Blog · Steve Hall · 9 July 2025
Osteopathy
Tennis elbow — and the neck
Lateral elbow pain is not always the elbow. Steve Hall on referred pain, tendons, and when shockwave physio is the better door.
Symptoms and what they can mean
Pain on lifting a kettle, gripping, or using a mouse. It is often a tendon load problem. Sometimes the cervical spine refers into the same patch. Both can be true.
What we can do in clinic
I examine neck, shoulder and elbow. Hands-on care can settle the chain. Stubborn tendons often need graded loading — Deborah’s diary, sometimes with shockwave, is built for that.
Red flags and when to see your GP
A sudden pop in the tendon, or an inability to extend the wrist after trauma, is not “tennis elbow” until examined medically.
This article is general information for people considering care at Health at Hart in Hartley Wintney. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a promise of outcome. If you have sudden, severe or unexplained symptoms — including chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel or bladder changes, or a new neurological problem — seek urgent medical advice (NHS 111 or 999). UK osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Counsellors named here are BACP-registered where stated. Always check with your GP or insurer if you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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