Tennis Elbow Isn’t Just for Athletes – How Physiotherapy Can Relieve Your Pain and Restore Strength

Tennis elbow — or lateral epicondylitis — might sound like an athlete’s injury but in reality, it affects far more than tennis players.

If you’re a tradie, musician, office worker or active parent and you’re struggling with nagging pain on the outside of your elbow, you could be dealing with tennis elbow. The good news? Physiotherapy offers a proven, drug-free path to recovery — and helps prevent it from coming back.

At Bodhiworks Physiotherapy in Prahran, we’ve helped hundreds of people just like you overcome tennis elbow, regain confidence in their movements and return to doing what they love — pain-free.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a repetitive strain injury caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in your forearm, particularly where they attach to the outer elbow.

You don’t have to play tennis to develop it — it’s common in people who:

Use hand tools regularly (like electricians, carpenters and mechanics)
Type for long hours or use a computer mouse without breaks
Play musical instruments or do detailed handwork
Lift heavy bags or repeatedly grip objects

Common symptoms include:

Pain or burning on the outer elbow
Weakened grip strength
Discomfort when lifting, typing or turning doorknobs
Pain that radiates down the forearm

🧠 Did you know? Up to 50% of sufferers report difficulty with simple tasks like picking up a kettle or shaking hands.

Why Physiotherapy Is the Best First Step Toward Recovery

At Bodhiworks Physiotherapy Prahran, we take a hands-on, whole-person approach to tennis elbow rehabilitation. We don’t just treat the symptoms — we address the root causes and empower you with long-term strategies to prevent recurrence.

Here’s how physiotherapy helps:

1. Thorough Assessment & Diagnosis

Your first visit includes a comprehensive assessment to:

Confirm whether it’s truly tennis elbow (other conditions can mimic it)
Identify contributing factors like poor posture, neck stiffness or wrist weakness
Understand how it’s affecting your work, hobbies or lifestyle

From here, we tailor a plan just for you.

2. Hands-On Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a powerful way to reduce pain, improve mobility and stimulate the body’s natural healing response.

We use techniques such as:

Soft tissue massage to release tension in the forearm
Joint mobilisation to improve elbow and wrist mechanics
Dry needling or myofascial release, where appropriate

📚 Research shows that manual therapy can significantly reduce pain and restore function within weeks when combined with exercise.

3. Personalised Exercise Rehabilitation

A cornerstone of recovery is building strength and resilience in the forearm muscles and tendons. We’ll guide you through a graded exercise program that might include:

Stretching to increase flexibility
Eccentric loading exercises to rebuild tendon integrity
Grip-strengthening drills to restore function

💪 Patients who commit to their rehab plan often report pain reduction of 70% or more.

4. Ergonomic & Lifestyle Adjustments

Small changes can make a big difference. We’ll coach you on:

Modifying how you lift, grip or type
Using ergonomic tools (e.g. vertical mouse, cushioned grips)
Setting up your workspace to reduce strain on your elbow
Scheduling regular breaks to avoid overuse

🔧 Simple ergonomic tweaks can cut strain on the elbow by up to 60%.

5. Pain Management Support

To help you feel better quickly, your physiotherapy plan may also include:

Ultrasound therapy to reduce inflammation
TENS (electrical stimulation) to block pain signals and activate healing
Cold and heat therapy to improve circulation and calm inflammation

6. Tracking Your Progress

We track key milestones like:

Pain reduction
Range of motion
Functional strength and endurance

This ensures you’re progressing and helps us adjust your program for the best results.

🧭 Consistent rehab improves outcomes by up to 80% compared to inconsistent treatment.

The Mental and Emotional Side of Recovery

Living with ongoing pain — especially when it affects your work or passions — can be frustrating and isolating. At Bodhiworks, we understand the emotional toll of injury and create a supportive, encouraging environment where you’re heard and supported at every stage.

We also help you build a support network, offering advice on managing stress and involving loved ones in your recovery journey.

Prevention: Staying Pain-Free Long-Term

Once you’ve recovered, it’s time to future-proof your elbow with a few key strategies:

Keep doing your strength and mobility exercises at least 2–3 times per week
Warm up your arms before using tools, typing or playing sport
Use ergonomically designed equipment suited to your work or hobbies
Regularly check in with your physio for maintenance sessions if you’re at high risk

When Should You See a Physio?

If you’ve had elbow pain for more than a week — and it’s affecting how you work, move or sleep — it’s time to get it checked out. The earlier you start treatment, the quicker your recovery.