Therapeutic Exercise Program for Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow)
Purpose of Program 
Specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles attached to the injured tendon will help with the healing
process. The early goal of a therapeutic exercise program is to promote muscle endurance and improve resistance to
repetitive stress.
Following a well-structured conditioning program will help you return to daily activities, as well as sports and other
recreational pastimes.
Length of program:
This exercise program for epicondylitis should be continued for 6 to 12 weeks, unless otherwise
specified by your doctor or physical therapist. After your recovery, your doctor or physical therapist can instruct you in
how these exercises can be continued as a maintenance program for lifelong protection and health of your elbows.
Flexibility: Strengthening the muscles that you strengthen is important for restoring range of motion and preventing injury. Gently stretching after strengthening exercises can help reduce muscle soreness.
If you’re in too much pain to even think about activity, rest and ice until you feel better. Then attempt stretching and strengthening.
Before you start to stretch, warm your muscles up with some light cardio, like brisk walking, for 10 to 15 minutes. The longer you can devote to stretching, the better you’ll feel and the easier the exercises will be.
Stretch every day if you can, and aim to do the strength exercises 2 to 3 times a week.
If it start to hurt at any point, don’t push it. Stop what you’re doing and see a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Getting Started
Warm up: Before doing the following exercises, warm up with 5 to 10 minutes of low impact activity, like walking or riding a stationary bicycle.
Stretch: After the warm-up, do the stretching exercises shown on Page 1 before moving on to the strengthening exercises. When you have completed the strengthening exercises, repeat the stretching exercises to end the program.
Do not ignore pain: You should not feel pain during an exercise. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist if you have any pain while exercising.
Ask questions: If you are not sure how to do an exercise, or how often to do it, contact your doctor or physical therapist.
Disclaimer
This program is for general information and understanding only. Please consult your physician for specific information about your condition.
Therapeutic Exercise Program for Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow)
1. Wrist Extension Stretch
Equipment needed: None
Repetitions: 5 reps,
4x a day
Days Per Week: 5 to 7
Step-by-step directions
- Straighten your arm and bend your wrist back as if signaling someone to “stop.”
- Use your opposite hand to apply gentle pressure across the palm and pull it toward you until you feel a stretch on the inside of your forearm.
- Hold the stretch for 15 seconds.
- Repeat 5 times, then perform this stretch on the other arm.
Tip Do not lock your elbow.
2. Wrist Flexion Stretch
Equipment needed: None
Repetitions: 5 reps,
4x a day
Days Per Week: 5 to 7
Step-by-step directions
Straighten your arm with your palm facing down and bend your wrist so that your fingers point down.
• Gently pull your hand toward your body until you feel a stretch on the outside of your forearm.
• Hold the stretch for 15 seconds.
• Repeat 5 times, then perform this stretch on the other arm.
Tip Do not lock your elbow.
Additional instructions: This stretch should be done throughout the day, especially before activity.
After recovery, this stretch should be included as part of a warm-up to activities that involve gripping, such as gardening, tennis, and golf.
3. Wrist Extension (Strengthening)
Equipment needed: Dumbbell hand weights (1 lb., 2 lbs., 3 lbs.)
Additional instructions: This exercise should be performed in stages. Begin each stage with no weight. When you are able to complete 30 repetitions on 2 consecutive days with no increase in pain, move forward in the program by increasing weight (begin with 1lb., advance to 2 lbs., end with 3 lbs.).
Repetitions: 30 reps,
1x a day
Days Per Week: 5 to 7
Stage 1: Bend your elbow to 90 degrees and support your forearm on a table with your wrist placed at the edge.
Stage 2: Straighten your elbow slightly. Continue to support your arm on the table.
Stage 3: Fully straighten your elbow and lift your arm so that it is no longer supported by the table.
Step-by-step directions to be followed for each stage
• With palm down, bend your wrist up as far as possible.
• Hold up for 1 count, then slowly lower 3 counts.
• Begin without using a weight and increase the repetitions until you can complete 30.
• When you can perform 30 repetitions on 2 consecutive days
without increasing pain, begin performing the exercise using a 1 lb. weight.
• Follow the same steps above to continue to increase repetitions and weight until you are using a 3 lb. weight and can perform 30 repetitions on 2 consecutive days without increasing pain.
Tip Do not let the weight pull your hand down too quickly.
4. Forearm Supination & Pronation (Strengthening)
Equipment needed: Dumbbell hand weights (1 lb., 2 lbs., 3 lbs.)
Additional instructions: This exercise should be performed in stages. Begin each stage with no
weight. When you are able to complete 30 repetitions on 2 consecutive days with no increase in
pain, move forward in the program by increasing weight (begin with 1lb., advance to 2 lbs., end
with 3 lbs.)
Repetitions: 30 reps,
1x a day
Days Per Week: 5 to 7
Stage 1: Bend your elbow to 90 degrees and support your forearm
on a table with your wrist placed at the edge.
Stage 2: Straighten your elbow slightly. Continue to support your
arm on the table.
Stage 3: Fully straighten your elbow and lift your arm so that it is
no longer supported by the table.
Step-by-step directions to be followed for each stage
Begin with palm facing the side. Slowly turn the palm facing up.
• Slowly return to the start position, then slowly turn the palm
down.
• Slowly return to start position. This completes one repetition.
• Begin without using a weight and increase the repetitions until you
can complete 30.
• When you can perform 30 repetitions on 2 consecutive days
without increasing pain, begin performing the exercise using a 1 lb.
weight.
• Follow the same steps above to continue to increase repetitions
and weight until you are using a 3 lb. weight and can perform
30 repetitions on 2 consecutive days without increasing pain.
Tip When using a dumbbell, try to let the weight pull your forearm in either direction as far as possible
5. Stress Ball Squeeze
Equipment needed: Rubber stress ball
Additional instructions: This exercise should be performed after completing the above staged strengthening
exercises. Your arm and elbow position for this exercise
should match the stage you are completing.
Repetitions: 10 reps,
1x a day
Days Per Week: 5 to 7
Tip When using a dumbbell, try to let the weight pull your forearm in either direction as far as possible
6. Finger Stretch
Equipment needed: Elastic band
Additional instructions: This exercise should be performed after completing the above staged strengthening exercises. Your arm and elbow position for this exercise should match the stage you are completing.
Repetitions: 10 reps,
1x a day
Days Per Week: 5 to 7
Tip When using a dumbbell, try to let the weight pull your forearm in either direction as far as possible
