Elbow pain can make everyday tasks more difficult than most people expect. Lifting a coffee cup, gripping a golf club, carrying groceries, typing at work, or returning to the gym can all become frustrating when the outside or inside of the elbow stays irritated.
If you have been dealing with ongoing elbow pain, shockwave therapy may be a treatment option worth discussing with your therapist.
At Pritchette Physical Therapy, shockwave therapy is offered as an add-on service to physical therapy care for appropriate patients dealing with stubborn muscle, tendon, and soft tissue conditions. For people struggling with elbow tendonitis, it may help support recovery and complement a complete rehabilitation plan.
What Is Elbow Tendonitis?
Elbow tendonitis is a general term often used to describe irritation or overload of the tendons around the elbow. Two of the most common types include:
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): pain on the outside of the elbow
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis): pain on the inside of the elbow
Despite the names, you do not have to play tennis or golf to develop these conditions. Elbow tendon pain can also come from:
Repetitive gripping
Lifting
Typing or mouse use
Manual labor
Weight training
Racquet sports
Golf
Home improvement tasks
Repetitive work or recreational activities
When the tendon stays irritated over time, the pain can become persistent and may begin to affect strength, grip tolerance, and daily function.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, also called radial pressure wave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted acoustic pressure waves applied to a specific area of the body.
During treatment, a handheld device is used over the affected tissue. The pressure waves are directed into the area of concern to help stimulate the tissue and support the body’s natural healing response.
At Pritchette Physical Therapy, shockwave therapy may be used as part of a broader treatment plan for stubborn tendon and soft tissue issues, including elbow tendonitis.
How Shockwave Therapy May Help Elbow Tendonitis
Elbow tendonitis often involves tissue that has been irritated for weeks or even months. In some cases, rest alone is not enough to fully resolve the issue, especially if the tendon has continued to be stressed during work, sports, or daily activity.
Shockwave therapy may help support:
Tissue healing
Improved local circulation
Reduced pain and tension
Improved mobility
Better tolerance to gripping, lifting, and exercise
Progression back toward normal activity
It is important to understand that shockwave therapy is not a stand-alone cure. It is best used as one tool within a full physical therapy plan that addresses the underlying reason the elbow became irritated in the first place.
What Does Treatment Feel Like?
Most patients describe shockwave therapy as a tapping, pulsing, or pressure-like sensation over the treatment area.
Because irritated tendons can be sensitive, some discomfort during treatment is possible, but the intensity can usually be adjusted based on your tolerance and the goals of the session.
Treatment sessions are typically brief, and some patients notice mild soreness afterward, similar to what you might feel after a focused hands-on treatment or a challenging exercise session.
Why Physical Therapy Still Matters
While shockwave therapy may be helpful, successful treatment of elbow tendonitis usually requires more than just treating the painful spot.
At Pritchette Physical Therapy, your plan of care may also include:
Activity modification guidance
Mobility work
Hands-on therapy
Progressive strengthening
Grip and forearm loading exercises
Shoulder and wrist mechanics assessment
Movement retraining
Education on returning to work, sports, or the gym
This matters because elbow pain is often influenced by how the entire arm is functioning, not just the tendon itself. A comprehensive physical therapy approach helps address both the symptoms and the contributing factors.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
Shockwave therapy may be worth discussing if you:
Have ongoing tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow symptoms
Have pain that has not fully improved with rest alone
Feel limited with gripping, lifting, or exercise
Have chronic tendon irritation that is slowing your progress
Want to explore a non-invasive add-on treatment option
Your therapist will determine whether shockwave therapy is appropriate based on your symptoms, history, goals, and overall presentation.
When to Seek Help for Elbow Tendonitis
If your elbow pain has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or is affecting your work, workouts, sports, or normal routine, it may be time to get it evaluated.
The earlier you address ongoing tendon irritation, the better your chances of avoiding prolonged frustration and unnecessary limitation.
Shockwave Therapy at Pritchette Physical Therapy
At Pritchette Physical Therapy, shockwave therapy is offered as an add-on service to help support patients dealing with stubborn tendon and soft tissue pain, including elbow tendonitis.
This service is provided in conjunction with your physical therapy care and is not reimbursed by insurance plans.
If you are struggling with elbow pain and want to know whether shockwave therapy may be a good fit, our team can evaluate your condition and help you decide on the right treatment plan.
Ready to Learn More?
If elbow tendonitis is limiting your workouts, work tasks, or daily activities, ask your therapist whether shockwave therapy may be right for you.