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Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow, and you don’t have to play tennis to get it. It often settles with the right exercises. For long-standing cases, shockwave or PRP may help.
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylalgia, is a painful problem with the tendon that attaches the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. It’s usually caused by repeated gripping or wrist movements, at work, in sport or in hobbies such as gardening and DIY.
It’s most common between 35 and 55. Many cases settle within a year, but some last longer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of tennis elbow
Outer elbow pain
Pain on the outside of the elbow, sometimes spreading down the forearm.
Pain gripping
Pain when gripping, lifting a kettle or shaking hands.
Tenderness
A tender spot on the bony bump on the outside of the elbow.
Weak grip
Your grip may feel weaker.
Treatment options
Treatment for tennis elbow
Shockwave therapy
£90 a session
For tennis elbow that has lasted several months despite exercises.
An exercise plan to load and strengthen the tendon
Shockwave therapy on site
Ultrasound scanning to see the tendon
Honest advice about steroid injections
How it works
Your four-step journey
01
Get in touch
Book online or call us. Many of our consultations are free.
02
Assessment
We listen to your history, examine you and, where it helps, scan the area with ultrasound.
03
Your plan
We explain what we think is going on and your options, with costs, so you can decide.
04
Treatment and review
We start treatment if it’s right for you, and check your progress as you go.
Self-care
Helping yourself
Reduce, but don’t completely stop, activities that cause pain.
Do your strengthening exercises regularly; tendons respond to gradual loading.
Check your grip and technique at work, in sport and with tools.
Your clinicians
Meet the team
Gary Edwards
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Dr Gabriel Azzini
Doctor, Sport & Exercise Medicine
GMC 7689922
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Tennis elbow★★★★★
I have had 5 sessions with Gary, and so far things are going really well. I am not totally pain free but am now able to do most things without a problem. He gave me gentle exercises to do… Gary is very knowledgeable and takes time to listen to you.
Stuart P. · 2017 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
Severe plantar fasciitis. Had several sessions with Gary, shockwave therapy. Really has settled down well. Gary provides calm reassurance coupled with great knowledge and expertise in the field.
Graham C. · 2026 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
Gary is very knowledgeable and has given me lots of great advice and the treatment has been great! My pain levels are much better… Booking was easy using the online system and Gary has been very helpful and friendly.
Emily C. · 2023 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
I’ve just had my 6th treatment for plantar fasciitis and I am very happy with the reduction in pain so far. Gary has been so informative and invested in my healing process.
Olivia M. · 2025 · Google review
Achilles tendinopathy★★★★★
Gary was a great help, in particular his recommendations on using the balance pad to strengthen surrounding tendons… It took a long time to notice any major improvement… Give it a go, but please don’t expect it to work quickly and solve everything.
Max E. · 2026 · Google review
Achilles tendinopathy★★★★★
After an initial consultation with Gary for achilles tendonitis, an ultrasound scan followed by shockwave treatment, I then had weekly sessions over a period of 2 months… The shockwave results weren’t instantaneous and the pain sometimes fluctuated.
Mel R. · 2025 · Google review
Calcific tendonitis★★★★★
Attended Gary at the Vale Health Clinic for chronic shoulder calcific tendinopathy… Gary was informative, without being condescending, and explaining everything he was doing and why, as well as being personable and chatty!
We’re cautious. A large review found steroid injections eased tennis elbow in the short term, but people did worse after 6 to 12 months than those who didn’t have one [1]. We usually suggest other options first.
Do I need to stop playing sport?
Not necessarily. You may need to reduce activities that cause pain while the tendon recovers, then build back up gradually.
Will a brace help?
A forearm strap can ease pain during activity for some people. We can advise you.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Coombes BK, Bisset L, Vicenzino B. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Lancet 2010;376(9754):1751–1767. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61160-9
Written by Gary Edwards, Injection Therapist (PG Cert Injection Therapy) and Chiropractor (GCC 03996). Last updated 15 October 2026.
