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Our Approach To Golfers Elbow Treatment

Our service is for people who want to be truly free from chronic golfers elbow pain. This involves healing the real causes of golfers elbow, deep in the biomechanics of the arm.  It also means moving beyond outdated ‘symptom based’ approaches to golfers elbow treatment.

Our golfers’ elbow treatments combine cutting-edge technology, hands-on methods, tailored rehab programs, and sometimes even stress management. This enables us to target all forms of golfers elbow, from fresh injuries to the most stubborn treatment-resistant cases.

We provide transformative golfers’ elbow treatment in a welcoming and friendly environment. Genuine care and authentic communication are not bonus features for us; they are healthcare fundamentals.

Biomechanical Analysis

Laser Therapy

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Shockwave Therapy

Fascia Release

Rehabilitation

Custom Orthotics

Gold Standard Golf Elbow Treatment

Our golfers elbow treatments aim to relieve your pain as quickly as possible. Using tools and technologies that ease muscle spasm, increase tissue mobility, increase blood flow, decrease inflammation & break up scar tissue.

Once your pain is under control we offer preventative measures. The secret to preventing golfers elbow is careful strength and mobility training for the tendons in the forearm. Reconditioning forearm and wrist tendons takes time, but many of the best things in life do.

Combining specific sets of forearm exercises with tailored ergonomic solutions is the key to preventing recurrence in most cases of golfers elbow. For a percentage of those seeking golfers elbow treatment  stress management tools are also necessary in the longer term.

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Book an online consultation and get personalized advice from the comfort of your home. Our licensed practitioners are here to assess your concerns, provide expert diagnosis, and offer treatment recommendations—all through a secure virtual session.

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027 508 8083

Email

tobias@severnclinics.co.nz

Golf Elbow Pain Causes

There are many possible causes of golfers elbow. Knowing how to accurately diagnose the underlying causes of golfers elbow can be a tricky job, even for trained professionals. Read our guide to the possible causes of golfers elbow pain.
Read More

Golf Elbow Pain Treatments

Many people still find it difficult to get effective treatment for their golfers elbow and there is still much debate over the best golfers elbow treatment. The good news is that with a flexible approach most cases of golfers elbow are very manageable.
Read More

Golfers Elbow Treatment FAQ

There are numerous common misunderstandings surrounding tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Some individuals mistakenly believe that tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are interchangeable. In contrast, others may be familiar with one but not the other. Additionally, there is a misconception that the tennis elbow is exclusively linked to tennis and that the golfer’s elbow is linked to golf. In reality, these two distinct conditions share similar causes and symptoms, both stemming from repetitive strain and overuse.

Contrary to popular belief, many individuals who suffer from tennis or golfer’s elbow are not necessarily tennis players or golfers. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow exhibit contrasting characteristics. Although both involve discomfort along the forearm and elbow, they affect different areas. Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow, whereas golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inside.

While tennis and golfer’s elbow symptoms share similarities, they manifest on different sides of the elbow and arm. Tennis elbow typically involves pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. In contrast, golfer’s elbow entails discomfort on the inside of the elbow and along the arm. Additionally, a golfer’s elbow may result in numbness or tingling sensations in the fingers.

Some of the most common symptoms of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow include:

  • Pain and tenderness: Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow manifest as pain and tenderness on the inner or outer side of the elbow, respectively.
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  • These can extend to the forearm and worsen with specific movements.
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  • Numbness or tingling: Golfer’s elbow may cause numbness or tingling, often radiating into the ring and little fingers, while tennis elbow may result in similar sensations in the fingers.
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  • Aching: Both conditions can lead to an achy discomfort in the affected elbow during or after activity.
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  • Weakness: Weakness in the hands and wrists may accompany numbness or tingling in both golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow.
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  • Stiffness: Both conditions may cause stiffness in the elbow, resulting in pain when making a fist or engaging in movement.

Typically, diagnosing golfer’s elbow relies on a thorough review of your medical history and a physical examination by one of our practitioners. During the assessment, our practitioner may assess pain and stiffness by applying pressure to the affected area or instructing you to perform specific movements involving your elbow, wrist, and fingers.

Sometimes, an X-ray may be conducted to eliminate other potential causes of elbow discomfort, such as fractures or arthritis. While less common, more detailed imaging studies like MRI may be recommended in certain situations.

Some of the most effective treatments for golfers and tennis elbow include:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy:

  • Shockwave therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. By utilising shock waves to target and stimulate the healing process within the affected tendon, ESWT provides a promising solution for alleviating pain and promoting recovery.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): 

  • Using specific light wavelengths, LLLT penetrates deep into tissues, initiating cellular repair mechanisms and reducing inflammation, offering a highly effective treatment approach for tennis and golfer’s elbow.

Manual Release Techniques: 

  • Manual release techniques, including cross-friction massage and ischemic compression techniques, target muscle tension and fascial adhesions commonly associated with tennis and golfer’s elbow, providing relief and promoting tissue healing.

Functional Training, Stretching, and Strengthening Protocols:

  • Strengthening protocols address muscular imbalances and weaknesses, offering stability and support to the affected tendons. Additionally, functional training focuses on modifying movement patterns to minimise stress on the tendons, enabling a safe return to daily activities. By integrating these strategies, individuals can overcome tennis and golfer’s elbow, restoring function and enhancing their quality of life.

Although symptoms of tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow can improve over time without targeted treatment, it’s crucial to understand that this improvement doesn’t always indicate a complete resolution of the underlying problem. The pain and discomfort of these conditions may diminish as the body undergoes natural healing processes. However, without addressing the root cause, there’s still a risk of recurrence.

