Understanding Tennis Elbow, Even If You Don’t Play Tennis
If you’re noticing pain on the outside of your elbow when you grip, lift, or twist your wrist, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common upper extremity issues we treat at Axes Physical Therapy.
This time of year, we tend to see a spike in these symptoms. As the weather improves across St. Louis, Southern Illinois, and surrounding areas, people get back to activities like yard work, lifting, and sports like pickleball and tennis.
Many patients come in asking the same question:
Why does my elbow suddenly hurt when I use my hand?In many cases, the answer is tennis elbow.
What Is Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury that affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow.
These tendons connect your forearm muscles to the elbow and help control gripping, lifting, and wrist movement. When they are repeatedly strained, small tears can develop. This leads to pain, irritation, and weakness over time.
What Causes Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow usually develops gradually from repetitive stress rather than a single injury.
Common causes include:
- Repetitive computer use, especially poor desk setup
- Lifting weights or heavy objects incorrectly
- Using tools for work or home projects
- Painting, yard work, or DIY projects
- Playing pickleball, tennis, or other racket sports
- Repetitive gripping in jobs like construction, manufacturing, or food prep
With pickleball continuing to grow in popularity across the St. Louis area, we are seeing more cases of elbow pain related to frequent play. This is especially common when activity levels increase quickly without proper preparation.
Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow symptoms often build gradually and can worsen if ignored.
You may notice:
- Pain or burning on the outside of the elbow
- Weak grip strength
- Pain when lifting, gripping, or twisting
- Difficulty holding objects like a coffee cup
- Tenderness when pressing on the outside of the elbow
- Stiffness or soreness that worsens with activity
- Pain that may linger even at rest
If these symptoms sound familiar, your body is signaling that something needs attention.
Tennis Elbow vs. Pickleball Elbow
You may have heard the term “pickleball elbow.” In most cases, this is the same condition as tennis elbow.
Both involve irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow due to repetitive gripping and wrist movement.
The difference is how it develops. Pickleball players often experience symptoms from increased frequency of play, grip technique, or sudden increases in activity.
If you recently started playing more often and now have elbow pain, your body may be struggling to keep up with the demand.
How Physical Therapy Treats Tennis Elbow
The good news is that most cases improve without surgery when treated correctly.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on identifying the cause of your pain and correcting it.
Your treatment plan may include:
Activity Modification and Ergonomic Adjustments
We help you adjust how you move, work, or train to reduce strain on the elbow.
Targeted Exercise
Specific exercises improve strength and help the tendon tolerate load again.
Hands-On Treatment
Manual therapy helps reduce muscle tension and improve circulation to support healing.
Support and Bracing
A brace or strap may be used to reduce stress on the tendon during activity.
Pain Management Strategies
We guide you on when to rest, when to move, and how to manage symptoms effectively.
When to See a Physical Therapist
If your elbow pain:
- Is not improving after one to two weeks
- Keeps coming back
- Affects your work or daily activities
- Limits your strength or grip
It is time to get it evaluated.
The earlier you address tennis elbow, the faster and easier it is to treat.
Why Patients Choose Axes Physical Therapy
At Axes, we do more than treat symptoms. We help you understand why your pain started and how to prevent it from coming back.
Our therapists:
- Identify the true source of your pain
- Build a personalized treatment plan
- Help you return to work, sports, and daily life safely
- Focus on long-term results
Need Help Getting Started? Let’s Make a Plan.
Elbow pain like this rarely improves if the underlying cause is not addressed.
If you are noticing pain with gripping, lifting, or playing sports, now is the time to act. Early treatment leads to faster recovery and helps prevent long-term issues.
Axes Physical Therapy specializes in treating elbow pain from work, exercise, and sports like pickleball and tennis.
Schedule a free injury screening or request an appointment today:
https://axespt.com/request-an-appointment/
https://axespt.com/locations/
Don’t wait until discomfort slows you down – let’s keep you moving, pain-free. Schedule an appointment or visit AxesPT.com today to take the first step toward feeling your best!
