By: Joshua Huhn PT, DPT, SCS
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Tennis elbow is one of the most common injuries seen in both recreational and competitive tennis players, yet the pain felt at the elbow is often only part of the problem. While symptoms show up on the outside of the elbow, the root cause frequently involves how the shoulder, wrist, grip, and even the core work together during play. From a physical therapist’s perspective, treating tennis elbow effectively means looking beyond the elbow itself and addressing the movement patterns and strength deficits that contribute to the condition.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is pain that develops on the outside of the elbow, typically due to repetitive stress or overloading of the muscles and tendons that straighten the wrist and help you grip your racquet or paddle (yes, pickleball counts too!) Despite its name, tennis elbow doesn’t only affect tennis players – it can develop in anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm and hand, especially when the tissues aren’t given enough time to recover.
Why the Elbow is Often the “Victim,” Not the “Cause”
Although the pain is felt at the elbow, the problem often starts elsewhere. Weakness or poor movement patterns in the shoulder, wrist, or even the core can place extra stress on the elbow tendons with every swing. In other words, the elbow is usually just the “victim” of how your body moves rather than the root cause of the pain. By addressing these underlying issues, physical therapists can help reduce stress on the elbow, improve your mechanics, and prevent the injury from returning.
Why Rest Alone Often isn’t Enough
When you start to feel that nagging pain in your elbow or forearm, your first instinct may be to hang up the racquet or paddle for a few weeks. While rest may temporarily relieve the pain, it will not address the root cause. Research shows that appropriately loading the muscles and tendons, along with strengthening the shoulder, wrist, and core, is key to rehabilitating the injury. Gradual, guided exercises help the elbow and surrounding muscles adapt to stress, improve strength, and restore normal function. Without this targeted approach, the elbow may feel better temporarily, but is at higher risk of reinjury once activity resumes.
When to See a Physical Therapist for Tennis Elbow
If elbow or forearm pain persists for more than a week or two, worsens with activity, or interferes with your daily life or tennis game, it may be time to see a physical therapist. Early intervention can prevent minor irritation from becoming a chronic problem and help you return to play faster. A physical therapist will assess not only your elbow but also your shoulder, wrist, grip, and overall movement patterns to identify the underlying causes of your pain. From there, they can create a personalized program that includes strengthening, mobility work, and technique adjustments to reduce stress on the elbow and help you get back on the court safely. Contact us today to request a physical therapy appointment for your elbow pain!
