Struggling With Tennis Elbow Pain?
Does This Describe You?
- You are struggling with elbow pain and not sure what to do or who to ask.
- You are frustrated that your injury is stopping you from doing the things you love.
- You are having difficulty sleeping because of your elbow pain and this is affecting your energy and well being during the day.
- You are frustrated that the pain is making simple things like lifting a cup of coffee or a bag of groceries, so difficult.
- You have had an injection for your elbow and are disappointed that you are still struggling with pain.
- You are starting to worry that this isn’t ever going to get better and might mean you are getting arthritis or might need an injection.
Here at Compass Health Clinic, our highly experienced team are dedicated to serving the local community in Finchley and surrounding areas and helping tennis elbow sufferers just like you, get back to doing the things you love, without pain or restriction.
What is tennis elbow?
And why isn’t your pain going away?

Tennis elbow (previously known as lateral epicondylitis) is now known as epicondylalgia and produces:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow.
- Pain on lifting and twisting movements.
- Pain may also occur at night when the arm is at rest.
- Pain gripping.
On the outside of the elbow joint is an area where lots of different tendons from the forearm insert onto the same area of bone. In cases of tennis elbow this “common insertion point” becomes very painful.
It can be caused by trauma such as a fall or impact to the area, but is more commonly caused by overuse or repetitive movements such as using hand tools, free weights or racquet sports like tennis.
We constantly use our elbow in everyday movements making it quite tricky to rest. Untreated tennis elbow can last weeks, months or longer.








At Compass Health Clinic we’ve helped 1000s of patients with their pain, creating curated treatment programmes that support them on their journey to doing the things they love.
Our 3 simple steps to eliminating tennis elbow

Step 1: Choosing the Correct Treatment Approach.
The best approach depends on how long you’ve been suffering from tennis elbow. If you’ve been suffering with tennis elbow for less than 3 months, then the best choice is osteopathy or physiotherapy, which incorporates a mixture of hands on therapy, education, advice and exercise. If you’ve been experiencing pain for more than 3 months, then evidence suggests shockwave therapy will provide you with the best outcomes, and reduce your recovery time. All shockwave therapy sessions include hands on therapy, education, advice and exercises as well.
Step 2: Latest technology for tennis elbow treatment
Shockwave therapy is a targeted therapy that can help with a multitude of chronic tendon and muscular issues. It is delivered no-invasively through the skin and is often indicated in those whole have not responded to other forms of treatment.
Compass Health Clinic is proud to have invested in shockwave therapy to ensure our patients have the latest technology and support during the recovery of plantar fasciitis.
Step 3: Education, rehab and advice
This is the most important step, where we will explain what exactly is happening, your triggers so you know what not to do, and exercise advice to gently and progressively increase the load and capacity of your foot, so it reduces the chances of re-occurance into the future.
Shockwave Therapy for tennis elbow - finchley
Shockwave therapy is also known as radial shockwave therapy. It is a newly available treatment for the management of pain, predominantly found in tendon issues such as tennis elbow.
A shockwave is an intense, short energy wave that moves faster than the speed of sound. This energy wave is used to target painful areas such as the foot, knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. The energy creates micro-trauma, which in turn accelerates the healing process by switching on the body’s own healing mechanisms.

“Cannot recommend Andy at Compass Health Clinic enough. Extremely thorough and professional. His knowledge and care really shine through. He used a variety of approaches and techniques during the session and I’m significantly better after my first treatment. I feel his assessment and diagnosis was spot on and I have exercises and resources to support me until our next session. Excellent care.”
James, Google Review
Travelling for shockwave therapy from North London?
We treat patients from all over north London. Patients travel from High Barnet, Whetstone, Totteridge, West Finchley, Southgate, Muswell Hill and Finchley Central. Want to find out more? Click below:
Frequently Asked Questions About tennis elbow:
Q: What causes tennis elbow and do I need to play tennis to get it?
A: No, you definitely do not need to play tennis. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) is caused by overloading the tendons on the outside of the elbow, usually through repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting movements. It is very common in people who work at desks, do manual work, or use tools regularly. It can also develop from activities like gardening, decorating, or gym workouts. The name is somewhat misleading — only a small fraction of people with tennis elbow actually play tennis. |
Q: How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
A: Tennis elbow can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to fully resolve, depending on how long you have had it and how it is managed. With the right treatment and rehabilitation, most people see significant improvement within 6–12 weeks. The key is a structured, progressive loading programme that gradually strengthens the tendon. If the condition has been present for more than three months, shockwave therapy can help accelerate recovery. |
Q: What is the best treatment for tennis elbow?
A: The most effective treatment is a combination of specific tendon-loading exercises, activity modification, and hands-on treatment. At Compass Health Clinic, we create a personalised rehabilitation programme that progressively strengthens the affected tendon. For stubborn cases lasting more than three months, we also offer shockwave therapy, which has strong evidence for treating tendon problems. We avoid recommending complete rest, as this often leads to weaker tendons and a slower recovery. |
Q: Can shockwave therapy help with tennis elbow?
A: Yes. Shockwave therapy is one of the most effective treatments for chronic tennis elbow that has not responded to exercises and other conservative treatment. It works by stimulating the body’s natural healing response in the damaged tendon. Research shows positive outcomes for tendon problems when combined with a structured rehabilitation programme, which is exactly how we use it at our North Finchley clinic. |
Book Your Appointment for Tennis Elbow Treatment in Finchley
Don’t live with pain. Book with us today and be reassured that you’re in the hands of experienced, caring professionals who will give you the most effective treatments.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us, and our experts will be happy to help and advise.
Had Tennis Elbow 3 Months or More?
Book a shockwave appointment. Shockwave is most appropriate for stubborn chronic pain that may not have responded to other treatments.
Had Tennis Elbow Less Than 3 Months?
Book an osteopathy or physiotherapy appointment. Both are hands-on physical therapies that treat bursitis in the same way, and are most suitable for treating bursitis that has not become a long-term problem.
If you have questions or need further advice, please contact us and we will be happy to help.