WHAT IS GOLFER’S ELBOW

Golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury that affects the flexor tendons of the forearm, located on the inside of the elbow, specifically where they attach to a bony bump called the medial epicondyle of the humerus. This is where the medical diagnosis of Medial Epicondylitis comes from. These tendons control gripping, wrist flexion, and forearm rotation. When these movements are repeated under load without adequate capacity or recovery, the tendon becomes irritated, painful, and in some cases, degenerative.

Although it shares similarities with tennis elbow (which affects the outside of the elbow), golfer’s elbow involves pain on the inside and is often aggravated by different movements of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder; specifically those in your golf swing.

Common Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow

• Pain or tenderness on the inner part of the elbow

• Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or swinging

• Weak grip strength

• Stiffness or tightness in the forearm

• Radiating discomfort down the inner forearm or wrist

• Elbow pain during everyday tasks like carrying groceries, shaking hands, or using tools

If these symptoms sound familiar and have lasted longer than a week or two, it’s time to get evaluated.

What Causes Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow is typically caused by repetitive stress or overload to the forearm flexor tendons. This stress can come from sport, work, or even lifestyle habits. Some of the most common contributing factors we see include:

• Repetitive gripping or wrist flexion (e.g., golf, weightlifting, pickleball, rock climbing)

• Sudden increase in activity (volume, intensity, or frequency)

• Poor shoulder, wrist, or thoracic mobility

• Lack of strength in the forearm, scapular stabilizers, or core

• Returning to sport or training too soon after an injury

• Prolonged poor posture while working at a desk or computer

These factors can lead to small tears in the tendon, poor healing, and eventually, chronic pain that lingers for months—especially if left untreated or mismanaged.

Diagnosing Golfer’s Elbow at Revive Sport & Spine

At Revive Sport & Spine, we don’t rely solely on imaging or passive treatments. Our first step is a comprehensive evaluation that includes:

• A detailed health and activity history

• Hands-on orthopedic testing

• Assessment of elbow, wrist, shoulder, and spine movement

• Functional movement screens to identify biomechanical faults

• Grip strength and tendon loading tolerance testing

In rare or stubborn cases, we may refer for diagnostic ultrasound or MRI, but for most people, a clear diagnosis can be made during the first visit, and treatment can start right away.

How We Treat Golfer’s Elbow at Revive Sport & Spine

We take a modern, multi-faceted approach to golfer’s elbow that goes far beyond “just rest.” Our goal is to help you reduce pain, restore strength, and return to sport or activity without limitations. Your personalized treatment plan may include:

1. Manual Therapy

We use targeted soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and support tissue healing:

• IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization)
  Helps break up adhesions and scar tissue in the flexor tendon and surrounding muscles.

• Dry Needling
  A highly effective way to release trigger points, improve circulation, and reduce pain in the affected area.

• Active Release Techniques (ART)
  A hands-on method for lengthening and mobilizing tight or overused muscles.

2. Shockwave Therapy

For stubborn or chronic cases, Shockwave Therapy can dramatically speed up recovery. This non-invasive treatment uses high-pressure acoustic waves to:

• Stimulate cellular repair

• Break down scar tissue and calcification

• Increase blood flow to the tendon

Shockwave is especially effective when golfer’s elbow has lasted longer than 6–8 weeks or hasn’t responded to other conservative care.

3. Corrective Exercise & Tendon Rehab

Exercise is one of the most important parts of long-term recovery. We’ll guide you through a progressive loading program that starts with pain-free isometrics, builds into eccentric loading, and ultimately includes dynamic strengthening and grip control.

We’ll also address contributing weaknesses or mobility restrictions in the:

• Wrist and forearm

• Shoulder and scapula

• Thoracic spine

• Core and kinetic chain

This not only helps you recover faster, but prevents the injury from coming back.

4. Chiropractic Care

As sports chiropractors, we don’t just adjust your spine—we assess and treat the entire kinetic chain. Gentle chiropractic adjustments may be used to:

• Improve joint motion in the elbow, wrist, shoulder, or neck

• Reduce compensatory stress on the arm

• Improve movement efficiency during sport or daily activity

5. Education & Load Management

We’ll help you understand what movements to avoid, what’s safe to keep doing, and how to progress back to full activity without setbacks. This means no generic “just rest for 6 weeks” advice.

You’ll leave with a clear understanding of:

• How to modify your sport or training

• Which exercises promote healing vs. aggravate symptoms

• When and how to safely return to full training or competition

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Golfer’s Elbow?

Recovery time depends on how long the injury has been present and how well it's been managed up to this point.

• Acute cases (less than 4 weeks): Often respond well in 3–6 visits with little golf disruption.

• Subacute cases (4–12 weeks): May require 6–8 visits over several weeks and an easing back into play.

• Chronic cases (3+ months): Benefit from shockwave therapy and longer rehab timelines (8+ visits)

The good news is that with the right plan, most people experience significant improvement in pain and function within a few weeks without the need for injections or surgery so they can get back out on the golf course faster.

More videos to help you with Golf related injuries and performance to help you play your best.

Why Choose Revive Sport & Spine to help with your Golfer’s Elbow?

We’re not your typical chiropractic clinic. Here’s what makes us different:

• We treat more than just backs — We specialize in sports injury rehab, soft tissue therapy, and performance optimization.

• Evidence-based care — We use research-backed techniques and track your progress at every step.

• Personalized, one-on-one sessions — No cookie-cutter plans or rushed appointments.

• We work with active people — Whether you’re a golfer, climber, lifter, or runner, we’ll help you keep moving.

• Local & convenient — We’re located in Midvale, Utah, serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas.