Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer’s Elbow: What’s the Difference and How Can You Treat Them?

Elbow pain is common, especially in people who use their arms repetitively, whether through sport, work, or everyday activities. Two of the most frequent culprits in elbow pain are tennis elbow and golfer's elbow. While these names can be misleading, it's essential to note that you don’t have to play tennis or golf to develop them!

What Are Tennis Elbow and Golfers Elbow?

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is pain on the outside of the elbow. It’s often linked to overuse of the muscles that extend the wrist and fingers. These conditions are commonly seen in desk workers, gym goers, and tradespeople.

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is pain on the inside of the elbow, caused by overuse of the wrist flexor muscles. People who lift, carry, or swing their arms repetitively are often affected.

Why Does It Happen?

Both conditions can be caused by repetitive stress on the tendons that attach to the elbow (the strong, rope-like structures that connect muscle to bone). Over time, this leads to small tears, irritation, and even changes in the tendon structure itself.

In tennis elbow especially, we often see a degenerative change in tendon morphology. The tendon becomes less organised and weaker, rather than simply inflamed. This is why rest alone often isn’t enough, and why progressive strengthening is key to recovery.

Symptoms to Watch For:

• Pain during gripping, lifting, or twisting

• Local tenderness on either side of the elbow

• Weakness in the hand or forearm

• Morning stiffness or pain after activity

How Do We Treat Tennis and Golf Elbow?

While these conditions are a nuisance, the good news is that most people recover well with physiotherapy. At our clinic, treatment may include:

• Manual therapy to relieve tension and improve mobility

• Targeted exercises to strengthen the forearm and stimulate tendon repair

• Education on load management and technique correction

• Adjunct therapies like taping, dry needling, or shockwave if needed

Don’t Ignore Elbow Pain, Contact us Today!

If you’ve been dealing with elbow discomfort for a few weeks or months, don’t ignore it.

The earlier we treat it, the quicker and more complete your recovery will be. Book in with us to get back to doing what you love.