How is golfer’s elbow treated without surgery?
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is treated non-surgically with a combination of soft-tissue therapy, joint mobilization, Class IV laser therapy, eccentric strengthening exercises, and activity modification. At McAlpine Chiropractic Group in Holland, MI, most patients see meaningful improvement in 4 to 8 weeks with conservative care, avoiding the need for cortisone injections or surgery.
Golfer’s elbow — medically known as medial epicondylitis — is a common overuse injury affecting the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the inner side of your elbow. Despite the name, you do not have to play golf to develop it. It affects tennis players, weightlifters, manual laborers, and anyone whose work involves repetitive gripping, twisting, or wrist flexion.
At McAlpine Chiropractic Group in Holland, MI, we treat golfer’s elbow as a tendinopathy — a condition where small areas of tendon damage outpace the body’s ability to repair them. Our approach combines hands-on soft-tissue therapy, Class IV laser, and progressive loading exercises to reverse the cycle without injections or surgery.
What is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is inflammation and microtearing of the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle — the bony bump on the inner side of your elbow. The tendons most often affected are those of the pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis, which control wrist flexion and forearm rotation.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, sometimes radiating down the forearm
- Stiffness in the elbow, especially in the morning
- Weak grip strength — opening jars, shaking hands, or holding tools becomes painful
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers (when the ulnar nerve is irritated)
- Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or twisting motions
Common Causes
Golfer’s elbow develops when the tendons cannot keep up with the demands placed on them. Common contributors:
- Repetitive gripping or twisting — golf swings, tennis serves, hammering, throwing, hand tools
- Weightlifting form errors — heavy curls, pull-ups, or grip-intensive lifts without progressive loading
- Sudden increase in activity — starting a new sport, project, or job that loads the wrist flexors
- Poor mechanics — gripping too tightly, using equipment that does not fit (golf grip too thin, racket strings too tight)
- Cervical spine dysfunction — restricted neck motion can refer pain and weakness into the elbow via the C5–C7 nerve roots
How We Treat Golfer’s Elbow
The goal is to break the inflammation cycle, restore tendon health, and address the root cause so it does not return.
Soft-tissue therapy and Active Release Technique (ART) — targeted release of the forearm flexor tendons, which often have multiple adhesion points that limit mobility. Our licensed massage therapy complements this work for chronic cases.
Class IV laser therapy — laser therapy stimulates cellular ATP production, increases circulation to the tendon, and reduces inflammation. Studies on photobiomodulation for tendinopathies show meaningful pain reduction and improved function (Chow et al., 2009, The Lancet).
Joint mobilization — chiropractic adjustments at the elbow, wrist, and cervical spine restore proper joint mechanics. Restricted neck motion at C5–C7 is a common overlooked driver of stubborn elbow pain.
Eccentric loading exercises — slow, controlled wrist-flexor exercises stimulate tendon healing more effectively than rest alone. We progress your loading week by week.
Activity modification — temporary changes to grip, equipment, and workload while the tendon heals. We help you adjust technique so the injury does not return.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit takes about 45 minutes. We perform orthopedic tests to confirm medial epicondylitis (and rule out other causes like ulnar neuritis or cervical radiculopathy), assess wrist and forearm strength, and evaluate cervical spine motion.
Most golfer’s elbow cases improve within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent care. Acute cases (less than 6 weeks of symptoms) often respond faster — sometimes in 2 to 3 weeks. Chronic cases that have been ignored for months may take 12 weeks. We re-evaluate at 4 weeks to confirm the trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does golfer’s elbow take to heal?
With conservative care, most cases improve within 4 to 8 weeks. Without treatment, golfer’s elbow can persist for 6 months or longer because the body struggles to repair tendons under continued load. Early treatment significantly shortens recovery.
Should I rest or keep moving?
Neither extreme. Complete rest weakens the tendon and surrounding muscles, while continuing painful activities prolongs the injury. Modified activity — reduced load, modified technique, plus targeted exercises — produces the best outcomes.
Do I need a cortisone injection?
Cortisone injections can provide short-term relief but several systematic reviews show worse long-term outcomes compared to physical therapy or wait-and-see. We recommend conservative care first. If conservative treatment plateaus, we coordinate with your physician on next steps.
Can I keep playing golf or tennis during treatment?
For 4 to 6 weeks we usually ask you to reduce or modify activity — fewer rounds, lighter racket, or focus on technique drills. Playing through significant pain delays healing. Once symptoms improve, we work with you on a graded return to full activity.
What if it does not improve?
About 90% of golfer’s elbow cases resolve with conservative care. For the small percentage that do not, we coordinate referral to an orthopedic specialist for advanced imaging or, in rare cases, surgical evaluation.
Schedule a Golfer’s Elbow Evaluation in Holland, MI
If you have been dealing with inner-elbow pain for more than 2 weeks, schedule an evaluation. Call 616-392-7031 or book online. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear treatment plan and the first round of soft-tissue and laser work already done. Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available.