Best Massage for Tennis Elbow: Real Relief That works

Delicious Forearm Work!

Best Massage for Tennis Elbow: Real Talk from a Sport & Myofascial Bodyworker

Let’s get one thing out of the way: working on tennis elbow is not all bubbles and fairies. It can be intense—for the person getting bodywork and the person doing it.

I say this from personal experience. I don’t just treat tennis elbow... I have it. Honestly, I probably have golfer’s elbow too. When you work with your hands all day and also do the CrossFitten (yes, I made that word up), your forearms start acting like you owe them money.

I grip a lot. I press, push, dig, lift—all the things. You could say I have PopEye arms... but without the can of spinach, well maybe LOL. And if I didn’t regularly release my forearms, I’d be dealing with serious inflammation and probably an injury that would sideline me from both my work and my workouts.

So let’s dive into the real-deal massage and recovery work that helps relieve tennis elbow—because it’s not just about rubbing the outside of your elbow and hoping for the best.

What's Actually Going On With Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow (a.k.a. lateral epicondylitis) isn’t just an issue at the elbow joint. It’s typically caused by overuse of the forearm extensor muscles, especially where they anchor near that bony outer elbow spot.

What does that mean? It means that massage needs to go beyond the elbow to treat the whole fascial chain—especially the forearms, wrists, and even hand muscles like the thenar and hypothenar .

The Massage Techniques That Work Best

I’m a sport and myofascial bodyworker, and while that title covers a lot, deep tissue is a big chunk of what I do. When it comes to tennis elbow, the best massage for Tennis Elbow, will really depend:

• Myofascial Release: To lengthen tight tissues and unravel restrictions along the arm.

• Deep Tissue Work: To target the belly of the forearm muscles and break up stubborn tension.

• Trigger Point Release: Especially in the extensors, wrist flexors, and even up into the triceps.

• Cupping Therapy: To decompress and flush areas of sticky tension.

• Mobility Work: Because it’s not just about smashing tissue—it’s about retraining movement patterns.

And just so you know… yes, I literally elbow my own forearms to release them. And I go into my thumb muscles with my own elbow. Mind-blowing? Slightly disturbing? Maybe. But it works.

Tools I Actually Use for Tennis Elbow Relief

Outside of massage sessions, I rely on a few go-to tools that help me keep my arms functioning. These aren’t affiliate pitches pretending to be recommendations—I actually use these all the time to release my forearms. I’ve tested a lot, and these are in my regular recovery rotation—because they work.

1. Rolflex Arm & Leg Massager: This is one of my favorites for self-releasing the forearms. It gives solid, targeted pressure and lets me mimic deep tissue work without turning myself into a pretzel.👉 Check out the Rolflex here (Affiliate link—I only share what I love)

2. REVO Smart Cupping: I use these little devices in my sessions and on myself. They combine suction, heat, and red light therapy in one tool. When my arms are torched from five hours of sessions or a gnarly WOD, these help flush out tension and bring circulation back in.👉 Explore the REVO Smart Cupper (Also affiliate—also awesome.)

Full Transparency:

Just so you know, the links to the Rolflex and REVO Smart Cupping are affiliate links. That means if you decide to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. But don’t worry—this doesn’t change the price for you at all! I only share products I personally use and swear by to help with tennis elbow and forearm pain. If you think they’ll help, awesome! If not, no hard feelings.

Final Thoughts: Real Relief Takes Real Work

There’s no quick fix when it comes to tennis elbow—but there are real strategies that can help you feel better, move better, and avoid bigger problems down the road.

Whether you're a fellow massage therapist, a CrossFitter, or someone who’s tired of gripping steering wheels or coffee cups with pain, sport and myofascial bodywork can help. And if you’re local, I’d be happy to show your forearms a little tough love on the table.

Because yeah—it’s not always fun work. But it’s worth it.

Ready to Kick Tennis Elbow to the Curb?

If you're ready to stop letting forearm pain rule your workouts or workday, it’s time to take action. Whether you’re looking for deep tissue work, cupping therapy, or just need some expert guidance to release tension and regain movement, I’m here to help.

👉 Book your session now and let's start getting those forearms feeling right again.