Tennis Elbow and Outer Elbow Pain

20 January, 2017


Tennis Elbow is a diagnosis often heard in the community and funnily enough is most common in non-tennis players (although tennis players can also suffer from its symptoms).

Tennis Elbow is medically known as Lateral Epicondylosis (LE), which is a painful condition affecting the outside part of the elbow. Tennis Elbow is usually caused by overuse of the forearm. When the forearm is overused, the forearm muscles that attach to the lateral epicondyle (outside of the elbow joint) pull excessively on the elbow, aggravating the tendinous attachment and causing pain.

This condition is typically developed in association with activities involving repetitive wrist extension against resistance such as:

  • Tennis

  • Squash

  • Badminton

  • Manual work such as carpentry

  • Painting

  • Chopping wood

  • Bricklaying

  • Repetitive use of a screw driver

  • Sewing and knitting

  • Working at a computer

  • Other activities that involve repetitive and/or forceful gripping of the hand

Many cases of tennis elbow settle well with appropriate Myotherapy treatment. This requires careful assessment by the Myotherapist to determine which factors have contributed to the condition, followed by the correction of these factors. Treatment for this condition is vital to improve the healing process and reduce the likelihood of the injury re-occurring. Most minor cases of Tennis Elbow that have not been present for long may recover within a few weeks. More severe or chronic cases may take between 6-12 months. As such, early Myotherapy intervention is vital.

Tennis Elbow

Source: http://kingbrand.com/Tennis-Elbow.php

Treatments may consist of:

  • Soft tissue massage

  • Taping

  • Bracing

  • Joint mobilisation

  • Dry needling

  • Ice and/or heat treatment

  • Progressive exercises to improve flexibility and strength

  • Technique correction

  • Education

  • Anti-inflammatory advice

Charmaine at the 2016 Australian Open ‘playing’ against Lleyton Hewitt hehehe….


Appointments available in Moonee Ponds or online.


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  • James KH, Raymond CC Tsang, HB Leung. (2014). Lateral epicondylalgia: midlife crisis of a tendon. Vol 20, No: 2, P145-15

  • Picture: http://kingbrand.com/Tennis-Elbow.php