Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Tennis elbow: a guide from the Bodyline Health team at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow where the forearm muscles that lift your wrist and fingers attach to the bone. Its medical name is lateral epicondylitis, or lateral elbow tendinopathy.
Despite the name, most people with tennis elbow do not play tennis. The tendon becomes irritated when it is asked to do more gripping and lifting than it is used to.
Who gets tennis elbow?
We commonly see tennis elbow in Lower Plenty and the Diamond Valley after:
- A weekend of gardening, pruning or raking
- Painting, drilling, hammering or other DIY jobs
- Long days on a keyboard and mouse
- Racquet sports or golf, especially after a break
- Repetitive work with tools or lifting at work
It is most common between about 35 and 55 years of age.
Tennis elbow symptoms
- Pain on the outside of the elbow that may spread down the forearm
- Pain when gripping, shaking hands, turning a door handle or lifting a kettle
- A weak grip
- Tenderness when you press on the bony point on the outside of the elbow
- Morning stiffness in the forearm
Neck problems can also refer pain into the arm, so a good assessment checks the neck and shoulder as well as the elbow.
How tennis elbow is treated
Change the load, not stop completely
Tendons need load to heal, but the right amount. Reduce heavy gripping for a while, use two hands to lift, and break up repetitive tasks.
Strengthening
A graded program of wrist and forearm exercises – starting with gentle holds and building to slow lifting – is the backbone of tennis elbow recovery.
Hands-on care
Soft tissue work for the forearm, mobilisation of the elbow, wrist and neck, and advice on posture and workstation set-up can all help.
Bracing and taping
A forearm brace or taping can reduce pain during tasks you cannot avoid.
Tennis elbow often takes weeks to months to settle. Steady progress beats quick fixes.
Tips to protect your elbow
- Lift with your palm facing up rather than down where you can
- Use tools with thicker handles and keep them sharp
- Take short breaks every 20–30 minutes during repetitive jobs
- Check your mouse and keyboard position if you work at a desk
- Build back into gardening, sport and DIY gradually
Who at Bodyline Health can help with tennis elbow?
Because our practitioners work under one roof, your care can be shared between people who talk to each other.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor): assessment of the elbow, neck and shoulder, hands-on care and a strengthening plan.
- Mary Fleming (Physiotherapist): structured tendon rehabilitation and return to sport.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): soft tissue work and dry needling for tight forearm muscles.
- Dr Catherine Farchione (Chinese Medicine Practitioner): acupuncture as part of a broader plan for elbow pain.
When to seek urgent medical help
See a doctor promptly if your elbow is hot, red and swollen, if you cannot move it after a fall, or if your hand is numb, weak or changes colour. In an emergency, call 000.
Further reading: Tennis elbow (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
How long does tennis elbow last?
Many people improve over six to twelve weeks with the right load and exercises, but some cases take several months.
Is tennis elbow the same as golfer’s elbow?
No. Tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow affects the inside.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for a standard appointment at Bodyline Health, and HICAPS is available on the spot.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
