbow
Some treatments may include:
- Manual Therapy
- Therapeutic Exercises
- Functional Dry Needling
- Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
- Therapeutic Cupping
Will Your Tennis Elbow go Away without Treatment?
Tennis elbow can resolve on its own, especially with rest and avoiding aggravating activities, but it can take quite a long time. Recovery may take 6 to 12 months. While most people eventually improve, the condition can linger or recur without treatment. Conservative care, like physical therapy, significantly speeds up recovery and reduces the risk of chronic symptoms.
When to see a Physical Therapist for your Tennis Elbow
There’s zero reason to wait out a tennis elbow healing on it’s own. Often, it will just keep getting worse, and physical therapy as a treatment for tennis elbow (and golf elbow too) , is non-invasive, and highly effective. At Evolution Physical Therapy, we have locations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Long Island, with specialist PT providers that offer a range of physical therapy services and help to provide you with the treatment, education, and additional support you need on your road to recovery. Reach out to us today, by calling us to set up an appointment at a location near you, or filling out our Request an Appointment form.
