Teninis elbow - What is it and how does Physio help?
Tennis Elbow Is Not Just a Tennis Player Problem
That nagging pain on the outside of your elbow when you grip a coffee cup, lift a bag or shake someone's hand? Chances are it is tennis elbow. At PHYZFIT Health and Rehab in Bexley North and Marrickville, we see this condition in office workers, tradespeople, gym goers and weekend tennis players alike. It responds well to the right treatment, and our physiotherapy team knows exactly how to get you out of pain and back to full strength.
Same day appointments available · No referral needed
Why Tennis Elbow Happens
Tennis elbow, known clinically as lateral epicondylalgia, is a condition affecting the tendons that attach to the outer side of your elbow. The forearm extensor muscles repeatedly contract during gripping, lifting and wrist extension movements. When that load exceeds what the tendon can handle, the tendon undergoes degenerative changes rather than true inflammation. The result is pain, reduced grip strength and a tendency to aggravate with everyday tasks.
Despite the name, only a small percentage of people with tennis elbow actually play tennis. Tradespeople, office workers who use a mouse all day, gym goers and anyone doing repetitive forearm loading are all at risk. A sudden increase in activity or an awkward lifting incident is often the trigger, but for many it comes on gradually with no obvious cause.
Common Symptoms
- Pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow
- Pain that radiates down the forearm toward the wrist
- Weak and painful grip when lifting objects, opening jars or using a screwdriver
- Pain when shaking hands or turning a door handle
- Morning stiffness around the elbow that eases as you warm up
- Aggravation with typing, using a mouse or carrying bags
Common Causes
- Repetitive gripping and lifting tasks at work or in the gym
- A sudden spike in training load or a new exercise involving forearm strength
- Poor technique in racquet sports or weight training
- Prolonged keyboard and mouse use especially with an awkward wrist position
- Weak shoulder and upper back muscles placing more load on the forearm
- A previous elbow injury that was not fully rehabilitated
How We Treat Tennis Elbow at PHYZFIT
The research on tennis elbow is clear: passive treatments alone do not produce lasting results. The most effective approach combines accurate diagnosis, a structured loading program and hands on therapy to speed recovery. Our physiotherapy team at PHYZFIT has treated hundreds of elbow conditions and we take the time to build a plan that fits your work, sport and lifestyle demands.
Accurate Diagnosis and Load Assessment
We assess the tendon, the cervical spine, the shoulder and the neural structures to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other contributors. We establish exactly how irritable the tendon is, what aggravates it and where you are in the continuum from reactive to degenerative change. This guides the starting point and pace of your rehabilitation program.
Progressive Forearm and Grip Loading
The cornerstone of tennis elbow rehabilitation is a graded loading program beginning with isometric exercises and progressing through eccentric and heavy slow resistance work. This is not a generic printout. It is a periodised program tailored to your job, your sport and your current pain levels. The tendon needs load to adapt and heal, but that load must be carefully controlled.
Technique and Ergonomic Assessment
We look at how you are moving at work, in the gym and on the court. Poor wrist and forearm mechanics during lifting, computer use or racquet sports can perpetuate tendon overload. Simple changes to technique, workstation setup or equipment such as racquet grip size can significantly reduce load on the tendon and speed up recovery.
Hands On Therapy and Dry Needling
Manual therapy to the elbow, forearm and cervical spine helps offload the tendon and reduce pain. Dry needling to the forearm extensors is a highly effective adjunct that reduces muscle tightness, improves blood flow and accelerates recovery. Where indicated, shockwave therapy is available at our Bexley North clinic for persistent or chronic cases.
Return to Work, Sport and Full Activity
We do not just reduce your pain. We build the forearm and grip strength you need to return to everything you were doing before. Whether that is a full day on the tools, a full session in the gym or competitive tennis, we set clear benchmarks and ensure you progress all the way to full capacity without setbacks.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first session at PHYZFIT is a complete assessment. We take the time to understand your full history, your work and training demands and your goals before mapping out exactly what your recovery will look like.
Book online or over the phone. Same day appointments at both Bexley North and Marrickville. No referral needed.
We assess the tendon, your grip and forearm strength, your movement patterns and your work and training load to build a complete picture.
You leave with a clear loading program and a realistic timeline. You will know exactly what to do, what to avoid and when to progress.
We monitor your progress closely and adjust your program at every session to keep you progressing toward full grip strength and pain free activity.
What You Should Not Do
- Do not push through sharp pain and continue heavy gripping or lifting at full load
- Do not rest completely for weeks as the tendon needs progressive load to recover
- Do not rely on a brace alone to manage the condition without addressing the underlying load problem
- Do not take anti inflammatory medications long term expecting them to resolve tendon degeneration
- Do not have a corticosteroid injection without first trialling a proper physiotherapy loading program
- Do not ignore it and wait for it to go away on its own as chronic cases become significantly harder to treat
Do not leave this untreated. Tennis elbow that is poorly managed often becomes a chronic condition lasting well over 12 months. Repeated corticosteroid injections without a proper loading program are associated with worse long term outcomes and can weaken the tendon over time. The tendon does not self correct without the right stimulus. The sooner you start a structured rehabilitation program, the faster and more completely you will recover. Our team at PHYZFIT is ready to help you now.
Get your elbow properly assessed and start the right program today.
Book Now (02) 8021 0969 admin@phyzfit.com.auWhen to Book In Immediately
Seek urgent assessment if you experience any of the following:
- A sudden sharp pain and a pop sensation in the elbow or forearm during activity
- Complete inability to extend the wrist or grip any weight
- Significant bruising or swelling around the elbow joint
- Numbness or tingling radiating into the forearm or fingers
- Pain that is worsening rapidly despite complete rest from aggravating activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tennis elbow common even if I do not play tennis?
Yes. The majority of people we see with tennis elbow have never played tennis. It affects anyone who performs repetitive gripping, lifting or wrist extension activities. Tradespeople, office workers, gym goers and parents carrying young children are among the most common presentations we see at PHYZFIT.
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
With a proper physiotherapy loading program, most cases see significant improvement within 6 to 12 weeks. Chronic cases or those that have been managed poorly may take longer. Early treatment consistently leads to faster and more complete recovery, so do not wait to seek help.
Should I get a cortisone injection for tennis elbow?
Cortisone injections can reduce short term pain but research consistently shows that physiotherapy produces better outcomes at 6 to 12 months. Repeated injections are associated with worse long term tendon health. We recommend trialling a structured loading program first. If you have already had an injection, physiotherapy is still the most important part of your recovery.
Do I need a referral to see a physio at PHYZFIT?
No referral is needed to book directly with us. We accept Medicare Enhanced Primary Care plans (which require a GP referral for the rebate), private health insurance, NDIS, SIRA, WorkCover and DVA. If you are unsure about your cover, call us and we will help you sort it out before your appointment.
Can I keep working with tennis elbow?
In most cases yes, with appropriate load modification. Your physio at PHYZFIT will advise on which activities to avoid or modify and will give you a program you can progress through while staying at work or in training. Complete rest is rarely the answer and often delays recovery by deloading the tendon further.
Ready to Get Out of Pain?
Same day appointments available at Bexley North and Marrickville. No referral needed. Book in today.
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