Golf Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow: What’s the Difference and How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
If you’ve ever felt a nagging ache on the inside or outside of your elbow — whether you’re swinging a golf club, returning a tennis serve, or just typing at your desk — you may be dealing with one of two very common overuse injuries: golf elbow or tennis elbow. Despite their sport-inspired names, these conditions can affect anyone, athlete or not. At Mobility Sports Chiropractic, we see both of these injuries regularly, and the good news is that both respond very well to conservative, non-invasive care.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury that affects the tendons on the outside (lateral) of the elbow. These tendons connect the forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow called the lateral epicondyle. Repetitive gripping, twisting, or lifting motions cause tiny tears in the tendon, leading to inflammation, pain, and weakness.
Common symptoms of tennis elbow include:
Pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow
Weakness in the wrist and hand grip
Pain that worsens when lifting, gripping, or twisting the arm
Burning or aching sensation that may radiate down the forearm
Difficulty with everyday activities like shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or holding a coffee cup
What Is Golf Elbow?
Golf elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis, is similar to tennis elbow but affects the tendons on the inside (medial) of the elbow. The pain originates at the medial epicondyle — the bony bump on the inside of your elbow — where the forearm flexor muscles attach. It is caused by repetitive wrist flexion, forearm pronation, and gripping activities that put excessive stress on these tendons.
Common symptoms of golf elbow include:
Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow
Pain that radiates into the inner forearm or wrist
Weakness in the hand or wrist
Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers
Stiffness or difficulty making a fist
Key Differences: Golf Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow
While both conditions involve elbow tendon inflammation and overuse, they differ in a few important ways. Tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle), while golf elbow affects the inside (medial epicondyle). Tennis elbow is associated with repetitive extension and gripping movements — common in racquet sports, painting, carpentry, and computer use. Golf elbow tends to result from repetitive flexion and pronation movements — seen in golf swings, throwing sports, rock climbing, and weightlifting.
Neither condition requires you to actually play tennis or golf to develop it. Many of our patients are office workers, musicians, tradespeople, or parents who use their arms repetitively every day.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
At Mobility Sports Chiropractic, our approach to treating both golf elbow and tennis elbow is focused on identifying the root cause of your pain, not just managing the symptoms. We use a combination of hands-on techniques and therapeutic modalities tailored to your specific condition and lifestyle.
Our treatment options may include:
Chiropractic adjustments to the elbow, wrist, and cervical spine to restore proper joint mechanics and reduce nerve irritation
Soft tissue therapy, including Active Release Technique (ART) and myofascial release to break down scar tissue and improve flexibility
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) to promote healing in the affected tendons
Therapeutic exercises and stretching programs to rebuild strength and prevent re-injury
Kinesiology taping to support the elbow and reduce strain during activity
Ergonomic and movement coaching to address the habits and mechanics that led to the injury
Who Is At Risk?
Both golf elbow and tennis elbow tend to affect adults between the ages of 30 and 60, though they can occur at any age. You may be at higher risk if you:
Perform repetitive arm movements at work or during sports
Have poor technique or use improper equipment in your sport or activity
Work in occupations such as painting, plumbing, construction, or data entry
Suddenly increase the intensity or duration of your physical activity
Have tight forearm muscles or reduced shoulder/wrist mobility
When to Seek Care
Don’t wait until your pain becomes unbearable. Early intervention leads to faster recovery and prevents the condition from becoming chronic. You should book an appointment if you experience:
Elbow pain that has lasted more than a few weeks
Pain that interferes with your daily activities or sleep
Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arm or hand
Pain that returns after returning to activity
Get Back to Doing What You Love
Whether your pain is on the inside or outside of your elbow, you don’t have to live with it. Golf elbow and tennis elbow are highly treatable conditions, especially when addressed early and with the right care.
At Mobility Sports Chiropractic, we’re here to help you understand your injury, recover faster, and get back to the activities you enjoy — pain-free. We serve patients in the Renton, WA area and are ready to help you with same-week appointments.
Call us today at (206) 930-2535 or book online to schedule your consultation. Your recovery starts here.
