Despite the name, most of our patients with tennis elbow have never picked up a racquet. This condition is common among Hamilton’s tradespeople, factory workers, and anyone whose job or hobbies involve repetitive gripping or wrist movement.

What Tennis Elbow Actually Is

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow, usually caused by repetitive gripping, twisting, or wrist extension movements over time. It typically shows up as pain or tenderness on the outer elbow that worsens with gripping activities like shaking hands, lifting a coffee cup, or using tools.

Why It Often Becomes Chronic

Because the movements that cause tennis elbow are often unavoidable at work, many people keep aggravating the injury before it has a chance to heal — turning a manageable strain into a stubborn, chronic problem.

How Physiotherapy Treats It

Treatment typically starts with reducing pain and inflammation through manual therapy, followed by a progressive strengthening program for the forearm and wrist muscles — since building tendon resilience, not just resting, is what allows a return to gripping activities without recurrence. Your physiotherapist may also assess your work tasks or grip technique for contributing factors you can modify.

If Your Injury Happened at Work

If your tennis elbow developed from job duties, it may be eligible for WSIB coverage, and our clinic can help you navigate that alongside your treatment plan.

Dealing With Elbow Pain?

If gripping or lifting has become painful, learn more about our physiotherapy services or book an assessment with our Hamilton clinic.