PRIMUS PHYSIO
Expert physiotherapy for lateral and medial elbow tendinopathy — helping patients in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent get lasting relief from elbow pain.
Despite their names, you don't need to play tennis or golf to develop either condition. Both are overuse tendinopathies caused by repetitive loading of the forearm tendons — and both are far more common in office workers, manual labourers and gym-goers than in racket or club sports.
The key difference is location: tennis elbow affects the outer (lateral) elbow; golfer's elbow affects the inner (medial) elbow. Both respond well to the same evidence-based physiotherapy approach — progressive tendon loading — once correctly diagnosed.
Both conditions develop when the tendon is loaded faster than it can adapt — leading to degeneration of the tendon tissue rather than inflammation.
Repeated gripping actions — whether at a keyboard, on a building site or in the gym — overload the forearm tendons over time, particularly when load increases faster than the tendon can adapt.
Starting a new job involving manual work, returning to the gym after time off, or taking up a racket sport — any rapid increase in forearm loading can trigger tendinopathy.
Awkward wrist positions during gym exercises, poor desk setup, or incorrect racket/club technique can increase mechanical stress on the elbow tendons with every repetition.
Weakness in the forearm, wrist or shoulder muscles transfers greater load to the tendon with every movement. Stiffness in the elbow, wrist or thoracic spine also alters how load is distributed.
The most effective treatment for both conditions is progressive tendon loading — not rest, not a steroid injection. Here is our full approach.
We confirm whether you have tennis or golfer's elbow, rule out other causes of elbow pain (referred nerve pain, joint problems, carpal tunnel) and identify the contributing factors specific to you.
Hands-on treatment to settle pain in the short term, alongside advice on how to modify your work, sport or gym training to reduce tendon load without stopping entirely.
The cornerstone of effective tendinopathy treatment. A structured exercise programme that progressively increases load on the tendon — stimulating tissue adaptation and rebuilding strength and resilience. Far more effective long-term than rest or injection.
Strengthening the forearm, wrist, shoulder and rotator cuff to reduce the load placed on the elbow tendons with everyday tasks and sport.
Where technique or workstation setup is contributing, we'll give you practical advice to reduce mechanical stress — whether that's adjusting your keyboard position, grip technique in the gym or racket swing.
A clear, graduated plan for returning to tennis, golf, the gym or manual work — with specific criteria to guide progression and prevent setback.
There is a lot of outdated advice about elbow tendinopathy. Here is what the evidence actually shows.
Tendons need load to heal — not rest. Complete rest causes the tendon to weaken further. Activity modification combined with progressive loading is the correct approach.
Injections reduce short-term pain but produce worse outcomes at 12 months compared to physiotherapy. They don't address the tendon degeneration causing the problem.
Stretching and massage can help with pain short-term but don't produce lasting improvement on their own. Progressive tendon loading is the primary driver of long-term recovery.
Without treatment, tennis and golfer's elbow can persist for 12–18 months or longer. Many cases become chronic. Early physiotherapy leads to significantly faster recovery.
"I went to True Physio where I was diagnosed with Tennis Elbow. The treatment worked so well — I'm a total advocate for the approach used."
— Claire B (Google Review)"I came to see Luqman with pain in my elbow and upper arm. He diagnosed it properly, gave me a clear plan and significantly reduced my pain within a few sessions."
— Andrew H (Google Review)"Very clean clinic with great parking. Sorted my elbow issue effectively — the cupping treatment alongside the exercises was a great combination."
— Balal B (Google Review)Same-week appointments in Newcastle-under-Lyme. No GP referral needed.
Book Now