Tennis elbow – pain and inflammation
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse inflammation of the forearm muscle tendons attached to the outer side of the elbow. Despite its name, it does not affect only athletes: it can develop in anyone who makes frequent, repetitive arm or wrist movements – carpenters, people working with tools, computer users, and even during spring gardening. It is characterised by pain on the outside of the elbow that worsens with strain. The basis of treatment is reducing the load. Several physical therapy methods may also support recovery: TENS and microcurrent, soft laser, therapeutic ultrasound and magnetotherapy.
Reduce the load first – and know the difference
The first and most important step in treatment is reducing the load: stop the activity that causes the complaint – without this, the effect of treatment is limited. An important difference is that TENS relieves pain but has no effect on inflammation (symptomatic treatment); microcurrent, soft laser and ultrasound, on the other hand, also act on inflamed tissue and may therefore target the underlying cause. Tennis elbow can be stubborn – recovery often requires persistent treatment over several months.
The SonicRelief device emits a 1 MHz therapeutic ultrasound beam used to treat musculoskeletal (tendon, ligament, muscle) inflammations, injuries and degenerative conditions.
Premium 400 multifunctional electrotherapy device. TENS / EMS / MCR-MENS / FES / iontophoresis. Specialized programs: running, cross-country skiing, combat sports, tennis, football, cycling. 4 channels, battery operated.
The UniPro is a two-channel, multifunctional electrotherapy device providing TENS, EMS, microcurrent and interferential (IF) treatments.
Personal-Laser L400 infrared soft-laser for point treatments. 400 mW continuous output, 808 nm laser beam. Delivers 4 Joules of energy in 10 seconds. Laser diode lifetime 10,000+ hours.
Genesy 300 Pro multifunctional electrotherapy device. TENS / EMS / MCR-MENS / FES / iontophoresis. 4 channels, battery-powered.
Magnetic therapy (PEMF) device. 2 channels / 400 Gauss total magnetic intensity. 70 programs
The Globus Genesy 1500 — one device for hundreds of complaints.
Easy-to-use 808 nm, 250 mW soft laser device. Simultaneous treatment area 4.5 cm2. 5 J/min per treatment point. Prism technology, safe to use without protective goggles.
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device. 2 channels / 400 Gauss total magnetic intensity. 46 programs. For home use.
Which methods may be suitable, and which device should you use?
Several physical therapy methods may be suitable for treating tennis elbow at home. They may work individually, but combining them can provide the most favourable results. It is important to distinguish between a method that only relieves pain and one that also acts on the inflammation causing the problem. Each method complements reducing the load.
Soft laser is considered one of the better-researched home methods for musculoskeletal and tendon inflammation complaints, including tennis elbow. The light penetrates deep into the tissues and acts at cellular level: it may reduce inflammation and pain, and support the regeneration of inflamed tendon tissue and the production of collagen, the building material of tendons. It is worth directing the light at the most painful point. You can read more about the method and treatment points on a separate page.
You use microcurrent treatment in a similar way to TENS, but in addition to relieving pain, microcurrent may support the regeneration of inflamed cells – so it may act on the underlying cause as well as the pain. It is a gentle method that combines well with the others. Multifunctional electrotherapy devices (the Genesy series, Premium 400) offer it together with TENS.
The electrical impulses of TENS relieve pain without medication and without side effects, and can be repeated as often as necessary. It is important to know that TENS is symptomatic treatment – it reduces pain but has no effect on inflammation or recovery. It is a good choice for easing symptoms, but it is worth combining it with methods that target inflammation (soft laser, microcurrent, ultrasound) and with reducing the load. Place the electrodes a few centimetres above and below the painful area.
When absorbed into the tissues, the mechanical vibrations of therapeutic ultrasound improve local blood circulation, which may support the reduction of inflammation. It is used as a course of treatment (10–15 treatments, followed by a break). With hot-cold therapy, cooling is recommended for recent tennis elbow, while warmth may ease pain and improve circulation when the complaint has been present for several weeks. Devices specifically developed for treating the elbow are also available.
For conditions affecting any joint or tendon, including tennis elbow, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy may be considered. It may influence inflammatory processes favourably and acts gently over a larger area. A magnetotherapy device is used for this purpose, such as the Magnum series (Magnum 2500, Magnum 3000 Pro, Magnum XL Pro), which treats the elbow with a magnetic coil placed over it. It may be particularly useful as a complementary treatment for chronic, long-lasting complaints. Important: the effect of static magnets, such as bracelets, straps and necklaces, has not been medically proven; they are not included here.
Combining methods is most useful – and many devices combine several methods
In physical therapy practice, combined use of methods is recommended – for example, hot-cold therapy, ultrasound and soft laser together. Among the devices, multifunctional electrotherapy devices (Genesy, Premium 400 and the versions with sports programmes) offer TENS and microcurrent in one; soft laser and ultrasound require separate devices. You do not need to buy everything at once – it is worth starting with the method that best matches the most troublesome symptom, whether pain or inflammation, and continuing to reduce the load throughout.
Important information
Tennis elbow can be a persistent, stubborn complaint because everyday use of the hand works against recovery. This is why reducing the load and persistent treatment are particularly important. The devices presented here complement treatment and do not replace a medical examination. Elbow pain can have causes other than tennis elbow, such as osteoarthritis or joint inflammation, so persistent or severe symptoms should be discussed with a doctor to clarify the cause. Electrotherapy, ultrasound and soft laser devices also have contraindications, such as a pacemaker, pregnancy, a tumour in the treated area or fever. See a doctor if the pain is severe or persistent, if the elbow becomes swollen, red or warm, or if the complaint does not improve after several weeks despite reducing the load and treatment.
Would you like to learn more?
Dr. Zsolt Zátrok presents tennis elbow in detail in an article, from its development to treatment methods and practical advice: Tennis elbow – it can strike even without playing tennis →. If you are specifically interested in soft laser treatment for tendon inflammation, including the treatment points: Soft laser for treating tendon inflammation →
Frequently asked questions
Tennis elbow is caused by overuse inflammation of the tendon tissue. Soft laser, microcurrent and therapeutic ultrasound act on this, as they may reduce inflammation and support tissue regeneration. Soft laser is particularly well researched for tendon inflammation. TENS, by contrast, only relieves pain. The most favourable result comes from combining a method that acts on inflammation, pain relief and reducing the load.
It depends on how long the complaint has been present. Cooling is recommended for recent, newly developed tennis elbow. If the complaint has already lasted several weeks, warmth may reduce pain and improve circulation. Alternating hot and cold (contrast) therapy may also support circulation. Hot-cold devices developed for treating the elbow make this easier.
In many cases, a multifunctional electrotherapy device (Genesy, Premium 400) is a good starting point because it offers TENS and microcurrent together, with many programmes. If you also want to focus on targeted treatment of inflammation, soft laser is a separate, well-researched option. Ultrasound also requires a separate device. You do not need everything at once – start with the method that suits the main complaint, and make sure you continue to reduce the load.
Tennis elbow can be a stubborn complaint: recovery often takes several months because everyday use of the hand works against recovery. Patience and persistence are essential – reducing the load and treatment must be continued consistently. If the complaint does not improve after several weeks despite treatment, or is becoming more severe, see your doctor to discuss further options.
No. The effect of static magnets – those not produced by electricity – such as bracelets, straps and necklaces, has not been medically proven. What may be effective is pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, which is a medical physical therapy method. The two are not the same – for treating tennis elbow, a pulsed magnetotherapy device may be considered, not fashion jewellery.
