Golfer's elbow treatment in Manchester
Settle the pain on the inside of your elbow and rebuild the grip and strength you need for lifting, climbing and sport.
Golfer's elbow physio in Manchester city centre
Reviewed by Nick Chatziviltsos, PgDip, HCPC-registered physiotherapist (PH114351), November 2026
At a glance
Who gets it: Lifters, climbers, golfers, throwers and manual workers, mostly aged 40 and over.
Main symptom: Pain on the inside of the elbow when gripping, bending the wrist or pulling.
Typical recovery: Most cases improve over 8 to 12 weeks of the right exercise. Long-standing cases can take 4 to 6 months.
Sessions: Most people need 4 to 6.
Avoid: Resting it completely, and stretching hard into the pain.
Get checked: Tingling in the ring and little fingers, or a sudden pop with bruising: book an assessment soon.
Golfer's elbow causes pain on the inside of the elbow, where the muscles that bend your wrist and fingers attach. You don't need to play golf to get it. We see it most in lifters, climbers and people who grip tools all day.
It's much less common than tennis elbow. A 2026 UK review puts it at about 1 in 10 elbow tendon cases. It's most common over 40, and men and women are affected equally. NHS guidance says it shouldn't cause lasting damage or lead to arthritis.
Like tennis elbow, it's a tendon load problem. The fix is the right exercise at the right dose, not rest. A good physio finds what's overloading the tendon, settles it, and rebuilds the strength to stop it coming back.
🛠️ How we treat golfer's elbow
Every golfer's elbow plan at Athos Physio follows the same three steps. What changes is what we find at each one.
Step 1. Find the root cause
Inner elbow pain isn't always the tendon. In your first 60-minute session we work out three things:
What's irritated: the flexor tendon on the inner elbow, the ulnar nerve that runs close by, or the ligament on the inside of the joint.
What's overloading it: heavy pulling, chin-ups, climbing, gripping tools, or a change in swing or throwing technique.
What else is involved: your neck, shoulder and wrist strength, and how you grip.
We show you on a 3D anatomy model where the tendon attaches and where the nerve runs, so you understand why your plan looks the way it does.
Step 2. Settle the tendon
Ease the pain. Isometric wrist holds often ease tendon pain within a session. Soft tissue work and IASTM on the forearm help too.
Change what's aggravating it. For a while, we swap to a neutral grip, use lifting straps and cut climbing volume rather than stopping.
Keep you training. Legs, core and most upper body work stay in. Complete rest isn't needed.
Step 3. Build strength back
This is the part that makes the biggest difference.
Tendon loading, from slow wrist curls to heavier forearm rotation and grip work.
Shoulder and upper back strength, so the elbow isn't doing all the work.
Rehab on the gym floor. Being inside F45 NQ means we can rebuild rows, pull-ups, carries and kettlebell work with good technique.
Return to sport, including climbing, golf, throwing or racket drills, rebuilt step by step.
We finish when you're back doing what you want with confidence, not just when the pain has gone.
Want to know what's overloading your elbow? Your first 60-minute session finds out and starts treatment the same day. Book your assessment →
🔍 What is golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow, also called medial epicondylitis or medial elbow tendinopathy, is a sensitive, overloaded tendon on the inside of the elbow. The muscles that bend your wrist and fingers and turn your palm down all join here, at a bony bump called the medial epicondyle.
When the load on the tendon is more than it can handle, it becomes painful and less able to take load. It isn't usually an inflammation problem, which is why anti-inflammatory tablets and rest alone rarely fix it.
The ulnar nerve, your "funny bone" nerve, runs just behind the sore spot. Up to 20% of people with golfer's elbow also have some ulnar nerve irritation.
Types of inner elbow pain we treat
Golfer's elbow (tendon): the flexor tendon is overloaded and sensitive; lifters, climbers, golfers and manual workers over 40.
Golfer's elbow with ulnar nerve irritation: the tendon is sore and the nearby nerve is also irritated; people with tingling in the ring and little fingers.
Inner elbow ligament strain: the ligament on the inside of the joint is stretched by throwing; throwers, javelin, cricket bowlers, baseball pitchers.
Working out which one you have changes how we load your elbow and how fast you progress.
⚠️ Golfer's elbow symptoms
The NHS and the 2026 UK review describe these as the main signs:
Pain on the inside of the elbow, sometimes spreading down the forearm
Tenderness when you press just below the bony bump on the inner elbow
Pain gripping, bending the wrist or turning the palm down
Pain lifting heavier items, such as a full kettle or a bag of shopping
A weaker grip, or dropping things
Stiffness in the morning that eases as you move
Sometimes tingling in the ring and little fingers
Is it golfer's elbow, a nerve or something else?
