Personalized Physical Therapy in Bayside, Queens

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a common name for pain on the outside of the elbow that results from overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons. It isn’t limited to racquet players—any activity that repeats gripping, twisting, or lifting can irritate the tendons that attach near the bony bump on the outside of the elbow.

The condition often causes pain when you grip objects, lift a cup, open jars, turn a doorknob, or type on a keyboard. You may notice weakness in your grip, difficulty carrying groceries, or discomfort when performing hobbies or work tasks that use your wrist and forearm.

Understanding what tennis elbow is and how it affects movement can help reduce anxiety and make daily tasks easier to plan. When you know which motions tend to provoke symptoms, you can pace activities, communicate clearly with clinicians or employers, and make practical choices about how you move and rest your arm.

Learning about the condition also helps you recognize when symptoms are routine and when they might need medical attention. This knowledge supports safer, more confident steps toward managing your symptoms and keeping as much of your usual routine as possible while you recover.

Common Symptoms

Tennis elbow often causes a range of arm and elbow problems rather than a single clear symptom. Symptoms can vary from person to person; you may experience some, all, or none of the items below.
Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow, especially over the bony bump (lateral epicondyle).
Pain that increases with gripping, squeezing, or holding objects such as a coffee cup or tool.
Reduced grip strength or a feeling that your grip is weaker than usual.
Pain when lifting something with your palm facing down or when bending the wrist backward.
Pain that radiates from the elbow down the forearm toward the wrist.
Stiffness or discomfort in the elbow after rest or first thing in the morning.
Tenderness to touch over the outer elbow that may make massage or pressure uncomfortable.
Difficulty with repetitive tasks (typing, using hand tools, racquet sports) because symptoms come on during or after activity.

Common Causes

Tennis elbow usually develops when the tendons on the outside of the elbow are repeatedly stressed or overloaded. The list below shows common causes and contributing factors that can increase tendon strain or make recovery harder.
Repetitive gripping and wrist-extension activities (direct cause): frequent actions like racquet sports, racketless repetitive tasks, or jobs that involve constant gripping can slowly overload the tendon that attaches to the outside of the elbow.
Sustained or sudden forceful movements (direct cause): lifting heavy objects, sudden jerks, or forceful motions of the wrist and arm can create small tears or irritation in the tendon tissue.
Poor technique or inappropriate equipment (contributing factor): using the wrong grip size on a racket, poor ergonomics at work, or an inefficient movement pattern can concentrate stress on the same tendon repeatedly.
Muscle weakness or imbalance in the forearm and shoulder (risk factor): weak or unbalanced muscles can make the tendon do more work than it should, increasing the likelihood of overload.
Insufficient rest or progressive overuse (contributing factor): not allowing time for tendon recovery between bouts of activity can let small injuries accumulate instead of healing.
Age-related tendon changes (risk factor): tendons tend to become less elastic and more susceptible to injury with age, which can make overuse problems more likely for some people.
Certain health factors that affect tendon health or healing (risk factor): things like smoking, some chronic conditions, or medications that influence tissue healing may make tendons more vulnerable or slow recovery.

Why Physical Therapy Works

A physical therapist may begin by taking a careful history and watching how you move during tasks that cause symptoms. They often assess movement and coordination of the elbow, forearm, wrist, shoulder and neck; measure muscle strength (for example wrist extensors and grip) and joint mobility; and observe how your arm performs during everyday activities or sport-specific skills. They’ll also look for contributing factors such as posture, work or sport technique, equipment, and patterns of overuse that might be keeping the problem going.

Based on that evaluation, treatment can fall into several broad categories without committing you to a particular plan. Education and activity modification help you manage load and expectations. Hands-on techniques and soft-tissue work may be used to address local stiffness or tissue mobility. Progressive strengthening and muscle endurance exercises target the muscles that support the elbow. Flexibility and neural mobility work can improve range of motion, while neuromuscular retraining focuses on restoring movement control and timing. Practical approaches such as taping, bracing, ergonomic adjustments, or supervised return-to-activity programs may be considered. Some therapists may include adjunctive modalities to support other care components.

Which of these are appropriate depends on the individual evaluation—what’s right for one person may not be right for another. Physical therapy may be a helpful option for many people, but it is not necessarily appropriate for every case. If your symptoms are sudden, worsening, or accompanied by numbness, fever, or significant weakness, seek medical evaluation to rule out other concerns.

Our Approach at Atom Physical Therapy

Our approach begins with a focused evaluation of your symptoms, how you move, what activities are limited, and—importantly—your personal goals. We’ll listen to what you want to get back to and assess movement patterns, strength, and functional tasks so the plan fits your life, not a template.

From that assessment we build an individualized, practical program that may include therapeutic exercise, mobility work, progressive strengthening, movement education to reduce stresses on the elbow, hands‑on techniques to address soft tissue or joint restrictions, and a home program when clinically appropriate. Each element is chosen to address the specific factors contributing to your pain and to help you participate in the activities that matter to you. We don’t use every intervention for every person—your plan is selected based on what’s likely to help you.

Progress is monitored regularly through changes in symptoms, function, and how well you tolerate activities. If something isn’t helping or your goals change, the plan is adjusted. We’ll explain why we’re making each change and give clear, practical guidance so you can apply what you learn between visits. While we can’t promise outcomes, this process aims to give you a clear, manageable path forward.

What to Expect

When you come to Atom Physical Therapy in Bayside, Queens, New York for a tennis elbow evaluation, the first appointment is designed to build a clear picture of your situation. Expect a conversation about your symptoms — when they started, what makes them better or worse, how they affect daily tasks — plus a review of your medical history, prior treatments, imaging, medications, hand dominance, and any related neck or shoulder issues.

Your clinician will perform a movement and functional assessment tailored to you. This may include observing posture and arm use, measuring range of motion, testing strength and grip, and asking you to perform tasks that reproduce your symptoms (lifting, gripping, typing or turning doorknobs). The exact tests used depend on your condition and presentation, so not everyone will have the same examination.

After the assessment you’ll discuss your personal goals and priorities. Together you and the therapist will outline an individualized plan of care that may include education, activity modification, targeted exercises, manual techniques, and a home program. Treatment might begin during the same visit but may also be scheduled for a follow-up — that decision depends on what your evaluation finds. You will have a chance to ask questions and agree on next steps.

Relief Starts With the Right Evaluation

Whether your symptoms started recently or have been bothering you for months, the first step is understanding what's causing them. A comprehensive evaluation allows us to assess your movement, identify contributing factors, and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.

Book An Evaluation

This page provides general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. An individualized evaluation is needed to determine whether physical therapy is appropriate.