i love to ride my bike, and had a trip planned to ride some of the great pyrenean mountains. six weeks of treatment and i was back on the bike.
richard townsendnewcastle great park
clinician · davephysiotherapy
upper limb · plain-english guide
tennis elbow
a tendinopathy of the extensor tendons at the elbow — physiotherapy is the most effective treatment.
evidence-basedhcpc registeredseen in 3 daysone-to-one
first session45 minutes
typical recovery3 – 6 sessions
from£72
seen within3 days
accredited & insurer-ready
what is tennis elbow?
tennis elbow is a tendinopathy of the extensor tendons which attach into the elbow — medically known as lateral epicondylitis. pain occurs on the outer elbow where the tendon meets the bone, particularly with gripping activities.
the condition typically results from repetitive strain of the extensor tendons of the wrist through excessive gripping. interestingly, it can also develop without any repetitive-strain history. it most commonly affects individuals aged 45–54.
physiotherapy has been shown to be the most effective treatment for tennis elbow, compared with steroid injections or no intervention at all.
what it feels like.
where the pain is
- pain on the outer elbow where the tendon attaches to bone
- triggered by gripping motions
triggers & relief.
makes it worse
- lifting heavy pans or kettles
- using screwdrivers
- carrying shopping bags
- playing racquet sports
can you treat it at home?
most cases of tennis elbow respond to a combination of self-management and targeted physiotherapy. here's how to tell which camp you're in.
try at home first
mild & new.
- less than 2 weeks old
- no radiating pain or numbness
- eases with gentle movement
- no sleep disruption
book an assessment
persistent or limiting.
- lasted 2+ weeks with no change
- shooting pain or pins & needles
- stopping you sleeping or working
- recurring flare-ups
how we treat it.
we start every journey with a thorough assessment — the right diagnosis is the foundation of successful treatment. depending on what we find, we typically combine several of the following:
- manual therapy for soft-tissue and joint mobility
- supportive taping to offload the tendon
- rehabilitative exercises to restore strength
- acupuncture for pain reduction
- guidance on activity modification and progressive loading
when to see a gp instead.
physiotherapy is safe and effective for the vast majority of cases — but these signs mean you should contact your gp, 111, or a&e first.
patients who had tennis elbow.
a few words from patients we've treated for tennis elbow.
darren was quick and efficient at identifying my problem and actively working to solve it. great north run 2011.
laura robb
clinician · darrensports injury
i didn't think the great north run 2011 was going to happen for me. a few weeks with darren and it did.
paul rickeard
clinician · darrensports injury
faqs.
no — you can book directly with us. if you're using private medical insurance (bupa, aviva, vitality, wpa, axa) your insurer may require a referral; check your policy before booking.
most patients resolve acute issues in three to six sessions. chronic or complex cases can take longer. we'll give you an honest timeline at your first assessment.
something you can move in — shorts and a t-shirt for lower-limb work, a vest for shoulders. we have changing rooms if you're coming straight from work.
most patients are seen within three working days. evening and saturday-morning slots are available but book up quickly.
ready to sort it?
book a 45-minute assessment online, or call 0191 217 1929 and our reception team will match you to the right clinician.
treatments for tennis elbow
what we'll often recommend.
most tennis elbow plans combine one or more of the following evidence-based treatments.
most booked45 min
01
physiotherapy
hands-on assessment and treatment for pain, injury, and long-term conditions. 45-minute initial consultation.
from£72
book30 min
04
injection therapy
ostenil, monovisc, cingal and corticosteroid injections for persistent joint and soft-tissue pain.
from£400
book45–60 min
06
acupuncture
aacp-certified practitioners using acupuncture alongside physiotherapy for pain, tension, and recovery.
from£97
bookrelated guides
keep learning.
conditions we see most often alongside tennis elbow.