Tennis Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Physical Therapy Treatments
Are you experiencing persistent elbow pain that worsens with movement? You may be dealing with tennis elbow, a common condition that affects athletes, manual laborers, and office workers alike. Fortunately, physical therapy for tennis elbow can help relieve pain, restore mobility, and prevent future injuries.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about tennis elbow, including its causes, symptoms, and the best treatment options available.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse injury that occurs when the tendons in the forearm become irritated due to repetitive wrist and arm movements. Despite its name, you don’t have to play tennis to develop this condition. In fact, anyone who performs frequent gripping, lifting, or twisting motions can suffer from tennis elbow (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [AAOS], 2021).
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow results from repetitive strain on the forearm muscles and tendons, which leads to tiny tears in the connective tissue. Over time, these micro-injuries cause inflammation and pain.
Common Risk Factors for Tennis Elbow:
✔️ Repetitive activities such as tennis, golf, weightlifting, or baseball
✔️ Jobs that require frequent wrist and hand movement (carpentry, painting, typing, or plumbing)
✔️ Poor ergonomics or improper lifting techniques
✔️ Weak forearm and wrist muscles, leading to excess strain on tendons
Studies show that tennis elbow affects up to 3% of the general population and is
especially common in people between the ages of 30 and 50 (Coombes, Bisset, & Vicenzino, 2015).
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The primary symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outer part of the elbow, which may worsen with activity. Other symptoms include:
✅ Elbow pain that radiates into the forearm and wrist
✅ Weak grip strength, making it difficult to hold objects
✅ Pain when shaking hands, lifting items, or turning a doorknob
✅ Morning stiffness in the elbow
If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, it’s important to seek early intervention to prevent chronic pain and loss of function (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
How Physical Therapy Helps Tennis Elbow
Physical therapy is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for tennis elbow. A well-structured rehabilitation program can help:
✔️ Reduce pain and inflammation
✔️ Improve flexibility and mobility
✔️ Strengthen forearm and wrist muscles
✔️ Prevent future injuries
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS, 2022), a combination of manual therapy, strengthening exercises, and activity modification can significantly improve tennis elbow symptoms.
Best Physical Therapy Treatments for Tennis Elbow
1. Pain Relief Techniques
Physical therapists use ice therapy, ultrasound, and manual therapy to reduce
inflammation and alleviate pain (AAOS, 2021).
2. Stretching Exercises
Gentle stretching of the forearm muscles helps relieve tension and restore flexibility
(Coombes et al., 2015).
3. Strengthening Exercises
Targeted exercises like wrist extensions, grip strengthening, and forearm
pronation/supination drills help rebuild strength and prevent recurrence (NIAMS, 2022).
4. Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques, such as soft tissue massage and joint mobilization, promote
circulation and healing (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
5. Ergonomic and Activity Modifications
A physical therapist can assess your movements and provide recommendations to
improve your posture, grip techniques, and workspace ergonomics (AAOS, 2021).
6. Bracing and Taping
A forearm brace or kinesiology tape can help offload stress from the affected tendon,
reducing pain during daily activities (Coombes et al., 2015).
When to Seek Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
If your elbow pain has lasted more than a few weeks or is interfering with your daily
activities, physical therapy is your best option for recovery. Studies show that early
intervention leads to better outcomes and faster healing (NIAMS, 2022).
At Nova Physical Therapy, we specialize in personalized physical therapy for tennis
elbow. Our expert therapists will design a treatment plan tailored to your needs, helping you return to pain-free movement.
Don’t let tennis elbow hold you back from the activities you love! Schedule an
appointment with Nova Physical Therapy today and start your journey toward recovery.
– Call us at (818) 639-3402
– Visit us at 4795 Vineland Ave Suite E, North Hollywood, CA 91602
– Book online at www.mynovapt.com
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2021). Tennis elbow (Lateral
Epicondylitis). Retrieved from www.aaos.org - Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L., & Vicenzino, B. (2015). Management of lateral elbow
tendinopathy: One size does not fit all. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 45(11), 938-949. - Mayo Clinic. (2023). Tennis elbow. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2022).
Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow). Retrieved from www.niams.nih.gov