If you’re experiencing pain on the outside of your elbow, particularly when gripping, lifting or carrying everyday objects, tennis elbow could be the cause.
Tennis elbow is a common tendon injury that can make simple tasks such as opening jars, shaking hands, lifting shopping bags or using tools surprisingly painful. While the condition often improves with appropriate treatment, some people continue to experience symptoms for months.
At Sussex Physical Therapy, Dwaine Ford combines shockwave therapy, osteopathy and rehabilitation exercises to help people recover from tennis elbow and return to normal activities as quickly and safely as possible.
With over 18 years of clinical experience and as a member of the Institute of Osteopathy, Dwaine provides personalised treatment plans tailored to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Is It Tennis Elbow?
Despite its name, tennis elbow does not only affect tennis players.
Many people develop tennis elbow through repetitive activities at work, during sport, at the gym or even through everyday tasks around the home.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Pain when gripping objects
- Pain when lifting or carrying items
- Reduced grip strength
- Pain when shaking hands
- Pain when turning a door handle or opening a jar
- Discomfort extending into the forearm
If these symptoms sound familiar, an assessment can help determine whether tennis elbow is the cause of your pain.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition affecting the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow.
These tendons help control wrist and finger movements and are heavily involved in gripping and lifting activities. When they become overloaded or repeatedly strained, small areas of damage can develop within the tendon.
While tennis elbow is often associated with racquet sports, it commonly affects people who perform repetitive hand, wrist or forearm movements as part of their work, hobbies or exercise routines.
Long-standing cases often involve tendon degeneration rather than ongoing inflammation, which is one reason why chronic tennis elbow can sometimes be difficult to resolve without targeted treatment and rehabilitation.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is usually caused by repetitive strain and overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons.
Common contributing factors include:
- Repetitive gripping activities
- Lifting and carrying tasks
- Racquet sports
- Gym and strength training
- Manual work and tool use
- Gardening and DIY projects
- Poor movement patterns
- Sudden increases in activity levels
In many cases, symptoms develop gradually over time rather than appearing after a single injury.
Understanding the factors contributing to your symptoms is an important part of creating an effective treatment plan.
How Can Shockwave Therapy Help Tennis Elbow?
Shockwave therapy is an evidence-based treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
During treatment, controlled shockwaves are delivered into the affected tendon. These waves help stimulate blood flow, encourage tissue repair and support healing within the damaged area.
Shockwave therapy is often considered for people who have experienced persistent tennis elbow symptoms for several months and have not achieved sufficient improvement with rest, stretching or other conservative treatments.
While no treatment can guarantee results, research has shown that shockwave therapy may be beneficial for many people suffering from chronic tennis elbow and tendon-related elbow pain.
Treatment suitability is always assessed on an individual basis and will be discussed during your consultation.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow
Non-Invasive Treatment
Shockwave therapy does not involve injections or surgery. Treatment is delivered externally through the skin, making it a convenient option for many people seeking a non-invasive approach to elbow pain treatment.
Encourages Tendon Healing
Shockwave therapy works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. This may help encourage tissue repair within the damaged tendon and support long-term recovery.
Minimal Downtime
Most people are able to continue with their normal daily activities during a course of treatment. Depending on your condition, some activity modification may be recommended to support recovery.
May Help Long-Standing Tennis Elbow
Many people seek shockwave therapy after experiencing symptoms for several months. When combined with appropriate rehabilitation exercises and management strategies, it can often play an important role in recovery.
Shockwave Therapy, Osteopathy & Rehabilitation
One of the key advantages of treatment at Sussex Physical Therapy is that shockwave therapy is not used in isolation.
Persistent tennis elbow often develops because of a combination of factors, including movement patterns, loading issues, muscle imbalances and restrictions elsewhere in the arm, shoulder or upper body. Simply treating the painful area alone does not always address the underlying cause.
Where appropriate, Dwaine combines shockwave therapy with osteopathic treatment and personalised rehabilitation exercises to help improve movement, reduce strain on the tendon and support long-term recovery.
