TENNIS & GOLFER’S ELBOW
Our multidisciplinary team of highly skilled, fully qualified clinicians can help diagnose, manage & fix your elbow pain
We have every non-surgical option for treating and assessing elbow pain, including diagnostic ultrasound scans, physiotherapy, chiropractors, sports massage, acupuncture, shockwave therapy & more!
THE ANATOMY
The elbow is a hinge joint that connects the upper arm to the forearm and plays a crucial role in gripping, lifting, pushing, pulling, and fine motor control.
It is supported by tendons, muscles, ligaments, and nerves that must tolerate repetitive loading throughout daily life. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylalgia) occur when the tendons that attach to the outer or inner elbow become overloaded and irritated.
Despite their names, these conditions affect far more people than just tennis or golf players and commonly develop due to repetitive strain and poor load tolerance.
WHAT CAUSES ELBOW PAIN?
Common Causes of Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
1. Repetitive Overload & Poor Load Tolerance
Repeated gripping, wrist extension (tennis elbow), or wrist flexion (golfer’s elbow) can overload the tendon attachments at the elbow, especially when tissues are not conditioned to tolerate the load.
2. Sudden Changes in Activity
A rapid increase in training, work demands, or new activities can exceed tendon capacity and trigger symptoms.
3. Movement & Biomechanical Factors
Poor shoulder, wrist, or scapular control, reduced forearm strength, and inefficient movement patterns can increase stress through the elbow tendons.
Other Causes of Elbow Pain
Not all elbow pain is tennis or golfer’s elbow. Other common conditions include:
Distal biceps or triceps tendinopathy
Elbow bursitis (olecranon bursitis)
Ligament sprains
Nerve irritation (such as ulnar nerve symptoms or cubital tunnel syndrome)
Referred pain from the neck or shoulder
Post-traumatic stiffness or overload
Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure the correct treatment approach.
CLASSIC TRIGGERS OF TENNIS & GOLFERS ELBOW
Elbow pain often develops gradually and is commonly aggravated by everyday tasks rather than a single injury.
Common Triggers in Active Individuals:
Gym training, particularly gripping weights, pull-ups, deadlifts, or kettlebells
Racquet sports, golf, or throwing sports
Repetitive lifting or carrying, especially with poor technique
Sudden increases in training load or intensity
Common Elbow Pain Triggers at Work, Daily Life or During Hobbies:
Desk work and prolonged mouse or keyboard use
Manual work, including lifting, gripping tools, or repetitive hand movements
DIY, gardening, or home maintenance tasks
Carrying shopping bags or children
Twisting motions, such as opening jars or wringing cloths
Pain is often felt during gripping, lifting, shaking hands, or even simple tasks like holding a mug.
BOOK AN ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT OR YOUR ELBOW PAIN NOW AT SARISBURY (FAREHAM) OR WEST END (SOUTHAMPTON) IN HAMPSHIRE
OUR APPROACH TO ELBOW PAIN
Tennis and golfer’s elbow respond best to a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach, rather than rest alone:
Physiotherapy to restore strength, tendon load tolerance, and functional movement
Chiropractic care to optimise elbow, shoulder, wrist, and cervical spine biomechanics
Massage therapy to address muscle tension and forearm soft tissue restriction
Acupuncture to assist with pain modulation and neuromuscular regulation
Clinical Pilates or movement retraining to improve upper limb control and load distribution
Shockwave therapy for persistent or chronic elbow tendinopathy. Shockwave stimulates tissue healing, increases blood flow, and promotes tendon regeneration when symptoms have failed to resolve with standard care alone
This integrated approach helps achieve long-lasting results and reduces recurrence.
WHERE DO I START TO IMPROVE MY ELBOW PAIN?
Our team takes a thorough, evidence-based approach to elbow pain management. We combine detailed clinical assessment, MSK diagnostic ultrasound, hands-on therapy, progressive tendon loading programmes, and education to address the underlying cause of your pain.
Rather than simply reducing symptoms, we focus on restoring strength, improving load tolerance, and building long-term resilience, allowing you to return confidently to work, sport, and daily activities.
Advanced Diagnosis of Elbow and Arm Pain with MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound
We offer MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound to aid accurate diagnosis of elbow pain. Ultrasound provides real-time visualisation of tendons, muscles, bursae, and surrounding soft tissues, helping identify:
Tendinopathy or tendon tears
Tendon thickening or degeneration
Calcification
Inflammatory changes
Bursitis or fluid accumulation
This allows us to confirm the source of pain, guide treatment decisions, and monitor tissue healing over time.
