Tennis elbow—or lateral epicondylitis—is a frustrating and painful condition that affects far more people than just athletes. If you’ve been dealing with aching, burning, or weakness in the outside of your elbow, you’re not alone. The good news? There are highly effective, evidence-based physical therapy treatments available that don’t involve rest alone or relying on painkillers.
In this blog, we’ll break down what really works to treat tennis elbow—especially for those who want fast, lasting relief.
What Is Tennis Elbow—and Who Gets It?
Tennis elbow is a condition caused by overuse of the forearm muscles, leading to microscopic tears in the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle (the bony bump on the outside of your elbow). This results in pain, weakness, and difficulty gripping objects or lifting.
Not Just for Athletes: The Surprising Causes of Tennis Elbow
Despite the name, you don’t have to be a tennis player to suffer from tennis elbow. It’s actually quite common among:
- Manual laborers (plumbers, electricians, carpenters)
- Office workers (repetitive typing or mouse use)
- Gardeners
- Chefs
- New parents lifting their child
- Weightlifters or gym-goers
Any repetitive movement involving gripping, twisting, or lifting can trigger it.
Why Physical Therapy Is the Gold Standard for Tennis Elbow
Physical therapy offers a natural, non-invasive solution that focuses not just on reducing pain, but on fixing the root of the problem. It’s a targeted, proven approach that delivers lasting change—without relying on injections or surgery.
From Pain Relief to Long-Term Strength
The right physical therapy plan does more than mask pain—it helps you:
- Heal the damaged tendon
- Regain strength and flexibility
- Avoid reinjury
- Return to sport, work, or daily tasks with confidence
The Most Effective Physical Therapy Treatments for Tennis Elbow
Manual Therapy & Trigger Point Work
Hands-on techniques like soft tissue mobilization and trigger point therapy target muscle tension and improve circulation around the injured tendon. This helps reduce pain and jumpstart healing.
Eccentric Strengthening: The Backbone of Recovery
This form of exercise—focusing on the lengthening phase of muscle movement—is one of the most research-backed treatments for tendon issues like tennis elbow.
Example: Wrist extensor eccentric exercise
- Start by holding a lightweight (like a soup can or dumbbell).
- Use your opposite hand to lift your wrist up.
- Slowly lower the wrist down on your own (3–5 seconds).
- Repeat 10–15 reps, 2–3 sets.
This retrains the tendon to tolerate load and helps prevent flare-ups.
Stretching to Restore Mobility and Prevent Re-Injury
Tight muscles create more tension on tendons. Gentle, consistent forearm stretches improve flexibility and reduce overall stress on the elbow joint.
Dry Needling, Shockwave, and Stimpod: The New Wave of Healing
- Dry Needling: Releases muscle knots and improves circulation to stubborn areas.
- Shockwave Therapy: Uses acoustic energy to stimulate cellular repair in chronic tendon injuries.
- Stimpod Therapy: A breakthrough for nerve-related elbow pain, this therapy gently resets irritated nerves using pulsed electromagnetic fields.
Watch this powerful recovery story from a real patient who regained sensation and function after 4 years using the Stimpod:
Explore our Stimpod services and take the first step today:
- Stimpod at Houghton PT
- Shockwave at Houghton PT
- Download our FREE Shockwave and Stimpod Therapy Guides
Preventing Tennis Elbow from Coming Back
Tennis elbow is notorious for becoming chronic if not treated properly. Prevention is key.
Strengthening More Than Just Your Forearm
Building strength in your shoulders, core, and scapular stabilizers helps offload stress from your elbow and improves overall movement mechanics.
Ergonomic & Movement Coaching
Your physical therapist can help you:
- Adjust your work desk setup
- Improve lifting and grip mechanics
- Modify sports or gym technique
- Use tools more efficiently
These small changes add up to big results.
Quick Recovery for Active Lifestyles
Whether you’re a pickleball player, weekend golfer, or hard-working parent, tennis elbow can disrupt your life. Advanced physical therapy helps you bounce back faster.
Back on the Court, Field, or Job—Faster
Combining manual therapy, shockwave treatment, and guided strengthening helps reduce downtime and get you back to doing what you love.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The longer you wait, the harder tennis elbow is to treat. Early intervention leads to:
- Shorter recovery time
- Lower risk of chronic tendon damage
- Less disruption to your lifestyle
Feeling That Nagging Elbow Pain?
Don’t ignore it or hope it will go away on its own. Tennis elbow can be stubborn—but it’s highly treatable with the right plan.
Let our expert team guide you through a personalized program using the latest tools and therapies in physical therapy.
Ready to Heal Your Elbow and Get Back to Life?
At our clinic, we offer:
✅ Expert manual therapy
✅ State-of-the-art modalities like Shockwave and Stimpod
✅ Customized exercise programs that evolve with your progress
✅ Ergonomic support for home, work, or sport
Schedule Your Free Discovery Visit Today
Let us help you understand what’s going on, explore your options, and build a recovery plan that works for you.
📍 Call us at 508‑223‑2300 or book online now, using the link below!
🔗 Schedule a Free Discovery Visit
Tags: houghton physical therapy, Elbow Pain, tennis, tennis elbow, elbow pain relief, houghton pt, tennis pain, tennis injury