Pain on the outside of the elbow is tennis elbow. See our tennis elbow page.
Tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers, worse with the elbow bent, points to the ulnar nerve.
Neck pain with pins and needles down the arm may be a trapped nerve in the neck. See our trapped nerve in the neck page.
Inner elbow pain after throwing, with a pop or instability, needs checking for a ligament injury.
We test each of these at your first session rather than guessing from the symptoms alone.
🔍 What causes golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow happens when the forearm flexor tendon is loaded more than it's ready for. That's often a sudden jump in gripping or pulling, or the same movement repeated for hours.
Common triggers we see in Manchester
Pull-ups, chin-ups and heavy rows, especially with a palms-up grip.
Climbing and bouldering, particularly crimping and steep routes.
Golf, throwing and racket sports, especially with a change in technique.
Gripping tools for long periods, as builders, joiners, chefs and hairdressers often do.
Repetitive DIY and heavy gardening.
A sudden jump in training, such as a new programme or a climbing holiday.
Smoking, carrying extra weight and other health conditions can make tendons slower to recover.
Myths about golfer's elbow
"Rest it until it's better." Rest eases pain, but the tendon stays weak and the pain comes back when you return.
"It's inflammation, so take anti-inflammatories." Tablets may ease pain for a while, but they don't rebuild the tendon.
"An injection will fix it." Steroid injections may ease pain briefly, but the effect is often short-lived.
🧪 How we assess golfer's elbow
Your first session lasts 60 minutes, so there's time to assess properly and start treatment the same day.
Your story (10 to 15 minutes). When it started, your training, sport and work, what makes it better or worse, and any injections so far.
Safety screen. We check for the warning signs listed on this page.
Tendon tests. Resisted wrist bending and resisted palm-down turning, with your elbow straight, to see if they bring on your pain. We also press over the tendon to find the sore spot.
Grip strength tests. We measure how hard you can grip before it hurts, and compare it with your other hand. This becomes your progress marker.
Ulnar nerve and neck checks. Tinel's test over the nerve, the elbow flexion test, and Spurling's test for your neck.
Ligament, shoulder and wrist checks. A valgus stress test of the inner elbow ligament, plus shoulder and wrist strength.
Your diagnosis and plan. In plain English: what's causing your pain, what to change this week, and how many sessions we expect.
You'll leave with treatment started and the first two or three exercises of your custom rehab plan. If we think you need a scan or a specialist opinion, we'll tell you and write to your GP.
🛠️ Golfer's elbow treatment at Athos Physio
Every plan moves through four phases. How fast you move depends on how your elbow responds, not on the calendar.
Settle (weeks 0 to 2). Ease pain and keep you training. Isometric wrist holds, grip and training changes, soft tissue work and IASTM.
Load (weeks 2 to 6). Rebuild the tendon. Slow wrist curls, forearm rotation with a light bar, grip work.
Strengthen (weeks 6 to 10). Strength for training and work. Heavier wrist curls, farmer's carries, rows, pull-up progressions.
Return (week 10 onwards). Back to full sport. Climbing, golf or throwing drills, technique work, a long-term plan.
Hands-on treatment, such as joint mobilisation and soft tissue work, helps ease pain. Exercise is what rebuilds the tendon.
Your home programme is usually 3 to 4 exercises taking about 10 to 15 minutes, once a day. Some pain during exercise is fine if it settles by the next morning. Most people need 4 to 6 sessions over 8 to 12 weeks.
What actually works for golfer's elbow?
There's less research on golfer's elbow than tennis elbow, but the principles are the same. A 2026 UK review describes three phases: relative rest and pain control, then strengthening, then return to function.
NHS physiotherapy guidance recommends starting with gentle movement, then progressing to isometric holds and slow wrist lowering once these are comfortable. Steroid injections may help in severe cases, but the review notes the effect is often short-lived. Surgery is usually only considered after 6 to 12 months of symptoms despite good treatment.
Recommended: avoiding the movements that aggravate it, for a while; isometric holds, then slow, progressive tendon strengthening; grip and training changes, such as a neutral grip or straps; a gradual return to sport and work.
Less useful: complete rest for weeks; repeated steroid injections; stretching hard into the pain.
An elbow strap may ease pain for some people. It's a helper, not a fix.
⏱️ How long does golfer's elbow last?
Recent, mild (under 6 weeks): feeling much better: 4 to 6 weeks; back to full training: 8 to 12 weeks.
Long-standing (over 3 months): feeling much better: 2 to 3 months; back to full training: 4 to 6 months.
