Tennis elbow

Pain on the outside of the elbow from overloaded forearm tendons, not just from tennis.

By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026

The condition

What it is

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylalgia, is irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow where the forearm muscles attach. It usually comes from repetitive gripping and wrist use at work, in the garden or in sport, not only from tennis.

Signs

Signs and symptoms

Everyone is different, but these are common with tennis elbow. You may have some and not others.

Pain on the outside of the elbowPain gripping or liftingTender bony point on the elbowPain with a handshake or turning a keyWeak gripAching down the forearm
Treatment

How physiotherapy helps

Tendon pain responds best to the right kind of loading. We confirm the diagnosis, settle the irritation with hands on therapy and dry needling, and build a progressive strengthening program for the forearm. We also look at the grip and work tasks feeding it.

  • Elbow and grip assessment
  • Soft tissue release and dry needling
  • Progressive forearm strengthening
  • Workload and technique advice
Book an assessment
Physiotherapy for Tennis elbow at PACT Physio & Rehab in Miranda, NSW
Fees and rebates

What you will actually pay

The full fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. Once your cover is applied, here is what you actually pay.

Full fee, no cover
Initial · 60 min $165
Follow up · 40 min $142

Before any rebate. Private paying is welcome, and your fee buys the whole session, never a rushed 20 minutes.

$165
$142
Initial
Follow up
With a Medicare plan
Initial $103.20
Follow up $80.20

A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.

$103.20
$80.20
Initial
Follow up
With private health extras
Initial $60 to $100
Follow up $40 to $80

The usual out of pocket once you claim on the spot, depending on your level of cover.

$60 to $100
$40 to $80
Initial
Follow up
Workers comp & CTP
No out of pocket
Initial $0
Follow up $0

Nothing for you to pay at any visit. Accepted workers compensation and CTP motor accident claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.

$0
$0
Initial
Follow up

The bars compare what an initial and a follow up visit cost you on each pathway.

See full fees and rebates. Telehealth with PACT Virtual Care is charged at the same rates, Australia wide.

Related injuries

Other problems we help with

Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know before you book

Why has my tennis elbow lasted so long?
Tendons are slow to settle and often flare with rest alone. A graded strengthening program usually does more than rest or bracing on their own.
How much will it cost?
Initial physiotherapy is $165 for 60 minutes and follow ups are $142 for 40 minutes. Approved workers comp and CTP appointments are billed directly to the insurer.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book privately. Referrals are required for Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans and most claim pathways.
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Many problems can be assessed and guided well by telehealth through PACT Virtual Care, with hands on treatment added at the Miranda clinic when it helps.

Sources and further reading

Written and reviewed by Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed July 2026.

This page is general information about tennis elbow, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.

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Get on top of tennis elbow

Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.