Tennis Elbow: Exercises

Your Care Instructions

Here are some examples of typical rehabilitation exercises for your condition. Start each exercise slowly. Ease off the exercise if you start to have pain.

Your doctor or physiotherapist will tell you when you can start these exercises and which ones will work best for you.

How to do the exercises

Wrist flexor stretch

slide 1 of 6

slide 1 of 6, Wrist flexor stretch,

Extend your arm in front of you with your palm up.
Bend your wrist, pointing your hand toward the floor.
With your other hand, gently bend your wrist farther until you feel a mild to moderate stretch in your forearm.
Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Wrist extensor stretch

slide 2 of 6

slide 2 of 6, Wrist extensor stretch,

Repeat steps 1 to 4 of the stretch above but begin with your extended hand palm down.

Ball or sock squeeze

slide 3 of 6

slide 3 of 6, Ball or sock squeeze,

Hold a tennis ball (or a rolled-up sock) in your hand.
Make a fist around the ball (or sock) and squeeze.
Hold for about 6 seconds, and then relax for up to 10 seconds.
Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Switch the ball (or sock) to your other hand and do 8 to 12 times.

Wrist deviation

slide 4 of 6

slide 4 of 6, Wrist deviation,

Sit so that your arm is supported but your hand hangs off the edge of a flat surface, such as a table.
Hold your hand out like you are shaking hands with someone.
Move your hand up and down.
Repeat this motion 8 to 12 times.
Switch arms.
Try to do this exercise twice with each hand.

Wrist curls

slide 5 of 6

slide 5 of 6, Wrist curls,

Place your forearm on a table with your hand hanging over the edge of the table, palm up.
Place a 0.5 to 1 kilogram weight in your hand. This may be a dumbbell, a can of food, or a filled water bottle.
Slowly raise and lower the weight while keeping your forearm on the table and your palm facing up.
Repeat this motion 8 to 12 times.
Switch arms, and do steps 1 through 4.
Repeat with your hand facing down toward the floor. Switch arms.

Biceps curls

slide 6 of 6

slide 6 of 6, Biceps curls,

Sit leaning forward with your legs slightly spread and your left hand on your left thigh.
Place your right elbow on your right thigh, and hold the weight with your forearm horizontal.
Slowly curl the weight up and toward your chest.
Repeat this motion 8 to 12 times.
Switch arms, and do steps 1 through 4.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.