The recovery period for golfers or tennis elbows varies depending on several factors. Typically, it can range from several weeks to several months. Complete rehabilitation may take up to six months, although individual timelines vary. For a more precise estimate, it’s advisable to undergo an examination by one of our experienced practitioners, who can provide a comprehensive assessment and offer insights into the expected recovery duration.

Here are several proactive measures individuals can take to minimise the risk of developing golfers or tennis elbow:

  • Strengthen forearm muscles: Incorporate exercises like using light weights or squeezing a tennis ball into your routine to enhance forearm strength. Even basic exercises can help muscles better absorb sudden physical stress.
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  • Stretching before an activity: Prioritise warming up your muscles before engaging in any physical activity. Take a few minutes to walk or jog to get your blood flowing, followed by gentle stretches to prepare your body for the upcoming exertion.
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  • Ensure proper form: Seek guidance from an instructor to assess and correct your form in your chosen sport. Proper form can help prevent muscle overload and reduce the risk of developing elbow issues.
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  • Use appropriate equipment: Evaluate it to ensure it aligns with your body and playing style. If you’re using older irons, consider upgrading to lighter graphite golf clubs, and choose a tennis racket with a grip size and weight that suits you to minimise the risk of elbow problems.
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  • Practise safe lifting techniques: Maintain a stable and rigid wrist position when lifting objects, including free weights, to decrease the strain on your elbow.
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  • Listen to your body: Avoid overexerting your elbow and pay attention to any early signs of discomfort or pain. Take breaks to prevent further strain and allow for adequate rest and recovery.

Muscle-strengthening exercises can be categorised into concentric and eccentric exercises. In concentric exercises, the muscle contracts or tightens, while in eccentric exercises, the muscle relaxes. For instance, pulling a weight up towards your body is a concentric exercise, while slowly lowering the weight back down is an eccentric exercise. This controlled movement against gravity helps to build muscle strength.

Eccentric exercises specifically target the muscles involved in activities such as hitting a golf or tennis ball. Here’s an example of an eccentric strengthening exercise routine:

  • Hold a weight in your hand on the affected side of your body and sit down.
  • Rest your arm on your thigh, palm facing upwards, with your elbow bent and wrist stretched.
  • Slowly lower your hand with the weight in it towards the ground.
  • Use your free hand to assist in returning the weight to its original position.
  • Repeat the movement 10 to 15 times.
  • Take a short break, then repeat this set of exercises two more times.

Wearing a brace or clasp for tennis or golfer’s elbow can provide much-needed support and relief for the affected area. By positioning it over the muscle of the forearm just below the elbow, the brace helps to reduce the tension on the torn tendons pulling on the bone. This can alleviate pain and discomfort, allowing the damaged tissue to heal more effectively.

However, it’s essential to be aware of the risks associated with wearing a brace for prolonged periods. While it can provide temporary relief and support during activities aggravating the condition, relying too heavily on a brace may lead to muscle weakness and dependency over time. Additionally, wearing a brace continuously may restrict blood flow and range of motion in the affected area, hindering the natural healing process.

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow share similar repetitive strain injuries resulting from overuse of the arm and elbow. Fortunately, the prognosis for both conditions is generally positive, with most patients experiencing pain relief within six months of treatment. However, it’s essential to adhere to the therapy plan prescribed by one of our practitioners to prevent the recurrence of symptoms. Complications of tennis or golfer’s elbow may include:

  • Recurrence of the injury upon resuming regular activity.
  • Tendon rupture from repeated steroid injections.
  • Failure to improve with conservative treatment.

Surgery is typically reserved for cases involving significant tears in the tendon resulting from a sudden injury or severe damage to the elbow. However, golfers and tennis elbow surgery comes with certain risks to consider:

  • Complete straightening of the arm may not be achievable post-surgery.
  • Surgery may not guarantee a complete resolution of the problem, and there’s a possibility of persistent or recurrent pain.
  • Risks such as infection, blood loss, and nerve damage are associated with any surgical procedure.

Steroids are potent anti-inflammatory medications, but when it comes to golfers and tennis elbow, the issue lies more in tendon damage rather than inflammation. Consequently, using anti-inflammatories doesn’t target the root cause of the problem. Research on the long-term effects of steroid treatment for golfers and tennis elbow suggests that while steroid injections provide rapid pain relief, they don’t significantly impact the overall outcome. However, they remain popular due to their quick pain-relieving effects.

Despite their effectiveness in reducing pain, steroid or cortisone injections pose risks of complications. These include tendon decay or tearing around the elbow and potential atrophy of muscle and fatty tissue near the joint. Prolonged steroid use can also impair tendon function, raising the risk of structural issues in the elbow tendons and joint instability, often necessitating surgical intervention. While steroidal injections offer immediate pain relief, their long-term benefits are less clear. Each case requires careful consideration due to the potential side effects associated with steroids, particularly the risk of tendon damage.

Take A Tour Of Our Wellington Clinic

Our team offers a wide range of treatments, helping you to achieve your recovery goals. 

Our Team

Tobias Hall

DC BSc. Hons. IIst Nat. Dip. NZCA

Kade Christensen

BHSc. (Paramedicine) EMT, CERT. ST

Zabad Michael

DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy)
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Wellington

Featherston Street Pain Clinic

3/23 Waring Taylor Street

Greytown

Main Street Pain & Injury Care

82 Main Street

Masterton

Jackson Street Pain & Injury Care

1 Jackson Street

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