Pickleball is a great way to stay active, but for many players it can also lead to pain on the outside of the elbow. That pain is often called tennis elbow, even when tennis has nothing to do with it. If your elbow hurts when you grip a paddle, lift a bag, open a jar, or shake someone’s hand, you may be dealing with this common overuse injury.

The good news is that tennis elbow is treatable. With the right evaluation, activity modifications, and conservative care, many people are able to reduce pain, improve function, and get back to the activities they enjoy.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a condition involving irritation of the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. You may also hear it called lateral epicondylitis. It develops when repetitive use places too much strain on the forearm muscles and tendons, especially the ones involved in gripping, lifting, and wrist extension.

Despite the name, tennis elbow is not limited to tennis players. It can affect anyone who repeats the same arm and hand motions over time. That includes pickleball players, golfers, painters, mechanics, office workers, and people who do frequent lifting or tool use.

Can Pickleball Cause Tennis Elbow?

Yes, pickleball can contribute to tennis elbow.

Pickleball involves repeated gripping, swinging, wrist motion, and quick reactions. For some players, especially those who are playing more often, returning after time off, or using poor mechanics, those repeated motions can irritate the tissues on the outside of the elbow.

A few common factors can make pickleball-related tennis elbow more likely:

• Repetitive backhand shots
• Gripping the paddle too tightly
• Sudden increase in playing time
• Inadequate warm-up or recovery
• Poor stroke mechanics
• Continuing to play through pain

Not every elbow injury from pickleball is tennis elbow, which is why a proper evaluation matters. But when pain shows up on the outside of the elbow and gets worse with gripping or lifting, tennis elbow is often part of the conversation.

Common Tennis Elbow Symptoms

Tennis elbow symptoms often begin gradually. At first, you may only notice mild soreness after activity. Over time, that discomfort can become more persistent and start affecting daily tasks.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow
• Pain that may travel into the forearm
• Weak grip strength
• Increased pain when lifting, twisting, or carrying
• Discomfort when shaking hands or opening jars
• Pain when holding a paddle, racquet, or other object for long periods

Some people also notice stiffness or a burning sensation around the elbow. Symptoms may flare during sports, but they often show up just as much during simple everyday activities.

What Tennis Elbow Feels Like in Daily Life

Many people are surprised by how much tennis elbow affects normal routines. The pain is not always limited to sports.

You might feel it when:

• Lifting a coffee mug
• Turning a doorknob
• Pouring from a pitcher
• Typing for long periods
• Picking up groceries
• Carrying luggage or beach gear
• Using tools around the house

That is one reason tennis elbow can be so frustrating. Even if you stop playing pickleball for a while, the irritated tissues may still be aggravated by work, chores, or other repeated movements.

What Causes Tennis Elbow to Flare Up?

Tennis elbow is usually an overuse problem. The tissue becomes irritated when it is asked to handle more load than it can recover from.

Several things can contribute to a flare-up:

Repetitive Strain

Repeated wrist and forearm motion can overload the tendon attachment near the elbow.

Playing Through Pain

Mild irritation can become a more stubborn problem when it is ignored for too long.

Poor Recovery

Not enough rest between games, workouts, or physical tasks can keep the area from calming down.

Work and Hobbies

Tennis elbow is not always caused by sports. Repetitive use at work or home can also keep symptoms going.

Technique or Equipment Issues

Grip style, paddle choice, swing mechanics, and muscle imbalances may all play a role in how much stress is placed on the elbow and forearm.

How Tennis Elbow Is Diagnosed

A diagnosis usually starts with a conversation about your symptoms, activity level, and when the pain began. A physical exam can often reveal whether the pain pattern matches tennis elbow.

During an evaluation, a provider may look at:

• Where the pain is located
• What movements reproduce symptoms
• Grip strength and forearm involvement
• Whether wrist extension or resisted movement causes pain
• Whether other elbow, shoulder, neck, or nerve-related issues may be contributing

In many cases, imaging is not the first step unless symptoms are unusual, severe, or not improving as expected. The most important goal early on is identifying what is driving the irritation and what needs to change to help it settle down.

How We Treat Tennis Elbow at Atlantic Chiropractic & Rehab

At Atlantic Chiropractic & Rehab, treatment begins with understanding the person, not just the elbow. If you are dealing with pain from pickleball, tennis, work demands, or repetitive activity, the first step is identifying what is aggravating the problem and what may help support recovery.

