If you’re experiencing persistent elbow pain and wondering if it’s tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, you’re not alone. Both are common conditions that can significantly impact your daily activities — but they affect different areas of the elbow and require specific treatment strategies.
At Momentum Physiotherapy in Maple Ridge, we specialize in diagnosing and treating elbow pain, helping you recover faster and get back to doing what you love.
Both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are forms of tendinitis/tendonopathy (inflammation/degeneration of tendons) that cause elbow pain, but they affect different tendons and locations.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is the most common cause of outer elbow pain. It occurs due to overuse of the extensor tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle — the bony bump on the outside of the elbow.
- Location of Pain:
- Outer (lateral) side of the elbow
- Can radiate down the forearm
- Cause:
- Overuse of the extensor tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle (outer elbow)
- Common in activities with repetitive gripping, wrist extension, or backhand motions (e.g., tennis, typing, painting)
- Symptoms of Tennis Elbow:
- Pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow
- Weak grip strength
- Pain with wrist extension (lifting the hand upward)
- Common in:
- Tennis players, carpenters, mechanics, office workers, and anyone doing repetitive arm movements
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inner side of the elbow due to overuse of the flexor tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle.
- Location of Pain:
- Inner (medial) side of the elbow
- Can radiate to the wrist
- Cause:
- Overuse of the flexor tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle (inner elbow)
- Common in activities with repetitive wrist flexion (bending the wrist down) and gripping (e.g., golf, throwing sports, weightlifting)
- Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow:
- Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow
- Weak grip strength
- Pain with wrist flexion (bending the wrist downward)
- Common in:
- Golfers, baseball pitchers, rock climbers, and weightlifters
How Physiotherapy Helps with Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
Whether you’re struggling with tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, early and targeted treatment is key to full recovery. At Momentum Physiotherapy, we offer comprehensive treatment plans personalized to your needs, including:
- Rest and Activity Modification
(Adjusting or avoiding activities that trigger your pain) - Ice Therapy
(Applying ice packs for 15–20 minutes several times a day to reduce inflammation) - Targeted Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
- For tennis elbow: wrist extensor stretches and eccentric strengthening
- For golfer’s elbow: wrist flexor stretches and strengthening exercises
- Bracing
(Using a forearm strap or counterforce brace to reduce strain) - Pain Management Strategies (Including anti-inflammatory medications if needed)
- Hands-On Physical Therapy Techniques (Manual therapy, massage therapy, and intramuscular stimulation (IMS))
Our goal is not just to relieve your current pain, but to improve tendon health, prevent re-injury, and restore your full strength and range of motion.
Don’t Let Elbow Pain Hold You Back
If you’re dealing with tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows, don’t wait for the pain to worsen. Early physiotherapy intervention can make a huge difference in how quickly and completely you recover.
👉 Book an appointment today at Momentum Physiotherapy in Maple Ridge and start your journey toward lasting relief and stronger movement. First time patients, please call 604 459 2223. Repeat patients can book online.