Condition library
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow: why does my elbow hurt when I grip?
Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, and golfer's elbow is pain on the inside, caused by overloading the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow. Both are common in people who don't play tennis or golf — repeated gripping, lifting, mouse and keyboard work, manual trades and gym training are typical causes. Pain is usually worst when gripping, lifting a kettle or shaking hands. Both conditions often last months but respond well to a structured loading programme. At Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic, treatment combines hands-on work, a progressive tendon exercise plan and, for persistent cases, radial shockwave therapy.
Common causes
- a sudden increase in gripping or lifting — a new job, DIY project, new sport or training block
- repetitive forearm work over a long period
- grip technique or equipment, e.g. racquet grip size, golf swing faults, heavy pulling in the gym
- contributing stiffness or poor control in the neck, shoulder or wrist
See your GP or call NHS 111 if:
- the elbow is hot, red and swollen, or you feel feverish
- the pain started with a fall or a definite injury and you can't straighten or bend the elbow fully
- you have numbness or tingling into the hand, or weakness of the hand
How it's assessed
Assessment confirms which tendon is involved and rules out other sources of elbow pain, including referral from the neck and nerve irritation around the elbow. Grip strength and the movements that provoke pain are measured so progress can be tracked.
How it's treated at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic
- a progressive tendon loading programme — the core of treatment
- ART and IASTM to the forearm muscles
- dry needling (acupuncture)
- treatment of the neck, shoulder or wrist where they contribute
- radial shockwave therapy for cases that have persisted for several months or haven't responded to exercise alone. Research on shockwave for elbow tendon pain is mixed; it's offered as an option within a planned course, not as a stand-alone fix.
- advice on modifying work, gym and sport loads so the tendon can recover
Frequently asked questions
- How long does tennis elbow last?
- Untreated, it often lasts many months and can last a year or more. A structured exercise plan usually shortens this and reduces the chance of recurrence.
- Should I wear an elbow strap?
- A forearm brace can reduce pain during activity for some people. It's a short-term aid, not a treatment on its own.
- Are steroid injections a good idea?
- Steroid injections can reduce pain in the short term, but research suggests outcomes at a year can be worse than with exercise-based treatment. Discuss this with your GP.
- Do I need to stop training?
- Usually not completely. Loads are adjusted so you can keep training while the tendon recovers.
About the practitioner
Guy Murray, BA, BOst (Hons), HDip NMT, is the sole practitioner at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic, Suite 1.4, Redtree Business Suites, 33 Dalmarnock Rd, Glasgow G40 4LA. He has treated musculoskeletal pain and sports injuries in Glasgow since 2008, for patients ranging from office workers and older adults to professional athletes. He was the first practitioner in Scotland to be certified in full-body Active Release Technique (2011) and the first in the UK to complete the Postural Restoration Institute core courses, and trained directly under Leon Chaitow. Treatment sessions combine assessment, hands-on treatment and a home rehab plan.
Appointments: 07584 284854 · guy@glasgowsportandspine.co.uk · Monday–Friday, 10:00–18:30 · Book an appointment · Treatments and prices
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your symptoms, see your GP or call NHS 111.