When Elbow Pain Gets in the Way of Play
Tennis elbow has long been one of the most common overuse injuries among racket-sport athletes. But today, it’s not just tennis players who are feeling the pain. With pickleball exploding in popularity, athletes of all ages — from high school to NCAA competitors to weekend enthusiasts — are developing similar aches and strains.
Tennis participation alone is massive. In 2024, about 25.7 million Americans played tennis at least once — an 8% increase from the year before, marking five straight years of growth (USTA / PR Newswire). Pickleball, meanwhile, has surged to nearly 19.8 million players in 2024, up nearly 46% year over year and more than 311% over the past three years (Pickleball growth data).
With so many athletes swinging rackets and paddles, it’s no surprise that injuries like tennis elbow — often now nicknamed pickleball elbow — are on the rise. Fortunately, CannaTape Sport CBD-infused kinesiology tape offers both immediate support and long-term recovery benefits.
For further background, you can also read three of our cornerstone resources: Why CBD Kinesiology Tape is the Smarter Choice for Recovery, The Ultimate Guide to Kinesiology Tape: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters, and Unlocking Recovery: How Kinesiology Tape Alleviates Athlete Soreness, Inflammation, and Discomfort.
What is Tennis Elbow (and Pickleball Elbow)?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is caused by repetitive strain on the forearm extensor tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. These tendons engage every time you grip a paddle or racket, swing through impact, or extend your wrist. Over time, small tears form, leading to inflammation, soreness, and sometimes sharp, stabbing pain.
Who’s at risk?
- Tennis players – repetitive forehand and backhand strokes.
- Pickleball players – shorter paddles and quick flicks place extra stress on the forearm.
- Golfers & CrossFit Athletes – strong grip + repetitive wrist extension.
- Weekend athletes & workers – lifting, typing, painting, or yard work.
Symptoms often include:
- Pain or burning in the outer elbow.
- Weak grip or reduced strength in the forearm.
- Discomfort when lifting, shaking hands, or twisting the wrist.
Related read: Kinesiology Tape for Carpal Tunnel.
How Kinesiology Tape Helps Athletes with Elbow Pain
Ignoring elbow pain and inflammation can lead to chronic tendon issues, longer recovery times, and in some cases, the need for physical therapy or medical intervention. Small aches often turn into long-term problems when athletes “push through the pain” without support.
This is where kinesiology tape makes a difference. Unlike braces or wraps, kinesiology tape moves with the body, offering functional support that doesn’t limit performance. For elbow pain, it:
- Relieves tendon strain by redistributing load across the forearm.
- Improves circulation to flush inflammation and speed healing.
- Supports without restricting mobility, letting athletes stay active.
- Encourages proper mechanics, reducing stress on the shoulders, neck, and back.
When paired with CannaTape Sport, you get even more. Our tape doesn’t just support muscle and joint movement — it actively fights inflammation through its transdermal formula, giving your soft tissue recovery a powerful boost while you play.
Related read: Kinesiology Tape for Runner’s Knee.
The Tennis–Pickleball Crossover: Shared Sports, Shared Injuries
Though tennis and pickleball differ in pace, equipment, and court size, the stress they place on the body is surprisingly similar. Both sports require repeated swinging, gripping, and overhead motions, which commonly result in:
- Elbow pain from overuse of the forearm tendons.
- Shoulder strain from serves and smashes.
- Neck and upper back soreness from poor posture and quick direction changes.
Studies back this up. The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy reports that racket-sport athletes experience high rates of upper extremity pain, especially in the elbow and shoulder (JOSPT, 2020). Likewise, the British Journal of Sports Medicine estimates that up to 50% of tennis players experience shoulder injuries during their careers. And with pickleball participation skyrocketing, similar overuse injuries are now being reported in that community as well.
Related read: Kinesiology Tape for Shoulder Inflammation.