With ulnar nerve irritation: feeling much better: 6 to 12 weeks; back to full training: 3 to 6 months.
"Back to full training" means your normal climbing, lifting or sport, not just being pain-free at your desk.
✅ Golfer's elbow in the gym and at work
If you train or climb
Don't stop completely. Keep training legs, core and pushing movements.
Use a neutral grip and straps for pulling for now.
Reduce climbing volume rather than stopping. Avoid small crimps and steep routes for a few weeks.
Bring volume back slowly, adding roughly 10% a week if your elbow stays settled.
If you work with your hands or at a desk
Use tools with thicker handles, and take short breaks every 30 to 45 minutes
Keep your wrist level when typing or using a mouse
Avoid leaning on the inside of your elbow, which presses on the ulnar nerve
Keep your elbow straighter at night if your fingers tingle
Self-help
Avoid the movements that hurt most, for now
Ask a pharmacist about pain relief or an anti-inflammatory gel
Try an elbow strap if it eases your pain
Start gentle wrist and forearm movements
Related conditions
Tennis elbow: pain on the outside of the elbow when you grip or lift
Trapped nerve in the neck: neck pain with pins and needles down the arm
Sprained wrist: wrist pain and swelling after a fall or twist
Rotator cuff injury: shoulder pain lifting your arm
❓ Golfer's elbow FAQs
🚨 Physio, GP or A&E?
Most golfer's elbow is safe to manage with a physio. A few symptoms need a doctor first.
Book a physio (no GP referral needed): pain on the inside of the elbow when gripping or pulling; tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers (book a physio assessment; we'll check the ulnar nerve).
See your GP: a sudden pop with bruising and weakness after a throw or lift (book an assessment soon or see your GP; it may be a ligament or tendon tear).
Call your GP urgently or 111: a hot, swollen elbow with a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery (see your GP the same day or call NHS 111).
Call 999 or go to A&E: a heard crack, a change in shape, or numbness after a fall (call 999 or go to A&E).
If you're ever unsure, ring us on 07475 433300 and we'll tell you honestly whether you should see us or someone else first.
Not sure whether it's your tendon or a nerve? Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly. Book a free call →
-
Yes. Progressive strengthening and changes to how you load the elbow are the main treatments.
-
No. Golfer's elbow is on the inside of the elbow. Tennis elbow is on the outside. Both are tendon load problems.
-
Recent cases often improve in 8 to 12 weeks with the right exercise. Long-standing cases can take 4 to 6 months.
-
Usually yes, with less volume and some grip changes. Stopping completely isn't needed.
-
The ulnar nerve runs close to the sore area. Up to 20% of people have some nerve irritation. We'll check it at your assessment.
-
Gentle stretches are fine, but strengthening matters more. Avoid stretching hard into the pain.
-
It may ease pain for a short time in severe cases, but the effect is often short-lived. Exercise gives longer-lasting results.
-
Usually not. An ultrasound or MRI may help if it isn't improving or we suspect a tear.
-
Most people need 4 to 6 over 8 to 12 weeks. We'll give you an estimate at your first appointment.
-
No. You can book directly with us. If you're claiming on health insurance, check with your insurer first.
-
Your first 60-minute assessment and treatment is £95. Follow-up sessions are £55 for 30 minutes, £95 for 60 minutes or £135 for 90 minutes. See our price list for all fees.
-
Yes. Book a free 15-minute consultation and we'll tell you honestly whether physio is the right next step.
📍 Book golfer's elbow physio in Manchester city centre
Athos Physio is inside F45 NQ, 77 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BU, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens. We're open 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, so you can come in before or after work.
Your first appointment is a 60-minute assessment and treatment (£95). Follow-ups are £55 for 30 minutes, £95 for 60 minutes or £135 for 90 minutes. We work with Bupa, WPA, Vitality and Aviva, and you can see all our fees on the price list.
Can't get into town? We also offer home physio visits and online physiotherapy. Not sure physio is right for you? Book a free 15-minute call and we'll talk it through.
Call or WhatsApp 07475 433300, or book online.
Other services: Physiotherapy and active rehab · Sports massage · Pregnancy and postnatal physio · Home visits · Online physio
Written by Nick Chatziviltsos, physiotherapist and founder of Athos Physio, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, HCPC registered. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Insurance providers we are affiliated with
Athos Physio is a full-service physiotherapy clinic
We offer injury rehabilitation, post-surgery functional strengthening, deep tissue massage and pain relief, and strength training expertise. We support you in becoming pain-free so that you can achieve a limitless life experience. If you want to speak with us before booking a session you reach out via WhatsApp, call us or email us.
We are based in Manchester city centre a couple of minutes walk from Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens Square