If your elbow hurts when you lift something, turn a doorknob, or play sports like tennis or pickleball, you might have tennis elbow. This is a common injury. It happens when the tendons in your arm get sore from overuse. You don’t have to be an athlete to get it—many people who type, lift, or work with their hands feel this pain too.
The good news is that physical therapy for tennis elbow can help you feel better without needing surgery. Therapy helps your elbow heal faster and makes your arm stronger. It also teaches you how to move safely so the pain doesn’t come back.
If you live in Salem, Portland, Eugene, Gresham, or Hillsboro, Oregon, there are great options for care. One trusted place is with Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy, located inside Center 50+ at the Salem City Building, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301. You can call 971-202-1979 to ask about treatment.
With the right care, you can get back to your normal life—free from pain. This blog will guide you step by step to understand tennis elbow and how physical therapy can help, especially if you are in Oregon.
Tennis elbow is a kind of pain that happens on the outside part of your elbow. Its medical name is lateral epicondylitis. Even though it is called tennis elbow, you don’t have to play tennis to get it. Anyone who uses their arm a lot—like when typing, painting, cooking, or lifting—can get tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow happens when the muscles and tendons in your forearm are used too much. These tendons connect your muscles to the bone in your elbow. When they are used again and again, they get small tears. These tears cause pain and swelling. This often happens with people who work with their hands or do sports that use the same arm motion many times.
You might get tennis elbow from:
If you live in Salem, Portland, Eugene, Gresham, or Hillsboro, you are not alone. Many people in Oregon have this problem. But help is close. Physical therapy for tennis elbow can ease your pain and help you heal.
The pain from tennis elbow usually starts slow and gets worse over time. You might feel:
Sometimes, the pain may even travel down your forearm. If you notice these signs, it’s a good idea to talk to a physical therapist.
You can get expert care from Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301. Call 971-202-1979 to book a visit.
Tennis elbow can make daily life harder. Simple tasks like picking up your grocery bag, writing, brushing your teeth, or turning a doorknob can become painful. It may stop you from doing your job or enjoying your hobbies. If you ignore the pain, it can last longer and get worse.
That’s why physical therapy for tennis elbow is so important. It helps your arm heal in a safe and natural way. In Oregon cities like Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro, more people are choosing therapy instead of medicine or surgery.
If you have tennis elbow, you might think rest or pain medicine will fix it. But resting too much or only taking pills won’t solve the real problem. The best way to get better is through physical therapy for tennis elbow. This kind of care helps your elbow heal the right way and keeps the pain from coming back.
Physical therapy helps in many ways. It reduces pain, makes your arm stronger, and teaches you safe ways to move. A therapist will look at how you use your arm and give you exercises that match your needs. These movements are gentle at first but get stronger over time. They help fix the injured tendon and make the muscles around it stronger.
You’ll also learn how to stretch and move so you don’t hurt your arm again. Many people in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro choose therapy because it works without surgery or strong medicine.
If you are near Salem, you can visit Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy, Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE. Call 971-202-1979 to start your recovery.
Pain medicine might help for a little while, but it does not fix what’s wrong. It only hides the pain. Physical therapy for tennis elbow works to solve the real problem by healing the tendon and improving how your muscles move. This means you won’t just feel better now—you’ll stay better in the future.
Therapists also help you change the way you do things, like how you lift, grip, or use a keyboard. These small changes make a big difference.
Many people want to avoid surgery if they can. Surgery can be expensive and take a long time to heal. The good news is that most cases of tennis elbow do not need surgery. With the help of physical therapy, most people feel much better in a few weeks or months.
In cities like Gresham, Hillsboro, and Salem, more people are turning to therapy as the first step—not the last. It is safe, natural, and often covered by insurance.
For expert care, contact Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy in Salem at 971-202-1979.
If you are dealing with tennis elbow, the right treatment can make a big difference. Physical therapy for tennis elbow includes many safe and proven techniques. These methods help reduce pain, improve movement, and prevent the problem from coming back.
Manual therapy means the therapist uses their hands to gently move and stretch your muscles and tendons. This helps loosen tight areas, improve blood flow, and reduce pain. It also helps your elbow move more smoothly.
In Oregon cities like Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro, many therapists use this method as part of a complete healing plan. At HWY Physical Therapy, Dr. Raj offers hands-on care that fits your exact needs. You can visit the clinic at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301, or call 971-202-1979 to book a session.
Your forearm and wrist muscles need to be strong to support your elbow. Physical therapy includes simple exercises that help build strength without causing more pain. These might include wrist curls, grip squeezes, or light weight lifting with a small dumbbell.
