Elbow Pain Holding You Back?
Here’s What to Know (and What to Do)
By Camri Pratt, MOTR/L – Axes in South County (Mehlville, MO)
Elbow pain can be surprisingly disruptive — whether you’re on the court playing tennis or pickleball, lifting weights at the gym, or simply doing your job. One of the most common culprits is lateral epicondylitis, better known as tennis elbow. Axes Physical Therapy has safe and effective treatments for elbow pain provided by experts across the Greater St. Louis area.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Is Tennis Elbow Causing my Elbow Pain?
Despite its name, tennis elbow affects more than just athletes. At Axes Physical Therapy, we treat individuals of all backgrounds across the Greater St. Louis and Southern Illinois areas who experience elbow pain from repetitive movements, poor ergonomics, or overuse.
Let’s break down what tennis elbow really is, how it compares to other elbow injuries, and how physical or occupational therapy can help you recover — without injections, medication, or surgery.
Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons in your elbow become overloaded, typically due to repetitive motions involving the forearm and wrist. The specific tendon most often affected is the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), which helps stabilize your wrist during activity.
When overused, this tendon can develop small tears, leading to inflammation, pain, and reduced grip strength.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
While the condition is common among tennis players and racquet sport athletes, it’s also frequently seen in:
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Pickleball players (a rapidly growing cause of elbow injuries!)
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Baseball or softball players
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Construction workers and tradespeople
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Mechanics or plumbers
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Office workers who use a mouse/keyboard all day
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Weightlifters or CrossFit athletes
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Gardeners or DIYers using repetitive hand tools
Even one intense activity — like a long weekend of home improvement or a new workout routine — can cause pain to flare.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
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Pain or burning on the outer part of the elbow
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Weak grip strength
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Discomfort with lifting, gripping, or twisting motions (like turning a doorknob or pouring coffee)
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Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
What’s the Difference Between Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow?
While tennis elbow affects the outer (lateral) part of the elbow, golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain on the inside. Both conditions result from overuse and can be treated similarly — but they involve different tendons and muscle groups.
A physical therapist or certified hand therapist (CHT) can determine which condition you’re experiencing and design a treatment plan accordingly.
How Physical and Occupational Therapy Can Help
The best way to treat tennis elbow is through guided rehabilitation, not just rest and ice. Here’s how therapy at Axes can help:
1. Accurate Diagnosis
We evaluate your symptoms, movement patterns, strength, and range of motion to determine the exact source of your pain and rule out other issues like nerve compression or joint irritation.
2. Manual Therapy
Techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, trigger point release, and gentle stretching help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and restore mobility.
3. Therapeutic Exercise
Targeted strengthening exercises improve tendon resilience and reduce strain on the injured area. We’ll focus on the forearm, wrist, shoulder, and core — all of which impact elbow mechanics.
4. Activity Modification
We’ll help you adjust how you move at work, on the court, or at home to prevent re-injury.
5. Custom Bracing or Splinting
If appropriate, we may recommend a short-term brace or wrist support to offload the affected tendon while you heal.
6. Return-to-Activity Planning
Whether your goal is pain-free yard work or dominating your next pickleball tournament, we’ll create a roadmap for safe progression.
When to See a Therapist
If elbow pain is interfering with your daily activities — or hasn’t resolved after a week or two of rest — it’s time to consult with a professional.
Axes Physical Therapy offers free injury screenings at all 21 locations. As a Direct Access provider in Missouri, you can see us without a physician referral.
Don’t Settle for Elbow Pain
Pain in the elbow doesn’t have to become your new normal. With the right treatment and support, you can recover fully and confidently return to the activities you love. If you’re experiencing elbow pain, reach out today — we’re here to help you feel better, move better, and live better.
You don’t have to guess your way through recovery. Let’s do it right the first time.
Visit one of our 21 Axes Physical Therapy locations across the Greater St. Louis Missouri and Illinois area.
Schedule an appointment or visit AxesPT.com to find your nearest clinic and get expert help today!
