What Is Golfer's Elbow?
Golfer's elbow, clinically known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition involving pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, where the forearm tendons attach to the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. Despite the name, it affects far more than just golfers. It is common in anyone who performs repetitive gripping, wrist flexion, or forearm rotation, including tennis players, climbers, weightlifters, construction workers, and desk workers who use a mouse extensively.
The condition develops when the tendons of the forearm muscles, specifically the flexor-pronator group, are overloaded beyond their capacity to recover. This leads to micro-damage in the tendon, reduced blood flow to the affected area, and a pain response that worsens with gripping or resisted wrist movement.
Unlike acute injuries, golfer's elbow is a load management problem. It tends to persist or recur when treated with rest alone, because the tendon needs progressive loading to heal fully, not just time off.
How Dr. Fetterman Treats Golfer's Elbow
Dr. Andrew Fetterman, DC, CSCS brings a sport-specific lens to tendon conditions that most chiropractic offices don't offer. His Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential means he understands how golfer's elbow develops within a training context, how to modify load during recovery, and how to reintroduce activity progressively without re-aggravating the tendon.
Treatment at Creative Health and Spine for golfer's elbow typically combines: manual therapy and soft tissue work to address muscle tightness and tissue quality in the forearm; myofascial techniques via our licensed massage therapist Cori Washington, LMT; and a graduated loading protocol to restore tendon capacity and grip strength. For golfers specifically, Dr. Fetterman can also assess swing mechanics and grip patterns that may be contributing to the overload.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Loading and Return to Activity
What Chiropractic Care Can Achieve for Golfer's Elbow
Patients treated for golfer's elbow at Creative Health and Spine typically experience:
- Reduced pain and tenderness on the inner elbow during gripping and wrist movement, usually within the first 3 to 6 visits
- Improved grip strength and forearm endurance as tendon loading progresses through the care plan
- Return to golf, sport, or repetitive work activity with a clear understanding of load management to reduce the likelihood of recurrence
Results vary depending on how long the condition has been present and whether the tendon is in an acute or chronic state. Dr. Fetterman will give you a realistic timeline at your first assessment.
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism controlled by the brain, spinal cord and nerves of the body. When the vertebrae, which protect the nervous system, are misaligned or lose their normal motion, malfunction of the tissues and the organs throughout the body can occur. It is a form of natural health care that focuses on treating a patient without the use of drugs or medications. We frequently treat individuals with problems such as headaches, joint pain, neck pain, low back pain and sciatica as well as many other conditions.
Individualized and Complete Chiropractic care encompasses various techniques to improve spinal health and overall well-being. We Offer several types of treatment so we can custom-tailor your care plan to your needs
Dr. Andrew Fetterman
Book NowFrequently Asked Questions About Golfer's Elbow
Both are tendon overload conditions, but they affect different sides of the elbow. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) involves the tendons on the inner side of the elbow and is associated with gripping and wrist flexion. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the outer side and is linked to wrist extension and backhand movements. Both conditions respond well to the same principles: reduce irritating load, restore tissue quality, and progressively rebuild tendon capacity.
Yes. Chiropractic care, combined with soft tissue therapy and a structured loading protocol, addresses the underlying tendon condition rather than just managing pain. At Creative Health and Spine, Dr. Fetterman's CSCS background specifically informs how the rehabilitation and return-to-activity component is structured, which is often what's missing from standard rest-and-ice approaches.
Acute cases, where the condition has been present for less than 3 months, often respond within 6 to 10 visits. Chronic cases involving long-standing tendon degeneration can take longer, typically 3 to 4 months of consistent treatment and progressive loading. Most patients experience meaningful pain reduction well before full recovery.
Not necessarily. Most golfer's elbow diagnoses are made clinically through physical examination. If your presentation is unusual or there is concern about a partial tendon tear or other pathology, Dr. Fetterman will advise whether imaging is warranted before or during treatment.
In many cases, yes, with modifications. Completely stopping activity is rarely necessary and can slow recovery if it means the tendon receives no load at all. Dr. Fetterman will review your swing mechanics, grip, and volume and give you specific guidance on what to adjust rather than a blanket instruction to stop playing.
Book a Golfer's Elbow Assessment at Creative Health and Spine
Creative Health and Spine is located at 800 Lancaster Ave in Berwyn, PA, and has been treating active patients across the Main Line for over 17 years.
Dr. Fetterman is accepting new patients and offers direct online booking.
Creative Chiropractic Solutions
800 Lancaster Ave, Suite M2Berwyn, PA
19312-1780
info@creativehealthandspine.com
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