If you’re dealing with pain on the outside of your elbow when gripping, lifting, or even shaking hands, you may have tennis elbow.
At PursuitPT, we help active adults in St. John and Northwest Indiana overcome elbow pain so they can get back to working out, golfing, playing sports, and staying active — without relying on injections or surgery.
Let’s break down what tennis elbow really is, why it happens, and how physical therapy can fix it.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow (medical term: lateral epicondylitis) is irritation of the tendons that attach to the outside of your elbow. These tendons help control wrist and grip strength.
Despite the name, you don’t have to play tennis to get it.
In fact, most of our patients in St. John and Crown Point develop tennis elbow from:
- Repetitive gripping Lifting weights
- Yardwork Racquet sports
- Golf
- Typing or computer work
- Manual labor jobs
It’s often an overuse injury — but the real issue is usually poor load tolerance and muscle imbalance.
Common Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
You may notice:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
Pain when gripping objects (coffee cup test) - Weak grip strength
- Pain when lifting with the palm down
- Morning stiffness in the elbow
- Pain that travels into the forearm
If these symptoms sound familiar, you’re not alone. Tennis elbow is one of the most common elbow injuries we treat at PursuitPT in Northwest Indiana.
Why Tennis Elbow Doesn’t Go Away on Its Own
Many people try to “rest it and wait.”
The problem? Complete rest often weakens the tendon even more.
Tennis elbow is usually a tendon load management issue, not just inflammation. That means it needs:
- Progressive strengthening
- Grip retraining
- Forearm muscle conditioning
- Shoulder stability work
- Proper movement mechanics
Without the right rehab plan, symptoms can linger for 6–12 months (or longer).
How Physical Therapy Fixes Tennis Elbow
At PursuitPT in St. John, we focus on addressing the root cause — not just calming symptoms.
Your treatment plan may include:
1. Targeted Tendon Strengthening
Gradual, progressive loading helps rebuild tendon capacity and reduce pain long-term.
2. Grip & Forearm Training
We improve grip endurance and wrist control to reduce strain on the elbow.
3. Shoulder & Scapular Strength
Weak shoulders often overload the elbow. We correct that.
4. Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment to reduce muscle tightness and improve mobility.
5. Activity Modification Guidance
We help you stay active while healing — not shut down your lifestyle.
Our goal is simple: get you back to full strength without recurring pain.
Should You Use a Brace for Tennis Elbow?
Elbow straps can temporarily reduce pain, but they don’t fix the underlying issue.
We may recommend short-term support during high-load activities, but long-term results come from proper rehab — not bracing alone.
When to See a Physical Therapist for Tennis Elbow
You should schedule an evaluation if:
- Pain has lasted more than 2 weeks
- Grip strength feels weak
- Pain is limiting workouts or sports
- You’ve tried resting with no improvement
- Symptoms keep coming back You want to avoid injections or surgery
Early treatment often means faster recovery.
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
Most patients at PursuitPT in St. John, Indiana, see significant improvement in:
- 4–6 weeks for mild cases
- 6–10 weeks for moderate cases
The key factor is consistency and proper loading.
Tennis Elbow Treatment in St. John, Indiana
If elbow pain is keeping you from lifting, golfing, playing tennis, or staying active, we can help.
At PursuitPT, we help active adults in St. John, Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Dyer, and across Northwest Indiana move better, feel better, and get back to what they love — without unnecessary medications, injections, or surgery.
Schedule your evaluation at PursuitPT today.
Let’s fix it the right way.
