Tennis Elbow & Golfer’s Elbow Treatment in Fair Lawn, NJ
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are overuse injuries that cause persistent elbow pain and weakness — making gripping, lifting, and even everyday tasks like typing or turning a doorknob genuinely painful. At Back2Health in Fair Lawn, NJ , we provide highly effective, non-surgical treatment that resolves elbow pain and rebuilds tendon strength for lasting recovery. Call (201) 820-3343 to schedule your evaluation today.
Understanding Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow
Despite their names, both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are most commonly caused by repetitive occupational activities — such as typing, painting, carpentry, plumbing, and assembly work — rather than sports. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) involves degeneration and micro-tearing of the extensor tendons on the outside of the elbow, producing pain with gripping, wrist extension, and lateral forearm loading. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) involves the flexor tendons on the inside of the elbow and causes pain with gripping, wrist flexion, and activities that load the medial forearm. Both conditions are tendinopathies — involving structural changes within the tendon tissue rather than purely inflammatory responses — which is why they require specific, targeted rehabilitation rather than simple rest and anti-inflammatories.
Our Treatment Approach for Elbow Tendinopathies
At Back2Health in Fair Lawn, NJ , our elbow tendinopathy treatment is based on current evidence and combines multiple modalities for the most comprehensive recovery. Treatment includes cold laser therapy to reduce tendon inflammation and promote collagen remodeling, eccentric and isometric loading exercises which are the gold standard for tendinopathy rehabilitation, joint mobilization of the elbow, wrist, and cervical spine, soft-tissue massage and myofascial release to reduce the muscular tension loading the tendons, activity modification guidance to allow healing without complete rest, and our specialized occupational and hand therapy program for patients who need more intensive upper extremity rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
What is the fastest way to heal tennis elbow?
The most effective approach at Back2Health combines cold laser therapy — which accelerates tendon tissue repair at a cellular level — with eccentric loading exercises, which stimulate tendon collagen remodeling, and soft-tissue therapy to reduce the muscular load on the tendon. This combined approach produces significantly faster recovery than rest alone.
Do I need surgery for tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?
Surgery is rarely necessary. The vast majority of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow cases resolve fully with conservative treatment at Back2Health. Surgery is generally considered only in cases with more than 6 to 12 months of failed conservative care. Our evidence-based treatment program produces excellent outcomes for most patients, including those with longstanding symptoms.
Can a brace help tennis elbow?
A counterforce forearm brace (tennis elbow strap) can reduce tendon loading and provide temporary symptom relief during activities. However, bracing alone does not address the underlying tendon degeneration. At Back2Health, we use bracing as an adjunct to active rehabilitation — not as a primary treatment — to allow patients to remain active while the tendon heals.
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
With consistent treatment at Back2Health, most tennis and golfer’s elbow cases improve significantly within 6 to 10 weeks. Cases with longstanding symptoms or repeated re-injury may take longer. The key is combining the right treatment modalities with appropriate activity modification throughout recovery.
Can neck problems contribute to tennis elbow?
Yes. Cervical radiculopathy — nerve root compression in the cervical spine — can produce pain and weakness in the lateral or medial elbow that mimics or coexists with tennis or golfer’s elbow. At Back2Health, we assess the cervical spine in all elbow pain patients to ensure spinal contributors are identified and treated alongside the local tendon pathology.
What activities should I avoid with tennis elbow?
Activities that involve repetitive gripping, wrist extension (for tennis elbow), or wrist flexion (for golfer’s elbow) should be modified during recovery. At Back2Health, we provide specific activity modification guidance tailored to your occupation and lifestyle, helping you maintain function while protecting the healing tendon.
Does Back2Health treat work-related elbow injuries?
Yes. Back2Health treats work-related elbow injuries including lateral and medial epicondylitis resulting from repetitive occupational activities. We accept workers’ compensation insurance for both New York and New Jersey, and our occupational and hand therapy team provides comprehensive return-to-work rehabilitation programs for patients with significant upper extremity injuries.