Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a common overuse condition affecting the tendons on the outside of the elbow that are responsible for gripping, lifting, and wrist movement. Despite the name, it isn’t limited to sports — it often develops through repetitive strain from work activities, DIY, gym training, or prolonged computer use. Micro-tears and tendon overload lead to inflammation, reduced strength, and persistent pain that can radiate into the forearm and wrist.

This condition can significantly impact everyday tasks such as lifting a kettle, opening jars, shaking hands, typing, or even holding a phone. Without proper management, symptoms can linger for months and become increasingly stubborn.

A thorough assessment is essential to identify contributing factors such as posture, biomechanics, workload, and muscle imbalance. Osteopathic treatment focuses on reducing pain and tension, restoring normal movement, improving circulation to support tissue healing, and addressing the underlying causes to prevent recurrence and long-term dysfunction.

Tennis elbow presents with pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, often accompanied by weakness in the forearm and reduced grip strength. The condition can interfere with sleep, work, sport, and everyday activities such as lifting, gripping, typing, or even simple hand movements. While commonly associated with racquet sports, it frequently affects people whose work or hobbies involve repetitive arm and wrist movements, making it a widespread issue across many age groups.

Many individuals seek osteopathic care to manage persistent elbow pain, restore function, and avoid long-term dependency on pain medication or invasive interventions. Osteopathic treatment focuses not only on easing pain but also on correcting contributing factors such as poor movement patterns, muscle imbalance, posture, and workload strain. Through hands-on treatment, targeted rehabilitation exercises, and practical lifestyle advice, osteopathy supports tissue recovery, improves strength and mobility, and helps reduce the likelihood of recurrence — offering an effective, non-invasive approach to managing tennis elbow.