Tennis Elbow Treatment in Singapore
Tennis elbow — the common name for lateral epicondylitis — is one of the most frequent causes of elbow pain we see at CARe. Despite its name, you do not have to play tennis to develop it. Anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm, wrist, or hand in the same motion can experience it: office workers, cooks, tradespeople, musicians, and weekend athletes alike.
If gripping, lifting, or even turning a door handle has become painful, a structured assessment and treatment plan can help you get back to the things you need to do.
What is tennis elbow?
Lateral epicondylitis is a condition that affects the tendons attaching the forearm extensor muscles to the bony prominence on the outer side of the elbow (the lateral epicondyle). Repeated strain causes small tears and degeneration in these tendons over time, leading to pain, tenderness, and weakness.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
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Repetitive gripping or wringing motions (e.g. typing, using a mouse, cooking, manual work)
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Racquet sports or throwing activities
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A sudden increase in activity level or training load
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Poor technique or tool/equipment fit
Symptoms typically include a dull ache or sharp pain on the outer elbow that worsens with gripping or lifting, sometimes radiating into the forearm.
How CARe treats tennis elbow
No two cases are identical. At CARe, tennis elbow is treated by both our physiotherapists and occupational therapists, all AHPC-registered. We begin with a thorough assessment to understand your symptoms, activity demands, and what is driving the problem — before recommending a treatment pathway.
Assessment
Your physiotherapist will assess the elbow, forearm, wrist, and shoulder to build a complete picture. We look at load, movement patterns, and contributing factors from your daily activities or work, so that treatment addresses the root cause rather than just the pain.
Shockwave therapy
For persistent or chronic lateral epicondylitis that has not responded to initial management, shockwave therapy is one of the modalities we offer at both our Camden and Parkway clinics. Shockwave delivers high-energy acoustic waves to the tendon tissue to stimulate the body's natural healing response — without surgery or needles. Sessions typically take around ten minutes. The number of sessions required varies depending on the severity of your condition and how your body responds.
Physiotherapy — manual therapy, exercise, and load management
Physiotherapy and hand therapy are central to most tennis elbow recovery plans. Depending on your presentation and which of our therapists you see, this may include:
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Manual therapy — hands-on techniques to address joint and soft tissue mobility around the elbow and forearm
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Therapeutic exercise — a progressive programme of tendon loading and strengthening exercises to help rebuild capacity in the affected area; exercise is typically the cornerstone of long-term recovery
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Dry needling — where appropriate and indicated, to help manage localised pain and muscle tension in the forearm
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Load management and activity modification — practical advice on how to adjust your daily tasks, technique, or equipment to reduce strain on the tendon while it recovers
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Physical agent modalities — supportive modalities such as TENS or ultrasound may be used as part of a broader treatment programme
We aim to get you moving as early as appropriate, building strength and confidence progressively rather than recommending extended rest.
What to expect
Recovery from tennis elbow varies — milder cases can settle within a few weeks of consistent treatment; more chronic or severe presentations may take longer. Your physiotherapist will give you a realistic picture at your initial assessment.
Most patients work through a programme that moves from pain management and activity modification in the early stages, to progressive tendon loading and return to full activity. Home exercises are an important part of the process, and we will guide you through these at each stage.
Our two clinic locations
CARe @ Camden
1 Orchard Boulevard, #11-05 Camden Medical Centre, Singapore 248649 Tel: +65 6257 7022
CARe @ Parkway
1 Marine Parade Central, #07-07 Parkway Centre, Singapore 449408 Tel: +65 6475 8334
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 9.00am – 6.00pm Saturday: 9.00am – 1.00pm Closed Sundays and Public Holidays
Ready to address your elbow pain?
Our physiotherapists at CARe are here to help. Book an appointment online or contact us to speak with our team.
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