When you hear the terms golf elbow or tennis elbow, you might immediately think of athletes or avid sports enthusiasts. However, these painful conditions can affect anyone, whether you’re an athlete or not. Both golf elbow (medial epicondylitis) and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) are types of tendinitis, causing pain and discomfort in the elbow and forearm, usually as a result of repetitive motions or overuse. At ARK Physical Therapy Clinic, we specialize in treating both conditions, helping you recover quickly and get back to your regular activities.

In this blog post, we’ll explain what golf and tennis elbow are, the symptoms to look for, and how physical therapy can help relieve the pain and restore function.

What Is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

Tennis elbow refers to pain and inflammation on the outer part of the elbow, specifically where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the lateral epicondyle, a bony prominence on the outside of the elbow. Despite the name, tennis elbow isn’t exclusive to tennis players. It can result from any repetitive wrist or arm motion that strains the forearm muscles, such as:

• Tennis: The backhand swing in tennis can lead to overuse of the forearm muscles.
• Racquet sports: Badminton, squash, and racquetball can also cause strain.
• Repetitive movements: Tasks like painting, using hand tools, or even prolonged computer use can lead to tennis elbow.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow:

• Pain or tenderness on the outer elbow
• Pain that radiates down the forearm
• Weak grip strength
• Discomfort when lifting or gripping objects (e.g., holding a cup, shaking hands, or opening a door)
• Pain that worsens with activities like playing racquet sports, lifting, or twisting motions

What Is Golf Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)?

Golf elbow is similar to tennis elbow but affects the inner part of the elbow, where the forearm muscles attach to the medial epicondyle (the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow). This condition is often caused by repetitive stress or overuse of the forearm muscles that are responsible for flexing the wrist and fingers.

While golfers are more susceptible due to the repetitive wrist and arm motions involved in their swings, golf elbow can also occur in people who engage in activities such as:

• Golf: The repetitive swinging motion can strain the muscles.
• Weightlifting: Lifting heavy weights, especially with improper form, can contribute to golf elbow.
• Other repetitive activities: Tasks like throwing, gardening, or even using tools can strain the muscles and tendons in the forearm, leading to golf elbow.

Symptoms of Golf Elbow:

• Pain or tenderness on the inner elbow
• Pain radiating down the forearm
• Weakness in the grip
• Pain that worsens with certain activities, such as swinging a golf club, lifting weights, or gripping objects
• Stiffness or limited range of motion in the elbow

How Can Physical Therapy Help Golf and Tennis Elbow?

Both golf and tennis elbow are treatable conditions, and physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to relieve pain and improve function. At ARK Physical Therapy Clinic, we offer a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, which may include the following:

1. Manual Therapy

Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to manipulate the soft tissues and joints around the elbow. These techniques can help reduce tension, improve circulation, and promote healing. By loosening up tight muscles, tendons, and ligaments, manual therapy can ease the pain and improve mobility.

2. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
One of the most important components of physical therapy for both golf and tennis elbow is the use of specific stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercises help to:

• Stretch tight muscles and tendons: Stretching exercises can help alleviate tension in the forearm and elbow.
• Strengthen weak muscles: Strengthening exercises are crucial for improving muscle balance and reducing the strain on the tendons. Focus is placed on the forearm muscles that support the elbow joint.

Specific exercises might include:

• Eccentric strengthening: Focusing on the lengthening phase of a muscle contraction can help promote tendon healing.
• Wrist extension and flexion exercises: These target the forearm muscles responsible for wrist and hand movements.
• Grip strengthening: Improving grip strength can help restore functionality and reduce strain on the elbow.

4. Education on Proper Mechanics

In addition to manual therapy and exercises, physical therapists provide valuable education on posture, biomechanics, and body mechanics. They will assess your movement patterns and identify any faulty mechanics contributing to the problem. By correcting improper posture or movement patterns, you can reduce the risk of reinjury and prevent further strain on the elbow.

When Is Surgery Necessary for Tennis or Golf Elbow?

Most people with golf or tennis elbow respond well to conservative treatment methods such as physical therapy, rest, and activity modification. However, in rare cases where pain persists or significantly impairs daily activities, surgical intervention may be considered.

Surgery is usually reserved for individuals who haven’t found relief after 6 to 12 months of conservative treatments. In these cases, surgery may involve removing damaged tissue or repairing the affected tendons.

Prevention Tips for Golf and Tennis Elbow

While physical therapy can help treat these conditions, prevention is always the best approach. Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of developing golf or tennis elbow:

Warm-up properly: Before engaging in any physical activity, especially sports, ensure you warm up and stretch your muscles to prevent injury.

• Use proper technique: Whether you’re golfing, playing tennis, or lifting weights, using the proper form is essential to avoid putting undue stress on your elbow.
• Rest and recover: If you feel pain or discomfort during an activity, rest and allow your muscles to recover before continuing.
• Strengthen your forearm muscles: Regularly incorporating strengthening exercises for your forearms can help protect the tendons and prevent strain.

Get Relief from Golf and Tennis Elbow at ARK Physical Therapy Clinic

If you’re suffering from golf or tennis elbow, ARK Physical Therapy Clinic is here to help. Our experienced team of physical therapists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to relieve your pain, restore function, and prevent future injuries.

We use evidence-based techniques to provide you with the best possible care and get you back to doing the activities you love. Serving Plano, Frisco, and the DFW area, we’re committed to helping you achieve long-term relief and improve your quality of life.
Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and start your journey to recovery. Whether you’re a golfer, tennis player, or someone dealing with repetitive strain injuries, we have the expertise to help you heal and thrive.