Condition
Tennis Elbow
Pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow from repetitive gripping and wrist extension — common in tennis, pickleball, and everyday overuse.
Common symptoms
- —Pain or tenderness on the outer elbow
- —Weak or painful grip strength
- —Pain with wrist extension or backhand strokes
- —Discomfort that lingers after play and worsens with continued use
What causes it
- —Repetitive strain on the forearm extensor tendons
- —Equipment or technique issues increasing load on the elbow
- —Insufficient recovery between sessions
How we diagnose it
- —A history of your playing frequency, equipment, and when the pain started relative to any changes in either
- —Palpation and resisted wrist extension testing to confirm tendon involvement and rule out other causes of elbow pain
- —A grip strength assessment to establish a baseline for tracking recovery
- —A look at forearm and wrist mechanics to identify contributing technique or load factors
Our treatment approach
An exam to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other sources of elbow pain
Hands-on treatment to reduce tendon irritation and improve tissue quality
A progressive loading program to rebuild tendon capacity
Guidance on equipment or technique factors that may be contributing
Recovery timeline
Every case is different — this is a general guide, not a guarantee.
Weeks 1–2: Calm the irritation
Hands-on treatment and short-term activity modification reduce tendon irritation and pain with gripping.
Weeks 2–6: Progressive loading
A structured, gradually increasing loading program rebuilds the tendon's capacity to handle strain — the key step most home remedies skip.
Weeks 6–10: Return to full play
Volume and intensity on the court return to normal as grip strength and tendon tolerance are confirmed through reassessment.
What to expect at your first visit
- —A discussion of your playing habits, equipment, and pain pattern
- —An exam to confirm tennis elbow and rule out other causes of elbow pain
- —Hands-on treatment to begin reducing tendon irritation
- —A starting point for your progressive loading program
Self-care between visits
- —Avoid activities that reproduce sharp pain, but don't stop moving the arm entirely
- —Ice the outer elbow after activity if it's inflamed
- —Check grip size and string tension if you play racquet sports regularly
- —Be patient with loading exercises — tendons improve gradually over weeks, not days
FAQs
Do I need to stop playing entirely?
Usually not — we'll help you modify volume and technique while you recover rather than stopping completely.
Will a brace fix this on its own?
A brace can help manage symptoms, but lasting relief usually requires addressing the tendon load itself.
How is tennis elbow different from golfer's elbow?
Tennis elbow affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow (wrist extensors), while golfer's elbow affects the tendons on the inside (wrist flexors) — the treatment principles are similar but the exact tissue differs.
Do I actually need to play tennis to get this condition?
No — despite the name, it's common in pickleball, weightlifting, manual labor, and any activity involving repetitive gripping or wrist extension.
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
Tendon issues typically take longer than muscle strains — many patients see meaningful improvement over 6 to 10 weeks with consistent progressive loading.
Are cortisone injections a good option?
They can reduce pain short-term but don't address the underlying tendon capacity, and some research suggests they may slow longer-term recovery — we can help you weigh the options.
Can changing my racquet or grip size help?
Yes, equipment adjustments can reduce load on the elbow, and we'll flag it if it looks like a contributing factor during your exam.
Is it okay to keep lifting weights with tennis elbow?
Often yes, with modifications — we'll help you identify which grips or movements to adjust while your tendon recovers capacity.
What happens if tennis elbow is left untreated?
It can become a chronic, harder-to-treat tendinopathy, and grip weakness may start to affect everyday tasks beyond sport.
Will stretching alone fix tennis elbow?
Stretching can help with comfort, but tendons generally need progressive loading, not just stretching, to rebuild their capacity to handle strain.
From the blog
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Read more →Ready to treat your tennis elbow?
Book an evaluation and get a plan built around your sport, your goals, and your schedule.