Doing these exercises regularly helps your tendons heal and keeps the pain from coming back. Your therapist will show you the right form so you don’t hurt yourself.
Some therapists use tools like ultrasound, TENS (electrical stimulation), or heat and ice therapy to help reduce pain and swelling. These tools are safe and used along with exercise and stretching.
For example, ultrasound sends sound waves into your elbow to speed up healing. TENS uses gentle electrical pulses to block pain signals. Ice helps with swelling, and heat relaxes stiff muscles.
Many clinics in Portland, Hillsboro, and Salem offer these tools during therapy sessions, including HWY Physical Therapy with Dr. Raj.
Sometimes, your therapist may use kinesiology tape or a brace. These help support your elbow while you heal. The tape helps guide your arm to move the right way, and the brace gives your tendons a break while doing daily tasks.
These supports are useful when your pain is strong or if you need extra help at work or home. Your therapist will tell you how long to use them.
Good therapy doesn’t stop at the clinic. Your therapist will give you a home exercise plan. This may include stretches, strength moves, and ways to use your arm better every day.
They’ll also teach you ergonomic tips, like how to hold a mouse, lift things properly, or use better tools. These small changes at home or work help prevent future pain.
If you live in Salem or nearby cities, you can get a custom program from Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy. Call 971-202-1979 for an appointment.
If you are searching for the best physical therapy for tennis elbow, it helps to know what to look for. A good clinic will give you care that fits your pain, your body, and your daily life. In Oregon cities like Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro, there are many options, but some places stand out for their service and results.
When choosing a clinic, check if:
Also, ask if the clinic takes your insurance and offers times that fit your schedule. A caring team can make healing faster and easier.
A good clinic doesn’t use the same plan for everyone. They check how your elbow moves, how bad the pain is, and what your daily life is like. Then they create a physical therapy plan for tennis elbow just for you.
In Salem, you can visit Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy, located inside Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE. He builds a custom plan that includes hands-on therapy, safe exercises, and help with your daily tasks. To learn more or to book a session, call 971-202-1979.
People in Portland, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro often say that therapy helped them avoid surgery and get back to doing what they love. They feel stronger, move better, and have less pain after just a few weeks of care.
In Salem, many patients have had great results with Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy. They say he listens, explains things clearly, and gives real help that works. This kind of care builds trust and leads to better healing.
When starting physical therapy for tennis elbow, one of the first questions people ask is: "How long will it take to get better?" The answer depends on how bad your injury is and how well you follow your therapy plan. But the good news is that most people start feeling better in just a few weeks.
Most people with tennis elbow begin to feel some relief after 2 to 3 weeks of therapy. With steady care, many recover fully in 6 to 12 weeks. Some cases that are more painful or have lasted a long time may take a few months. But the key is to be patient and stay with your plan.
Here’s what a typical timeline might look like:
This is just a guide. Every person is different. Your therapist will check your progress and adjust the plan for you.
If you live in Salem, Portland, Eugene, Gresham, or Hillsboro, Oregon, therapy plans are built to fit your lifestyle. For care that’s focused and personal, you can visit Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy, inside Center 50+ at 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301. To ask questions or book a visit, call 971-202-1979.
Some things can make healing faster or slower, such as:
Your therapist will help you understand what helps and what hurts your healing.
When you have tennis elbow, it can be tempting to ignore the pain or try to fix it yourself. But some actions can make things worse. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what helps. Avoiding these mistakes can make your healing faster and easier.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is using the arm too much before it’s ready. Even if the pain starts to go away, your tendon may still be healing. Lifting, pulling, or doing hard work too soon can hurt your elbow again.
In Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro, many people work jobs or enjoy hobbies that involve arm motion. Your therapist will help you know when it’s safe to return to those activities.
Some people start physical therapy for tennis elbow but stop when the pain feels better. This can lead to a return of the injury. Therapy is not just about pain relief—it's also about building strength and preventing the problem from coming back.
If you’re in Salem, don’t stop early. Keep up with your full therapy plan at HWY Physical Therapy with Dr. Raj, Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301. Call 971-202-1979 to stay on track.
Pain pills may make your elbow feel better for a short time, but they do not heal the tendon. Taking only medicine hides the pain, which can lead to more damage if you keep using your arm the wrong way.
Physical therapy is the best way to treat the root cause of the pain. It helps the tendon repair and teaches you how to move safely.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you give your elbow the best chance to heal well—and stay pain-free in the future.
Once your elbow starts to feel better, it's important to keep it that way. Making small changes in your daily life can help stop the pain from coming back. These changes are called lifestyle modifications, and they are a big part of physical therapy for tennis elbow.
