What causes it
Tennis elbow develops when the tendon that attaches the wrist extensor muscles to the outside of the elbow is overloaded faster than it can adapt.
- Repetitive gripping, typing or mouse use
- Racket sports, especially padel and tennis
- Sudden increases in lifting or pulling exercises
- Manual work using tools
Common symptoms
Symptoms usually build gradually.
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Pain when gripping, lifting a kettle or shaking hands
- Forearm tightness and fatigue
- Weaker grip strength
- Tenderness when pressing on the outer elbow
How we assess it
Your first appointment is a full physiotherapy assessment in our Umm Suqeim clinic. We take a detailed history, examine posture and movement, test strength, flexibility and joint mobility, and carry out specific clinical tests. We also screen for signs that need a doctor's review or imaging. You leave with a clear explanation and a personalised plan. For the elbow, we also test grip strength and look at your neck and shoulder, which can contribute to arm pain.
How we treat it
Tendon loading exercise is central to treatment. We support it with manual therapy for the forearm and elbow, dry needling for tight forearm muscles and Electrons Plus PEMF directed over the painful tendon. We also look at your technique, equipment and workstation to reduce overload.
Treatments we use
- Manual Therapy and Massage for tennis elbowHands-on joint mobilisation and soft tissue work to ease pain and restore movement.
- Dry Needling for tennis elbowFine-needle treatment of muscle trigger points in the neck, traps, back and shoulders.
- Electrons Plus PEMF Therapy for tennis elbowThe first clinic in Dubai with the Electrons Plus 1: practitioner-guided PEMF.
When to seek help
Book an assessment if elbow pain lasts more than a couple of weeks or affects your work or sport. Seek medical care promptly if the elbow is hot, very swollen or misshapen after an injury, or if you have numbness or weakness in the hand.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to stop playing padel or tennis?
Not always. We often modify how much and how you play while the tendon recovers.
How long does tennis elbow take to settle?
Tendons adapt slowly, so improvement often takes several weeks to a few months with consistent exercise.
Should I wear an elbow brace?
A counterforce strap can help some people in the short term. We will advise whether it suits you.
Can desk work cause tennis elbow?
Yes. Repetitive typing and mouse use can overload the forearm tendons.
Is PEMF used for tennis elbow?
Electrons Plus PEMF is commonly used alongside tendon loading and manual therapy in our tennis elbow plans.
Book your assessment in Umm Suqeim
Message our team on WhatsApp and we will confirm the next available appointment at Limitless 7 Clinic.
Book on WhatsAppThis information is for general education and is not a substitute for a medical assessment. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient following a consultation with our licensed practitioners.