What Is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow, also called medial epicondylalgia or medial elbow tendinopathy, is pain and stiffness on the inner side of your elbow where the wrist flexor tendons attach to the bone. It commonly affects golfers, racquet-sport players, manual workers and gym users who perform repeated gripping or lifting tasks.

This page explains golfers elbow treatment options that physiotherapists commonly use in Brisbane and across Australia.

Rather than a simple inflammation, research suggests golfer’s elbow is usually a tendon overload problem. The tendon becomes sensitive and less tolerant to load over time. Effective golfer’s elbow treatment aims to calm pain, then gradually rebuild tendon strength and control so you can return to sport, work and daily life with confidence.

Your physiotherapist will consider not only the elbow, but also your neck, shoulder, wrist and nerve function. This approach helps to identify any contributing factors that may prolong symptoms. Many people first present after a spike in activity such as extra practice at the driving range, a new gym program or a busy period with repetitive hand tasks.

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms

• Localised ache or sharp pain at the bony bump on the inside of the elbow.
• Pain with gripping, lifting, forehand strokes or carrying shopping.
• Discomfort when you flex your wrist or fingers against resistance.
• Tightness or fatigue through the inner forearm muscles.
• Reduced grip strength compared with the other side.
• Occasionally, referred pain or tingling into the forearm or hand.

Some people notice morning stiffness or pain when lifting a kettle or turning a door handle. If you have broader elbow pain or symptoms extending above the elbow, your physiotherapist will also consider neck or nerve-related causes.

What Causes Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow usually develops when the load on the medial elbow tendons exceeds their current capacity. Repeated gripping, swinging, lifting or throwing can irritate the tendon where it attaches to the inner elbow. Over time, microscopic tendon changes can reduce its ability to handle force.

Common contributing factors include:

• Sudden increases in golf practice, racquet sports or gym training.
• Repetitive gripping or twisting tasks at work or home.
• Poor technique, equipment changes or suboptimal swing mechanics.
• Reduced strength or conditioning of the wrist, forearm and shoulder.
• Neck or nerve sensitivity that amplifies elbow pain.

Medial elbow tendinopathy is related to other tendon overload conditions described on our tendinopathy information pages. Addressing your overall load, posture and muscle control is important for a long-term result.

How Is Golfer’s Elbow Diagnosed?

Your physiotherapist or doctor can usually diagnose golfer’s elbow based on your history and a clinical examination. They will:

• Discuss your symptoms, aggravating activities and training or work changes.
• Palpate the medial epicondyle and surrounding tendons.
• Test grip strength and resisted wrist and finger flexion.
• Assess neck movement, nerve tension and shoulder control.

Neck or nerve-related arm pain can mimic golfer’s elbow, so your clinician may also assess for arm pain and nerve irritation arising from the cervical spine.

Imaging is not always required. Ultrasound or MRI can help in persistent or unclear cases to assess tendon quality and exclude other pathology. X-rays have limited value for soft tissue diagnosis but may be useful if trauma or arthritis is suspected.

Physiotherapy Treatment Options for Golfer’s Elbow

Most people improve with a structured physiotherapy program. Treatment focuses on reducing pain, then safely restoring tendon load tolerance, strength and movement patterns. Your plan is individualised around your sport, work and goals.

Common physiotherapy options include:

• Education and load management: adjusting gripping, lifting and sport volume to reduce tendon irritation while keeping you as active as possible.
• Manual therapy: gentle joint mobilisation, soft tissue techniques and nerve glides where appropriate to improve comfort and movement.
• Exercise therapy: progressive strengthening of the wrist flexors, forearm, shoulder and grip, plus functional and sport-specific drills. Your program may include home exercises drawn from our exercise library.
• Taping or bracing: temporary support during higher-load tasks.
• Movement coaching: technique review for golf, racquet sports, gym or work tasks to reduce tendon stress.
• Pain relief strategies: short-term use of ice, heat or medication as advised by your doctor.