If your job or hobby uses the same arm movement again and again, it can cause stress on your elbow. Try to:
At work or home, set up your desk or table to fit your body. This is called ergonomics. Your therapist can show you how to adjust your chair, desk, and keyboard to protect your arm. Many people in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro work office jobs or hands-on roles where good posture is key.
In Salem, you can learn these tips from Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy, Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE. Call 971-202-1979 to ask about a session.
Stretching your forearm and wrist helps keep your muscles and tendons loose and healthy. It also improves blood flow, which helps healing. Simple stretches can be done at home, at work, or even while standing in line.
Regular movement is important too. Being active helps your whole body feel better and keeps joints from getting stiff. But remember—move smart, not hard. If something hurts, stop and talk to your therapist.
What you eat can also help your body heal. A healthy diet gives your tendons the building blocks they need. Some helpful foods include:
Avoid too much sugar, fried food, and soda, which can cause swelling in the body.
By making these simple changes, you can keep your elbow strong and prevent injury. Your therapist will give you tips that fit your own lifestyle, whether you live in Gresham, Hillsboro, or right here in Salem.
Many people across Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro have dealt with the pain of tennis elbow. But with the right care, they got back to doing what they love. These success stories show that physical therapy for tennis elbow really works.
Emily from Portland works on a computer all day. She started feeling pain in her elbow when she typed or picked up her coffee mug. At first, she thought it would go away on its own. But it got worse. She started physical therapy and learned new ways to move her hands and stretch her arm. After a few weeks, her pain was almost gone. Now she does her home exercises daily and feels strong again.
Mike from Eugene is a mechanic. He uses tools every day and had pain that stopped him from doing his job well. His therapist taught him how to hold tools in a better way and gave him arm-strengthening exercises. After two months of therapy, he was back to full work with no pain.
Sarah from Hillsboro loved playing pickleball at her local gym. But she had to stop because of sharp pain in her elbow. She went through physical therapy for tennis elbow and got a full plan with stretches, tape, and support. Now she plays again, pain-free, and tells her friends to try therapy too.
In Salem, many patients have had great results with Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy. One patient said, “Dr. Raj really listened. He didn’t rush. He showed me easy moves that helped so much. I can lift my grandkids again.”
You can visit HWY Physical Therapy at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301 or call 971-202-1979 to start your own recovery.
These stories remind us that healing is possible. With care, support, and the right exercises, you can live without elbow pain too.
If you're thinking about starting physical therapy for tennis elbow, you may have questions. Below are some common ones people in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro often ask.
Yes, most insurance plans cover physical therapy if it is medically needed. Check with your provider to see what is included in your plan. Many people in Oregon use their insurance to get care for tennis elbow.
You can also call Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy in Salem at 971-202-1979 to ask about coverage and payment options.
Most people go to therapy 1 to 3 times per week, depending on how bad the pain is. Your therapist will tell you what schedule works best for your healing. You’ll also get exercises to do at home.
Yes, your therapist will give you safe exercises to do at home. These help your elbow get stronger and heal faster. But it’s important to do them the right way, so always follow your therapist’s advice.
Yes, there are trained physical therapists in all major Oregon cities, including Gresham and Hillsboro. If you are near Salem, you can visit Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy, located at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE, or call 971-202-1979.
Some people start to feel better in just a few weeks. Full healing may take 6 to 12 weeks. It depends on how long you’ve had pain and how closely you follow your therapy plan.
Tennis elbow can make everyday life hard. It can stop you from working, playing, or even doing small things like opening a jar. But you don’t have to live with the pain. Physical therapy for tennis elbow is a safe, smart, and proven way to heal.
Instead of using just pain pills or waiting for the pain to go away, physical therapy helps fix the real problem. It makes your elbow stronger, teaches you how to move safely, and helps stop the pain from coming back. Whether you live in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, or Hillsboro, Oregon, help is close by.
In Salem, you can get trusted care from Dr. Raj at HWY Physical Therapy, inside Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd NE. He will listen to your concerns and build a plan just for you. To start your recovery, call 971-202-1979 today.
With the right help, you can get back to doing what you love—free from elbow pain.
If you want to learn more about tennis elbow and how to stay pain-free, here are three helpful topics you can search on Google:
If you or someone you know is struggling with tennis elbow in or around Salem, Oregon, don’t wait to get help. At HWY Physical Therapy, Dr. Raj offers one-on-one care that is simple, clear, and focused on your needs. Whether your pain is new or has been around for a while, you’ll get a plan that helps you feel better—without surgery or strong medicine.
Visit HWY Physical Therapy inside Center 50+ at 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301, or call 971-202-1979 today to ask questions or book your first appointment. Relief starts with the right support. Reach out now—you deserve to live pain-free.