Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow: How It Works, What to Expect, and Best Exercises

Elbow pain is surprisingly common, and it can interfere with everything from your workday to your favorite hobbies. One of the most frequent culprits? Tennis elbow — a condition that affects the tendons in your forearm, causing pain around the outer part of your elbow. 

Despite its sporty name, you don’t have to play tennis to experience tennis elbow, notes CJ Morrow, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health. Anything that involves repetitive or strenuous forearm activity, such as painting a bedroom or an afternoon of gardening, can cause tennis elbow. “Usually, the symptoms of tennis elbow develop gradually. It often starts as mild discomfort that worsens over a few weeks,” says Dr. Morrow.

So what can you do to feel better? Physical therapy for tennis elbow focuses on strengthening your forearm to reduce pain and increase your confidence in daily movements. Research shows that physical therapy for tennis elbow is highly effective. 

Read on to learn how physical therapy can treat tennis elbow — and how digital providers like Hinge Health make it easy to access effective care.

Interested in getting a personalized exercise plan for tennis elbow? Learn more about Hinge Health’s digital physical therapy programs and see if you’re eligible.

How Can Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow Help?

Many people assume they should avoid moving their elbow when they experience pain, but gentle, progressive movement is actually one of the most effective ways to promote healing. “The last thing you want to do is rest your elbow completely,” says Dr. Morrow. “While muscle tissue may start to feel better if you don’t use it, once you return to the same activity, you’ll irritate the tendon again. Movement helps to get to the root cause — tension from your forearm muscle pulling on your arm bone.”

Physical therapists use a variety of techniques — including exercises, education, and activity modifications — to treat tennis elbow. A key component is exercise therapy, which is a plan of therapeutic exercises to relieve pain and manage conditions. At Hinge Health, physical therapists provide personalized exercise therapy plans as a core part of treatment, emphasizing that movement is medicine.

The above exercises are recommended by Hinge Health physical therapists to help relieve tennis elbow pain by improving strength and mobility in the surrounding muscles. While these movements are a great starting point, working with a physical therapist can provide personalized guidance tailored to your unique needs and activity level. A physical therapist can help ensure you’re progressing safely and effectively while addressing any specific concerns or goals you may have for recovery.

The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises. Please consult with your healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your medical condition or treatment.

What to Expect at Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow  

Physical therapy for tennis elbow is tailored to an individual’s specific needs, depending on the severity of their symptoms and overall health. The primary focus of physical therapy is to reduce pain, improve strength and flexibility in your forearm, and restore normal elbow function for everyday activities. Here’s more on what to expect.

• Personalized assessment. Your physical therapist will ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, and movement patterns. This helps them understand how tennis elbow is affecting you and guides your treatment plan.

• Stretching exercises for flexibility and mobility. You’ll learn gentle stretches for your forearm muscles to relieve tension on the injured tendons. These stretches ease pain and improve range of motion in your elbow and wrist.

• Strengthening exercises. Progressive strengthening exercises for the muscles in your forearm, wrist, and hand help support your elbow and prevent overloading the injured tendons.

• Education. Ergonomic adjustments and activity modifications can help make everyday activities more comfortable. For example, your physical therapist might work with you on temporarily adjusting how you type, lift, or play sports to reduce strain on your elbow while it heals.

• Pain management techniques. Your physical therapist might suggest techniques to help you stay comfortable, such as: 

  • Ice to reduce inflammation and numb pain during flare-ups. 

  • Heat to help relax tight muscles and improve blood flow for ongoing discomfort. 

  • Wearing a brace for limited periods to offload the tendon during aggravating activities.  

  • Incorporating mindfulness techniques like deep breathing to manage stress, which can influence pain perception and aid recovery.

Tennis Elbow Physical Therapy with Hinge Health

If elbow pain is limiting your movement, Hinge Health can help. As a digital clinic for joint and muscle care, Hinge Health offers access to physical therapists, along with personalized  exercise therapy, health coaching, education, and more.

Staying consistent with exercise therapy can be challenging, but research shows it’s the key to building habits and achieving results. Our physical therapists, health coaches, and care team work together to help you make exercise therapy a habit, so you can get back to doing what you love.

Hinge Health physical therapists can give you an assessment, rule out any serious causes of your pain, help you modify your activities, empower you with tools and tips to help you hurt less, and personalize your exercise program.

Meeting with a Hinge Health Physical Therapist

Unlike traditional physical therapy visits, Hinge Health provides access to physical therapists via video appointments. Your therapist can conduct a movement assessment, create a personalized exercise plan, and help you perform exercises with confidence — all from the comfort of your own home.

You can ask your physical therapist questions about your pain, function, and progress — during video visits or any time via messaging in the Hinge Health app. Your physical therapist can adjust exercises as needed to keep you on track. 

In addition to a physical therapist, Hinge Health also provides every member with a dedicated health coach for motivation and accountability. Together, they ensure you’re fully supported in your treatment. 

See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.

This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.

References 

1. Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L., & Vicenzino, B. (2015). Management of Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: One Size Does Not Fit All. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 45(11), 938–949. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5841

2. Edith Cowan University. (2022, August 15). Exercise answer: Research shows it's how often you do it, not how much. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220815085707.htm

3. Tennis Elbow: An Overview. (2018, May 30). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK506998/#:~:text=About%202%25%20of%20the%20population,common%20in%20men%20and%20women.