Your physiotherapist may use a combination of these strategies and update your program as the tendon adapts. Our soft tissue injury healing guide explains why gradual loading is important for long-term tendon health.

Should You Wear a Golfer’s Elbow Brace?

A golfer’s elbow brace (often similar to a tennis elbow strap) can help offload the tendon during gripping or lifting tasks. By applying pressure slightly below the painful area, the brace can redistribute forces away from the irritated attachment.

Some people find a brace helpful for golf, work or gym activities, especially in the early stages of rehab. However, a brace is usually most effective when combined with a targeted strengthening and movement program rather than used on its own.

If your symptoms persist despite bracing, or if pain spreads beyond the elbow, a thorough assessment of your neck, shoulder, elbow and nerve mobility is recommended.

How Long Does Golfer’s Elbow Take to Heal?

Recovery time varies with tendon health, how long you have had symptoms and how well you can modify load. Mild cases that are addressed early may settle within 6 to 12 weeks. Longer-standing or more irritable tendons can take several months to improve.

In general, people progress through stages:

• Pain reduction and modification of aggravating activities.
• Introduction of isometric and light strengthening exercises.
• Progressive loading with heavier and more functional tasks.
• Return to sport-specific drills and full participation.

Your physiotherapist will guide each stage and adjust the plan if your tendon is slower to adapt. Infrequently, surgical options may be discussed with an orthopaedic surgeon for persistent, severe cases that do not respond to a well-structured rehab program.

When Should You See a Physiotherapist?

Seek assessment with a physiotherapist or doctor if:

• Elbow pain has lasted more than two to three weeks.
• Pain limits golf, sport, work or daily tasks.
• You notice weakness, dropping objects or reduced grip strength.
• There is night pain, tingling or symptoms spreading into the hand.
• You have a history of neck pain and new arm symptoms.
• You recently had a fall, direct trauma or cannot fully move the elbow.

Early advice can help you stay active while protecting the tendon. Your physiotherapist can also advise if a medical review, imaging or further investigations are appropriate.

For general information about medial epicondylitis, you can also read the overview on MedlinePlus.

If golfers elbow treatment and simple self-care are not enough, our physiotherapists can assess your elbow and design a plan tailored to your sport, work and goals.

People Also Ask About Golfer’s Elbow

• What is the fastest way to treat golfer’s elbow?
• Can physiotherapy help golfer’s elbow?
• How long does golfer’s elbow take to heal?
• Should you wear a brace for golfer’s elbow?
• When should you see a physiotherapist for golfer’s elbow?

Related Articles

1. Tennis Elbow – outer elbow tendon pain that often behaves similarly to golfer’s elbow.
2. Elbow Pain – overview of common elbow injuries and when to seek treatment.
3. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) – information on wrist and forearm overload injuries.
4. Soft Tissue Injury Healing – explains how tendons and other soft tissues repair over time.
5. Arm Pain – discusses broader causes of arm pain, including tendon and nerve sources.
6. Tennis Elbow Strap – Golfer’s Elbow Relief – guidance on choosing and using an elbow strap.
7. Post-Operative Rehabilitation – useful if surgery is ever required for complex elbow problems.
8. Rowing Injuries Prevention and Management Tips – general tendon, muscle and joint protection strategies.

References

1. Konarski W, et al. Current concepts of natural course and management of medial epicondylitis: a clinical overview. Orthopedic Reviews. 2023. Available from: orthopedicreviews.openmedicalpublishing.org
2. DeLuca MK, et al. Medial epicondylitis: current diagnosis and treatment options. J Musculoskelet Surg Res. 2023. Available from: sciencedirect.com
3. Adani N, et al. Non-traumatic medial-sided elbow pain: a comprehensive review. Cureus. 2025. Available from: cureus.com
4. Meredith TJ, et al. Diagnosis and management of common tendinopathies. Am Fam Physician. 2025. Available from: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5. Shim J, et al. Patient ratings in exercise therapy for tendinopathy: a review. Physiotherapy. 2023. Available from: physiotherapyjournal.com

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