How is tennis elbow different from golfer's elbow?

Tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis (outer elbow), involving the forearm extensor tendons. Golfer's elbow is medial epicondylitis (inner elbow), involving the forearm flexor tendons. The underlying problem, chronic overload of a tendon, is similar; only the side differs. The chain causes are also different (shoulder external vs internal rotation, palm-down vs palm-up grip patterns).

Can I keep playing my sport with elbow pain?

It depends on severity and how the pain responds to activity. Some cases are managed in-season with BFR loading and shoulder and thoracic work; others require a short rest period. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy will give you a clear answer after the assessment.

What about a cortisone injection?

Cortisone can calm acute irritation but does not address the loading pattern that produced the tendinopathy. Many patients see short-term relief and then recurrence within months. The right time for a steroid injection is as a bridge alongside addressing the actual cause, not as a standalone treatment.

Does this only affect athletes?

No. Most elbow tendinopathy cases we see come from non-athletes: manual labor workers, frequent computer users, parents with young kids. Anyone with repetitive grip or wrist load can develop it. The cause and the treatment are the same regardless of the trigger activity.

Condition

Elbow Pain Treatment in Lake Orion, MI

Tennis elbow (lateral) and golfer's elbow (medial) are tendinopathies driven by chronic load. The load lives in the chain: shoulder mechanics that overwork the forearm, wrist gripping patterns that do not release, and thoracic stiffness that compounds it. We map the whole chain and address the loading pattern, not just the painful tendon at the elbow.

Where it actually starts

Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are diagnoses of localized tendinopathy, but the load that produced them rarely originated at the elbow. A shoulder that protracts and rotates internally forces the forearm to overwork to control wrist position. A thoracic spine that will not extend forces the shoulder to compensate. A grip that does not relax between repetitions builds chronic tension in the forearm flexor or extensor groups. The elbow tendon is the dumping ground. The chain is the cause.

Common symptoms

Pain on the outer (tennis) or inner (golfer's) elbow
Tenderness when pressing the bony bump near the elbow
Weakness in grip, especially with palm down (tennis) or palm up (golfer's)
Sharper pain with lifting, gripping, or twisting
Pain that resists time off and returns when activity resumes

How we treat it

Treatment combines manual therapy and dry needling at the elbow tendons themselves with targeted work upstream on the shoulder and thoracic spine. Muscle scraping clears the forearm fascia where chronic grip tension lives. Blood flow restriction loading rebuilds tendon capacity without re-irritating it through heavy resistance. The pattern correction, shoulder mechanics, grip release strategy, thoracic mobility, is what prevents the recurrence that elbow-only treatments fail to.

Modalities we use

The tools behind the treatment.

Manual Therapy

Joint mobilization and myofascial work delivered one-on-one with your therapist. No aides, no handoffs.

Dry Needling

Thin filament needles release deep trigger points and restore movement faster than manual work alone.

Muscle Scraping (IASTM / Graston)

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to release scar tissue and restricted fascia.

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Hands-on release of trigger points and tight tissue around the joint or chain you’re working on.

Blood Flow Restriction Training

Strength gains at lighter loads. Useful in post-surgical recovery and for joints that don’t tolerate heavy weight.

Related conditions

Common questions.

How is tennis elbow different from golfer's elbow?
Tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis (outer elbow), involving the forearm extensor tendons. Golfer's elbow is medial epicondylitis (inner elbow), involving the forearm flexor tendons. The underlying problem, chronic overload of a tendon, is similar; only the side differs. The chain causes are also different (shoulder external vs internal rotation, palm-down vs palm-up grip patterns).
Can I keep playing my sport with elbow pain?
It depends on severity and how the pain responds to activity. Some cases are managed in-season with BFR loading and shoulder and thoracic work; others require a short rest period. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy will give you a clear answer after the assessment.
What about a cortisone injection?
Cortisone can calm acute irritation but does not address the loading pattern that produced the tendinopathy. Many patients see short-term relief and then recurrence within months. The right time for a steroid injection is as a bridge alongside addressing the actual cause, not as a standalone treatment.
Does this only affect athletes?
No. Most elbow tendinopathy cases we see come from non-athletes: manual labor workers, frequent computer users, parents with young kids. Anyone with repetitive grip or wrist load can develop it. The cause and the treatment are the same regardless of the trigger activity.

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