What's going on

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) is pain on the outside of the elbow where the wrist-extending muscles of the forearm attach. Golfer's elbow is the same idea on the inside of the elbow, where the gripping and wrist-flexing muscles attach.

Both are overuse problems. Repeated gripping and wrist movement irritate the tendon where it meets the bone, and tight, overworked forearm muscles keep adding strain. They tend to come on gradually and can linger for months if the load doesn't change.

How massage helps

Massage can ease the tension in the forearm muscles that feed into the sore tendon and help you grip and lift with less pain. We work the whole chain from the hand up through the upper arm and shoulder.

  • Deep tissue work through the forearm
  • Instrument-assisted scraping (IASTM)
  • Trigger point therapy in the forearm and upper arm
  • Gentle cross-fiber work near the tendon
  • Wrist and forearm stretching
  • Shoulder and upper back work when it's contributing

What to expect

We'll ask what activities set it off and check your grip and wrist movement. Work on the forearm can be surprisingly tender, so we'll adjust pressure as we go. Many clients notice easier gripping right away.

Tendon problems heal slowly. The best results come from combining massage with a gradual strengthening program and smart changes to the activities that caused it, like grip width, equipment or workstation setup.

Between sessions

Tendons need the right amount of load to heal. Too much keeps them irritated; too little leaves them weak. Between sessions:

  • Modify the grip, tool or movement that brings on the pain
  • Try slow, controlled wrist strengthening exercises as recommended by your PT
  • Stretch the forearm muscles gently a few times a day
  • Check your keyboard, mouse or racket and club setup
  • Use straps or a thicker grip for heavy pulling exercises
  • Be patient, and increase activity gradually as pain allows

When to see a doctor

See a medical provider if your elbow pain followed a fall or injury, if there's swelling, numbness or tingling into the hand, significant weakness, or if it hasn't improved after several weeks.