Tennis Elbow & Golfer's Elbow Treatment in Forest Row

Shockwave Therapy, Gentle Manual Therapy, Dry Needling and Expert Rehabilitation for Elbow Pain

Are you experiencing pain on the inside or outside of your elbow when gripping, lifting, exercising or performing everyday activities?

At Forest Row Clinic, we provide personalised treatment for tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) and golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia), combining shockwave therapy, gentle manual therapy, dry needling where appropriate, and progressive rehabilitation to help manage pain, restore strength and support long-term recovery.

Whether your symptoms have developed through sport, repetitive work activities, weight training or everyday tasks, our experienced practitioners can help identify the likely cause and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

We welcome patients from Forest Row, East Grinstead, Hartfield, Ashurst Wood and surrounding areas of East and West Sussex.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylalgia or lateral elbow tendinopathy, is a common condition affecting the tendons that attach the forearm extensor muscles to the outside of the elbow.

These muscles are responsible for movements such as extending the wrist and helping stabilise the hand during gripping activities.

Tennis elbow commonly develops when the demands placed on the tendons exceed their ability to tolerate and recover from repeated loading.

Despite its name, tennis elbow is not limited to tennis players. It frequently affects people who perform repetitive gripping, lifting, twisting or computer-related activities.

Common Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

• Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow.

• Discomfort when gripping, lifting or carrying objects.

• Pain when shaking hands or turning a door handle.

• Reduced grip strength due to pain.

• Discomfort during racquet sports, weight training or manual work.

• Pain that may extend into the forearm.

What Is Golfer's Elbow?

Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylalgia or medial elbow tendinopathy, affects the tendons attaching the forearm flexor and pronator muscles to the inside of the elbow.

These muscles help control gripping, wrist flexion and forearm rotation.

Golfer's elbow is often associated with repetitive gripping, lifting, throwing or sporting activities, although it can also develop through everyday work and recreational activities.

Common Symptoms of Golfer's Elbow

• Pain or tenderness on the inside of the elbow.

• Discomfort when gripping or lifting objects.

• Pain during golf, gym training or throwing activities.

• Reduced grip strength.

• Discomfort when bending the wrist or rotating the forearm.

• Aching that may extend along the inner forearm.

Tennis Elbow vs Golfer's Elbow – What's the Difference?

Although both conditions involve pain around the elbow and are commonly associated with tendon overload, they affect different tendon attachments.

Tennis elbow causes pain predominantly on the outside of the elbow, whereas golfer's elbow causes pain on the inside.

Both conditions can become persistent if the affected tendons continue to be exposed to more load than they can currently tolerate.

At Forest Row Clinic, we assess your symptoms, strength, movement and activity demands to help establish the diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.

How We Treat Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow at Forest Row Clinic

Our approach focuses on reducing pain, restoring normal movement and gradually rebuilding the strength and loading capacity of the affected tendons.

Treatment may include a combination of shockwave therapy, gentle manual therapy, dry needling and structured rehabilitation.

Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers controlled acoustic pressure waves to the affected tissues.

At Forest Row Clinic, shockwave therapy may be considered for selected patients experiencing persistent tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, particularly when symptoms have not improved sufficiently with initial conservative treatment.

Potential benefits for some patients include:

• Reducing persistent tendon-related pain.

• Improving comfort during gripping and lifting.

• Supporting participation in rehabilitation exercises.

• Providing a non-surgical treatment option.

Shockwave therapy is generally delivered over a series of sessions and may be combined with progressive strengthening exercises.

Evidence for shockwave therapy in elbow tendinopathy is mixed, particularly for tennis elbow, and it is not routinely recommended in all clinical guidelines. Our practitioners will assess whether it is appropriate for your condition and discuss its potential benefits and limitations.

Gentle Manual Therapy for Elbow Pain

Pain around the elbow is often accompanied by discomfort or tightness in the forearm muscles and surrounding tissues.

At Forest Row Clinic, we use gentle, targeted hands-on techniques to help manage associated muscular discomfort and improve movement.

