Elbow pain making it hard to swing a racket or grip your morning coffee?
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are two of the most common overuse injuries we treat in athletes, active adults, and workers across Clarke County, Oconee County, Madison County, and Morgan County. Despite the name, you don’t have to play a sport to develop either condition—and you definitely don’t have to live with the pain.
>>>Book your appointment and let our team help you heal your elbow and protect it for the long haul.
What’s the Difference Between Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow?
Although the pain shows up in different parts of the elbow, both conditions are forms of tendinopathy—injuries caused by irritation or degeneration of tendons from repetitive motion or strain.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the outside of the elbow and is typically caused by repeated wrist extension, like gripping or lifting.
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain on the inner side of the elbow and stems from repetitive wrist flexion or forearm rotation.
We often see these injuries not just in athletes but in people who type all day, do manual labor, lift weights, garden, or play musical instruments. The key to recovery is treating the cause—not just the symptoms.
Common Symptoms We See
While each patient’s pain pattern is different, many of the people we treat with tennis or golfer’s elbow describe:
- Pain when gripping objects like a coffee mug, steering wheel, or doorknob
- Soreness or burning around the elbow joint, especially after activity
- Weakness in the forearm or wrist
- Stiffness in the morning or after rest
- Discomfort when lifting, reaching, or twisting
If these symptoms last more than a few days or start to interfere with work or daily activities, physical therapy can help prevent them from getting worse.
How Physical Therapy Helps Heal Elbow Tendon Injuries
Tendons don’t heal well on their own—especially when the same motions that caused the injury are part of your daily life. That’s why we take a hands-on, movement-focused approach to rehab that relieves pain and restores strength over time.
First, we evaluate your posture, grip patterns, shoulder mobility, and how your arm moves during activity. This full-body approach helps us identify the underlying causes of the irritation—whether it’s tight shoulders, weak grip muscles, or improper mechanics.
Treatment often includes a combination of targeted strength training, soft tissue work, and movement correction. In many cases, we use advanced therapies like Dry Needling to reduce stubborn tension or HRV Therapy to improve recovery between sessions.
For patients with lingering symptoms or more advanced cases, we also offer Neubie electrical stimulation, which helps re-educate the muscles and restore proper neuromuscular coordination.
Why Rest Alone Isn’t Enough
It’s a common misconception that rest will fix elbow pain. While taking time off might reduce discomfort temporarily, it doesn’t address the weakened tissues or poor movement patterns that caused the problem in the first place.
Without specific rehab exercises and progression, the pain often returns when activity is resumed. That’s why physical therapy is essential—not only for healing but for building back strength and resilience so your elbow can tolerate the demands of your lifestyle or sport.
Our Approach to Lasting Elbow Relief
When treating tennis and golfer’s elbow, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We build every treatment plan around the individual—your goals, your activities, and your stage of recovery.
Many of our patients benefit from manual therapy techniques to improve tissue mobility, custom exercise programs to retrain the forearm and grip muscles, and education on how to modify activities during healing. We also teach ergonomic strategies and movement drills that reduce strain on the elbow during work, training, or sports.
This comprehensive approach helps prevent re-injury and gives you the tools to stay active and pain-free long after therapy ends.
When to Seek Physical Therapy for Elbow Pain
If you’re dealing with elbow pain that won’t go away—or keeps coming back—it’s time to seek expert help. You don’t need a referral to start PT in Georgia, and early treatment often means a shorter recovery.
We encourage you to schedule an evaluation if:
- Elbow pain is affecting your work, hobbies, or sports
- You’ve tried rest, braces, or ice with little relief
- You notice weakness, tingling, or grip problems
- Pain has lasted more than a week without improvement
We treat patients across East Athens, Danielsville, Madison, and Watkinsville and Oconee with evidence-based elbow rehab that gets results.
Ready to Get a Grip on Elbow Pain?
You don’t have to give up the activities you love—or wait for the pain to go away on its own. Our team of experienced physical therapists can help you recover from tennis or golfer’s elbow with a personalized, movement-based approach that works.
We use advanced technology, hands-on care, and customized exercise progressions to help you heal faster and get back to doing what you love. Whether you’re swinging a golf club, lifting weights, or simply trying to type without pain, we’ll help you take action—and stay strong.
Book your elbow pain evaluation today or contact us to get started.
Licensed Physical Therapist, MDT certified, and the CEO of East Athens Physical Therapy, serving communities across Clarke, Oconee, Madison, and Morgan counties. With over two decades of experience and certification in the McKenzie Method, Jim Mike combines hands-on care with cutting-edge technology to help patients recover faster and stay active.
