Arm, Wrist & Hand · Trenton, MI
Tennis Elbow
Physical therapy for tennis elbow at Total Body Rehab — evaluation-driven, one-on-one care in Trenton, serving all of Downriver.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overload injury of the tendons that extend your wrist and fingers, anchored at the outer elbow. Despite the name, most cases come from work — gripping tools, typing, lifting — not tennis.
The evidence is clear: progressive loading exercise is the most reliable fix, and it dramatically outperforms rest, braces, or repeated injections for long-term results.
Common signs & symptoms
- Pain and tenderness at the outer elbow
- Pain gripping, shaking hands, or turning a doorknob
- Weak, painful grip strength
- Aching after repetitive hand use
- Stiffness in the morning
How physical therapy helps
We calm the tendon with hands-on treatment, dry needling, and short-term activity modification, then rebuild it with a structured strengthening progression for the wrist extensors — increasing load week by week as capacity returns. Grip technique and workstation setup get corrected in parallel.
Treatments we use
- Eccentric & progressive loading
- Dry needling
- IASTM
- Manual therapy
- Counterforce brace guidance
Frequently asked questions
Should I get a cortisone shot for tennis elbow?
Short-term relief, but studies show worse outcomes at one year compared with exercise-based rehab. Discuss it with your physician — many patients do best with rehab first.
Does a tennis elbow strap work?
A counterforce strap can reduce pain during unavoidable gripping, and it's a reasonable bridge — but it manages symptoms rather than fixing the tendon. Loading exercise does that.
Why did I get tennis elbow from typing?
Small, repetitive wrist and finger extension for hours daily is exactly the kind of cumulative load these tendons dislike. Ergonomic changes plus strengthening address it.
This page is general education, not a diagnosis. For advice about your specific situation, schedule an evaluation or talk with your physician.