Elbow Tendon Pain Can Take Consistency

Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow can be challenging because the tissues are repeatedly loaded during work, training and everyday tasks. Even when treatment is helping, repeatedly aggravating the area can slow progress.

My approach to tennis elbow and golfer's elbow treatment in Brisbane therefore focuses on two things at the same time: reducing irritation and progressively improving the capacity of the arm to tolerate load.

Looking Beyond The Elbow

I assess the painful elbow itself, but I also look at factors that may be increasing the demand on it.

That can include shoulder strength and control, the way the arm is being used, and whether neural tension or sensitivity appears to be contributing to the symptoms.

This whole-chain assessment is useful because the painful tendon is not always the only part of the problem.

How I Treat Tennis And Golfer'S Elbow

Treatment may include shockwave therapy, dry needling, deep tissue and remedial work, load-management advice and targeted exercise.

Rather than describing every painful tendon as a 'tear', I prefer to think in terms of tendon overload, irritation and reduced capacity where appropriate. Tendons often need time and progressive loading to adapt.

Reducing aggravation is a major part of the process. Depending on your activities, a tennis-elbow compression strap, taping or temporary modifications to how you train or work may help reduce repeated irritation while we build the area back up.

The shoulder may also need strengthening if it appears to be contributing to how much load reaches the elbow.

What To Expect

For these conditions, consistent treatment and rehabilitation over roughly four to six sessions is a reasonable general expectation, although recovery time varies.

The aim is usually a substantial reduction in pain together with improved tolerance for the activities that previously aggravated the elbow. Longer-standing tendon problems may continue to remodel and strengthen beyond the treatment period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between tennis elbow and golfer's elbow?
They involve different tendon regions around the elbow, but both are commonly associated with repeated loading of the forearm muscles.

Do I have to stop using my arm?
Usually the goal is not complete rest. It is to identify and reduce the most aggravating loads while maintaining appropriate activity and gradually rebuilding capacity.

Does shockwave therapy help?
Shockwave is one of the tools I use for selected tendon presentations. It is normally combined with assessment, load management and rehabilitation rather than used as a stand-alone solution.

Book Elbow Pain Treatment In Brisbane

If elbow pain is lingering because work, sport or daily activity keeps stirring it up, book an appointment and we can assess both the elbow and the factors influencing how it is being loaded.