Treatment may include:

• Soft tissue therapy to the forearm muscles.

• Gentle elbow and wrist joint mobilisation.

• Targeted techniques to address muscular tension.

• Advice on modifying aggravating movements.

Manual therapy may provide short-term symptom relief and is generally most useful when combined with a progressive rehabilitation programme.

Dry Needling for Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow

Dry needling involves inserting fine, sterile needles into selected muscles and soft tissues.

For patients with tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, dry needling may be considered to help manage associated muscular pain in the forearm.

Some studies suggest potential benefits for elbow pain, although the overall evidence remains limited and treatment results vary.

Where appropriate, dry needling can be used as a complementary treatment alongside exercise rehabilitation rather than as a replacement for strengthening.

Elbow Rehabilitation and Strengthening

Progressive exercise rehabilitation is a central part of managing tennis elbow and golfer's elbow.

At Forest Row Clinic, we develop personalised rehabilitation programmes designed to improve forearm strength, tendon loading capacity and confidence with everyday activities.

Your programme may include:

• Isometric exercises: Static muscle contractions that may help manage pain while maintaining muscle activity.

• Progressive wrist strengthening: Controlled resistance exercises targeting the wrist extensors or flexors.

• Eccentric and concentric exercises: Strengthening through controlled muscle lengthening and shortening.

• Grip strengthening: Gradually improving grip strength and tolerance to lifting.

• Forearm and shoulder conditioning: Improving strength and control throughout the upper limb.

• Sport-specific rehabilitation: Progressive exercises to prepare for tennis, golf, climbing, weight training or other activities.

Your rehabilitation programme will be adjusted according to your symptoms, physical demands and response to exercise.

Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow in Sport and Everyday Life

Although these conditions are commonly associated with racquet sports and golf, they can affect a wide range of individuals.

We regularly see elbow pain associated with activities such as:

• Tennis, padel and other racquet sports.

• Golf and throwing sports.

• Weightlifting and gym training.

• Gardening and DIY.

• Repetitive gripping or manual work.

• Climbing and other grip-intensive activities.

Understanding the activities contributing to your symptoms is important when planning rehabilitation.

Our aim is to help you return to work, exercise and sport while improving your ability to tolerate the demands placed on your elbow.

How Long Does Tennis Elbow or Golfer's Elbow Take to Heal?

Recovery times vary depending on the severity and duration of symptoms, your activity levels and the demands placed on the affected tendons.

Some people experience improvement within several weeks, while persistent cases may take several months or longer to resolve.

A structured rehabilitation programme, appropriate activity modification and gradual strengthening can help support recovery.

Complete rest is rarely necessary. Instead, managing aggravating activities while gradually rebuilding tendon strength is often a more effective long-term approach.

Do I Need an Ultrasound or MRI Scan?

Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow can often be diagnosed through a detailed clinical assessment.

Ultrasound or MRI imaging is not routinely required but may be considered if the diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms are atypical or a more significant injury is suspected.

Our practitioners will assess your symptoms and advise whether further investigation or medical referral may be appropriate.

Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow Treatment Near East Grinstead

If you're experiencing persistent pain on the inside or outside of your elbow, Forest Row Clinic offers an individualised approach to treatment and rehabilitation.

We combine clinical assessment, progressive strengthening and carefully selected treatment options, including shockwave therapy, gentle manual therapy and dry needling, to help manage symptoms and restore function.

Our clinic welcomes patients from Forest Row, East Grinstead, Hartfield, Ashurst Wood, Colemans Hatch and surrounding areas.

Book Your Elbow Pain Assessment at Forest Row Clinic

Reduce pain. Rebuild strength. Return to the activities you enjoy.

Whether you're struggling with tennis elbow, golfer's elbow or persistent forearm pain, our team can help you understand your symptoms and develop a suitable treatment plan.

Book an appointment at Forest Row Clinic today to discuss your elbow pain and explore your treatment and rehabilitation options.