Tennis Elbow: What it is and how it is treated in Physical Therapy

When you picture somebody playing tennis, what do you picture? Probably a person with their knees bent, a bounce in their step, and them using one or both arms to grip a racket and swing athletically at the tennis ball. While tennis is a favorite sport of older people or those with bad knees because of the low impact it has on the lower body, tennis is a strenuous workout for the upper body. Unfortunately, many people end up experiencing what is called “tennis elbow”; however, this condition can also be developed by people who don’t play tennis. It is a very painful condition that is common among tennis players. Considering that it’s so painful, how is tennis elbow treated?

We are STAATS Physical Therapy in Brick, NJ and in this article we will discuss how to identify tennis elbow and how it can be treated.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a painful condition where the tendons in your arm swell and cause a tremendous amount of pain in your elbow, forearm, and wrist. You can develop tennis elbow from engaging in any activity where you have to grip an object and twist, such as using tools, squash and tennis rackets, paint brushes, or other similar activities.

Once you have tennis elbow, you will be bothered when doing any of those activities, and might feel severe pain in your wrist, forearm, or elbow. You might also be bothered anytime you are gripping something, lifting, typing on the computer, or extending your wrist too far in an upward motion.

Can I Self-Treat My Tennis Elbow?

The answer here is an astounding yes. In many instances of tennis elbow, it will heal itself and get better on its own. If you start to experience it, don’t panic. Just be sure to ice the afflicted area, give it rest, and refrain from engaging in activities that will trigger the pain. If it persists for more than a few weeks, however, and it doesn’t seem to be treating itself, you may have a more severe case that may be more painful and long-lasting. In this case, you will want to work with a physical therapist to treat the issue before it gets worse and to relieve the pain sooner rather than later. 

Can Physical Therapy Help to Treat Tennis Elbow?

The answer here is also an astounding yes. Physical therapy can help with so many bodily pains, aches, injuries, and ailments, and tennis elbow is absolutely treatable in PT. When you work with a physical therapist, they will have a few goals concerning your symptoms:

  • Stretching your arm to improve strength and flexibility

  • Improving the blood flow to your tendons 

  • Relieving the pain that you are currently feeling

  • Educating you on ways to rest to treat it day-to-day

  • Adjusting your form if your play tennis to reduce pain

PT is all about correcting what happened in the past, treating pain felt in the present, and preventing further injuries from occurring in the future. Working with a physical therapist will give your body the relief and adjustments it needs and will give your mind the knowledge it needs to keep you healthy moving forward. PT is therapeutic, education, and can even be fun with the right attitude.

Find a Physical Therapist for Your Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a painful condition, but it doesn’t have to last forever. Work with a physical therapist to treat your pain, learn how to avoid getting injured again, and even learn a new method for how you should be gripping and swinging your racket. STAATS Physical Therapy is here to help!

Schedule an appointment with us and one of our helpful representatives will reach out to you.

Do you have questions for us about our physical therapy services before scheduling your first appointment? Our team is always happy to help you out. Please feel free to call us at (732) 920-0880 to ask us your questions or to get started with a physical therapist.

Thanks for reading!