Elbow pain can make everyday tasks like lifting, gripping, or typing uncomfortable and sometimes impossible. Two of the most common causes are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, also known as lateral and medial epicondylitis.

Despite their names, these conditions affect far more than just athletes. This article explains the difference between golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow, what causes them, and how osteopathy can help treat elbow pain effectively.

Tennis Elbow vs Golfers’ Elbow: What’s the Difference?

Both conditions involve tendon overload, but they affect different sides of the elbow and different muscle groups.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow, where the wrist extensor tendons attach.

Common symptoms:

• Pain on the outer elbow
• Pain with gripping, lifting, or twisting
• Weak grip strength
• Pain when shaking hands or holding objects

Tennis elbow is commonly linked to repetitive gripping, lifting, or prolonged computer and mouse use.

Golfers’ Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Golfer’s elbow affects the inside of the elbow, involving the wrist flexor and pronator tendons.

Common symptoms:

• Pain or tenderness on the inner elbow
• Pain with wrist flexion or gripping
• Aching into the forearm
• Reduced grip strength

Golfers’ elbow is often associated with repetitive hand use, manual work, or sudden increases in training load.

What Causes Golfers’ and Tennis Elbow?

Although often called epicondylitis, most cases are not inflammatory, particularly once symptoms persist.

Common causes of elbow tendinopathy:

• Repetitive gripping or lifting
• Sudden increase in activity or sport
• Manual or trade work
• Gardening or DIY
• Poor workstation ergonomics
• Gym training with poor load control

Elbow pain is rarely just an elbow problem. Reduced movement or strength in the shoulder, wrist, or upper back often increases strain on the elbow tendons.

Why Elbow Pain Often Persists

Many people rest their elbow or rely on anti-inflammatories, only to find the pain returns.

This happens because:

• Tendons need progressive loading, not prolonged rest
• The underlying movement pattern hasn’t changed
• Shoulder or neck restrictions continue to overload the elbow

Without addressing these factors, elbow pain frequently becomes chronic.

How Osteopathy Helps Golfers’ and Tennis Elbow

Osteopathy for elbow pain focuses on why the tendon is overloaded, not just where it hurts.

Osteopathic Assessment for Elbow Pain

An osteopath will assess:

• Elbow, wrist, and forearm mobility
• Shoulder and scapular control
• Neck and upper thoracic spine movement
• Grip strength and load tolerance
• Work, sport, and daily activity demands

This whole-body approach is key to long-term recovery.

Osteopathic Treatment for Tennis and Golfers’ Elbow

Treatment may include:

• Soft tissue techniques to the forearm muscles
• Joint mobilisation of the elbow, wrist, shoulder, or spine
• Neural mobility work if nerve tension is contributing
• Advice on load management and activity modification

Osteopathy aims to reduce pain, improve movement efficiency, and restore tendon strength, helping prevent recurrence.

Exercises for Golfers’ and Tennis Elbow

Exercise is essential for recovery, but it must be specific and progressive.

Early Stage: Isometric Loading

Isometric exercises can help reduce pain and maintain tendon capacity.

Example:

• Hold a light weight or resistance band
• Keep the wrist neutral
• Hold for 30–45 seconds
• Repeat 4–5 times

Progressive Strengthening

As symptoms improve, exercises progress to:

• Wrist extension (tennis elbow)
• Wrist flexion (golf elbow)
• Forearm rotation exercises
• Grip strengthening

Slow, controlled movements are more effective than heavy weights.

Shoulder and Upper Back Strength

Poor shoulder stability often increases elbow strain. Rehabilitation should include:

• Scapular stability exercises
• Rotator cuff strengthening
• Thoracic spine mobility

This integrated approach is a core part of osteopathic treatment for elbow pain.

Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Elbow Strain

Simple changes can support recovery:

• Modify grip size on tools or sports equipment
• Avoid prolonged gripping when possible
• Take regular breaks from repetitive tasks
• Improve desk and workstation ergonomics
• Gradually return to sport instead of pushing through pain

Pain is a signal, not something to ignore.

FAQs About Golfers’ Elbow and Tennis Elbow

Is golfers’ or tennis elbow inflammation?
Early cases may involve inflammation. Most ongoing cases are tendinopathy, involving tendon degeneration rather than inflammation.

How long does recovery take?

• Mild cases: 6–8 weeks
• Persistent cases: several months

Early assessment and treatment improve outcomes.

Should I stop exercising?
Not usually. Complete rest often delays recovery. The goal is to modify activity and progressively reload the tendon.

Can osteopathy help chronic elbow pain?
Yes. Osteopathy is particularly effective for long-standing or recurrent elbow pain, especially when the shoulder, neck, or upper back are contributing.

Ready to Treat the Cause — Not Just the Symptoms?

If elbow pain is affecting your work, sport, or daily life or keeps returning despite rest, it’s time to look beyond the elbow itself.

At our clinic, we use a whole-body osteopathic approach to treat golf elbow and tennis elbow, combining hands-on treatment with clear, practical rehabilitation.

👉 Book an appointment with our osteopath today to get a personalised treatment plan and long-term relief from elbow pain.