Dr. Saracina’s background in sports injuries and extremity care helps shape a treatment approach that is focused, individualized, and practical. The goal is not only to reduce pain, but also to improve how the elbow, forearm, wrist, and surrounding structures are functioning.

Depending on the patient and presentation, a care plan may include:

• Activity and movement assessment
• Soft tissue-focused treatment
• Rehab guidance and home recommendations
• Supportive taping when appropriate
• Modality-based care such as cold laser therapy
• Treatment aimed at helping you return to activity as comfortably as possible

Care should match the severity of the problem, your activity goals, and how long symptoms have been present. Some patients want to get back on the pickleball court. Others simply want to work, lift, travel, or do household tasks without pain.

Treatment Options That May Help Relieve Tennis Elbow

Most people with tennis elbow do well with conservative care, especially when the problem is addressed early.

Activity Modification

That does not always mean stopping everything. It may mean reducing aggravating motions, changing frequency, or modifying how you move while the tissue calms down.

Soft Tissue Care

Hands-on care may help address tension and irritation in the forearm and surrounding tissues.

Rehab Support

Exercises and movement strategies may be used to improve function, restore tolerance, and support recovery.

Taping or Bracing

Supportive taping or external support may help reduce stress on the irritated area during activity.

Cold Laser Therapy

For some patients, this may be part of a conservative treatment plan to support recovery.

Progression Back to Activity

A smart return to pickleball or exercise is important. Jumping back in too fast can restart the cycle.

If symptoms persist or do not improve as expected, a more detailed evaluation can help determine the next best step.

How Long Does Tennis Elbow Take to Improve?

Recovery time varies. Some people improve relatively quickly once they reduce aggravating activity and begin the right treatment approach. Others deal with symptoms for longer, especially if the irritation has been building for months.

A few things can affect recovery:

• How long symptoms have been present
• How often the area is still being aggravated
• Whether treatment begins early
• How consistent the patient is with recommendations
• Whether there are other movement or overuse factors involved

One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long and hoping the problem will simply go away while continuing the same activities that caused it.

Tips to Help Prevent Pickleball Elbow

You may not be able to prevent every overuse injury, but you can lower your risk.

Helpful habits include:

• Warm up before playing
• Increase play time gradually
• Avoid gripping the paddle too tightly
• Pay attention to technique
• Give your body time to recover
• Do not ignore early soreness
• Address pain before it becomes a bigger setback

For active adults, prevention is often less about doing one perfect thing and more about respecting load, recovery, and mechanics over time.

When to Seek Help for Elbow Pain

It is a good idea to get checked if:

• Pain has lasted more than a couple of weeks
• Symptoms are getting worse instead of better
• You are losing grip strength
• Daily activities are becoming painful
• You cannot return to pickleball or exercise comfortably
• Rest alone is not helping

The earlier you understand what is going on, the easier it can be to create a plan that supports healing and helps prevent the problem from lingering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Elbow

What is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, is irritation of the tendons attached to the outside of the elbow. It is often caused by repetitive gripping, lifting, and wrist motion.

Can pickleball cause tennis elbow?

Yes. Repetitive swinging, gripping the paddle tightly, and increasing play too quickly can all contribute to tennis elbow symptoms.

What are the most common symptoms of tennis elbow?

Common symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow, weak grip strength, forearm discomfort, and pain when lifting, twisting, or opening jars.

How is tennis elbow treated?

Treatment may include activity modification, soft tissue care, rehab guidance, taping or bracing, and other conservative options based on the patient’s needs.

When should I seek help for elbow pain?

You should seek help if pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, gets worse, affects grip strength, or keeps you from normal activity or pickleball.

Tennis Elbow Treatment in Swansboro, NC

If you are dealing with elbow pain from pickleball, tennis, repetitive work, or everyday activity, getting the right guidance can make a real difference. An evaluation can help determine whether tennis elbow is the issue, what may be contributing to it, and what conservative treatment options may help.

At Atlantic Chiropractic & Rehab, Dr. Saracina works with patients in Cape Carteret, Emerald Isle, Swansboro, and surrounding Crystal Coast communities who want to get out of pain and back to living actively. Whether your goal is returning to pickleball or simply getting through the day more comfortably, a personalized treatment plan can help you take the next step.