Do you feel pain on the outside of your elbow—especially when lifting, gripping, or twisting a doorknob? You might have lateral epicondylalgia, commonly known as tennis elbow. And no, you don’t have to play tennis to get it.
This condition affects many people—especially those who use their hands and wrists repeatedly for work or sports—but physiotherapy can help you recover naturally without injections or surgery.
What Is Lateral Epicondylalgia?
Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is a painful condition affecting the extensor tendons that attach to the outside of your elbow. These tendons help you extend your wrist and fingers. Overuse or strain can lead to microtears and tendon degeneration.
Common Symptoms
- Pain or tenderness on the outer elbow
- Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or wrist movements
- Weak grip strength
- Discomfort with everyday tasks like pouring a kettle or typing
What Causes It?
- Repetitive use of the forearm or wrist (typing, lifting, painting)
- Poor posture or lifting mechanics
- Muscle weakness or imbalance
- A sudden increase in activity or force
How Physiotherapy Helps
Physiotherapy has been proven to be more effective than rest or medications alone. A tailored rehab plan will help:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Improve strength of the forearm and shoulder muscles
- Promote tendon healing
- Prevent future flare-ups by correcting movement habits
What the Research Shows
A randomized controlled trial by Coombes et al. (2013) found that exercise-based physiotherapy, especially isometric and eccentric strengthening, was highly effective for managing tennis elbow.
Another RCT by Stasinopoulos & Johnson (2005) showed that eccentric exercises significantly reduced pain and improved function in people with chronic LE.
What to Expect in Physio
- Gentle hands-on treatment (manual therapy)
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Ergonomic and activity modifications
- Education on pacing and posture
- Dry needling or taping if needed
When to See a Physiotherapist
- Elbow pain lasts more than 1–2 weeks
- You’re having difficulty with daily tasks
- You’ve had recurring flare-ups
- You want to avoid medications, injections, or surgery
Bottom Line
Tennis elbow is treatable. Physiotherapy can reduce your pain, restore strength, and help you return to your normal activities—safely and confidently.
References:
Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L., & Vicenzino, B. (2013). Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. The Lancet, 376(9754), 1751–1767. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61160-9
Stasinopoulos, D., & Johnson, M. I. (2005). Effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, supervised exercise program and combination of both on lateral epicondylitis: A randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(9), 561–565. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2004.015362
