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Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is one of the most common causes of pain around the outside of the elbow. Despite the name, it’s not limited to tennis players. Anyone who performs repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting tasks—such as typing, gardening, or using tools—can develop the condition. At Seaforth Physio, we regularly see patients of all ages and backgrounds dealing with this frustrating injury.
The condition develops when the tendons that attach to the outer elbow become irritated through overuse. Repeated strain leads to small micro-tears in the tendon, causing pain, tenderness, and sometimes a noticeable loss of grip strength. Everyday activities like shaking hands, carrying groceries, or even pouring a kettle can suddenly feel difficult or painful.
Pain or burning on the outer elbow that may radiate into the forearm
Tenderness over the bony area of the elbow
Difficulty gripping objects or reduced strength in the hand
Symptoms that worsen with repetitive movements of the wrist or hand
1. Pain Relief and Load Management
The first step is reducing strain on the tendon. Our physiotherapists help identify aggravating activities and show you how to modify them. Manual therapy, massage, and taping may also be used to relieve pain.
2. Exercise Therapy
Exercise is the cornerstone of recovery. At Seaforth Physio, we design targeted strengthening and stretching programs, often using eccentric loading techniques that encourage tendon healing and resilience.
3. Restoring Function
As your symptoms improve, exercises progress to rebuild grip strength, endurance, and flexibility. This ensures your elbow can cope with daily tasks, work demands, and sport.
4. Addressing Contributing Factors
Our team also looks beyond the elbow—assessing posture, shoulder and wrist strength, and movement patterns that may contribute to ongoing irritation. Correcting these factors helps reduce recurrence.
5. Return to Activity
Whether it’s sport, work, or simply everyday living, Seaforth Physio guides you through a gradual and safe return. We make sure your elbow is strong and stable before increasing load.
Tennis elbow can linger if ignored, but with the right physiotherapy treatment it can be managed effectively. At Seaforth Physio, we combine hands-on care, tailored exercise, and education to get you back to pain-free living. If you’re struggling with elbow pain, don’t wait—early treatment makes recovery faster and prevents ongoing issues.
