Elbow Pain (Tennis & Golfer's Elbow)
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are overloaded tendons at the elbow, and they respond best to guided strengthening rather than rest. Logos Physical Therapy treats elbow pain, including lateral and medial epicondylitis, in Perth Amboy and Somerville, New Jersey.
Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
The names describe where it hurts, not what you play.
Tennis elbow
Lateral epicondylitis hurts on the outside of the elbow, and gripping or lifting with your palm down makes it worse.
Golfer’s elbow
Medial epicondylitis hurts on the inside of the elbow and shows up with gripping, carrying or repetitive wrist work.
You don’t need to play either sport
Typing, tools, lifting and gardening can all overload the same tendons.
Other elbow problems
Elbow bursitis and cubital tunnel (the ulnar nerve) can feel similar. Your evaluation sorts out which one you have.
Why loading the tendon helps more than resting it
Rest takes the pain down for a while, but the tendon is weaker when you start again. Isometric holds and eccentric strengthening rebuild the tendon’s capacity, and a counterforce brace can take pressure off while it adapts.
We pair that with manual therapy, and changes at work and home that take pressure off the tendon. Wrist and hand pain are covered on hand and wrist pain, and shoulder problems on shoulder pain.
What a visit includes
- A one-on-one evaluation of your elbow, wrist, shoulder and neck
- Isometric and eccentric tendon loading you can repeat at home
- Grip, forearm and shoulder strengthening
- Advice on tools, keyboards and lifting that eases the load
- You can come to Logos with a physician’s referral or ask for care directly.
Questions we hear about elbow pain
Elbow pain when gripping, forearm pain and elbow tendinitis are usually the same overloaded tendon talking. Many patients also play a sport; see sports injury rehab.
Elbow pain care in Perth Amboy and Somerville
Request an appointment at Logos Physical Therapy and a physical therapist will call you to find a time.
We see patients in Perth Amboy and Somerville, New Jersey.