Condition
Tennis elbow treatment in Goulburn.
Tennis elbow — lateral epicondylitis — is pain on the outer side of the elbow, where the forearm tendons that straighten the wrist and fingers attach to the bone. Despite the name, most cases have nothing to do with tennis: it's an overuse tendon problem (a tendinopathy) that builds up from repeated gripping and lifting. Our Goulburn physiotherapists assess and treat tennis elbow with a focus on load management and rebuilding the tendon's capacity.
Signs & symptoms
What tennis elbow can feel like.
- Pain and tenderness over the bony bump on the outer side of the elbow
- Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting or twistingcarrying bags, turning a doorknob, using tools
- A weak or painful grip
- Pain that can spread down the forearm toward the wrist
- Stiffness or aching in the elbow, particularly first thing in the morning
- Symptoms that have built up gradually rather than from a single injury
- Pain when straightening the wrist or fingers against resistance
Common causes
What tends to bring it on.
- Repetitive gripping and wrist movements at work — trades, using tools, keyboard and mouse work
- A sudden increase in load — a big DIY job, a new sport, unaccustomed lifting
- Racquet and bat sports, especially with poor technique or equipment
- Age-related changes in the tendon, most common between 35 and 55
- Not enough recovery between bouts of heavy or repetitive hand use
Assessment starts with how and when the pain comes on, your work and activities, and a hands-on examination — locating the tender point and testing the pain with resisted wrist and finger movements and grip. This confirms it's the tendon rather than the joint or a nerve, and gives us a baseline to measure progress against. We also check the neck and shoulder, since forearm symptoms can sometimes be referred from there.
The core of treatment is load management and a graded strengthening program. Rather than resting the tendon completely, we reduce the aggravating load to a level it can handle, then progressively load it with specific exercises so it rebuilds capacity — the approach with the best evidence for tendinopathy. Hands-on techniques and, at times, a brace or taping help settle symptoms in the short term while the strengthening does the longer-term work; remedial massage is sometimes used alongside for forearm tightness.
Tennis elbow can be slow to settle, and consistency with the exercise program is what drives recovery. We adjust the load as the tendon responds, review progress along the way, and address the work or activity factors that set it off so it's less likely to return.
Your first appointment runs around 30 to 45 minutes: a history, a hands-on examination of the elbow (and a screen of the neck and shoulder), and a clear explanation of what's going on. You'll leave with a starting exercise program, advice on modifying the activities that aggravate it, and a written plan with review points. Tendon problems respond to consistent, progressive loading rather than quick fixes, so the plan is built around steady change over weeks.
Funding
Ways to pay.
Treatment for tennis elbow can be covered through any of these pathways, subject to eligibility and the right referral or plan.
- Medicare
- Private health
- WorkCover
- CTP
- DVA
- NDIS
Common questions
Questions we get asked a lot.
Should I rest my elbow completely?
Complete rest usually isn't the answer for tennis elbow. The tendon responds best to managed load — easing off the activities that flare it while progressively strengthening it with specific exercises. Total rest can settle pain briefly but tends to leave the tendon weak, so symptoms return when you go back to normal use. Your physiotherapist will set the right starting load for you.
How long does tennis elbow take to settle?
It varies, and it can be slow — tendon problems typically respond over weeks to months rather than days, and consistency with the strengthening program is the biggest factor. Many people notice steady improvement over a focused course of treatment; more stubborn cases take longer. We'll give you a realistic estimate and review progress as you go.
Do I need a scan, an injection, or surgery?
Most tennis elbow is diagnosed on examination without a scan, and settles with load management and strengthening. Imaging is used mainly when the diagnosis is unclear. Corticosteroid injections can ease pain short-term but don't improve long-term outcomes and are used selectively; surgery is rare and only considered after a long trial of good non-surgical care. We'll advise if a GP review is worth it.
Where this fits
Related care & reading.
Services that treat this
Book an assessment for tennis elbow in Goulburn.
One appointment to get a clear diagnosis and a plan — assessment and first treatment in the same visit.
