Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow Treatment in East London — Lateral Epicondylalgia

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Tennis elbow — the common name for lateral epicondylalgia — is among the most common upper limb conditions we see at LPAW. Despite its name, only a minority of cases are related to tennis. It affects office workers, manual labourers, musicians, and anyone who performs repetitive gripping, twisting, or wrist extension activities — which describes a large proportion of the adult population.

The good news is that tennis elbow responds well to treatment. The less-good news is that the wrong treatment (passive rest, repeated steroid injection, ignoring it) extends the problem significantly. At LPAW, we treat lateral epicondylalgia with the approaches that have the strongest evidence: progressive loading rehabilitation, [shockwave therapy], and [dry needling].
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What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a tendinopathy affecting the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon, where the wrist and finger extensor muscles attach to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus — the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow. Like other tendinopathies, it involves degenerative tendon change rather than true inflammation, including collagen disorganisation, fibroblast proliferation, and neovascularisation.

The older term “lateral epicondylitis” is now considered less accurate, as the condition is not primarily inflammatory in nature.

  • Pain on the outside of the elbow, localised to the lateral epicondyle
  • Pain aggravated by gripping activities such as lifting a kettle, turning a key, shaking hands, or using a mouse and keyboard
  • Pain with wrist extension (bending the wrist backwards)
  • Pain sometimes radiating into the forearm extensor muscles
  • Reduced grip strength, especially in more severe or chronic cases
  • Tenderness directly over the lateral epicondyle
  • Repetitive gripping and wrist extension: Common with prolonged mouse and keyboard use, manual trades, painting, plumbing, carpentry, and racquet sports
  • Sudden increases in upper limb loading: Starting gym training, returning to tennis, or beginning a new physical activity
  • Poor technique: Particularly in racquet sports, where a late backhand combined with wrist extension significantly increases ECRB tendon load
  • Grip-intensive activities: Such as climbing, powerlifting, or manual labour
  • Age: Most common between 35–55 years old
  • Perimenopausal status: Hormonal changes, particularly declining oestrogen, can negatively affect tendon health and collagen synthesis

Tennis elbow is a tendinopathy affecting the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon, where the wrist and finger extensor muscles attach to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus — the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow. Like other tendinopathies, it involves degenerative tendon change rather than true inflammation, including collagen disorganisation, fibroblast proliferation, and neovascularisation.

The older term “lateral epicondylitis” is now considered less accurate, as the condition is not primarily inflammatory in nature.

  • Pain on the outside of the elbow, localised to the lateral epicondyle
  • Pain aggravated by gripping activities such as lifting a kettle, turning a key, shaking hands, or using a mouse and keyboard
  • Pain with wrist extension (bending the wrist backwards)
  • Pain sometimes radiating into the forearm extensor muscles
  • Reduced grip strength, especially in more severe or chronic cases
  • Tenderness directly over the lateral epicondyle
  • Repetitive gripping and wrist extension: Common with prolonged mouse and keyboard use, manual trades, painting, plumbing, carpentry, and racquet sports
  • Sudden increases in upper limb loading: Starting gym training, returning to tennis, or beginning a new physical activity
  • Poor technique: Particularly in racquet sports, where a late backhand combined with wrist extension significantly increases ECRB tendon load
  • Grip-intensive activities: Such as climbing, powerlifting, or manual labour
  • Age: Most common between 35–55 years old
  • Perimenopausal status: Hormonal changes, particularly declining oestrogen, can negatively affect tendon health and collagen synthesis

Meet our team of experts

LPAW’s clinical team includes 19 practitioners, many holding postgraduate qualifications from UCL, King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’. Lead clinician Mr Arjun Viswanath MSc, MCSP, MPPA – Co-Founder and Consultant Physiotherapist – brings 25+ years of NHS and private experience including BMI London Independent Hospital and Harley Street.

Every clinician joining LPAW completes a mandatory intensive shadowing placement with our Consultant Physiotherapist before seeing patients independently. This is not a standard practice at most clinics – it’s our way of maintaining clinical consistency across the team.

How LPAW Treats Tennis Elbow

Progressive Loading Rehabilitation
  • [Physiotherapy] for tennis elbow follows the same tendinopathy loading principles as other tendinopathies: progressive, eccentric-heavy loading of the ECRB tendon to stimulate collagen remodelling.

    The rehabilitation programme typically includes:

    • Isometric wrist extension holds: Used during the reactive phase to provide short-term pain relief while introducing early tendon loading
    • Eccentric wrist extension exercises: Among the most evidence-supported interventions, involving controlled lowering of the wrist from extension into flexion under load
    • Heavy slow resistance exercises for the wrist and forearm: Gradually progressed over 8–12 weeks with increasing resistance to improve tendon capacity
    • Grip strengthening exercises: Progressive gripper, pinch, and forearm loading exercises introduced as tendon tolerance improves
    • Neuromuscular retraining: Addressing shoulder and scapular control deficits that may contribute to excessive upper limb loading and altered movement mechanics

Mill’s manipulation — a specific mobilisation with movement technique applied to the elbow while the wrist is in flexion — has good evidence for acute-subacute tennis elbow and provides immediate reduction in pain with gripping. Your physiotherapist will incorporate this where appropriate.

