Tennis elbow: when to see a doctor and your first visit
Tennis elbow can occur in people who have never played tennis. Book an appointment with your doctor when symptoms first appear or home care does not help. Call me or message me on WhatsApp to arrange a visit at my San Pedro de Alcántara clinic or at home.
Clinic in San Pedro de Alcántara, by appointment only · Home visits in San Pedro, Marbella, Benahavís and, with prior notice, Estepona
Comprehensive Body Assessment €70 at the clinic · €120 at home
Phone +34 672 29 91 22
When to see a doctor or call 112
Book an appointment with your doctor
- These symptoms have appeared for the first time.
- Home care does not help the symptoms.
- Your elbow still hurts after at least two weeks of rest and self-care.
In an emergency, call 112.
Osteopathy does not replace your doctor or any medication you have been prescribed.
What tennis elbow is
Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, causes soreness or pain on the outside of the upper arm near the elbow.
Repeated use of the forearm muscles can cause small tears in the tendon. A tendon is the part of a muscle that attaches to bone. It can occur with racket sports or everyday tasks, such as turning a screwdriver or using a keyboard and mouse.
Elbow pain can worsen over time and spread to the forearm and back of the hand when grasping or twisting. Your grip can also become weaker.
Sometimes the cause is unknown. As general information about its course, tennis elbow usually gets better after resting the arm for a few weeks, but can sometimes last over a year. Your doctor will assess your case and tell you what care is appropriate for you. These timelines do not describe results from my sessions. Your doctor makes the diagnosis and advises you about medication.
If you get in touch about tennis elbow: your first visit
Choose where to meet
Use WhatsApp to say whether you would like to come to the clinic or have a home visit, and give your town. You can also phone me. We agree a day and time.
Talking through your history
The initial appointment is the Comprehensive Body Assessment. It includes a case history, a full check and first contact. The case history is our conversation about your health.
The first hands-on work
I observe and listen to you, assess your case and do some first hands-on work. There is no single action on an isolated area: I look at your body as one single, indivisible unit.
When I refer you to your doctor
Any doubt, or being unable to work on your case, means I recommend a visit to your doctor.
The way I work in sessions
I do deep, hands-on sessions. My work includes advice on posture and home exercises chosen for each person. I do not promise an outcome.
For more about my approach, see how I work in osteopathy.
Prices
Visit locations and what you pay
For an appointment in San Pedro de Alcántara, come to C/ Ilusión 17, Fuente Nueva. Visits to the clinic are by appointment only. If you drive, free parking on unpaved ground is available 50 m away.
You can also arrange a visit at your home, hotel or villa. I make these visits in San Pedro, Benahavís and Marbella, including Nueva Andalucía and Puerto Banús. Visits in Estepona need prior notice.
- Comprehensive Body Assessment at the clinic: €70, 60 minutes.
- Comprehensive Body Assessment at home: €120 for the initial visit.
- Osteopathy session at the clinic: €70 per session.
- Session at home: from €100.
You can pay by bank transfer, Bizum or cash. I do not work with insurance companies. You can check the prices for each type of visit.
For medical emergencies, call 112.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about your elbow and the appointment
Can this happen if I have never played tennis?
Yes. It can also be linked to repeated wrist movements at work and computer use. Sometimes no cause is found.
Should I see a doctor the first time my elbow hurts?
Book an appointment with your doctor when these symptoms first appear. See the guidance in the medical advice box above.
Would my existing elbow reports be useful at the visit?
You can bring reports or test results from your doctor or specialist to the appointment. Having them is not a requirement.
What if I have already had an elbow operation?
The doctor who looked after you makes that decision. We start after medical discharge, with their go-ahead and following all their instructions and safety requirements.
Who is more likely to get tennis elbow?
Anyone can get it, but it is more common in people aged 35 to 54.
How long can tennis elbow last?
As general information about its course, tennis elbow usually gets better after resting the arm for a few weeks, but can sometimes last over a year. Your doctor will assess your case and tell you what care is appropriate for you. These timelines do not describe results from my sessions.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, “Tennis elbow”, reviewed 27 August 2024; accessed 5 November 2026. Used for: definition, causes, symptoms and when to book a medical appointment.
- NHS, “Tennis elbow”, reviewed 31 May 2024; accessed 5 November 2026. Used for: most common ages, duration and seeing a doctor after two weeks of rest and self-care.
Tell me what kind of visit you need and where
Phone +34 672 29 91 22
To arrange a visit, tell me your town and whether you prefer the clinic or a home visit. Don’t send diagnoses, reports or medical test results by message.
Clinic in San Pedro de Alcántara, by appointment only; home visits in San Pedro, Marbella, Benahavís and, with prior notice, Estepona. Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM.
I do the sessions in Spanish or English.