TENNIS ELBOW

Tennis elbow is a painful condition caused by irritation or degeneration of the tendons that attach the forearm extensor muscles to the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, most people who develop it do not play tennis.

Lateral Epicondylitis

The condition typically affects the tendon attached to the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outside of the elbow.

​

Causes of Tennis Elbow

​

Repetitive Gripping and Wrist Movements

The most common cause is repeated use of the wrist and forearm muscles, especially:

• Gripping

• Lifting

• Twisting

• Repetitive wrist extension (bending the wrist backward)

​

Sports

Activities that can contribute include:

• Tennis (especially backhand strokes)

• Squash

• Badminton

• Pickleball

• Racquet sports in general

​​

Occupational Causes

Common in people who perform repetitive hand and arm tasks:

• Electricians

• Plumbers

• Carpenters

• Mechanics

• Painters

• Hairdressers

• Office workers with heavy mouse use

​

Gym and Fitness Activities

• Heavy gripping during weight training

• Pull-ups

• Deadlifts

• Rowing exercises

• Improper lifting technique

​​

Sudden Increase in Activity

A rapid increase in:

• Training volume

• Workload

• Repetitive hand tasks can overload the tendon.

​

Age-Related Tendon Changes

Most common between ages 35 and 55, when tendons may become less resilient and slower to recover.

​

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

​

Pain on the Outside of the Elbow

The hallmark symptom is:

• Pain or tenderness over the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow

​​

Pain During Gripping

Activities that commonly hurt:

• Shaking hands

• Opening jars

• Carrying shopping bags

• Holding tools

• Turning door handles

​

Pain with Wrist Movements

Especially:

• Lifting objects with the palm facing down

• Extending the wrist

• Twisting motions

​

Weak Grip Strength

Many people notice:

• Difficulty gripping firmly

• Fatigue in the forearm

• Objects feeling heavier than usual

​​

Pain Radiating into the Forearm

The discomfort may spread:

• Down the outer forearm

• Toward the wrist

​​

Morning Stiffness

Some people experience:

• Mild stiffness around the elbow after waking

• Increased pain when starting activities

​​

Common Self-Test Signs

Symptoms are often aggravated by:

• Making a fist

• Extending the wrist against resistance

• Lifting a chair with one hand

• Holding a kettle or frying pan

​​

Conditions That Can Mimic Tennis Elbow

Not all outer elbow pain is tennis elbow. Other possibilities include:

• Radial nerve irritation

• Neck-related nerve pain

• Elbow arthritis

• Ligament injuries

• Referred pain from the shoulder

​​

When to Seek Medical Assessment

​

Consider seeing a healthcare professional if:

• Symptoms persist for several weeks

• Pain interferes with work or sports

• There is significant weakness

• You cannot fully move the elbow

• Symptoms followed a major injury

​

Typical Recovery

Most cases improve with:

• Activity modification

• Progressive strengthening exercises

• Load management

• Physical therapy

• Sometimes sports massage or deep tissue massage as part of a broader treatment plan

​

Recovery often takes weeks to several months, depending on how long the condition has been present and whether the aggravating activities are modified.

If you'd like, I can also explain how sports massage and deep tissue massage help tennis elbow, what muscles are treated, and the specific techniques therapists use.