Most elbow pain comes from the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow. Tennis elbow affects the outside and golfer's elbow the inside. Despite the names, most people who get them play neither sport: lifting, manual work and long hours of gripping are just as common causes. Throwers have their own pattern, with stress on the inside of the elbow. Tendons respond to the right kind of load, so strengthening is the core of treatment.
Then
“I came in dealing with a persistent tennis elbow that was affecting my tennis game.”
Now
“…Im now back on the tennis court feeling significantly better and more confident.”
What does elbow pain feel like?
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when gripping or lifting
- Pain on the inside of the elbow when gripping or throwing
- A weak grip, like trouble holding a coffee cup or a bar
- Tenderness over the bony point of the elbow
- Pain that spreads down the forearm
What usually causes it?
- Repetitive gripping, lifting or tool use
- A sudden increase in racket sports, climbing or pulling exercises
- High throw or pitch counts without enough rest
- Weak shoulder and forearm muscles that leave the elbow doing extra work
How can physical therapy help?
- Finding which grips and movements provoke the tendon
- Progressive forearm and tendon strengthening
- Shoulder and upper back strength to share the load
- Dry needling and soft-tissue work for pain relief
- Changes to grip, equipment or training volume, and a gradual return to throwing for pitchers
When should I get it checked?
Get it checked if elbow pain has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or is affecting your grip, your training or your work. For young throwers, any elbow pain is worth an evaluation.
See a doctor right away if you notice
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers that is getting worse
- A visible deformity, or you cannot move the elbow after a fall
- A hot, red, swollen elbow with fever
- A pop with sudden weakness bending the elbow
Questions about elbow pain
Why does my elbow hurt if I don't play tennis?
Most people with tennis elbow do not play tennis. Gripping and lifting at work, at the gym or around the house load the same tendon.
How long does tennis elbow take to get better?
It is often slow. Many cases settle over several months, and a structured strengthening program generally helps. We give you your own timeline after your evaluation.
Do I need a brace or strap?
A forearm strap can ease pain during activity for some people. It is a short-term help, not a fix: strengthening is what changes the tendon.
Should I get a cortisone shot?
Talk it through with your doctor. For tennis elbow, research suggests shots can ease pain in the short term but may lead to more recurrences later than exercise does.
Can I keep lifting?
Usually, with changes. We adjust grips, swap painful pulling exercises and keep training the rest of your body while the tendon builds tolerance.
Do you work with young pitchers?
Yes. We look at the whole throwing chain, from the legs and hips to the shoulder, and build a gradual return to throwing. Pitch counts and rest days matter as much as the exercises.