Tennis Elbow Treatment in Mineola, NY

MULLIGAN CONCEPT

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow from overloaded forearm tendons, and most people who get it don't play tennis. At Enhanced Physical Therapy in Mineola, we use the Mulligan lateral glide, which often lets you grip with less pain during the visit, along with taping and progressive tendon loading. It is one of the best-studied uses of the Mulligan Concept.

Certified Mulligan Practitioner Over 10 Years of Experience

Our clinics director is a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) with over a decade
of experience using this evidence-based approach. Each treatment is customized to
your specific diagnosis and movement limitations to achieve optimal outcomes.

Common signs of tennis elbow

Pain on the outside of the elbow, sometimes down the forearm
Pain gripping, lifting a coffee cup or shaking hands
Weak grip
Pain typing, using a mouse or turning a doorknob
Tenderness over the bony point on the outside of the elbow

What causes it

Tennis elbow develops when the tendons that lift the wrist are loaded more than they can handle: repetitive gripping, keyboard and mouse work, home projects, racquet sports and lifting. It is most common between 35 and 55. The neck can contribute, so we check it.

How we examine it

Before any hands-on treatment, we ask about your health and screen for anything that needs a doctor first. We confirm the diagnosis, check the neck, and measure pain-free grip strength. Then we test the lateral glide: while Dr. Kurian holds the forearm bones gently to the side, you grip again. If grip is stronger and less painful, the technique is likely to help.

Mulligan techniques we use

Lateral glide MWM with gripping. Dr. Kurian steadies your upper arm and holds a gentle sideways glide of the forearm while you grip. Repeated in short sets.
Self-MWM with a belt. A home version so you can practice pain-free gripping.
Mulligan elbow taping. Tape to hold the glide during work.
Pain Release Phenomenon (PRP). For pain lasting more than six weeks, sustained gentle pressure held until the pain eases. PRP here means Pain Release Phenomenon, not platelet rich plasma.

What the research says

In a trial of 198 people published in the BMJ in 2006 (Bisset et al.), physical therapy combining Mulligan elbow mobilization with exercise had a 65 percent success rate at 6 weeks compared with 27 percent for wait-and-see. Cortisone injections worked faster at first (78 percent at 6 weeks), but at one year physical therapy reached 94 percent against 68 percent for injections, and most injection responders relapsed. Reviews rate MWM alone as lower certainty, so we always pair it with exercise.

What else is in your treatment plan

Your plan combines the lateral glide and taping with progressive wrist and grip strengthening, workload changes and ergonomic advice.

How long recovery takes

Many people feel stronger, less painful grip within the first few sessions. Tendons adapt slowly, so full recovery usually takes 6 to 12 weeks.

When to see a doctor first

Call your doctor, or get urgent care, if you have any of the following:

Elbow pain after a fall with swelling or deformity
A hot, red, swollen elbow
Numbness or tingling in the hand
Constant pain at rest and at night
Elbow pain that started with neck pain and arm symptoms

Tennis elbow treatment near Mineola

Enhanced Physical Therapy is at 137 Willis Ave, Suite 100, Mineola, NY 11501, a short walk from NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. We see patients from Mineola, Garden City, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Carle Place, Westbury, Albertson and Manhasset, and across central Nassau County.

Frequently asked questions

How long does tennis elbow take to heal?

Most people improve within 6 to 12 weeks with the right loading plan. Without treatment it can last a year or longer.

Is a cortisone shot or physical therapy better?

In the BMJ trial, injections helped faster at first but had worse results and more relapses at one year than physical therapy with Mulligan mobilization and exercise.

Does a brace help?

A brace or tape can ease pain during activity, but it works best alongside strengthening.

Can I keep working?

Usually yes. We help you adjust how you grip and how much you do.

Written and clinically reviewed by Jacob Kurian, PT, MSPT, CMP, DPT, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Enhanced Physical Therapy, Mineola NY. Last updated October 14, 2026.

Move Better, Feel Better

If this is limiting your work, sleep or activity, call Enhanced Physical Therapy at (516) 833-5880 to book an evaluation with Jacob Kurian, Certified Mulligan Practitioner. Mulligan treatment may help reduce pain and improve movement, and we will tell you honestly what to expect.