Tennis elbow: what MedlinePlus says about physical therapy and work setup
MedlinePlus says that “A physical therapist can show you exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles of your forearm.” This page quotes MedlinePlus only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia’s Tennis elbow article (review date 8/27/2024).
What tennis elbow is
MedlinePlus states: “Tennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow.”
It also states: “But any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist (like using a screwdriver) can lead to this condition. Painters, plumbers, construction workers, cooks, and butchers are all more likely to develop tennis elbow.”
Physical therapy and activity changes
MedlinePlus states: “A physical therapist can show you exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles of your forearm.”
For computer work, MedlinePlus suggests asking about changes to the workstation, chair, desk, and computer setup (paraphrased).
On outlook: “Most elbow pain gets better without surgery.”
What the page read does not say
The MedlinePlus article read names a physical therapist; it does not name occupational therapy or hand therapy.
What this page does not do
It does not repeat MedlinePlus’s rest periods, ice timing, medicine names, brace details, or injection and surgery details. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, device, or product. Scope of practice is set by state law; check your state board.