Condition
Golfer's elbow: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to golfer's elbow — inner-elbow tendon pain and how it is managed.
- Elbow
Quick answer
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is pain on the inner elbow from overloaded forearm tendons, usually from repetitive gripping or wrist flexion. It generally improves with load management and a progressive tendon-strengthening programme.
Key facts
- Golfer's elbow affects the inner elbow (tennis elbow affects the outer).
- Most cases come from repetitive gripping, not just golf.
- Tendon-loading exercise is the mainstay of recovery.
What is golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow is an overload problem of the tendons on the inner elbow, where the forearm flexor muscles attach.
Like tennis elbow but on the opposite side, it usually arises from repetitive gripping and wrist movements in work, sport or daily life, rather than specifically from golf.
What are the symptoms of golfer's elbow?
The main symptom is pain and tenderness on the inner elbow, worse with gripping or bending the wrist.
- Pain on the inner elbow, sometimes into the forearm
- Pain with gripping or flexing the wrist
- Tenderness over the inner elbow
- A weakened grip due to pain
How is golfer's elbow treated?
Golfer's elbow is treated with load management and a progressive tendon-strengthening programme, alongside manual therapy.
Reducing aggravating load while gradually loading the tendon is central to recovery. Shockwave therapy may help stubborn cases. As with tennis elbow, recovery can take several months.
At Postura Wellness, care for golfer's elbow is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Get a clear plan for your golfer's elbow
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Sports Injuries — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Joint Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Injuries and Wounds — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Muscle and Bone Diseases — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Orthopedic services — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia