Tennis elbow: why the outside of the elbow hurts
Explains tennis elbow (lateral elbow pain): what it feels like, why it is not just for tennis players, and general self-care.
Tennis elbow is pain on the outer side of the elbow, usually linked to irritation of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles near the joint. Despite the name, it often affects people who have never picked up a racket, and is commonly seen after repetitive gripping, typing or manual work.
When to get urgent help
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have any of these. They can be signs of a fracture, infection, blood clot or other emergency.
- A limb that looks deformed, or a joint that you cannot move or put weight on after an injury
- A cold, pale or numb foot or hand after injury
- A hot, red, swollen joint with a high temperature
- A painful, swollen, warm calf, with or without breathlessness or chest pain
What it can feel like
- Pain or tenderness on the bony point on the outer side of the elbow
- Pain when gripping, lifting a kettle, turning a door handle or shaking hands
- Pain that can spread down the forearm
- A feeling of weak grip because of the pain
Common contributors
- Repetitive use of the wrist and forearm, such as typing, using tools or racket sports
- A sudden increase in an activity involving grip or wrist movement
- Tendon sensitivity that builds when load increases faster than the tendon can adapt
- Sometimes pain at the elbow is influenced by the neck or shoulder
General self-care
These are general comfort measures many people find reasonable. They are not a treatment plan, and what suits one person may not suit another.
- Reduce the tasks that clearly aggravate the elbow for a while, but do not stop using the arm altogether
- Vary your grip and tools where possible, and take short breaks from repetitive tasks
- Ice can feel comfortable after activity for some people
- If you use over-the-counter pain relief, follow the packet instructions or ask a pharmacist
- Tennis elbow usually improves with rest over a few weeks, but the NHS says it can sometimes last over a year, so patience and gradual loading matter
When to see your GP
See your GP promptly, or call NHS 111, if you have any of the following:
- Pain after a significant injury, fall or twist
- Pain that is constant, severe or getting worse, or wakes you at night
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or feeling generally unwell with limb pain
Consider seeing your GP if:
- Your elbow pain has not improved after about two weeks of resting the elbow and trying self-care
- You have had a fall or direct blow to the elbow
- You have numbness or tingling in the hand, or the elbow is hot and swollen
Where an osteopath fits in
There is limited good-quality research showing that hands-on treatment changes the course of tennis elbow, so I do not claim that osteopathy treats it.
The NHS says physiotherapy can be considered if symptoms have not improved after six weeks of home treatment.
What an osteopath can usefully do is assess the elbow together with your neck, shoulder and wrist (arm pain can be linked to problems higher up), look at the grip and workload that set it off, and guide a gradual strengthening programme. Progressive loading exercises are the best-supported approach for tendon pain at the elbow. If the assessment suggests you need your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist instead, I will tell you.
If you would like your symptoms assessed, you are welcome to book an appointment. Osteopathic care is not right for everyone, and if something needs medical attention first, I will tell you.
Common questions
How long does tennis elbow last?
The NHS says tennis elbow usually improves with rest, but it can sometimes last over a year. See your GP if it has not improved after about two weeks of self-care.
Do I need to stop using my arm completely?
No. The NHS advises avoiding or reducing the activities that make it worse, rather than stopping altogether. A forearm strap or brace from a pharmacy can help some people.
Free 5-minute exercise sheet
A simple, printable sheet of gentle exercises and stretches, about five minutes a day, based on NHS physiotherapy leaflets. It is general information, not a personal treatment plan, and it is not suitable if you have any of the urgent signs listed above.
Sources and further reading
Links open in a new tab. Sources were checked in October 2026.
Related guides
This page is general information to help you understand common aches and pains. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose your problem. If you are worried about your symptoms, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111.