Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer’s Elbow | FlowNotes

The quick difference

Tennis elbow usually causes discomfort on the outside of the elbow and involves tendons that help extend the wrist and fingers. Golfer’s elbow usually causes discomfort on the inside of the elbow and involves tendons that help flex the wrist and fingers and rotate the forearm.

What are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are commonly used names for overuse-related tendon conditions near the elbow. Despite their names, you do not have to play tennis or golf to develop either condition.

Repeated gripping, lifting, typing, tool use, racquet sports, throwing, cooking, painting, carpentry, and other activities can repeatedly load the muscles and tendons of the forearm.

Outside of elbow

Tennis elbow

Also called lateral elbow tendinopathy or lateral epicondylitis.

Discomfort is usually felt near the outer elbow.
Often involves the forearm muscles that extend the wrist and fingers.
Gripping, lifting with the palm down, or extending the wrist may aggravate symptoms.

Inside of elbow

Golfer’s elbow

Also called medial elbow tendinopathy or medial epicondylitis.

Discomfort is usually felt near the inner elbow.
Often involves the forearm muscles that flex the wrist and fingers and help rotate the forearm.
Gripping, wrist flexion, throwing, or lifting may aggravate symptoms.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	Tennis elbow	Golfer’s elbow
Typical location	Outside of the elbow	Inside of the elbow
Common tendon group	Wrist and finger extensors	Wrist and finger flexors and forearm pronators
Often aggravated by	Gripping, lifting with the palm down, resisted wrist extension, or repetitive mouse and tool use	Forceful gripping, wrist flexion, throwing, carrying, or repetitive twisting
May spread toward	Outer forearm and wrist	Inner forearm and wrist
Athletes only?	No	No

Common symptoms

Symptoms often develop gradually rather than after one dramatic injury. They may begin as mild tenderness and become more noticeable as the tendon continues to be loaded.

Tenderness near the inner or outer elbow.
Pain that travels into the forearm.
Discomfort when gripping, lifting, or carrying objects.
Reduced grip comfort or endurance.
Pain with certain wrist or forearm movements.
Symptoms that improve with rest but return during repeated activity.

The location is a clue—not a diagnosis

Elbow pain may also come from a joint injury, arthritis, bursitis, nerve irritation, a fracture, ligament injury, or referred symptoms from the neck or shoulder. A healthcare professional can evaluate persistent or concerning symptoms.

Why do these conditions develop?

Tendons adapt to gradually increased activity, but they can become irritated when demand rises faster than the tissue’s current capacity. This may occur after starting a new activity, increasing training volume, changing equipment, or repeating the same task for long periods.

Common contributors

A sudden increase in sports, work, or household activity.
Forceful or prolonged gripping.
Repeated wrist bending or rotation.
Using tools, racquets, or equipment that require excess effort.
Limited recovery between demanding activities.
Shoulder, wrist, or hand fatigue that increases the load placed on the forearm.

Can massage help?

Massage does not repair a damaged tendon or replace progressive rehabilitation. It may, however, be used as one supportive part of a broader plan when massage is appropriate for the individual.

Massage may support

Comfort in the surrounding forearm muscles, awareness of unnecessary gripping, relaxation, and temporary reduction of general muscle tension.

Massage cannot

Confirm the diagnosis, rebuild tendon capacity, repair a tendon tear, or replace activity modification, strengthening, medical evaluation, or physical therapy.

A massage session may focus on the forearm, upper arm, shoulder, wrist, and hand rather than applying aggressive pressure directly to a painful tendon attachment. Treatment should remain within a comfortable range and be adjusted when an area is acutely irritated.

Load management still matters

Lasting improvement often requires identifying the activity that repeatedly overloads the tendon and gradually rebuilding strength and tolerance. Temporary relief without changing the aggravating load may not prevent symptoms from returning.

Practical self-care

Self-care should reduce unnecessary irritation without making the arm completely inactive for long periods.

Temporarily reduce or modify movements that repeatedly increase symptoms.
Break long periods of gripping, typing, tool use, or racquet activity into shorter intervals.
Use the lightest comfortable grip instead of squeezing harder than necessary.
Review workstation, tool, racquet, and equipment setup.
Use gentle elbow, wrist, and forearm movement within a comfortable range.
Ask a qualified healthcare professional about an appropriate strengthening program.
Increase activity gradually once symptoms are settling.

Avoid repeatedly pressing, scraping, or aggressively stretching a sensitive tendon attachment in an attempt to “break up” the discomfort.

When to seek medical care

Arrange an evaluation when appropriate

Seek medical care for symptoms after a significant injury; visible deformity; severe swelling or bruising; inability to use the arm; persistent numbness or tingling; loss of grip or strength; redness, warmth, or fever; worsening night pain; or symptoms that continue to interfere with work, sleep, sports, or daily activities.

Early evaluation is also appropriate when you are unsure whether the discomfort is coming from the tendon, joint, nerve, neck, shoulder, or another structure.

How FlowTherapy may support you

FlowTherapy sessions are personalized to your comfort, activity demands, and current stage of recovery. When massage is appropriate, treatment may include the surrounding forearm, wrist, hand, upper arm, shoulder, and upper back.

Relevant services may include HandFlow, Focused Flow, or Upper Body Flow. Massage is offered as supportive wellness care and not as a substitute for diagnosis, tendon rehabilitation, or medical treatment.