Tennis Elbow: Not Quite as Glamorous as It Sounds!

Tennis elbow—nope, it’s not about wearing an exclusive country club polo, sipping iced lemonade by the court at Roland Garros, or hanging out with Serena Williams. In fact, the real cause of your elbow pain is far less glamorous and way more relatable. You probably hurt it by holding your cute baby a little longer because they just feel so cuddly, trying to open that jar of apple sauce you bought from Berkeley Bowl, or, let’s be honest, from scrolling through your feed a few too many times until your elbow starts crying for mercy. 

The culprit? Repetitive movements that turn your elbow into a cranky, overworked diva who definitely didn’t sign up for this. Welcome to the not-so-exclusive club of everyday elbow overuse, where the struggle is real and no one gets a trophy for pain endurance.

Now, before you fall down the Google rabbit hole searching “how to live with constant pain” and somehow end up watching YouTube videos on removing impacted earwax (I know you’ve been there, too 😅 ), let’s pause and talk about something that can be your ally in this battle: Massage. Yes, massage! That soothing underestimated magical touch that doesn’t require a prescription for painkillers— just a skilled massage therapist (yep, that’s me, the one writing this fun little guide on tennis elbow) and a whole lot of TLC.

And here's how a good massage can help you win the game against tennis elbow.

1. Soothe the "Ouch"

Massage helps relax tense and overused muscles around the elbow and forearm, which are usually the culprits behind tennis elbow. When those muscles loosen up, the pain level can drop, and you'll be able to use your elbow and arms like you should without cringing every time you try to open that jar of apple sauce.

2. Boost  Circulation

A good massage increases circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, speeding up the healing process. With improved blood flow, your elbow gets the resources it needs to recover faster and return to normal function.

3. It's Just Not All About The Elbow

Your elbow might be the star of the show, but a massage doesn’t stop there. It works wonders on your hand, forearm, shoulders, neck and upper back — basically the whole chain of muscles that are probably compensating for that elbow. A massage may help release the tension in all the right places, making you feel like whole again.

4. Mood Enhancer (Because We're All About That!)

Chronic pain doesn’t just affect your body—it takes a toll on your mind too. Constant discomfort can trigger stress, anxiety, and irritability, making it harder to stay positive or focus on anything else. Massage isn’t just about your body...it also helps calm your mind. Studies show that massage can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) while increasing serotonin and dopamine, which improve mood and promote relaxation. The stress relief from a good massage will help you feel more comfortable in your body, so instead of pretending your elbow isn’t constantly sending you passive aggressive messages, you can actually start feeling better all around. 

Wrapping it up  (because I know you’re not here for my writing skills)

Tennis elbow might sound sporty, but in reality, it’s kind of a big drama queen! It can happen to anyone—you just need an elbow (or two). Athletes, weekend warriors, chronic social media scrollers, parents,  nannies, desk workers, drivers, basically anyone alive on Earth. Massage can serve up some good relief and help you kick tennis elbow to the curb, so you'll be back to lifting, scrolling, and high 5ing in no time.

Book your massage today. Your elbow will thank you—and who knows, maybe your gym crush will too when they see you flexing without the pain next time!  🙌💪