Shockwave therapy may be used for specific presentations of chronic back pain — particularly those involving myofascial trigger points or thoracolumbar fascial pain — though it is not the primary treatment for most back pain presentations.

Dry needling of lumbar paraspinal, quadratus lumborum, and gluteal trigger points is often incorporated into physiotherapy treatment sessions for back pain with a significant myofascial component.

How LPAW Treats Tennis Elbow

[Physiotherapy] for tennis elbow follows the same tendinopathy loading principles as other tendinopathies: progressive, eccentric-heavy loading of the ECRB tendon to stimulate collagen remodelling.

The rehabilitation programme typically includes:

  • Isometric wrist extension holds: Used during the reactive phase to provide short-term pain relief while introducing early tendon loading
  • Eccentric wrist extension exercises: Among the most evidence-supported interventions, involving controlled lowering of the wrist from extension into flexion under load
  • Heavy slow resistance exercises for the wrist and forearm: Gradually progressed over 8–12 weeks with increasing resistance to improve tendon capacity
  • Grip strengthening exercises: Progressive gripper, pinch, and forearm loading exercises introduced as tendon tolerance improves
  • Neuromuscular retraining: Addressing shoulder and scapular control deficits that may contribute to excessive upper limb loading and altered movement mechanics
 
 
Mill’s manipulation — a specific mobilisation with movement technique applied to the elbow while the wrist is in flexion — has good evidence for acute-subacute tennis elbow and provides immediate reduction in pain with gripping. Your physiotherapist will incorporate this where appropriate.

Shockwave therapy may be used for specific presentations of chronic back pain — particularly those involving myofascial trigger points or thoracolumbar fascial pain — though it is not the primary treatment for most back pain presentations.

Dry needling of lumbar paraspinal, quadratus lumborum, and gluteal trigger points is often incorporated into physiotherapy treatment sessions for back pain with a significant myofascial component.

What Our Patients Say

From the moment I walked into this clinic, I knew everything was going to be okay. After seeing many physios, Priyanka, the pelvic specialist, was the first one to properly diagnose my back injury and choose exercises that were actually right for my condition.

I HIGHLY recommend hydrotherapy. This clinic has truly been life-changing for me. When you live with constant pain, finding real relief is priceless.

Thank you for the care, professionalism, and for giving me hope again ❤️
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Molly W.
1 month ago
We had 6 of their amazing physiotherapist support London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s post-race reception for the 2026 London Marathon. Their communication before and during the event was excellent and all our runners have commented on how much their post-race massage has helped them with their recovery. We hope to work with them again in the future
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Percy C.
2 months ago
Extremely impressed by the service offered. I injured my knee a while ago and they have been amazing in helping me with me recovery. Uzair Ahmed is very knowledgable and I really trust him with my recovery journey. Would highly recommend!
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Ziya H.
2 months ago
Been coming here for over a year every six weeks. Very professional and friendly at the same time. Can highly recommend. Big shout out to Mohammed and great reception service.
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Kevin P.
2 months ago
Fantastic treatment available! Enquired at short notice and they had a superfast response, and the treatment was excellent. Thank you!!
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James L.
2 months ago
The team were highly professional, pleasant and helpful throughout my process of physiotherapy. I highly recommend this therapy clinic!
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Em H.
2 months ago
Had a couple of excellent sessions with Priyanka Shah, with really useful exercises and advice. Highly recommend!
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Nicola W.
3 months ago
Helpful and knowledgeable. Thank you!
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Richard T.
3 months ago
I suffer with lower back disc bulges pinching my muscles and severely limiting my mobility, stability, and indeed causing agonising pain at the worst of times. I received a kind, patient and conscientious home visit at first before being invited to hydrotherapy at the clinic. 2 sessions in and I'm loving it so much, I'm determined to get one of these pools for myself later on in life. Couldn't recommend them highly enough.
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Chris C.
3 months ago
Miracle workers!! Great gym rehab facilities patience to really understand the problem. Would highly recommend for anyone with chronic neck or back pain who are prepared to do some work on themselves.
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Arif H.
3 months ago
Have been attending sessions for Physiotherapy here twice a week for many weeks now. Everyone is very patient and understanding. My treatment is going exceptionally well so far and Im already seeing massive progress from before my first ever session.

