Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy in NYC
Manhattan Physical Therapy
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition caused by repetitive stress and overuse of the elbow joint. The pain typically occurs on the outer part of the elbow and may radiate down the back of the forearm. It often becomes more noticeable when you straighten or fully extend your arm, grip an object, or perform repetitive wrist movements.
Despite its name, tennis elbow isn’t limited to athletes. Anyone who repeatedly uses their wrist or forearm muscles—such as office workers, mechanics, or carpenters—can develop this condition. Without proper treatment, the pain can worsen over time and interfere with daily activities.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow develops when the tendons that attach your forearm muscles to the outside of your elbow become inflamed or damaged due to overuse. One specific muscle, called the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), is often responsible for this pain. The ECRB muscle helps extend or raise your wrist, and repetitive strain can cause microscopic tears where it attaches to the bone. Over time, this leads to irritation, inflammation, and discomfort around the elbow joint.
Common triggers of tennis elbow include activities that involve repetitive wrist or forearm movements, such as:
Playing racket sports like tennis, badminton, or squash
Swimming or golfing
Turning a key or using a screwdriver
Typing or using a computer for long hours
Lifting heavy objects or using hand tools regularly
When left untreated, these repeated motions can continue to stress the tendon, prolonging pain and limiting mobility.
Source: Healthline
What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow symptoms usually start gradually and worsen over time. You may first notice mild discomfort when performing everyday tasks, but as the condition progresses, the pain can become sharp or burning. Common signs include:
Pain or tenderness on the outer part of the elbow
Discomfort that radiates from the elbow to the forearm or wrist
Weakness in grip strength
Increased pain when shaking hands, lifting objects, or twisting motions like opening jars
Difficulty extending or straightening the arm
How Is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
Diagnosing tennis elbow typically begins with a detailed physical examination. At our clinic, your therapist will discuss your medical history, work activities, and any sports or repetitive motions you perform. Gentle pressure may be applied to the outer elbow to pinpoint tenderness or discomfort.
Functional tests, such as extending your wrist or straightening your arm against resistance, help confirm the diagnosis by identifying the specific movements that trigger pain. In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans may be recommended to rule out other causes of elbow pain, such as arthritis or joint degeneration.
Trigger the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals
Improve blood circulation in the neck and shoulders
Reduce inflammation that contributes to stiffness
Enhance joint mobility and muscle relaxation
Decrease reliance on medications for pain relief
How Does Physical Therapy Help with Tennis Elbow?
Physical therapy is one of the most effective, non-invasive treatments for tennis elbow. Our primary goal is to reduce pain, restore function, and strengthen the affected tendons and muscles so you can return to your daily activities without discomfort.
According to Dr. Rami Hashish, PhD, DPT, physical therapy for tennis elbow focuses on improving the strength, flexibility, and endurance of the muscles and tendons that support the elbow joint. Our therapists use evidence-based techniques, including:
Manual therapy to release muscle tension and improve joint mobility
Therapeutic exercises to rebuild strength and stability
Ice massage or electrical stimulation to manage inflammation and pain
Bracing or taping to reduce strain on the tendons during recovery
Through consistent sessions, patients typically notice reduced pain, increased range of motion, and improved grip strength. Stretching and strengthening the forearm muscles—especially the wrist extensors and flexors—also helps prevent future flare-ups.
Source: Healthline
What Does Tennis Elbow Treatment Involve?
While rest is important initially, complete inactivity can slow the healing process. To effectively repair and strengthen the tendon, controlled movement and gradual loading are essential. As explained by Dr. Kelly Starrett, DPT, tendons must be trained to handle different types of forces—eccentric (lengthening under load), isometric (holding under tension), and concentric (shortening under load).
Our physical therapy programs focus on:
Reducing pain and inflammation through targeted manual techniques
Gradually loading the tendon to promote healing and tissue resilience
Improving flexibility and strength in the forearm and wrist muscles
Correcting posture and biomechanics to prevent recurrence
What Are the Best Exercises for Tennis Elbow Recovery?
Targeted exercises play a key role in restoring function and reducing pain in tennis elbow. Below are some effective movements commonly included in our therapy programs at Manhattan Physical Therapy:
1. Fist Clench
This exercise strengthens your grip and forearm muscles.
How to do it:
Sit with your forearm resting on a table.
Hold a rolled-up towel or small ball in your hand.
Squeeze firmly and hold for 10 seconds, then release.
Repeat 10 times on each hand.
2. Supination with a Dumbbell
This move strengthens the supinator muscle, which helps rotate your forearm.
How to do it:
Sit with your elbow bent at 90 degrees and resting on your knee.
Hold a light dumbbell vertically in your hand.
Rotate your forearm so your palm turns upward, then slowly return to the starting position.
Repeat 20 times on each arm.
3. Wrist Extension
A classic exercise for strengthening the wrist extensors, which are often strained in tennis elbow.
How to do it:
Sit and rest your elbow on your knee, palm facing down, holding a light dumbbell.
Slowly raise your hand upward, bending at the wrist, then lower it back down.
Perform 10 controlled repetitions on each side.
5. Towel Twist
A simple yet effective move to build coordination and strength in the wrist and forearm.
How to do it:
Sit and hold a towel with both hands.
Twist the towel in opposite directions as if wringing out water.
Perform 10 twists, then repeat in the other direction.
Performing these exercises regularly under the supervision of a physical therapist can significantly enhance recovery and prevent the condition from recurring.
Source: Healthline
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
If your elbow pain persists for more than a few weeks or interferes with your ability to work, play sports, or perform daily tasks, professional treatment is essential. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to chronic inflammation and prolonged discomfort.
At Manhattan Physical Therapy, our expert team provides advanced, hands-on care designed to relieve pain, improve function, and help you regain confidence in your movements. Whether your tennis elbow stems from sports, repetitive work tasks, or daily activities, we’ll help you return to pain-free motion through personalized, science-based care.
Call us today at (212)-213-3480 to schedule your evaluation and start your recovery journey toward stronger, healthier elbows.
What others are saying
Alexander Liu
"Everyone on the team at Manhattan Physical Therapy is super nice and caring. They were able to pretty quickly diagnose my knee and hip problems and immediately put me to work to reduce the pain.."
Henry Myerberg
"You're not just a patient when you come to the Manhattan Physical Therapy. You feel like family there. In particular, Erica with her colleagues John, Lidia and Joe not only fix and improve you physically, they make you feel welcomed and cared for.."
Hakyung Kim
"Everyone is so kind and helpful! my knee and hip pain have improved massively since starting Manhattan PT, highly recommend to anyone. special thanks to Bianca, Lidia, Joe, and John!"
Manhattan Physical Therapy
✆ Phone (appointments):
(212) 213-3480
Address: 385 5th Ave, Suite 503, New York, NY 10016
