Comparison of Conservative Methods for the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized, Prospective Study

Inclusion Criteria: * pain over the lateral epicondyle (via palpation over the lateral epicondyle, resisted wrist extension, resisted finger extension of the middle finger) for less than six-months duration prior to enrollment * conservative treatment of tennis elbow is recommended as standard of care treatment * over the age of 18 and under the age of 65 * ability to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * treatment by a health care profession (MD, physicians assistnat, therapist, or nurse practitioner) within the previous 6 months for tennis elbow * congenital deformities, tendon ruptures, or fractures of the elbow within the previous 12 months * immobility casts or splints within the last 6 months for tennis elbow * co-existing elbow diagnosis (i.e. osteoarthritis or instability) * pregnant women, women trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding women * under the age of 18 or over the age of 65