Pain, Recovery, and Getting Back to What You Love
It’s Not Just for Tennis Players
Tennis elbow—formally called lateral epicondylitis—is one of the most common overuse injuries we treat in the clinic. While it gets its name from the sport, this condition affects many people who don’t play tennis at all. Anyone who performs repetitive gripping, lifting, or wrist extension can develop symptoms. In fact, I developed the problem from a long day tackling weeds in the garden. While I treat this all year long, I see this most frequently in the summer.
Occupational and recreational activities that may lead to tennis elbow include:
- Racquet sports (tennis, pickleball, squash)
- Gardening or raking
- Painting or carpentry
- Lifting heavy grocery bags
- Long hours typing or using a mouse
- Repetitive use of tools (screwdrivers, hammers, scissors)
If you’re experiencing tenderness along the outer elbow, pain with gripping, or weakness during daily activities like opening a jar or lifting a coffee mug, you may be dealing with tennis elbow.
What Is Tennis Elbow, Really?
Tennis elbow is a tendon overload condition, often caused by tiny microtears in the extensor tendons of the forearm, particularly where they attach to the lateral epicondyle (bony bump on the outside of the elbow). Over time, these tendons become irritated and weakened, leading to:
- Pain with lifting or gripping
- Stiffness and achiness in the outer elbow
- Reduced grip strength
- Pain that may radiate down the forearm
What to Expect in Occupational Therapy
At Katherine Jackson Occupational Therapy, PLLC, treatment for tennis elbow goes far beyond ice packs and rest. We provide a targeted and progressive approach that helps reduce pain, restore strength, and protect against reinjury.
Your treatment may include:
- Soft Tissue Mobilization – To reduce muscle tightness and improve blood flow
- Manual Therapy – To address forearm and wrist mechanics and reduce neural sensitivity
- Taping or Bracing – To offload painful tendons during activity
- Eccentric Strengthening – Proven exercises that specifically target tendon healing
- Grip Training – To restore functional strength without flare-ups
- Posture & Ergonomic Coaching – Especially important for desk workers and crafters
- Dry Needling (if appropriate) – To reduce muscle tone and pain
- Activity Modification – Guidance on how to stay active without further aggravating the elbow
What You Can Do at Home
In addition to in-clinic care, we teach a range of gentle self-care strategies that promote healing between sessions.
- Wrist extensor stretches (arm out straight, palm down, use other hand to gently bend the wrist)
- Isometric holds (gentle resistance without movement) to build tendon strength
- Theraputty or towel wringing to retrain grip function
- Cold therapy (if in an acute flare) or heat (if more chronic and stiff)
- Conditioning for the muscles around the shoulders and upper back
Common Mistakes That Can Delay Recovery
Pushing through pain with lifting or gripping
- Relying only on rest—without targeted strengthening
- Wearing a brace all day (when it’s no longer necessary)
- Wearing a tennis elbow strap too tightly
- Skipping shoulder, neck, and posture training
- Ignoring early warning signs like stiffness or fatigue
The Bigger Picture
Tennis elbow is a localized condition, but it often reflects bigger issues: poor movement mechanics, muscle imbalances, or lack of recovery. That’s why we assess not just the elbow, but also your:
- Shoulder stability
- Wrist flexibility
- Core strength
- Overall upper body coordination
Because when your whole system is working together, the elbow doesn’t have to do more than its share.
When to Seek Help
If elbow pain has lasted more than 2–3 weeks, or it’s interfering with your job, hobbies, or sleep, professional guidance can prevent it from becoming chronic.
Early treatment allows for faster recovery and fewer flare-ups.
Let’s Get You Back to What You Love
Whether you play tennis, type all day, or just want to grip your morning mug without wincing, we can help. At Katherine Jackson Occupational Therapy, PLLC, we provide compassionate, one-on-one care focused on upper extremity rehab, pain management, and functional recovery.
Feel strong again—with hands, wrists, and elbows that move freely and painlessly.
Flourish Recovery & Wellness 