It is not inflammation. It is a tendon that lost its tolerance.
Tennis elbow is lateral epicondylalgia: the common extensor tendon, where your wrist and finger extensors anchor to the outside of the elbow. Golfer's elbow is medial epicondylalgia, the flexor and pronator tendon on the inside. Same story, opposite side. And despite the old "itis" name, what we mostly find is not an angry inflammatory flare. It is tendon tissue that has been asked for more than it can currently give, over and over.
That is why rest disappoints you. Rest calms the tendon down and lowers its capacity at the same time, so the first real grip session puts you back where you started. Tendons do not get better by being left alone. They get better by being loaded correctly. Stop resting it. Start rebuilding it.
Outside or inside? The side tells us the tendon.
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow behave almost identically. Which tendon is involved changes the loading we give you, so the first thing we do is confirm the side, the exact spot, and what provokes it.
Outer Elbow Pain
Tennis elbow. A pinpoint sore spot on the bony bump outside the elbow that fires with gripping, lifting a mug, or a backhand.
Inner Elbow Pain
Golfer's elbow. Pain on the inside of the elbow with wrist curling, gripping the club, or the moment of impact in a swing.
Grip Strength Loss
The handshake, the jar lid, the kettlebell, the dog on the leash. Not just painful, actually weaker than the other side.
Pain With Everyday Grip
Turning a doorknob, carrying groceries, using a screwdriver, holding a phone. Small loads, held long enough, are what a cranky tendon hates most.
Morning Stiffness
Stiff and tender for the first stretch of the day, looser once you move, then sore again the evening after a heavy day of use.
The Next-Day Flare
You feel fine during the round or the match, then it is angry for two days afterward. Classic tendon behavior, and a useful measuring stick during rehab.
Calm the tendon, then make it strong enough that it stops complaining.
First we confirm it is the tendon and not the neck, the radial nerve, or the elbow joint itself referring pain there. Then two things run in parallel. Hands-on work at the forearm and elbow, plus dry needling where the muscle is guarded, brings the pain down enough for you to work.
And then the part that actually fixes it: graded loading of that tendon. Isometric grip holds to start, then heavy slow wrist and forearm work, then the shoulder and scapula that feed the arm, then the real thing, your swing, your racket, your tools, your barbell. We measure grip along the way, so progress is a number and not a feeling.
No referral needed. Texas direct access lets us treat you for up to 30 consecutive business days without one.
More improvement than expected.
"Working with Jacob has been amazing. I've seen more improvement than I expected and feel a huge difference in my mobility already."Chelsea A. · Google Review
Get your grip back.
No referral needed. Under Texas direct access we can treat you for up to 30 consecutive business days without one.
Your first visit is a full one-on-one evaluation with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We confirm which tendon is involved, measure your grip, and you leave with a plan and your first loading exercise.
You’re all set.
We’ll reach out within one business day to confirm your appointment. If you need to speak with us sooner, call us directly.