Conditions we treat
Tennis Elbow & Golfer's Elbow
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
What are Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylalgia) are overuse injuries affecting the tendons that attach to the bony points on the outside and inside of the elbow. Despite the names, both are common in people who’ve never picked up a racquet or club — repetitive gripping, typing, manual work and lifting are just as likely causes.
Symptoms
Tennis elbow causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow that worsens with gripping, lifting or twisting movements — even simple tasks like shaking hands or turning a doorknob can aggravate it. Golfer’s elbow causes similar pain on the inside of the elbow, often worsened by wrist flexion and gripping.
Treatment
Treatment combines hands-on techniques — deep soft tissue work, trigger point therapy and dry needling — to reduce pain and tension in the forearm muscles, with a progressive loading exercise programme to rebuild the tendon’s capacity. Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for tendon conditions that have become chronic. Andrew will also look at what’s driving the overload — grip technique, workstation setup, or training load — so the problem doesn’t simply return once treatment stops.
How we treat it
Treatments used for tennis elbow & golfer's elbow
Manual TherapyManual therapy uses hands-on techniques — soft tissue work, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisation and fascia distortion release — to ease pain, restore movement and speed recovery.
Dry NeedlingDry needling uses thin, sterile needles to release tight, overactive trigger points in muscle — a Western, evidence-based technique distinct from traditional acupuncture.
Shockwave TherapyShockwave therapy uses focused acoustic pulses to stimulate healing in chronic tendon conditions that haven't responded to other treatment, such as Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis.
Exercise RehabilitationA structured, progressive exercise programme — tailored to your condition and stage of recovery — to rebuild strength, restore movement and prevent injuries recurring.Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to get rid of tennis elbow?
There's no true overnight fix, since it's an overuse tendon injury that needs time to rebuild capacity. Andrew's treatment combines hands-on techniques like dry needling and trigger point therapy to reduce pain quickly, with a progressive loading programme that addresses the underlying tendon problem so it doesn't return.
Do you need a brace for tennis elbow?
A brace or strap can help reduce load on the tendon and ease symptoms during daily activities, but it's a supportive measure rather than a treatment on its own. Addressing the underlying overload — grip technique, workstation setup or training load — is what actually resolves the problem.
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
Tennis and golfer's elbow are tendon conditions that typically take several weeks to a few months to fully resolve with appropriate treatment, since tendons adapt gradually. Chronic cases that have been present for a long time can take longer, which is why shockwave therapy is often added for these.
What's the difference between tennis elbow and golfer's elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow, causing pain with gripping and lifting. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia) affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow, often worsened by wrist flexion. Both are overuse injuries and don't require you to actually play the associated sport.
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