Elbow Pain (Tennis & Golfer's Elbow)
Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow and golfer's elbow is pain on the inside. Both are overuse injuries to the forearm tendons, and most people who get them do not play tennis or golf. We treat elbow pain in Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho.
Which side of the elbow hurts?
Where it hurts tells us which tendon is irritated.
Outside of the elbow: tennis elbow
Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, causes elbow pain when gripping, lifting a coffee cup or turning a screwdriver.
Inside of the elbow: golfer's elbow
Golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is pain on the inner side. Elbow tendinitis can show up on either side.
Forearm pain
Both problems can send forearm pain toward the wrist, and the muscles in the forearm often feel tight and tender.
Other causes
Elbow bursitis is an inflamed fluid sac from repeated pressure or motion. Cubital tunnel happens when the tissue narrows and presses on the ulnar nerve, which can cause tingling and numbness and a weak hand.
You do not need to play tennis or golf to get it
Gripping, lifting and repetitive work are the usual causes: a keyboard, a wrench, a paintbrush, a hay bale, a gripping job at the shop. Repeated tasks load the forearm tendons faster than they can recover.
Changes at work and home take pressure off the tendon. Your therapist looks at your tools, your grip and your workday and suggests what to adjust. If your job is the main driver, see Work Injuries & Workers' Comp, and for athletes, sports injury rehab.
Loading the tendon works better than resting it
Complete rest usually leaves a tendon weaker. Careful, graded exercise teaches it to take load again, so strengthening is the center of care. Alongside it we may use:
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for the tight forearm tissue
- Shockwave therapy for stubborn tendon pain
- Dry needling and manual therapy
- A counterforce brace, and ergonomic advice for your tools and grip
- Blood flow restriction training to build the muscle with light loads
Next door: shoulder, wrist and hand
Elbow problems often travel with their neighbors.
Wrist and hand
Pain from the wrist down is on Hand & Wrist Pain.
Shoulder
If the whole arm aches, check the shoulder on Shoulder Pain.
Get checked first if you have
- Elbow pain after a fall or a hard hit
- A swollen, red, hot elbow with fever
- Numbness or weakness in the hand that is getting worse
Idaho allows direct access to physical therapy, so you do not need a referral from a doctor to begin. Some insurance plans, and Medicare typically, may still require one. If you are unsure, call us and we will check your plan. We accept most insurance plans and verify your benefits before you arrive. Auto injury liens, Medpay and workers compensation are accepted, and there is a self-pay option. Call the office to confirm your plan.
Elbow pain care in Chubbuck, Idaho
Call or request an appointment at our Chubbuck clinic. We see patients from Chubbuck, Pocatello and the surrounding area.
We see patients at our Chubbuck clinic from Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho.