Tennis Elbow Treatment North Sydney

✅ Accredited Hand Therapist

✅ Non-invasive Care

✅ Urgent Appointments

Hand Therapy Experts specialise in safe, non-surgical tennis elbow treatments (or Lateral Epicondylitis), as well as post-surgical care and other upper limb injuries, in North Sydney.

Our Accredited Hand Therapist, Chen Li, is a recognised tennis elbow treatment expert in North Sydney with more than ten years of experience.

Available for adults with no referrals needed, Chen provides an accurate diagnosis and a bespoke treatment plan for effective tennis elbow pain relief. Through conservative management, we help to restore strength to the affected area to get you back to work or enjoy sports safely.

Book your appointment in minutes – weekdays and for emergencies.

Book Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy →

Or Call 1300 334 263

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis / Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy) is a common condition caused by inflammation and overuse of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB); a tendon which extends the wrist and assists with grip strength.

As the injury becomes more inflamed from repetitive motions, it weakens and may even tear, causing potential loss of hand strength. Pain from overuse can also result from muscle imbalances in the biceps, supinator, pronator and triceps muscles that control movement.

Common Symptoms

Tenderness in the outer elbow or a dull ache.
Pain with wrist and elbow movement, or forearm rotation.
Pain with gripping or lifting.
Weaker grip strength (making opening jars or doors difficult and shaking hands with someone)

Common Causes

If you play racquet sports (like playing tennis or squash).
Repetitive movements or manual work and lifting.
Extensive computer/mouse usage. (work-related or from games).
Gardening and household chores.
Weak shoulder, elbow or wrist muscles.

If left untreated, the ongoing stress can worsen symptoms and result in a full tear of the elbow’s extensor tendon. If a full-thickness tear occurs, it can take longer to heal or may even require upper limb surgeon intervention. That’s why early diagnosis and management through tennis elbow physiotherapy can offer non-invasive and effective healing.

Common Myths About Tennis Elbow

“It only happens to tennis players.” → Office workers, tradies, and gardeners are also at risk.
“Rest will heal it completely.” → Without rehab, it often returns.
“Braces alone will fix it.” → Helpful, but exercise and therapy are essential.

Our Process For Treatment of Tennis Elbow

Our non-surgical lateral epicondylitis treatment program in North Sydney includes 4 comprehensive steps and is designed to suit your lifestyle and work demands to ensure the cause of your elbow pain or muscle imbalances is effectively managed.

Initial Assessment And Diagnosis	Begin Treatment	Support Your Recovery	Recovery Timeline And Expectations
Comprehensive physical examination. Review ultrasound or MRI scans. Differential diagnosis with tennis elbow and radial tunnel syndrome. Tailored treatment plan.	Elbow brace and/or wrist splint. Isometric and eccentric exercises to strengthen weak tendons. Radial nerve gliding exercises. Activity modification to reduce tendon strain. Advice on pain relief strategies.	Elbow brace and splint review after 2 weeks of treatment. Re-assess symptoms during follow-up appointment. Progression of exercises as pain improves.	4-6 weeks of elbow brace and or wrist splint . May require cortisone injection, PRP injection or review with upper limb surgeon if pain doesn’t improve after 3 months.

How Conservative Treatment Provides Tennis Elbow Relief

The treatment for tennis elbow we provide through hand therapy is a good first line of management, as it looks at what’s causing the elbow pain and addresses it holistically.

Through our non-invasive methods, we work to reduce tendon inflammation and strengthen weak muscles.

Most of our patients find they’ll experience significant relief with conservative care, but if your elbow pain doesn’t improve after 3 months of hand therapy, we might consider other options such as corticosteroid or PRP injections.

In rare cases of a full-thickness extensor tendon tear, we may refer to a hand and upper limb surgeon.

Targeted Rehabilitation for Tennis Elbow

Depending on the severity of your lateral elbow tendinopathy injury, we will work with you at our North Shore, Sydney clinic to get you better through a number of tennis elbow treatment options.

