What's the difference between Golfer's Elbow and Tennis Elbow? | Sports Chiropractic

You don’t have to be the next Rory McIlroy or Serena Williams to end up with elbow tendonitis. We see golfers, tennis players, carpenters, desk workers, and even parents juggling babies all walk through our doors with the same complaint — a sharp, nagging pain on the inside or outside of the elbow that just won’t quit.

At Minnesota Movement Sports Chiropractic in Excelsior, MN, we specialize in treating Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis) and Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — two of the most common (and most annoying) repetitive strain injuries we see around the Lake Minnetonka area.

Our goal isn’t just to quiet the pain. It’s to fix why that tendon is angry in the first place — and build a stronger, more resilient arm that can handle whatever you throw at it (or swing, or type, or hammer).

Common Symptoms of Elbow Tendonitis

  • Localized pain or tenderness — typically on the inside (Golfer’s Elbow) or outside (Tennis Elbow) of the elbow

  • Stiffness or soreness when gripping objects or bending your arm

  • Weakness in your grip or when shaking hands, holding a coffee mug, or lifting weights

  • Numbness or tingling radiating into your forearm or hand (especially ring and pinky fingers)

  • Pain that worsens with use — especially during activities like typing, swinging, lifting, or twisting

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Elbow Tendonitis?

Mild to moderate cases of elbow tendonitis typically improve within 4–6 weeks with consistent treatment and proper home care.
More chronic cases (tendinosis) can take 8–12 weeks, especially if the condition has lingered for months before treatment.

The key to full recovery is addressing both tissue healing and movement correction — otherwise, you’re just treating symptoms, not solving the problem.

Common Causes & Mechanisms of Injury

While the name “Golfer’s Elbow” makes it sound like a sport-specific problem, the truth is that any repetitive use of your wrist or forearm muscles can lead to this condition. Common culprits include:

  • Repetitive gripping (golf, tennis, climbing, weightlifting)

  • Typing or mouse-heavy desk work

  • Poor wrist or shoulder mechanics

  • Weak posterior chain (inactive lats and scapular stabilizers)

  • Sudden increase in training load or workload

  • Improper lifting form or grip angle during workouts

When these movements are repeated over and over, microtears develop in the tendons where your forearm muscles attach at the elbow. Left untreated, the inflammation turns into chronic degeneration (tendinosis), which takes significantly longer to heal.

How We Treat Elbow Tendonitis at Minnesota Movement

Our Sports Chiropractors don’t just treat the elbow — we treat the entire kinetic chain. That means your wrist, shoulder, and even posture play a role in your elbow pain.

We combine evidence-based chiropractic care with sports rehab techniques to address the root cause and get you back to performance fast.

Common Treatments Include:

  • Manual Muscle Therapy & Active Release Technique (ART): Break down adhesions and improve soft tissue function.

  • Functional Dry Needling: Reduces muscle tension and inflammation around the tendon.

  • Transverse Friction Massage: Stimulates healing and collagen remodeling in the tendon.

  • Eccentric & Isometric Loading Exercises: Strengthen the tendon under active tension to rebuild durability.

  • RockFloss Compression Therapy & RockTape Kinesiology Taping: Improve circulation and support the tissue during activity.

  • Chiropractic Adjustments (Elbow, Wrist, Shoulder): Restore joint motion and optimize movement mechanics.

Simple Rehab Tips

To complement your in-office treatment, we often prescribe simple at-home rehab movements such as:

  • Eccentric wrist curls with a towel or Therabar

  • Forearm pronation/supination drills with a light dumbbell

  • Wrist extensor stretch hand extended, gently pull fingers back

  • Scapular retraction drills to improve shoulder stability and decrease elbow stress

If elbow pain is stopping you from swinging, lifting, or working the way you want, don’t wait until it becomes a chronic issue.
👉 Schedule an appointment today at Minnesota Movement Sports Chiropractic in Excelsior, MN.
Let’s fix the root cause, restore function, and get you back to the activities you love — pain-free.

Reid NellesMinnesota Movementsport and spine, strength, stability, chiropractor, chiropractic near me, chiropractor near me, chiropractic care, chiropractic, chiropractor excelsior mn, Active Release Technique, dry needling, golfer's elbow, golf, tennis elbow, tendonitis, tendinitis, Tendonitis, shoulder pain, elbow painComment