Tennis elbow can make simple daily tasks miserable.
Gripping a coffee mug. Shaking hands. Turning a doorknob. Typing. Lifting a pan.
Despite the name, most people who get Tennis elbow don’t play tennis. It’s caused by repetitive strain and tiny tears in the tendon on the outside of the elbow.
The frustrating part?
Rest, braces, anti-inflammatories, and even months of “taking it easy” often don’t fix it.
Here’s why — and how to actually heal it. 👇
🧠 What Tennis Elbow Really Is
Tennis elbow is a degenerative tendon problem, not just inflammation.
Over time, the common extensor tendon develops:
- Micro-tears
- Poor blood flow
- Weak, unhealthy tendon tissue
That’s why:
- Ice helps temporarily ❄️
- Braces reduce strain 🩹
- Steroid shots may calm pain briefly 💉
…but the tendon never truly heals.
⏳ Why It Lingers for Months
Tendons have very limited blood supply. Once damaged, they struggle to repair on their own.
If you’ve had elbow pain for:
- 6+ weeks
- 3+ months
- On and off for a year
You’re likely dealing with chronic tendon degeneration, not simple inflammation.
🛠️ Treatments That Actually Promote Healing
At Cedar Rapids Pain Associates, the goal is to stimulate tendon repair, not just mask pain.
⚡ Shockwave Therapy
High-energy acoustic waves:
- Increase blood flow
- Break up degenerative tissue
- Trigger the body’s healing response
💉 PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections
Your own concentrated growth factors help:
- Accelerate tendon repair
- Improve tissue quality
- Reduce chronic pain at the source
🌱 BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate / Stem Cells) Injections
For more stubborn or long-standing cases, BMAC provides a powerful mix of regenerative cells and growth factors that:
- Support deeper tendon healing
- Improve tissue regeneration
- Address advanced degeneration
🔴 MLS Robotic Laser Therapy
Deep laser energy helps:
- Reduce inflammation
- Calm irritated nerves
- Improve circulation to the tendon
🏃 Physical Therapy That Fixes the Cause
Most tennis elbow starts from:
- Wrist overuse
- Grip mechanics
- Shoulder and forearm weakness
Correcting these prevents it from coming back.
🚩 When to Seek Help
If you notice:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when gripping
- Weak grip strength
- Pain lifting objects with your palm down
- Pain that hasn’t improved with rest
It’s time to treat the tendon, not just the symptoms.
✅ The Good News
Tennis elbow is very treatable when you use therapies designed to heal tendon tissue.
You do not have to live with it.
You do not need surgery in most cases.
📞 Ready to Finally Fix Your Elbow Pain?
📱 Call 319-294-0094
🌐 Visit crpainfree.com
Cedar Rapids Pain Associates
“Quick Relief from the Pain Specialists”