Understanding Tennis Elbow: Causes Symptoms and Effective Treatment Options in Cincinnati
- Kristen Zumberger DC, FIAMA
- Aug 10
- 4 min read
Tennis elbow is a common condition that causes pain on the outer part of the elbow. Despite its name, it affects many people beyond tennis players. This pain often results from repetitive gripping or motions that strain the forearm muscles and tendons. Understanding what causes tennis elbow, recognizing its symptoms, and exploring treatment options can help you manage this condition effectively and get back to your daily activities with less discomfort.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, occurs when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow become overloaded. This overload leads to tiny tears and inflammation in the tendon tissue. The main causes include:
Repetitive gripping or wrist extension: Activities that involve repeated gripping, lifting, or twisting motions strain the forearm muscles and tendons.
Overuse from sports or work: Tennis players, painters, carpenters, and others who perform repetitive arm movements are at higher risk.
Poor technique or equipment: Using improper form or tools that increase strain on the elbow can contribute to injury.
Age-related tendon changes: The tendons lose elasticity and strength with age, which makes them more prone to injury.
The key factor is repetitive loading of the muscles that extend the wrist. This repetitive motion causes microtrauma to the tendon, leading to pain and reduced function.
Recognizing Tennis Elbow Symptoms
Identifying tennis elbow symptoms early can help you seek treatment before the condition worsens. Common signs include:
Lateral elbow pain: Pain is usually felt on the outer part of the elbow, especially when gripping or lifting objects.
Forearm pain and weakness: You may notice weakness in your grip or difficulty holding items.
Tenderness and swelling: The area around the lateral epicondyle may feel tender or slightly swollen.
Pain during wrist movements: Extending the wrist or twisting the forearm can increase discomfort.
Stiffness: The elbow may feel stiff, especially in the morning or after activity.
If you experience these symptoms for more than a few days, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
How Repetitive Motion Leads to Elbow Pain
Repetitive motion causes stress on the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow. Over time, this stress results in small tears and inflammation, which causes pain and limits movement. Examples of activities that can cause elbow pain from repetitive motion include:
Playing tennis or other racquet sports
Using hand tools like screwdrivers or hammers
Typing or using a computer mouse for long periods
Painting or gardening
Lifting heavy objects repeatedly
Understanding the link between repetitive motion and tennis elbow helps in modifying activities to reduce strain and prevent further injury.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help Tennis Elbow?
When tennis elbow develops, simply resting the arm may provide temporary relief, but it doesn't always address the underlying factors contributing to the problem. A comprehensive approach can help reduce symptoms while improving how your body moves and handles the demands of your daily activities.
At Performance Health, we utilize treatments that may include chiropractic care, soft-tissue techniques, dry needling, cupping, and functional rehabilitation, tailored to your individual needs.
Chiropractic care may be used to help improve joint mobility and movement through the upper extremity. By addressing areas that may be restricted or not moving efficiently, chiropractic treatment can be one part of a comprehensive plan to help reduce stress on the tissues around the elbow.
Dry needling may be used to address areas of muscle tension and trigger points in the forearm and surrounding muscles.
The goal isn't simply to treat the painful spot. Your provider may evaluate the surrounding muscles and movement patterns to determine where dry needling may be most appropriate.
Cupping may be incorporated to address muscle tension and soft tissue restrictions in the forearm and surrounding areas.
By creating suction against the skin, cupping can be used as a manual therapy technique to influence the soft tissue and complement other treatments. It can be particularly helpful when muscle tightness or tissue restrictions are contributing to limited movement or discomfort.
Massage and soft tissue techniques may help address tensions and restrictions in the muscles of the forearm, upper arm, shoulder, and surrounding areas.
Soft tissue work can be used to help improve mobility and prepare the body for movement and exercise.
An important part of long-term recovery is helping your body become better at handling the activities that caused or contributed to your symptoms.
This is where functional rehabilitation and DNS exercises can play an important role.
Rehabilitation may incorporate shoulder blade and upper-body stability, forearm and wrist strengthening, grip strength and endurance, movement coordination, and progressive loading of the elbow and forearm, just to name a few.
As your symptoms improve, exercises can progress toward the specific activities you need to perform.
Preventing Tennis Elbow
Preventing tennis elbow involves reducing strain on the forearm and elbow. Tips include:
Using proper technique in sports and work activities
Taking regular breaks during repetitive tasks
Strengthening forearm muscles with targeted exercises
Using ergonomic tools and equipment
Warming up before physical activity
These steps can help protect your elbow and reduce the risk of injury.
Living with Tennis Elbow
Managing tennis elbow requires patience and consistent care. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and avoid pushing through pain. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, most people recover fully and return to their normal activities.
If you experience persistent lateral elbow pain or forearm pain, seek professional advice. Early intervention improves outcomes and helps you avoid chronic problems.
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