Would definitely recommend this clinic for anyone who needs rehabilitation or treatment!
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D.Iyalla 1
4 months ago
I’ve been attending London Physiotherapy And Wellness Stratford for 3 weeks now and already there are improvements in the areas I had problems with.
The physiotherapist is very knowledgeable and passionate about how he can help to improve & build your strength.
To help you recover is his main focus.
Not only is the physiotherapists customer service is great the admin team is also.
I personally recommend.
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Ollie S.
4 months ago
I had to visit the clinic for a hip injury I received from running. I started physio with Anup back in November and started with hydrotherapy, moving into physio in the new year. I've had a great experience with Anup and now I'm well on the road to recovery, I've started running again and I know what strength workouts I should be doing to keep up my recovery. So glad I found Anup and the clinic and would recommend them to anyone who has an injury!
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无颜Music
4 months ago
The location is really convenient for me. The physiotherapist was very knowledgeable. He helped me identified the root cause of my heel pain and provided me with a clear pathway to my recovery.
Will recommend them ????????
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Ervis L.
6 months ago
I was assisted by Priyanka while recovering from a torn quad, and I couldn’t have asked for a better physiotherapist. She was incredibly supportive during a moment of real vulnerability, and I always felt truly taken care of. Her focus during every session was exceptional she even kept counting my reps to make sure I stayed on track!

Priyanka is a wonderful asset to the team, and I feel very lucky to have had her during my recovery. Highly recommended.
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andrea B.
8 months ago
Best Physio ever. I visited the clinic after I damaged the ACL ligament practicing judo. I was unable to walk, using crutches and couldn't bend the leg. I was initially told by the doctor to wait at least 6/7 months to be fully recovered and the physiotherapy was the only way to get better. Thanks to the skilled clinic and very professional physiotherapist, they managed to get me back on trainings after 3/4 months only having now a stronger knee than before. I was assisted my Mohammed N R and his job was beyond the expectations. They have specific equipment to practice a high variety of exercises and furthermore they are super friendly and easy reachable by email or phone for last minute doubts. I cannot thank more for the assistance received for a faster recovery they granted me. I fully recommend them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most cases of tennis elbow do eventually resolve without treatment — but the average natural history is 12–24 months. Active treatment significantly shortens this. More importantly, untreated tennis elbow that “goes away” has a high recurrence rate because the underlying load/capacity imbalance has not been addressed.
This is a very common presentation. Repeated steroid injection provides diminishing returns and, based on current evidence, likely impairs the natural recovery process. The appropriate next step is a loading rehabilitation programme combined with shockwave therapy. Patients who have had multiple injections often still respond well to this approach.
In established or severe cases, grip strength can be significantly reduced. However, grip strength consistently recovers with appropriate rehabilitation. In the vast majority of patients, full grip strength is restored.
With modification, yes. Avoid exercises that heavily load wrist extension (barbell rows, pull-ups with a supinated grip, preacher curls) in the acute phase. Upper body training can continue with appropriate exercise selection — your physiotherapist will advise on specific modifications.
Yes. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) involves the extensor tendons on the outer elbow. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylalgia) involves the flexor-pronator tendons on the inner elbow. The treatment principles are similar — progressive loading — but the specific exercises and manual therapy techniques differ. Both conditions are seen and treated at LPAW.

Recovery

Recovery Timeline
  • Recent onset (< 6 weeks): 4–8 weeks

    Established symptoms (3–6 months): 3–6 months with progressive loading rehabilitation and, where appropriate, shockwave therapy

    Chronic symptoms (> 12 months): 6–12 months, although significant improvement is still achievable with consistent treatment

  • Modify gripping demands: Increasing grip diameter with padded handles, thicker pens, or ergonomic grips can reduce load through the ECRB tendon. Counterforce elbow straps may also help during aggravating activities.
  • Optimise mouse and desk setup: Keep the mouse close to the body, support the forearm where possible, and consider using a vertical mouse. Prolonged mouse use is a common occupational contributor.
  • Review tennis technique if relevant: A coaching assessment, particularly of backhand mechanics, can reduce excessive wrist extension loading. Larger grip sizes and lower string tension may also help.
  • Perform eccentric wrist extension exercises consistently: Even simple programmes such as 3 sets of 15 repetitions twice daily can create meaningful tendon adaptation over 6–8 weeks.
  • Use ice after aggravating activity if needed: Applying ice for around 15 minutes may help reduce post-activity soreness and symptom irritation.

Recovery

Recent onset (< 6 weeks): 4–8 weeks

Established symptoms (3–6 months): 3–6 months with progressive loading rehabilitation and, where appropriate, shockwave therapy

Chronic symptoms (> 12 months): 6–12 months, although significant improvement is still achievable with consistent treatment

  • Modify gripping demands: Increasing grip diameter with padded handles, thicker pens, or ergonomic grips can reduce load through the ECRB tendon. Counterforce elbow straps may also help during aggravating activities.
  • Optimise mouse and desk setup: Keep the mouse close to the body, support the forearm where possible, and consider using a vertical mouse. Prolonged mouse use is a common occupational contributor.
  • Review tennis technique if relevant: A coaching assessment, particularly of backhand mechanics, can reduce excessive wrist extension loading. Larger grip sizes and lower string tension may also help.
  • Perform eccentric wrist extension exercises consistently: Even simple programmes such as 3 sets of 15 repetitions twice daily can create meaningful tendon adaptation over 6–8 weeks.
  • Use ice after aggravating activity if needed: Applying ice for around 15 minutes may help reduce post-activity soreness and symptom irritation.

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