Tennis Elbow vs Golfer’s Elbow: What’s the Difference

Elbow pain can make simple daily tasks surprisingly difficult. Things like lifting a kettle, opening a jar, shaking hands, or even typing can become painful. Two of the most common causes of elbow pain are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.

Despite the names, you do not need to play tennis or golf to develop either condition. In fact, most people we see at PhT have never picked up a racket or golf club.

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What Is Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow. It happens when the tendons that help lift your wrist and fingers become irritated or overloaded.

This condition is usually linked to repeated gripping, lifting, twisting, or repetitive arm movements.

Common symptoms include

Tennis elbow is very common in office workers, tradespeople, gym goers, parents lifting children, and anyone doing repetitive arm movements.

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Tennis Elbow 1
Tennis Elbow 2

What Is Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow affects the inside of the elbow instead. It involves irritation of the tendons used to bend the wrist and grip.

Just like tennis elbow, it is often caused by overuse rather than sport itself.

Common symptoms include

People who regularly lift, carry, grip tools, train at the gym, or work with repetitive hand movements often develop golfer’s elbow.

Tennis Elbow vs Golfer’s Elbow

Here’s a simple side-by-side comparison.

Tennis Elbow

Golfer’s Elbow

Why Does Elbow Pain Keep Hanging Around

Many people try to ignore elbow pain at first. Others rest completely or wear supports hoping it will disappear on its own.

The problem is that tendon pain often becomes stubborn when the area is repeatedly overloaded without proper recovery. At the same time, complete rest can sometimes make the tendon weaker and more sensitive.

That is why the right balance of treatment and loading is important.

What Do Physios at PhT Do for Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

At PhT, we focus on finding out why the pain developed in the first place and helping you return to normal activities with less pain and better strength.

Your physio assessment may include

Treatment may include
Most importantly, treatment is tailored to the individual. No two elbow injuries are exactly the same.
Tennis Elbow 3
adult massaging sore elbow wearing

When Should You Get It Checked

It is worth booking an assessment if
Early treatment can often help prevent symptoms from becoming long term.

Why Is Physiotherapy Important

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow can become frustrating because tendon pain often lingers when it is not managed properly. Simply resting the arm or pushing through pain does not always solve the problem.

Physiotherapy helps by treating the cause of the issue, not just the symptoms.

At PhT, treatment focuses on reducing pain, improving strength, and helping you return to normal daily activities with confidence again. Physio can also help identify movements, work habits, or training loads that may be contributing to the problem.

The goal is to improve recovery while helping prevent the pain from repeatedly coming back.

Final Thoughts

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are both common tendon conditions that can make everyday life frustrating. Even though the names sound sport-specific, these injuries affect people from all walks of life.

The good news is that with the right physiotherapy approach, most people improve well and regain confidence in using their arm again.

If elbow pain is stopping you from training, working, or doing normal daily activities, the team at PhT can help guide your recovery