McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
Tennis Elbow Treatment in Fort Myers for Pickleball Players and More
Looking for tennis elbow treatment in Fort Myers? You are in good company. Walk past any pickleball court in town at 8 a.m. and count the elbow straps.
Our view: if your elbow has hurt for more than a couple of months, rest and a strap are not enough. That is the point where we think SoftWave is worth trying, well before a shot or a surgery talk.
- 5.0 from 198 Google reviews
- Dr. Lee Angle, D.C.
- McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a sore tendon on the outside of your elbow. A tendon is the cord that ties muscle to bone. Doctors call it lateral epicondylitis. You don't need to remember that.
It comes from gripping and twisting over and over. Paddles. Rackets. Golf clubs. Also hammers, garden shears and even a computer mouse.
Signs you may have it:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when you shake hands
- A weak grip, like when you lift a gallon of milk
- Pain that shoots down the forearm on a backhand
Why is tennis elbow so common in Southwest Florida?
Pickleball. It is everywhere here, from city parks to the courts in nearly every gated community off Summerlin and Daniels.
A lot of players picked up a paddle for the first time after age 55. The game is fast and the paddle is light, so it is easy to play every single day. Tendons do not love that. They need rest days to adapt, and many of us skip them.
Picture a snowbird from Ohio who plays doubles five mornings a week from January to April. By March he cannot pour coffee without wincing. That story walks into our office a lot.
How might SoftWave help a sore elbow?
SoftWave sends gentle sound waves into the tendon. SoftWave devices have FDA 510(k) clearance for certain uses, such as improving blood supply and activating connective tissue.
Tendons do not get much blood flow on their own. That is one reason elbow pain can drag on for a year. The goal with SoftWave is to bring more blood flow and repair signals to the spot. Patients often report less pain with grip after a full plan. Results vary, and we will not promise yours.
SoftWave works best as part of a plan. A smarter grip, a rest day or two and some forearm exercises still matter. We will tell you that up front.
Elbow and shoulder pain often show up together in paddle players. Read about shoulder pain treatment in Fort Myers too.
Start with a $49 mapping session
- We find the spots that hurt
- A straight yes or no on SoftWave
- No pressure to buy a plan
- If it's not for you, you are out $49, not thousands
- 5.0 from 198 Google reviews
- Dr. Lee Angle, D.C.
- McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
What does a SoftWave visit for tennis elbow feel like?
- Mapping. Matthew Mahoney moves the wand along your elbow and forearm to find the tender spots.
- Treatment. Gel on the skin, then light tapping for about 10 to 15 minutes. The sorest spot may feel a bit sharp. Tell us and we turn it down.
- Back to your day. No numbing, no needles. You can drive yourself home. Aftercare: Nothing special. You can drive home or go back to work right after.
Curious how this differs from older shockwave machines? Read SoftWave vs. shockwave.
How many visits and what does it cost?
Our usual plan is 6 to 8 sessions over about 6 to 8 weeks. Some elbows need fewer. Some need more. Most people need 6 to 8 sessions, once a week. If the problem is very acute, visits may be closer together. Your mapping is where we set the plan for your case.
Start with a $49 mapping session. We find your sore spots, tell you what we see and tell you if SoftWave makes sense.
Plan price: $100 per session, or 6 sessions for $540 (that is $90 a session).
Paying: You can pay with your HSA card. Read more on paying with an HSA.
What can I do for tennis elbow at home?
Some simple things are worth trying while you decide. Ease off the move that sets it off. For a lot of pickleball players that means fewer games per week for a while, not quitting.
Look at your gear. A paddle grip that is too thin makes you squeeze harder, and squeezing is what loads the sore tendon. Ask the pro shop where you play to check your grip size.
Notice daily habits too. Carrying heavy grocery bags with your palm down, or gripping a computer mouse all day, can keep the elbow angry.
If home care has not helped after a few weeks, we think it is time to get it looked at instead of playing through it for another season. That is what the $49 mapping is for.
Who runs SoftWave at the clinic?
Dr. Lee Angle, D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic), runs Upper Cervical Health Centers on McGregor Blvd. He tried SoftWave on his own shoulder before offering it. Matthew Mahoney runs the sessions. Dr. Angle has a 5.0 rating from 198 Google reviews across all his care.
New to SoftWave? Start at our SoftWave Fort Myers home page.
What does the research say about shockwave for tennis elbow?
A 2021 review in Current Sports Medicine Reports (Schroeder, Tenforde and Jelsing) describes a pooled look at 9 trials. More people had their elbow pain cut in half with shockwave than with a fake treatment, and grip strength was better at 3 months. The average drop in pain was about the same in both groups.
A 2024 review of athletes in the British Journal of Sports Medicine also found shockwave may help tennis elbow. These studies used other shockwave machines.
Study results are averages from groups of people. They are not a promise of what will happen for you. Your mapping session shows whether SoftWave fits your case.
Common questions
Can I keep playing pickleball during SoftWave?
Many people keep playing lighter. Ask Matthew Mahoney at your mapping. No special limits are needed after a session. Nothing special. You can drive home or go back to work right after.
Is tennis elbow the same as golfer's elbow?
No. Tennis elbow hurts on the outside of the elbow. Golfer's elbow hurts on the inside. SoftWave is used for both kinds of tendon pain.
How long is each SoftWave visit?
The visit takes about 20 minutes, with about 10 to 15 minutes of treatment.
How many sessions does tennis elbow take?
Our usual plan is 6 to 8 sessions over about 6 to 8 weeks. Some people need fewer, some need more. We tell you what we think after your mapping.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book the $49 mapping session.
Want your grip back before next season?
Book your $49 mapping session. Call 239.243.8810. We are at 12651 McGregor Blvd Ste 102, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Call to book $49