Despite the name, most people we treat for tennis elbow have never picked up a racket. It is the nagging ache and grip weakness on the outside of the elbow that flares when you lift a kettle, turn a screwdriver or type all day, and it has a habit of dragging on for months if it is left to sort itself out. At our clinics in Rainham and Maidstone we see it regularly, particularly in office workers, tradespeople and new parents doing a lot of lifting. Here is what tennis elbow really is, why rest alone rarely fixes it, and how the right tennis elbow treatment gets you gripping pain-free again.
What is tennis elbow, and how is it different from golfer’s elbow?
Tennis elbow is an overuse injury of the tendons that attach your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow, known medically as lateral epicondylitis. The main symptom is pain on the outer elbow that worsens with gripping, twisting and wrist movements.
Rather than simple inflammation, the tendon gradually becomes irritated and weakened by repeated load that outpaces its ability to repair. Golfer’s elbow is essentially the same problem on the inside of the elbow instead of the outside, which is why we treat the two conditions in a similar way. If your pain is on the inner side, our separate guide to golfer’s elbow will be more useful. Working out exactly which tendon is involved is the first job of any assessment, because it shapes the exercises that follow.
What causes tennis elbow?
Repetitive gripping and wrist movements are the usual cause, so desk work, DIY, manual trades and lifting children trigger it far more often than sport does. The tendon simply gets loaded faster than it can recover.
It most commonly appears between the ages of 30 and 50, and often follows a change in activity, a new job, a house renovation, a fresh gym routine or a busy spell of gardening. In the clinic we regularly see it in Medway office workers who spend long days at a keyboard and mouse, and in tradespeople whose grip is under constant strain. Understanding your particular trigger matters, because if the aggravating load continues unchecked, no amount of treatment will fully settle the tendon.
How long does tennis elbow last, and how do you get rid of it?
Tennis elbow often takes six months to two years to fully settle, but most people improve well before that once they manage the load and do the right exercises. According to the NHS, around 90 per cent of people make a full recovery within a year, with many noticing a difference after eight to twelve weeks.
Getting rid of it is less about complete rest and more about smart load management. That means reducing, not necessarily stopping, the activities that flare it, using an anti-inflammatory gel or paracetamol for comfort, and trying hot or cold packs wrapped in a towel. A forearm strap can take the edge off during aggravating tasks. The real turning point for most people is progressive strengthening, particularly slow, controlled eccentric exercises that gradually rebuild the tendon’s tolerance. If symptoms have not improved after around six weeks of self-help, hands-on treatment is worth seeking. Injections and, very occasionally, surgery are options much further down the line if the problem persists beyond six to twelve months.
How osteopathy helps, and what a first appointment looks like
Osteopathy helps by settling the painful tendon, freeing up the wrist, elbow, shoulder and neck that share the load, and guiding a graded strengthening plan you can stick to. Treating the elbow in isolation often misses the point.
A stiff neck or a restricted shoulder can quietly force the forearm to work harder, so our osteopaths in Rainham and Maidstone assess your grip, posture and the whole arm rather than just the sore spot. The team is registered with the General Osteopathic Council and brings more than forty years of combined clinical experience to conditions like this, which underpins our wider approach to soft tissue and sports injury treatment. A first appointment starts with a full case history and examination so we can confirm the diagnosis, explain what is going on, and set you up with a tailored plan of hands-on treatment and home exercises. If you are not sure whether osteopathy is right for your elbow, you are welcome to ask before you commit.
Common questions about tennis elbow
Does tennis elbow go away on its own? It sometimes does, but slowly. Because the tendon keeps getting reloaded through everyday tasks, most people recover faster and more reliably with a structured exercise plan than by waiting and hoping.
Should I stop using my arm completely? No. Complete rest tends to leave the tendon weak and prone to flaring again the moment you return to normal activity. The goal is to reduce the aggravating load while gently keeping the arm working, then build strength back up.
Is it definitely tennis elbow, or could it be something else? Outer elbow pain can also come from the neck, a nerve, or the joint itself. This is exactly why a proper examination matters before you commit to weeks of the wrong exercises
Ready to get some relief?
If you’re ready to get to the bottom of your elbow pain, our osteopaths at Tim Wood Healthcare are here to help. Book an appointment at our Rainham or Maidstone clinic, or take advantage of our free 15-minute phone consultation to have your questions answered before your first visit.
