The most common type of elbow pain is lateral epicondylitis also known as “tennis elbow”.  Tennis elbow is the overuse or repetitive motion of your wrist extensors and elbow joint, which causes pain on movement, particularly where your tendon attaches to the bone (around the lateral epicondyle).

Symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• Tenderness on touching the lateral aspect of your elbow
• Pain with elbow and wrist movements
• Pain with gripping activities
• Dull ache at rest
• Decrease strength in wrist extensors

Treatment of tennis elbow may involve:

• Checking if it is a local elbow problem or if it is a nerve problem due to the neck or ribs.
• Address postural issues
• Rest, ice and avoid aggravating activities
• Soft tissue release through your extensors
• Stretching of your wrist extensors
• Taping
• Dry needling
• Eccentric strengthening of your wrist extensors

Medial epicondylitis also known as “golfer’s elbow” is a less common condition. Causes are similar to elbow pain, with overuse and repetitive motions of your wrist flexors and elbow joint.

Symptoms and treatment of golfer’s elbow are similar to tennis elbow, however pain will be felt on the medial side of your elbow and physiotherapy will involve treating your wrist flexors and addressing any postural issues in your ribs or neck.