Tennis elbow treatment is useful even for non-tennis players. Don’t be misled by the name. Anyone can suffer from this ailment, commonly between the ages of 30 to 60.
Tennis elbow can make even menial day-to-day tasks painful. Picking up a remote, holding a glass, or turning a doorknob can feel like a big deal.
If you think you might have this issue, don’t stress; you’re in the right spot to find help. This blog will talk about what causes it, the signs, and all the ways to treat tennis elbow.
So, whether you’re a pro-tennis player or a non-tennis player, you will find this blog useful.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a type of injury that happens to the outside of the elbow region. It comes from doing the same arm and wrist moves over and over; it puts pressure on the tendons.
Anyone can get it, not just tennis players. The great news is: there are many good ways to treat tennis elbow and let you go back to your day without pain.
These muscles help move your hand and wrist up. With too much use, small tears can happen in the tendons, making the elbow sore and tender.
You might be at risk, whether you work in an office, cook at home, hit the gym, or play sports.
But don’t worry, it can be fixed if found early.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms: Signs You Need Help
Not sure it’s tennis elbow? Look for these signs before going for tennis elbow treatment:
1. Continuous elbow pain on the outer side
The pain may start small and get worse, mainly when you’re active.
2. Increased pain when you hold or lift things
Even simple moves like shaking hands or lifting a bottle can hurt.
3. Weak grip
Hard to hold stuff, or feeling weak in the forearm?
4. Stiff or painful wrist and forearm
Pain often goes down the forearm, making it hard to move it.
5. Pain when pressing outside the elbow
Pushing on the bone might hurt.
If these signs last a few days or mess with your day, get help early for faster healing.
Rest and Get Better: How To Start Healing
The first way to fight tennis elbow is by not using your elbow too much. You should cut down or stop doing things that make the elbow hurt more. Small changes, like using the other hand for tools or taking many breaks, help a lot.
1. RICE Method
Use the RICE way (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to help, too. Put ice on your elbow for 15-20 minutes many times a day. Using a brace can cut swelling. Keeping your elbow up helps it heal faster.
2. Over-the-Counter Medication
Painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can lower pain and swelling. Always take the right amount and talk to a doctor if you need to.
3. Strengthening and Flexibility
Physical therapy is key for fixing tennis elbow. Physiotherapists who check you and make a plan just for you with:
- Stretches: Stretch the forearm muscles to ease tightness and make them move better, which helps the tendons relax.
- Strength Movements: Working on the forearm and wrist muscles makes them stronger, so they can handle stress better, keeping the elbow stable.
4. Using a Brace for Help
A tennis elbow brace supports and presses on the hurt area. This eases tendon strain and aids in healing. A doctor or physical therapist can show you the best brace and how to wear it correctly.
How to Heal Tennis Elbow Fast with Physiotherapy
What is the treatment of tennis elbow? You can find many new, good, and fast tennis elbow treatment options. Here’s a list of the best ones:
A. Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy Treatment
Physiotherapy is the best for tennis elbow treatment, especially if you don’t need surgery.
- Manual Therapy & Soft Tissue Work: Skilled people use their hands to ease stiffness and get things moving.
- Ultrasound Therapy: Ultrasound treatment for tennis elbow is a no-pain way that helps heal by making blood flow better and calming swelling deep inside.
- Dry Needling and Cupping: The best physiotherapy clinic uses these methods to relax muscles and start the healing process.
- Custom Exercise Plans: Safe stretching and muscle-building are done step by step to avoid more pain.
B. Ways to Manage Pain
- Cold Packs & TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): These help control pain, cut down swelling, and make you comfy.
- Braces & Taping: Wearing an elbow brace or tape supports the joint, cuts strain, and stops further harm when moving.
C. Special Methods (For Tough or Long-Lasting Cases)
Some expert physiotherapy centers might offer extra methods for tennis elbow treatment, such as:
- Shockwave Therapy: Uses powerful sound waves to make tendons heal— used when basic care isn’t enough.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy: A small shot with your blood’s growth factors speeds up tendon healing. Doctors often suggest it with physiotherapy help.
