Tennis elbow: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to tennis elbow — outer-elbow tendon pain and how it is managed.
Medically reviewed by D.C Matt · Lead Director
Last reviewed 1 July 2026
- Tennis elbow affects the outer elbow and forearm tendons.
- Most cases are from repetitive gripping, not just tennis.
- Tendon-loading exercise is the mainstay of recovery.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is an overload problem of the tendons on the outer elbow, where the forearm muscles attach.
Despite the name, most cases have nothing to do with tennis — they arise from repetitive gripping and wrist use at work or in daily activities. It is a tendon-loading problem rather than simple inflammation.
What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?
The main symptom is pain and tenderness on the outer elbow, worse with gripping, lifting or twisting.
- Pain on the outer elbow, sometimes radiating into the forearm
- Pain with gripping, lifting, or twisting the wrist
- Tenderness over the outer elbow
- A weakened grip due to pain
How is tennis elbow treated?
Tennis elbow is treated with load management and a progressive tendon-strengthening programme, alongside manual therapy.
Modifying aggravating activities while gradually loading the tendon is central. Shockwave therapy may help stubborn cases. Recovery can take several months, and patience with the programme is important.
The Postura approach
At Postura Wellness, care for tennis elbow is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Sciatica FAQs
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
It often takes a few months. A progressive tendon-loading programme gives the best chance of a durable recovery.
Do I need to stop all activity with tennis elbow?
Usually not. The aim is to reduce aggravating load while gradually strengthening the tendon, rather than resting completely.
Does a tennis elbow brace help?
A brace or strap can reduce load and ease symptoms for some people, but it works best alongside a strengthening programme.
Can physiotherapy help tennis elbow?
Yes. Guided load management and tendon strengthening are the mainstay of treatment, sometimes with shockwave therapy for stubborn cases.
This guide is informed by patient information from accredited medical institutions:
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