Tennis Elbow Isn’t Just for Tennis Players
Outer elbow pain can sneak up on anyone.
If you're feeling a nagging pain on the outside of your elbow—especially when lifting a coffee mug, typing at your desk, or gripping anything tightly—it might be tennis elbow.
But don’t let the name fool you. Most people who get tennis elbow have never picked up a racquet.
So, What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow—officially called lateral epicondylosis—is a condition where the tendons on the outside of your elbow become irritated due to overuse. These tendons help extend your wrist and fingers, and they play a big role in gripping, lifting, and stabilizing your forearm during everyday activities.
Over time, repetitive stress or sudden increases in use can lead to micro-tears in the tendon. If left untreated, this can become chronic and affect everything from your workouts to your workday.
Who Gets Tennis Elbow?
Short answer: anyone.
Gardeners using heavy shears or gripping tools too hard
New parents constantly picking up their baby
Remote workers using awkward, non-ergonomic desk setups
Rock climbers relying heavily on finger and grip strength
Lifters or gym-goers who ramp up training too quickly
Yes, even tennis or pickle ball players—especially those with stiff racquets or poor mechanics
Tennis elbow is most common in adults between 30 and 50 years old, but it can happen at any age if load exceeds what the tendon is ready to tolerate.
Common Symptoms
Aching or sharp pain on the outside of the elbow
Pain with gripping, lifting, pouring, or twisting
Discomfort with scrolling, typing, or using a mouse
Weakness or fatigue in the forearm or wrist
Increased soreness after activity or long workdays
How We Treat It
The key to healing tennis elbow isn’t just rest—it’s smart load management and progressive rehab.
Here's how we approach it:
Step 1: Modify what’s irritating the tendon.
That could mean adjusting your lifting technique, fixing your desk posture, or temporarily reducing your training volume.Step 2: Decrease inflammation and pain.
Short bouts of icing (5–10 minutes), light massage, and compression sleeves can help calm things down. In some cases, a custom wrist brace or forearm strap can reduce strain in the early phase.Step 3: Build strength and control.
This is where the magic happens. You’ll work through targeted loading of the tendon to encourage proper healing and reduce re-injury risk. That includes:Grip and wrist extensor strengthening
Shoulder and scapular stability work
Core and full-body movement integration
Step 4: Return to sport or activity.
Whether that means tennis, climbing, gym training, or childcare, we’ll guide you with progressions tailored to your goals—not just generic rehab.
What Makes Our Approach Different
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter protocols or handing you a sheet of “elbow exercises.”
We take time to assess your whole arm and shoulder, understand your lifestyle and goals, and develop a plan that gets you back to doing what you love—without constant flare-ups or pain relievers.
Most clients only see us once a week or every other week, because the time we spend together is focused, progressive, and individualized.
Final Thoughts
Tennis elbow doesn’t mean you have to give up the activities you enjoy. With the right plan, it’s not only treatable—it’s preventable.
If you’ve been dealing with outer elbow pain and aren’t sure what to do next, we’re here to help.