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ELBOW
Golfer’s Elbow Physiotherapy in Richmond
See below how Richmond Physiotherapist can help you
Golfer’s Elbow Physiotherapy: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
What Causes Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain on the inside of the elbow. The condition develops when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow become irritated due to repetitive stress.
Despite the name, golfer’s elbow does not only affect golfers. It commonly occurs in people who perform repetitive gripping, lifting, or wrist flexion movements.
Physiotherapy treatment focuses on reducing tendon irritation, restoring forearm strength, and improving movement patterns that place stress on the elbow.
At Richmond Physiotherapist, we provide physiotherapy treatment for golfer’s elbow in Richmond designed to reduce pain and restore comfortable arm function.
Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow typically develops due to repetitive strain on the forearm muscles and tendons.
Common causes include:
• repetitive gripping or lifting• sports such as golf, baseball, or tennis
• weight training exercises
• manual labour or tool use• repetitive wrist flexion movements
• prolonged computer or mouse use
These repetitive stresses can gradually irritate the tendon where it attaches to the inner elbow.
How Physiotherapy Helps Golfer’s Elbow
Symptoms of golfer’s elbow can develop gradually and worsen with continued activity.
Common symptoms include:
• pain on the inside of the elbow
• discomfort when gripping objects
• pain when bending the wrist or fingers
• forearm weakness
• tenderness around the medial elbow
• discomfort during sports or lifting activities
Pain may increase when performing movements that involve gripping or wrist flexion.
Physiotherapy Treatments for Golfer’s Elbow
Treatment may include a combination of physiotherapy techniques depending on the severity of symptoms.
Common treatments include:
Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques used to improve elbow and wrist mobility.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Targeted strengthening exercises designed to improve tendon capacity and forearm strength.
Dry Needling / IMS
Helps release muscle tension and reduce irritation in the forearm muscles.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy may be used for persistent tendon irritation associated with golfer’s elbow.
Movement Education
Advice on grip mechanics, workstation setup, and activity modification.
These treatments help restore forearm strength and reduce stress on the tendon
When to See a Physiotherapist
You should consider physiotherapy if:
• elbow pain persists for several weeks
• gripping objects becomes painful
• weakness develops in the forearm
• pain interferes with sports or exercise
• daily activities become difficult
Early treatment can help prevent golfer’s elbow from becoming a chronic condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?
Location. Tennis elbow is the outside of the elbow, the extensor tendons. Golfer’s elbow is the inside, the flexor tendons. Same idea though: tendon overload from repetitive gripping, just on opposite sides. And again, most of my golfer’s elbow patients don’t golf.
I golf. Can I keep playing with golfer’s elbow?
Lighten up during treatment. Grip pressure is the biggest aggravator, so death-gripping the club is out. Short game and putting are usually fine. Full swings come back as the tendon calms down. We can also look at your grip mechanics to reduce the load.
Will massage fix golfer’s elbow?
It helps symptoms but doesn’t solve it. Deep forearm work can calm the pain and improve tissue quality, but the tendon needs progressive loading to actually remodel and get stronger. Massage is the appetizer, not the meal.
How do I know my golfer’s elbow is getting better?
Grip strength comes back. Morning stiffness fades. The things that used to spike pain, like lifting, twisting a doorknob, or carrying groceries, stop bothering you. Improvement is gradual. Think week to week, not day to day.
Book an appointment
Your recovery starts with one visit.
Every session is 1-on-1, built around your body and your goals. We bill your insurance directly, so you can focus on getting better.