SupremeNever played tennis? Still got tennis elbow?
Opening a jar makes you wince. Shaking hands hurts. Even the mouse aches by Thursday. Most tennis elbow has nothing to do with tennis. It's forearm muscles overloaded by gripping, typing and lifting.
Nick Monczakowski 4.9 from 74 Google reviews · 13+ years
It's rarely about tennis.
Small muscles, big workload.
One small forearm muscle takes most of the strain every time you grip or type. It's attached right where the pain is.
Little and often adds up.
Thousands of mouse clicks and key presses a day irritate the tendon as surely as a hard backhand.
Leave it and it digs in.
The longer it goes on, the more sensitive the tendon becomes and the slower it recovers. Early treatment works far better than waiting.
Two elbows. Two different problems.
Both are overload of the forearm tendons. Which side hurts tells Nick which muscles to work on.
Tennis elbow
The muscles that lift your wrist and fingers. Hurts gripping, lifting a kettle, using a mouse or shaking hands.
Golfer's elbow
The muscles that bend your wrist and turn your forearm. Hurts carrying, pulling, gripping tools or climbing. Golfer’s elbow →
The whole forearm, not just the elbow.
ECRB
A small forearm muscle attached right at the sore spot. Releasing it takes the tension off the tendon.
Common extensor tendon
Careful cross-fibre work at the tendon helps it remodel and calms the sensitivity.
The rest of the extensors
Several forearm muscles pull on the same point. Treating them all is what makes it last.
Referred pain
Knots in the forearm can send pain into the elbow. Hands-on assessment picks this up before treatment.
Who gets tennis elbow?
Desk workers
Mouse, keyboard and trackpad all day. Low load, but constant. One of the most common problems Nick saw treating staff at Google HQ. Massage for desk workers →
Racket players
Tennis, padel, squash and badminton, especially on the backhand. Nick coached tennis for 8 years, so he knows exactly how grip and technique load the arm.
Tradespeople
Plumbers, electricians, carpenters and decorators gripping tools all day, usually on the dominant arm. Manual worker pain →
Gym regulars
Heavy gripping on rows, pull-ups and deadlifts with forearms that never get any attention.
Parents
Lifting car seats and carrying little ones, usually on the same arm.
Gardeners & DIYers
A weekend of pruning, digging or drilling the forearms aren't used to.
Elbow myths. Busted.
“I don't play tennis, so it can't be tennis elbow.”
Tap to flip →Most people with tennis elbow have never held a racket. It's about how much you grip, type and lift, not which sport you play.
“A strap will fix it.”
Tap to flip →A strap can ease the load while you work. It doesn't release the tight forearm muscles behind it.
“Rest it completely.”
Tap to flip →Complete rest weakens the tendon. Changing how you load it while treating the forearm settles it faster.
One hour. A better grip.
- 01
Talk
How long it's been going on, what sets it off and how you use your arms day to day.
- 02
Assess
Hands-on assessment of the forearm to find where the tension sits and whether it's referred.
- 03
Treat
Release of the extensor group plus careful cross-fibre work at the tendon attachment.
- 04
Plan
Practical changes for work and sport so the tendon can settle between sessions.
Arms that work again.
“I went in with a really tight neck and some lingering wrist pain and he quickly pinpointed the problem areas… After the session, my neck felt noticeably looser and the wrist pain had eased a lot.”
Tomasz · Neck & wrist“Nick definitely have done a good job taking care of me whenever I am in pain, muscle fatigue or post tennis tension.”
Will · Tennis player“I had issues with my shoulder because of work and softball. I received 4-5 sessions from Nick and got my shoulder back in proper working condition.”
Ashley · SoftballBefore you book for tennis elbow.
Can sports massage help tennis elbow?
Yes. Tennis elbow responds well to targeted work on the forearm extensor muscles plus careful cross-fibre friction at the tendon attachment on the outside of the elbow. That releases tight fibres, takes load off the tendon and helps it remodel. Most people see a clear improvement within 3 to 4 sessions.
What is the difference between tennis elbow and golfer's elbow?
Tennis elbow is on the outside of the elbow where the muscles that lift the wrist attach. Golfer's elbow is on the inside where the muscles that bend the wrist attach. Both are overload of the tendon. The approach is similar but works on different muscle groups. Some people have both.
How many sessions will I need for tennis elbow?
Most people see a clear improvement within 3 to 4 sessions. Full recovery usually takes 6 to 8 weeks alongside sensible load changes. Long-standing cases may need more. You'll get an honest view after the first session.
Can I still use my arm while having treatment?
Yes, in most cases. The aim is to reduce load through the tendon, not stop using your arm. Nick will tell you which movements to change while it recovers. Complete rest is rarely needed and can slow recovery.
Is tennis elbow massage safe?
Yes. Targeted soft tissue work and cross-fibre friction at the outer elbow are well-established treatments for tennis elbow. Nick adjusts pressure and technique to the stage you're at.
When to see your GP first
Call NHS 111 or see your GP before booking if you have elbow pain with any of these:
- Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in your hand
- Elbow pain after a fall or knock, with swelling or the elbow looking out of shape
- A hot, red or swollen elbow, especially with a fever
- You can't straighten or bend the elbow fully
Not sure? WhatsApp Nick a quick description first. If massage isn't the right first step, he'll tell you before you book.
Your elbow has company.
Get your grip back.
- £80 first session, assessment included
- Mon–Fri 11am–7pm
- Near New Malden station · free street parking
- Personal reply from Nick, usually same day
“As a qualified massage therapist myself it's great to get a massage for a change. Nick is the real deal.”