Tennis elbow — or lateral epicondylitis — is a painful condition affecting the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, most people who develop tennis elbow have never picked up a racquet. It’s caused by repetitive strain on the forearm muscles, commonly from activities like typing, using tools, gardening, or any task involving gripping and twisting.
Understanding the Condition
The pain originates at the lateral epicondyle — the bony bump on the outside of your elbow where the forearm extensor muscles attach via a common tendon. When these muscles are overloaded through repetitive use, the tendon develops micro-tears and degenerative changes. This isn’t simply inflammation — it’s a failed healing response in the tendon, which is why rest alone often isn’t enough.
How Physiotherapy Treats Tennis Elbow
At Arc Physiotherapy in Saffron Walden, we take an evidence-based approach to treating tennis elbow. A typical treatment plan includes:
Eccentric Loading Exercises: Research shows that eccentric strengthening — slowly lowering a weight with the wrist — is one of the most effective treatments. These exercises stimulate tendon remodelling and can resolve symptoms in 8-12 weeks when performed consistently.
Shockwave Therapy: For persistent tennis elbow that hasn’t responded to exercises alone, shockwave therapy delivers excellent results. The acoustic waves break down scar tissue and stimulate new blood vessel formation in the damaged tendon. We find this particularly effective for cases lasting longer than 3 months.
Manual Therapy: Soft tissue release of the forearm extensors, mobilisation of the elbow and wrist joints, and neural mobilisation techniques can all help reduce pain and improve function.
Activity Modification: We’ll help you identify which activities are aggravating your condition and suggest modifications. Simple changes to your workstation setup, grip technique, or tool selection can make a significant difference.
Recovery Timeline
Most patients see meaningful improvement within 6-12 weeks of starting a structured physiotherapy programme. Complete resolution typically takes 3-6 months, though this varies depending on how long you’ve had symptoms before seeking treatment. Early intervention consistently leads to faster recovery.
Don’t Wait for It to Resolve on Its Own
Tennis elbow can become chronic if left untreated, with symptoms persisting for 1-2 years in some cases. The earlier you start treatment, the better your outcome. If you’re experiencing pain on the outside of your elbow that worsens with gripping or lifting, book an assessment with our team.
Book your appointment today. Call Arc Physiotherapy on 01799 526767 or book online.