Custom Wrist/Elbow Bracing: If your pain is localised to your wrist or elbow, these will offload the inflamed tendons and provide pain relief while supporting the healing process.
Exercise programs for lateral epicondylitis: Based on the severity of symptoms, you may also be provided with an exercise program to strengthen weak tendons and muscles that are causing you pain. Under our careful observation of progress made from our hand therapy sessions, these exercises may be updated or refreshed every fortnight.

Soft-tissue or manual therapy techniques: We’ll work to reduce muscle tension to correct positional faults of the elbow joint.
Workplace Guidance: As part of your elbow rehabilitation, we’ll work with you to pinpoint workplace contributors, providing expert advice on how to modify your set-up. This includes desk setup, keyboard and mouse choices, as well as positional tips and activity modification techniques.
Sport Technique Evaluation: We can also look at your current sport technique and movement patterns to reduce the strain on the extensor carpal radialis brevis.

Need An Urgent Booking?

If you are experiencing severe pain or sudden worsening of symptoms, we provide same-day or urgent bookings for patients who may require urgent tennis elbow treatment.

Through our hand therapy services in Sydney’s North Shore, we will ensure you get the care you need, even outside regular hours.

Book Urgent Appointment

How Hand Therapists Differ From Physiotherapists When Treating Tennis Elbow

When you need relief for overworked forearm and elbow tendons, you’re unsure who is better to see about your condition – a physiotherapist or hand therapist.

Hand therapists generally undergo extensive training beyond standard physiotherapy, focusing exclusively on wrist, elbow, and upper limb rehabilitation techniques. To achieve accreditation with the Australian Hand Therapy Association, they will need to have completed over 3600 hours of hand therapy.

Because we specialise exclusively in upper limb conditions, we are able to offer more precise assessment and rehabilitation of elbow discomfort caused by overuse than general physiotherapists.

Accredited hand therapists also maintain close working relationships with upper limb surgeons if your condition requires surgical intervention or consultation. We can therefore also connect you with recommended specialists to coordinate your care throughout the entire treatment journey.

Why Choose Hand Therapy Experts?

Depending on the severity of your lateral elbow tendinopathy injury, we will work with you at our North Shore, Sydney clinic to get you better. Our tennis elbow treatment options include.

Our Benefits

Convenient North Shore Sydney location.
Accredited Hand Therapist with 10+ years’ experience.
Urgent hand therapy appointments available.
100% non-surgical approach.
Access to a tailored exercise program via our YouTube channel.
Bespoke recovery programs for work, sport & lifestyle.
Custom splinting & supports if required.
Top-rated accredited Hand Therapist (trusted by patients across Sydney).
Access to a network of medical specialists.
No referral needed—book directly.

FAQ – Patient Information

How much does a tennis elbow consultation cost?

An initial consultation is $172, and follow-ups are $142. If you require custom splints, braces or exercise equipment for your recovery, there will be an additional cost.

How long does each appointment usually take?

Initial appointments are 30-45 minutes. Follow-up appointments are 30 minutes. We will also spend time after your consultation to put together your rehabilitation program.

How long will it take for my tennis elbow to recover?

Recovery is typically 8-12 weeks. This is, however, highly dependent on how long you’ve been experiencing elbow pain and the severity of tendon inflammation.

Can tennis elbow get better on its own without treatment?

Mild tennis elbow pain may get better on its own.

However, if the causes aren’t addressed, such as weak muscles, poor technique or ergonomic set-up, mild lateral epicondylitis pain and swelling may recur or worsen over time.

What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is inflammation of the forearm extensor tendon and muscle (extensor carpi radialis brevis).

Pain is localised on the outer side of your elbow. Golfer’s elbow is inflammation of the forearm flexor tendons and muscles (pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor digitorum superficialis).

Golfer’s elbow involves pain on the inner side of your elbow.

Is treatment covered by Medicare or private health insurance?

If you have physiotherapy cover with your private health insurance, your health fund will cover part of the consultation.

If tennis elbow is included in your GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, Medicare will cover $61.80 of the consultation fee.

Medicare cover can only be claimed if you have a GP referral with the GP Management Plan. You will be required to pay the remaining gap fee after private health rebate or Medicare cover.