Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooGolfer's Elbow

Golfer’s elbow is sometimes called medial epicondylitis, medial epicondyle tendinosis, or medial epicondyle tendinopathy. (Tendinopathy simply means a problem with a tendon.)

The tendon can become strained during a golf swing, but numerous other movements can also overload it. The condition is characterised by tenderness and local pain at the inner elbow, and pain when gripping, lifting, or twisting the forearm, such as turning a door handle or opening a jar (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025). Elbow movement (range of motion) is usually normal, because the elbow joint itself isn’t affected (Tahir et al., 2026). Activities involving straining or twisting can bring on pain and make the condition worse.

Most cases get better with non-surgical treatment within six to 12 months (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).

1. Ice

Cold therapy, such as a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, can help ease the pain (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025). Never put ice directly on the skin. Some people find that heat helps them more than ice; this varies from person to person (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).

2. Identify Repetitive Movements

Work out which activities are causing the problem and modify or reduce them (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025). This is relative rest: you don’t need to stop using your arm completely, but try to avoid the things that aggravate the pain as much as you can (NHS Borders, n.d.). If you are a golfer, this may mean cutting back on golf for a while. If you are not sure of the cause, look carefully at your work and hobbies, for example repetitive gripping and lifting, or fine finger and wrist movements such as typing, needlework or playing a musical instrument. Changes to how you set up and do tasks at work can also reduce the strain on the tendon (Tahir et al., 2026).

3. Pain Relief

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2025) says that over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage the pain, and NHS Borders (n.d.) says that an anti-inflammatory gel or cream rubbed into the area may help, on the advice of your family doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist. (This medicine information comes from Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Borders, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

Options outside my scope

• Steroid injection: an injection of steroid medicine near the painful tendon. NHS advice differs: one NHS trust avoids them for golfer’s elbow because of a lack of evidence and the risks of soft-tissue steroid injections (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025), another says they may help some people but are not suitable for everyone (NHS Borders, n.d.), and any benefit is often short-lived (Tahir et al., 2026).
• Surgery: an operation to repair the damaged tendon, used only as a last resort in severe, long-lasting cases when other treatments have not worked (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2025; Tahir et al., 2026).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

• Backing off the gripping and repetitive tasks that flare it, rather than stopping everything
• Gentle cross-fibre massage over the sore spot and work through the forearm, plus a self-massage version I'll teach you
• Gentle holds, bending your wrist against light resistance without moving it
• Taping or a forearm strap to ease the load in the short term, and I'll show you how to tape it yourself

• Stretching for the forearm muscles
• Mobilisation with movement: I hold a gentle glide at the elbow while you repeat the painful movement; if it doesn't feel easier, we don't do it
• Gentle mobilisation and soft tissue work for stiffness in the neck, upper back and shoulder
• Shoulder blade and shoulder strength for a steadier base
• Progressively heavier wrist and grip work, including slow lowering, building to gym-based lifting where it suits you
• Sport-specific practice, like a graded return to golf once you can swing without discomfort

We'll also look at your workstation, tools, grip size and equipment; a coach can check your swing. I use warm or cool applications in the clinic and can show you how to use ice or heat at home. Keep the home programme going for a couple of months after you're back to full activity.