Golfer's Elbow and Tennis Elbow: Treating Overuse Pain
Elbow pain has a way of showing up in everyday moments. Gripping a coffee cup, turning a doorknob, or swinging a club can send a sharp ache through the joint. Two of the most common causes are golfer's elbow and tennis elbow. Despite the names, you do not have to play either sport to develop them. Both are overuse injuries, and both can linger for months when the underlying cause is not addressed. At True Motion Chiropractic Group in Midland, treatment focuses on healing the tissue and correcting the patterns that led to the pain.
Understanding tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
Tennis elbow, known medically as lateral epicondylitis, affects the outside of the elbow. It involves the tendons that attach the forearm muscles you use to extend the wrist and fingers. Golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis, affects the inside of the elbow and involves the tendons for the muscles that flex the wrist and grip.
Both conditions develop when these tendons are overloaded by repeated motion. Small areas of strain build up faster than the body can repair them, and the tendon becomes irritated and weak. The result is pain, tenderness, and a weaker grip that makes ordinary tasks frustrating.
What causes these overuse injuries
Repeated gripping, lifting, and wrist motion are the usual culprits. That includes racquet sports and golf, but it also includes work and hobbies such as painting, plumbing, typing, using hand tools, gardening, and lifting weights. Poor technique, gripping too hard, and a sudden increase in activity all add to the load. Weakness or tightness further up the arm and shoulder can also force the elbow to absorb more stress than it should.
Common symptoms to watch for
The signs of golfer's elbow and tennis elbow tend to build gradually rather than appear all at once. Look for:
- Pain on the inside or outside of the elbow
- Tenderness that increases with gripping or lifting
- A weaker grip or difficulty holding objects
- Stiffness in the elbow, especially in the morning
- Pain that travels down into the forearm
Because these are soft tissue injuries, they often do not improve with rest alone. The tendon needs the right kind of stimulus to rebuild, which is where guided care helps.
Why elbow pain often lingers
Many people try to push through elbow pain or wait for it to fade. Unfortunately, the tissue rarely heals well on its own once the injury has become chronic. Continued use keeps irritating the tendon, and the surrounding muscles tighten to protect the area. This creates a cycle that can last for months. Breaking the cycle usually requires reducing the strain, supporting tissue healing, and rebuilding strength in a controlled way.
How True Motion treats golfer's and tennis elbow
Care begins with an exam to confirm the source of the pain and to check the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, since problems in one area often affect the others. From there, treatment is tailored to your needs and may include several tools that work together.
Soft tissue therapy helps release tension and reduce the scar tissue that builds up in an overworked tendon. SoftWave therapy can support healing and calm inflammation in the injured area. Gentle chiropractic adjustments to the elbow, wrist, and surrounding joints helps restore normal motion. As the tissue settles, corrective exercises rebuild strength and endurance in the forearm so the tendon can handle load again.
Dr. Madigan often addresses these injuries as part of caring for sports injuries, since overuse injuries respond best when the whole movement chain is considered rather than only the sore spot. A tight shoulder or a stiff wrist can quietly add load to the elbow, so treating those areas often speeds up recovery and lowers the chance the pain comes back.
A note for golfers
If your elbow pain is connected to your golf swing, there may be more going on than the elbow itself. Limited rotation or poor mechanics can force the arms and wrists to do extra work, which loads the elbow. As a TPI certified medical professional, Dr. Madigan can look at how your body moves and connect it to your swing through golf specific care. Addressing the root of the problem helps protect your elbow and improve your game at the same time.
Simple ways to protect your elbows
Prevention matters once you are healed. A few habits go a long way. Warm up before repetitive activity, build up new activities gradually, and avoid gripping harder than you need to. Take breaks during long tasks that involve the hands and wrists, and keep the forearm and shoulder strong. If pain starts to return, address it early rather than pushing through.
Recovery timeline and staying consistent
Tendon injuries heal on their own schedule, and patience pays off. Many people notice their pain easing within a few weeks of starting focused care, but rebuilding full strength in the tendon usually takes longer. The temptation is to stop as soon as the pain fades, yet that is often when the tissue is still catching up. Following through with your exercises during this window is what keeps the pain from returning.
Your plan is designed to progress with you. As the tendon tolerates more, the exercises become more challenging in a controlled way, which is exactly what a healthy tendon needs to get strong again. Small, steady effort beats pushing hard one day and resting for a week.
When to seek care
Occasional soreness after heavy use is common. It is time to seek care when elbow pain lasts more than a week or two, when your grip feels weak, when the pain disturbs sleep, or when it keeps returning with activity. Early treatment tends to make recovery faster and prevents a minor irritation from becoming a long term problem.
Get back to a pain free grip
If elbow pain is getting in the way of work, sport, or daily life, a focused evaluation can point the way forward. Request an appointment to start treatment for golfer's elbow or tennis elbow at True Motion Chiropractic Group in Midland.