How do you get rid of golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)?
- Leonie Kruse
- Hand therapy and occupational therapy - Frankfurt
How do you get rid of golfer's elbow? The successful treatment of Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis humeri ulnaris) requires a conservative, multi-stage approach, which consistently inhibits inflammation and corrects the underlying overload of the flexor tendons on the inside of the elbow. The key to answering the question How to get rid of golfer's elbow lies in the shift from acute pain relief to targeted eccentric training of the forearm muscles. Only by strengthening the tendon and eliminating ergonomic errors in everyday life can chronicity be prevented. In our specialized hand therapy practice in Frankfurt We will guide you systematically through this process to sustainably restore the resilience of your arm.
The phases of golfer's elbow therapy
The treatment is divided into an acute phase for pain relief and a chronic phase for structural healing and prevention.
- Phase 1 (Acute): Immediate rest, cooling and anti-inflammatory measures to reduce pain.
- Phase 2 (Subacute): Stretching exercises and manual therapy to relieve tension and improve blood circulation.
- Phase 3 (Chronic): Eccentric strength training and ergonomic adjustments for structural strengthening of the tendon.
Why rest and eccentric training belong together
To answer the question How to get rid of golfer's elbow To answer this, one must understand that Rest alone is not enough. While short-term rest is essential during the acute pain phase to calm the inflammation, the long-term solution is... Eccentric training. This training, in which the muscle works under stretching, is scientifically proven to be the best method for regenerating tendon structure and restoring its resilience to everyday stresses. Frankfurt We will create a tailor-made, eccentric exercise program for you.
Specialized therapeutic measures against golfer's elbow
Occupational therapy offers specific measures to address the response to How to get rid of golfer's elbow to put this into practice. The focus is on addressing the root causes and adapting to everyday life.
Therapeutic method | Objective |
Manual Therapy | Relieving pain and tension |
Kinesiology taping | Relief of the tendon insertions |
Ergonomic consultation | Correcting the causes of overload |
Functional strength training | Long-term resilience |
Soft tissue treatment | Break down adhesions and hardening |
H3: The necessity of ergonomics and assistive devices
Golfer's elbow is often caused by unfavorable leverage or repetitive gripping movements at the workplace. This is where the Ergonomic consultation to answer the question How to get rid of golfer's elbow to provide a sustainable solution. We help with the adjustment of tools, PC mice, or keyboards to minimize the strain on the flexor tendons. Furthermore, we can Epicondylitis braces They offer valuable support by exerting pressure on the muscles, thus reducing the direct pull on the painful tendon insertion.

Frequently asked questions about the treatment of golfer's elbow (FAQ section)
1. How long will it take to really get rid of golfer's elbow?
The recovery at golfer's elbow is a lengthy process that Patience and consistency requires. Although initial pain relief often occurs after a few weeks, complete structural healing of the tendon tissue, and thus the response to How to get rid of golfer's elbow most three to six months. Consistent adherence to the daily eccentric home program is the decisive factor here.
2. Can I get rid of my golfer's elbow without therapy?
It is unlikely that golfer's elbow to get rid of it completely and permanently without addressing the underlying cause (muscular imbalance, overuse). Simply resting the tendon will reduce the inflammation, but it won't strengthen it. Without targeted treatment Eccentric training and Ergonomic correction There is a high risk of the symptoms recurring.
3. What is better: cooling or heating for golfer's elbow?
In the acute, painful phase with signs of inflammation cooling (maximum 15 minutes) is preferable to reduce inflammation and swelling. In the chronic phase, if the pain is caused more by tension and stiffness, Heat applications (e.g. paraffin baths, moist heat) can be helpful for loosening muscles and preparing for training.
4. Should I train my tennis elbow instead when treating golfer's elbow?
No, the golfer's elbow concerns the flexor muscles on the inside. While striving for muscular balance is sensible, the main focus is on the eccentric training of the flexor muscles. Exercises for tennis elbow (extensor muscles) can be used as a supplement, but they do not solve the primary problem of golfer's elbow.
5. What happens if I ignore the pain and continue training?
If you ignore the pain and despite golfer's elbow Continuing to perform high-stress tasks risks... Worsening of the tendon damage and a Chronicity of the pain. This can drastically prolong the healing time and, in the worst case, lead to irreversible changes in the tendon tissue.
6. Does an epicondylitis brace really help to get rid of golfer's elbow?
An epicondylitis brace does not help with the golfer's elbow to heal, but it is a valuable asset. Relief aids. It reduces the strain on the painful tendon insertion and can therefore reduce pain during everyday activities. It is part of conservative treatment and should be considered. active strength training supplement, not replace.
7. Can my posture in the upper body also influence golfer's elbow?
Yes, a bad posture, especially one forward-bent shoulder position, This can alter the biomechanics of the entire arm and further strain and overload the forearm muscles. Our holistic therapy in Frankfurt Therefore, it also takes into account the shoulder and neck region in order to find the answer to How to get rid of golfer's elbow to design comprehensively.
8. When should I consider surgical treatment?
An operation to treat the Golfer's elbow should only be used as last option should be considered if all conservative measures (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, injections) have been unsuccessful over a period of six to twelve months have not provided sufficient pain relief or functional improvement. The focus is always on non-invasive therapy.
9. How often per week should I perform the eccentric exercises?
The eccentric exercises, which are so important for the golfer's elbow To get rid of them, they should generally several times a day (e.g., 2-3 times) in short, intense sets. The exact frequency and intensity will be determined individually in our practice. Frankfurt tailored to your current pain and stress level.
10. Is golfer's elbow an inflammation or a degeneration?
The term golfer's elbow often refers to a primary degeneration of the tendon tissue (tendinosis) as a result of chronic overuse, not just a simple inflammation (tendinitis). Therefore, conventional anti-inflammatory drugs are often only partially effective, and that structural training (Eccentricity) is necessary to rebuild the damaged tendon structure.

Share on:
Overview
Schedule an appointment now
- Holistic perspective
- Capacity to act
- Activity orientation