Whatever how bad it is, the fix needs a plan made by skilled pros— something that physiotherapy clinics are great at giving.
Tennis Elbow Treatment Exercises
Is there any treatment for tennis elbow? Yes, of course! These exercises are proven to be the most effective:
1. Wrist Extensor Move
Hold your arm straight out, hand down, and pull your hand back with your other hand. Stay like this for 15–30 seconds to stretch out tight parts.
2. Wrist Flexor Move
Like the extensor move, but your hand faces up. It lets loose the tight parts in your lower arm.
3. Slow Wrist Lifts
With a small weight, let your wrist drop slowly, then use your other hand to lift it back up. Good for fixing your tendons.
4. Move Your Forearm
Bend your elbow at 90°, hold something light (like a hammer), and turn your lower arm from palm-up to palm-down slowly and easily.
5. Make Your Grip Strong
Press on a soft ball or towel to make your grip stronger. Do this softly and slowly.
When to See a Physiotherapist?
Mild tennis elbow might heal with rest and simple physiotherapy. But there are times when you need a pro:
- Pain that stays over six weeks, even with home care
- Can’t do daily things like writing, lifting, or dressing
- Pain that goes to the wrist or upper arm
- Swelling or warmth in the elbow
- Past pains that keep coming back
Putting off care can cause long-term pain and lasting tendon harm. If simple fixes don’t work, see a physiotherapist or bone doctor. You can easily find pros ready to check your problem, make a healing plan, and help you get better without needing surgery in most cases.
Tennis Elbow Prevention Tips
Here are some easy yet good ways:
1. Proper Form
When you play sports, type, or lift heavy things, bad moves are a big reason for tennis elbow. Learn how to stand and move right to cut down on bad stress on your elbow.
2. Make Your Forearm Strong
Do exercises often that make the muscles in your forearms strong. This can help hold up better and lower the chance of getting hurt from too much use.
3. Stretch At The Start And End
Start and end with light stretches. This keeps the tendons from being so stiff and well.
4. Change Repeated Moves
If your job or hobby makes you move your wrist or arm a lot, take rest times, use the other hand if you can, and hold things in a way that feels better for your elbow.
5. Ergonomic Help
Tools made to fit well — like a soft mouse, easy-to-hold handles, or soft gym gear — can make it less hard on your elbow spot.
6. Hear What Your Body Says
Don’t look away when you start to feel a little hurt. A small pain in your elbow is often your body’s way of telling you to rest before it gets worse.
Conclusion
Do you feel like you know enough about tennis elbow treatment now?
Do you feel your elbow pain might stop after some sessions with a therapist?
If you feel you might have tennis elbow, go see a therapist.
Head to your local top physiotherapy centre, and the pros will make a plan just for you. Follow their instructions, and your pain will be gone in no time. Your day-to-day life will get better, and you’ll move more easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy Treatment:
Q1. What is the best cure for tennis elbow?
Physiotherapy is the best fix, no doubt. It requires no surgery or pills. Just manual therapy and exercises, along with machine therapies (if needed).
Q2. What is the main cause of tennis elbow?
The main cause is using the tendons too much, which comes from doing the same motions a lot. This leads to tiny tears and swelling.
Q3. What is the fastest way to cure tennis elbow?
Rest is key. Other ways include the RICE method, therapy, medicine, braces, and in tough cases, surgery.
Q4. What are the signs for tennis elbow?
The signs are: pain on the outer elbow, trouble with holding or gripping, swelling, and stiffness.
Q5. Can tennis elbow heal naturally?
It can heal on its own with good rest and care. But if it hurts a lot or you are worried, see a therapist to check it out.
Q6. How long does tennis elbow last?
It can last a few months to a year; some cases even go up to 18 months. But there’s no set time.