Tennis Elbow Osteopath Narre Warren: Recognising Symptoms and Exploring Your Care Options

As an osteopath working in Narre Warren, I see a surprising number of people walking through the door with the same complaint — a lingering pain on the outside of their elbow that just will not settle. If you have noticed a similar ache that worsens when you grip, lift, or twist your forearm, you might be dealing with what is commonly called tennis elbow. While the name suggests this condition only affects people who play tennis, the reality is quite different. In my experience treating patients across Narre Warren and the broader City of Casey, tennis elbow affects people from all walks of life — from construction workers in Cranbourne to office staff in Berwick. If you are searching for a tennis elbow osteopath in Narre Warren, I wrote this post to help you understand what may be going on and what your options might involve.

What Tennis Elbow May Feel Like

The medical term for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis, which refers to irritation of the tendons that attach to the outside of your elbow. Specifically, it involves the extensor tendons of your forearm — the muscles that help pull your wrist back and stabilise your grip when you are holding something. When these tendons become irritated, they may produce a range of sensations that can be hard to pin down.

In my clinic, people with tennis elbow often describe a sharp or burning pain on the outer part of the elbow that may travel down into the forearm. Some people tell me that shaking hands feels uncomfortable, or that simply lifting a coffee cup becomes a surprisingly difficult task. Others mention a sensation of weakness in their grip that sneaks up over weeks or months. It is also common for the pain to come and go, particularly if your work or hobbies involve repetitive hand and wrist movements.

It is worth noting that not every pain on the outside of your elbow is tennis elbow. Referred pain from the neck, shoulder, or even the radial nerve can produce similar symptoms in the same area. This is one reason why having a thorough assessment — rather than guessing based on where the pain is — may be helpful before deciding on any approach to care.

How I Approach Tennis Elbow as an Osteopath in Narre Warren

When someone comes into my Narre Warren clinic with elbow pain, my first step is always to listen. I want to understand what your day-to-day life looks like, what movements you perform most often, and when this pain started. If you work on a building site in Cranbourne, your risk factors will look quite different to someone who spends most of their day at a desk in Berwick. Understanding the demands you place on your body is an important part of building a picture of what may be contributing to your symptoms.

From there, I will typically perform a physical assessment. This might involve checking the range of motion in your elbow, wrist, and shoulder, testing your grip strength, looking at your neck, and examining the tendons themselves for tenderness or thickening. Some people find that the assessment itself is uncomfortable, but I always work within your tolerance levels.

In terms of hands-on care, I use a range of techniques that may include soft tissue work on the forearm muscles, gentle mobilisation of the elbow joint, and sometimes addressing related areas such as the neck or shoulder that may be contributing to the overall pattern of strain. Dry needling is another option that some people find helpful for reducing local muscle tension, and I frequently discuss how specific strengthening exercises for the forearm tendons — often called eccentric loading — may support the tendon's ability to adapt over time.

Importantly, I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. What helps one person may not be what the next person needs, and I always aim to tailor what I do based on what your body is telling me and what your goals are.

Everyday Habits That May Contribute to Tennis Elbow

One of the conversations I have most often with patients in the City of Casey is about the things that may people be quietly aggravating their elbow without realising it. Tennis elbow often develops gradually, and it can be difficult to identify a single moment when the pain started.

Some of the common contributing factors I see include repetitive gripping during manual work, long hours using a mouse and keyboard without adequate wrist support, and hobbies or sports that involve frequent wrist extension — not just tennis, but also activities like painting, carpentry, plumbing, and even gardening. Sometimes the issue is not just how much you are doing, but how you are doing it. Small adjustments to technique, posture, or workplace setup can make a meaningful difference over time.

If you live or work in Narre Warren and spend long hours at a desk or on the tools, it may be worth reflecting on whether your daily habits are giving your forearm tendons a chance to recover between bouts of activity. I am always happy to discuss specific modifications that might be appropriate for your situation.

When to Consider Further Investigation

Most people I see with tennis elbow are able to manage their symptoms with a combination of hands-on treatment, exercise, and activity modification. However, there are some situations where further investigation may be appropriate. If your pain is severe and does not respond to initial care, if you notice significant weakness or loss of grip that interferes with your work, or if the pain follows a specific injury or trauma, I may recommend that you see your GP to discuss whether imaging or a referral to a specialist is warranted.

I always take the view that an osteopath's role is not to be the only person in the room when it comes to your health. Working alongside your GP, and referring to other practitioners when appropriate, is an important part of ensuring you receive the right care at the right time.

Booking an Appointment

If you are dealing with elbow pain and wondering whether it could be tennis elbow, I would encourage you to book an assessment. You do not need a referral to see an osteopath, and early assessment may help you understand what is going on and what options may be worth considering before the discomfort becomes more deeply entrenched.

I consult patients from Narre Warren, Cranbourne, Berwick, and the wider City of Casey region. To book an appointment, you can call the clinic or visit the bookings page on our website. I look forward to working with you and helping you get back to the things you enjoy doing.