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

Let’s get one thing straight: working on tennis elbow is not all fun and games. It can be intense—both for the person receiving bodywork and for the practitioner.

I speak from personal experience. I don’t just treat tennis elbow... I have it. Honestly, I probably have golfer’s elbow too. Working with my hands all day and doing CrossFit (yes, I just made that a verb) means my forearms start to act up.

I grip a lot. I press, push, dig, and lift—all the activities that take a toll on my muscles. You could say I have Popeye arms... but without the spinach (well, maybe just a little). If I didn't regularly release my forearms, I would be dealing with serious inflammation and possibly an injury. That would sideline me from both work and workouts.

So, let’s dive deep into the real-deal massage and recovery work that truly helps relieve tennis elbow. It’s not just about rubbing the outside of your elbow and hoping for relief.

What's Actually Going On With Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow (a.k.a. lateral epicondylitis) isn’t just a problem at the elbow joint. It’s usually caused by overusing the forearm extensor muscles, especially where they attach near that bony outer elbow spot.

What does this mean for treatment? It means that effective massage needs to go beyond the elbow to address the whole fascial chain—particularly the forearms, wrists, and even hand muscles like the thenar and hypothenar.

The Massage Techniques That Work Best

As a sport and myofascial bodyworker, my approach varies, but deep tissue work plays a critical role. When addressing tennis elbow, the best massage can vary from person to person. Here are some techniques that work well:

• Myofascial Release: This technique helps lengthen tight tissues and unravel restrictions along the arm.

• Deep Tissue Work: Targeting the belly of the forearm muscles is crucial for breaking up stubborn tension.

  
  

• Trigger Point Release: This is especially important for the extensors, wrist flexors, and even up into the triceps.

  
  

• Cupping Therapy: This technique decompresses and flushes areas of sticky tension.

  
  

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

  
  

Just so you know, I literally elbow my own forearms to release them. I also use my elbow on my thumb muscles. Mind-blowing? Perhaps a little odd? But it works.

Final Thoughts: Real Relief Takes Real Work

There’s no quick fix for tennis elbow. However, there are tangible strategies that can help you feel better, move better, and prevent bigger issues down the line.

Whether you're a fellow massage therapist, a CrossFitter, or someone tired of gripping steering wheels or coffee cups with pain, sport and myofascial bodywork can offer significant relief. If you’re local, I would be delighted to show your forearms some TLC on the treatment table.

Because let’s face it—it’s not always comfortable work. But it is incredibly rewarding.

Ready to Kick Tennis Elbow to the Curb?

If you’re prepared to stop allowing forearm pain to dominate your workouts and workdays, it’s time to take action. Whether you want deep tissue work, cupping therapy, or just need guidance to relieve tension and regain movement, I’m here to assist you.

👉 Book your session now and let's work together to get those forearms feeling right again.