“Does massage help tennis elbow?”

For some people it does. A good stretching program is better.

Tennis Elbow is an injured degenerative tendon from mild damage to ruptured (rare) with loss of blood vessel supply (heart attack of tendon). Quality treatment is multifaceted. 1: Rehab exercise to heal and improve blood supply(physio-massage here might help). 2: Control overuse (sports or occupational equipment, technique, activity frequency & intensity, counterforce bracing. 3: Pain control (anti-inflammatory meds & massage ointments, possible cortisone injection for severe pain to enhance rehab exercise). 4: 5 percent of cases (acute on chronic symptoms for months or years) come to surgery (Nirschl technique used worldwide). All of the above published in detail in international publications and the book “Arm Care.”

Robert P. Nirschl, M.D., M.S.

Massage isn’t something I typically prescribe for tennis elbow. Applying pressure over the outside of the elbow often causes more pain than benefit. I typically recommend a forearm band that is applied over the upper forearm below the elbow crease. I also recommend activity modifications to avoid repetitive wrist and finger extension. When patients still have pain despite this treatment, I recommend an injection of steroid or platelet rich plasma at the source of the pain.

Hope this helps.

Tennis elbow is tendinitis of extensor tendons. It responds well to physical therapy. Additional massage is okay, but PT is the treatment.
Thanks.

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