Written by Harry Ngoo, Physiotherapist
You’ve probably heard of tennis elbow, right? You might picture a sweaty, grunting athlete - maybe Nadal, Federer, or even Djokovic. But guess what? This pesky condition doesn’t discriminate - it can affect anyone who overuses their forearm muscles - from painters to plumbers, office workers to avid gardeners, we’re all at risk. So, let’s break down what is really going on with this common complaint.
What is Tennis Elbow, Anyway?
In the world of fancy medical terms, it’s called lateral epicondylalgia. But don’t let that scare you! It simply refers to an overuse injury of the tendons on your elbow. Tendons are what connect muscles to bones, and the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony bump (epicondyle) on the outside (lateral) of your elbow are the ones affected in this condition. Microtears and inflammation can build up from repetitive motions like gripping, twisting, or lifting. Over time, symptoms can present which can be extremely… not fun.
Who’s at Risk?
Anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles is at risk! Think about activities like:
● Tennis (obviously!)
● Golf
● Painting
● Typing
● Gardening
● Using power tools
● Everyday tasks such as opening jars and carrying shopping bags
Symptoms to Watch For
● Pain on the outside of your elbow
● Tenderness when you grip things
● Weakness in your forearm
● Difficulty with activities that require twisting or gripping
So, What Can You Do?
Don’t panic! There’s hope. Here are some tips to get you back on track:
● Rest: Avoid doing things that aggravate symptoms.
● Ice/heat: Apply ice/heat packs to reduce symptoms (ice also for potential inflammation)
● Over-the-counter pain relievers: These can help manage pain and inflammation.
● Physiotherapy
○ Strengthening exercises: Tendons require a stimulating load to function efficiently. Our physiotherapists can prescribe appropriate exercises at a sufficient intensity without overloading the structures, to promote tendon recovery and help rebuild the affected muscles.
○ Stretching exercises: Tight forearm muscles can contribute to tennis elbow. Improving flexibility in your forearm can also help with recovery.
○ Manual therapy: Techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, and dry needling can help to improve blood flow to the area, reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms and promote healing.
○ Taping: Reinforcing the affected areas with tape can provide support and offload accordingly.
○ Braces or supports: If indicated, physiotherapists may prescribe an appropriate brace for support and provide temporary relief.
Here at In Stride Health Clinic, We Care about Your Health!
Our physiotherapists can utilise any of the aforementioned techniques to help you feel better. We strive to be your partner in your recovery from tennis elbow.
We will assess your individual situation, identify any underlying postural or biomechanical issues that might be contributing to your pain, and create a personalised treatment plan.
We want to help you get back to doing the things that you enjoy and are important to you.
A true tennis elbow can take a notoriously long time to completely settle. Therefore, prevention and a early diagnosis are key! Even if it is just a “niggle”, it is always better safe than sorry have your symptoms checked out. So, whether you're a weekend warrior or a desk jockey, listen to your body and take care of those elbows!
Harry (Hui Le) completed his Doctor of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. He previously has obtained a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Human Structure and Function. Harry has done additional training in dry needling.
With a keen passion for musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, Harry is a strong believer in a combination approach of hands-on manual therapy, education, evidence-based management, and a large focus on client-tailored exercise prescription. In addition to working at the clinic, Harry has been and continues to be involved with local footy teams.
In his downtime, Harry enjoys doing all things active including weight training, playing basketball and exploring the outdoors. Harry loves travelling and is fascinated by different cultures - he wishes to finally visit Europe in the next few years. As a Malaysian-born Chinese, he also speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.
Harry offers hands on physiotherapy, clinical Pilates, dry needling, hydrotherapy and exercise based rehabilitation at In Stride. He is available most weekdays including before/after work.
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