CannaTape Sport: Relief in Motion
CannaTape Sport offers a modern, science-backed solution for athletes and active individuals dealing with elbow pain from tennis, pickleball, or other sports. Our kinesiology tape infused with transdermal CBD and other proven ingredients helps relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and support healing — all without limiting your mobility.
Unlike standard tapes that simply provide mechanical support, CannaTape Sport goes further. For elbow inflammation specifically, our tape combines ease of use, dynamic joint support, and a therapeutic formula that penetrates directly into soft tissue. That means you’re not only stabilizing the joint — you’re actively reducing swelling, soreness, and recovery time.
Each roll contains:
- CBD (Cannabidiol): A non-psychoactive anti-inflammatory shown to reduce nerve and muscle pain.
- Menthol & Peppermint Oil: Cooling, fast-acting relief that soothes irritated tissue and increases blood flow.
- White Willow Bark Extract: A natural pain reliever with salicin, similar to aspirin.
- MSM & DMSO: Aid muscle recovery and enhance absorption of all ingredients.
- Vitamin E & Tea Tree Oil: Skin-soothing and antimicrobial benefits for post-activity care.
The result? Targeted, fast-acting relief that supports healing, boosts circulation, and helps you keep moving.
Related read: Fast Facts About CannaTape Sport.
How to Tape for Tennis Elbow & Pickleball Elbow
Here’s how to tape for tennis and pickleball elbow using CannaTape Sport. One of the biggest advantages of our product is that it doesn’t just treat the inflammation that causes pain — it also supports the biomechanics of your elbow through kinesiology taping.
Supplies Needed:
- 2–3 strips of CannaTape Sport
- Scissors
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the tape: Cut 2–3 strips long enough to span from mid-forearm to just above the elbow. Round the corners to prevent peeling.
Step 2: Anchor below the elbow: Place the first strip just below the outer elbow (the painful area) with no stretch.
Step 3: Apply support strip: Place a second strip across the outer elbow, applying 50–70% stretch directly over the sore spot.
Step 4: Lock above the elbow: Add a final anchor strip above the joint with no stretch, securing the application.
Step 5: Check mobility: Flex and extend the arm. The tape should provide support while allowing full range of motion.
ProTip:
- Apply at least 30 minutes before activity
- Don’t overstretch the tape—it works best with 25–50% tension
- Need a visual guide? Explore our Application Library, Pro Tips, or follow us on Instagram.
For additional guidance, check out our full taping instructions on our How to Use page. You can also see our Plantar Fasciitis taping guide and Shin Splints taping guide for lower-body relief.
Beyond Elbows: Whole-Body Benefits for Athletes
Racket-sport players rarely deal with elbow pain in isolation. Shoulder soreness, neck tightness, and lower back pain are also common. Research shows these injuries often overlap — when the elbow weakens, other joints compensate.
That’s why kinesiology tape is so versatile. It can be applied across multiple problem areas:
- Shoulders: Protect the rotator cuff from overuse.
- Neck: Relieve muscle tension from posture and repetitive swings.
- Lower back: Support twisting and lunging during play.
Related read: Kinesiology Tape for Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain
Recovery Routine: Pairing Tape with Smart Strategies
To maximize results, kinesiology tape should be paired with smart recovery practices:
- Rest and Ice for acute flare-ups.
- Stretching and Mobility Work to restore tendon health.
- Strengthening exercises for forearms, shoulders, and core.
- Proper gear adjustments (correct paddle grip size, racket tension).
When combined with CannaTape Sport, these strategies not only reduce pain but also help prevent recurrence.
Conclusion: Play Longer, Recover Smarter
Whether you’re chasing a tennis ball or battling it out on the pickleball court, elbow pain doesn’t have to keep you on the sidelines. Kinesiology tape provides proven support, and CannaTape Sport takes it further with CBD and other active ingredients that fight inflammation where you need it most.
Shop CannaTape Sport today — fast delivery, safe in all 50 states, and trusted by athletes everywhere.