Rehabilitation exercises are provided during the first appointment and monitored throughout treatment to help ensure continued progress.
This integrated approach helps create a treatment plan tailored to the individual and may improve outcomes compared with focusing on a single treatment method alone.
Why Choose Dwaine Ford for Tennis Elbow Treatment?
Choosing the right practitioner is just as important as choosing the right treatment.
With over 18 years of experience, Dwaine Ford has helped people recover from a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries and persistent pain problems.
As a fully qualified osteopath and member of the Institute of Osteopathy, he takes a thorough and patient-focused approach to assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
Over the years, Dwaine has worked with everyone from recreational exercisers and active individuals through to professional athletes. Regardless of your activity level, treatment is always tailored to your specific condition, goals and lifestyle.
Learn more about Dwaine Ford and his approach to treatment →
What Happens During Treatment?
Your First Appointment
Your initial appointment lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Dwaine will begin by taking a detailed case history and discussing your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals. This is followed by a thorough assessment and examination to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine whether shockwave therapy is appropriate for your condition.
Treatment is usually provided during the same appointment and, where appropriate, personalised rehabilitation exercises will also be prescribed.
Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up appointments typically last around 30 minutes.
At each session, Dwaine will review your progress, discuss any changes in symptoms and carry out any necessary reassessment before treatment. This allows your treatment plan to be adjusted where needed and ensures recovery continues moving in the right direction.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Research suggests that many people experience improvement within 3–5 shockwave therapy sessions. However, the exact number of sessions required will depend on the severity of your symptoms, how long the condition has been present and how your body responds to treatment.
Treatment recommendations are always tailored to the individual.
Tennis Elbow Treatment Fees
Initial Consultation & Shockwave Therapy
£70 (up to 45 minutes)
Follow-Up Shockwave Therapy Appointments
£60
Patient Feedback
I started using Dwaine after being told I had tennis elbow and would be out for 6 months from my sport which is Squash. After a phone call with Dwaine and being advised on shockwave therapy from others I asked for Dwaine’s advice on this and his suggestion was a initial consultation to asses my injury. After the initial assessment and treatment, Dwaine suggested some home rehab exercises and some equipment I needed to help improve the condition and with some hard work and a few weekly visits to Dwaine I was back playing squash in 7 weeks. I can’t thank Dwaine enough for his professionalism and help on getting me back not only playing squash but I was still working through this entire time as a ceramic tiler which made things a lot more challenging for Dwaine. – Peter, Burwash
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shockwave Therapy Work for Tennis Elbow?
Research suggests that shockwave therapy can be an effective treatment option for many people suffering from chronic tennis elbow. It is commonly used when symptoms have persisted for several months and have not responded fully to other treatments.
Is Shockwave Therapy Painful?
Some people experience mild discomfort during treatment, particularly when the area being treated is sensitive. However, treatment is generally well tolerated and settings can be adjusted where necessary.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Most people require between 3 and 5 sessions, although this varies depending on the severity and duration of symptoms.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Recovery times vary between individuals and depend on factors such as the severity of the condition, how long symptoms have been present and how closely rehabilitation advice is followed.
Can I Continue Working During Treatment?
In many cases, yes. Most people are able to continue working during treatment, although activity modification may sometimes be recommended depending on the demands of your job and the severity of your symptoms.
Do I Need a Referral?
No. Most people can book directly without a referral.
Looking for more answers? View our Osteopathy & Shockwave Therapy FAQs.
Book Your Tennis Elbow Assessment
If you’re struggling with persistent elbow pain or tennis elbow, shockwave therapy may help.
Appointments are available in Heathfield, Haywards Heath and Horam.
Or if you’d prefer to ask a question first, please call 07772 005779 or email .
You can also view more of the conditions commonly treated at Sussex Physical Therapy.
To learn more about shockwave therapy and how it may help a range of persistent tendon injuries, visit our Shockwave Therapy for Pain & Injuries page.
Take a look at some of our success stories to see how we’ve helped people with similar conditions.
