Tennis Elbow: Symptoms, Causes & How Sports Physiotherapy in Manchester Can Help - MY Sports Injury Physiotherapy

If you’re experiencing pain on the outside of your elbow, reduced grip strength, or discomfort during simple tasks like turning a doorknob — you may be dealing with tennis elbow. While the name suggests it’s a problem only athletes get, tennis elbow can affect anyone whose daily activities involve repetitive arm or wrist motions.

At our sports injury physiotherapy clinic in Manchester, we specialise in treating conditions like tennis elbow with expert, evidence-based care designed for lasting results.

What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) develops gradually and symptoms often worsen over time. Common signs include:

Pain on the outside of the elbow: This may feel dull or sharp and can increase with movement.
Weak grip strength: You might struggle with opening jars, holding tools, or shaking hands.
Tenderness: Soreness when touching the outer elbow.
Stiffness: Often felt in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
Worsening pain with activity: Tasks like lifting, gripping, or twisting (e.g., using a screwdriver) often trigger symptoms.
Radiating pain: Discomfort may extend down the forearm to the wrist.

Do You Have Tennis Elbow? Here’s How to Tell

While a diagnosis should be confirmed by a healthcare provider, many people with tennis elbow notice:

A burning or sharp pain that worsens with activity
Pain that radiates down the arm and is often worse at night
Difficulty performing everyday movements that involve twisting or gripping

Does Tennis Elbow Affect Both Arms?

Tennis elbow typically affects the dominant arm — the one used most for daily tasks or sport. However, it’s not uncommon for both arms to be affected, especially in people with repetitive, strenuous occupations or hobbies.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow results from overuse of the forearm muscles, particularly those involved in wrist extension. Repetitive strain leads to small tears (microtrauma) in the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle (outer elbow). Over time, this damage leads to inflammation, pain, and dysfunction.

Common causes include:

Sports activities: Tennis, squash, pickleball, golf, weightlifting
Occupational stress: Repetitive tasks involving the arm and wrist — common in chefs, painters, plumbers, cleaners, musicians, and gardeners

Risk Factors to Consider

You may be at higher risk of developing tennis elbow if you:

Are over the age of 40
Regularly lift more than 20kg (45 lbs)
Smoke
Have a BMI over 30
Play racket sports or engage in repetitive work with your hands

How Physiotherapy in Manchester Can Help Tennis Elbow

If you’re searching for an expert sports physio or physical therapist near me, our Manchester clinic offers a comprehensive approach to treating tennis elbow. We don’t just focus on symptom relief — we work with you to restore strength, function, and prevent future injuries.

Our Tennis Elbow Treatment Approach Includes:

🔄 Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises

We use gentle stretching to maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness in the elbow and forearm.

💪 Strengthening Exercises

Targeted rehabilitation strengthens the forearm muscles that stabilise the elbow, helping reduce the stress on the tendon.

Pain Management

Treatment may include heat therapy, ice packs, and electrical stimulation to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort.

Shockwave Therapy

A cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment that stimulates tendon healing and improves blood flow — often effective for chronic or stubborn cases.

Manual Therapy

Our sports physios in Manchester use hands-on techniques like massage, soft tissue release, and joint mobilisations to enhance recovery and relieve pain.

Functional & Sport-Specific Training

We design movements that replicate your sport or work demands — perfect for returning athletes or manual workers.

Neuromuscular Re-education

Advanced techniques to retrain the connection between your brain, nerves, and muscles — restoring control, strength, and coordination.

Why Choose Our Manchester Sports Injury Physio Clinic?

Looking for a trusted physical therapist near me in Manchester? Our clinic offers:

✔️ Individualised Treatment Plans tailored to your pain level, activity demands, and goals
✔️ Hands-on Expert Guidance by experienced sports physios
✔️ Progress Tracking through regular assessments
✔️ Injury Prevention Advice for long-term results