You don’t have to be Serena Williams to get tennis elbow.
In fact, most of the people we see for tennis elbow at Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy don’t play tennis at all. They’re gym-goers, weekend yard warriors, tradespeople, and even desk workers.
If you’re dealing with nagging pain on the outside of your elbow that flares up during lifting, gripping, or typing, you’re not stuck with it. You just need the right approach.
Tennis elbow—officially called lateral epicondylitis—is an overuse injury that affects the tendons on the outside of your elbow. These tendons help you extend and stabilize your wrist and hand during movement.
Common symptoms include:
- A burning or aching pain on the outside of the elbow
- Pain when gripping, lifting, or turning things (like opening a jar or using a screwdriver)
- Weakness or stiffness in your forearm
- Worsening pain with repetitive use
Tennis elbow is usually the result of repetitive stress or overload—often from:
- Weightlifting with poor wrist/elbow positioning
- Repetitive movements at work or in the gym
- Gripping tools, paddles, or racquets too tightly
- Compensations due to shoulder or wrist mobility issues
The key is understanding why the tendon is overloaded—and addressing the whole chain, not just the painful spot.
Jason, a 36-year-old recreational pickleball player from Greenville, came to our Easley clinic after six weeks of worsening elbow pain. He noticed it during games at first, then during workouts, and eventually while working at his desk.
He had tried bracing, massage, and rest—but the pain always returned once he got active again.
During his evaluation, we found:
- Limited wrist extension mobility
- Poor shoulder stability and control during overhead movements
- Overuse of forearm muscles without proper loading progression
- Poor grip mechanics under fatigue
We built a treatment plan that focused on:
✅ Eccentric loading to rebuild tendon strength
✅ Soft tissue work to improve mobility through the forearm and wrist
✅ Shoulder and scapular stability drills
✅ Grip retraining and load management for his return to pickleball
Within five weeks, Jason was back on the court—and back at his desk—without pain.
At Off The Block PT, we don’t just treat the elbow. We look at the full picture:
✅ Assess shoulder, wrist, and grip mechanics
✅ Rebuild tendon strength gradually and safely
✅ Improve mobility and control throughout the arm
✅ Guide return to lifting, sport, or work without flare-ups
Whether you’re swinging a paddle, picking up your kids, or just trying to type without wincing—this is fixable.
Don’t let elbow pain hold you back. Let’s fix it for good.
We help active people in Easley, Greenville, Powdersville, and the surrounding areas stay strong and pain-free through every season of life.
📞 Call or text (864) 633-9272 to book your appointment. No referral needed.