Golfer's elbow: pain on the inside of the elbow explained
What golfer's elbow is, why it affects people who have never played golf, how long it usually takes to settle, and what tends to help.
Golfer's elbow causes pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, often spreading a little way down the forearm. It is an overuse problem of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow. Despite the name, throwing and manual work are more common causes than golf.
When to get urgent help
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have any of these. They can be signs of a fracture, infection, blood clot or other emergency.
- A limb that looks deformed, or a joint that you cannot move or put weight on after an injury
- A cold, pale or numb foot or hand after injury
- A hot, red, swollen joint with a high temperature
- A painful, swollen, warm calf, with or without breathlessness or chest pain
What it can feel like
- Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow
- Pain that travels into the inner forearm towards the wrist
- Pain with gripping, lifting, carrying or twisting movements
- Usually the dominant arm
Common contributors
- Repeated strain from gripping, throwing, lifting or manual work
- A sudden increase in activity such as climbing, gym work or racket sport
- Most often between about 40 and 60 years old
- Weak or tired forearm muscles being asked to do too much
General self-care
These are general comfort measures many people find reasonable. They are not a treatment plan, and what suits one person may not suit another.
- Reduce or modify the activities that clearly aggravate the pain, but keep the arm moving
- Cold, such as a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, or heat, whichever you find more comfortable
- Pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as the packet or a pharmacist advises
- A brace or clasp worn on the forearm can give short-term relief for some people
- Gentle strengthening and stretching of the wrist and forearm, building up gradually. Mild discomfort that settles within an hour or two is acceptable
When to see your GP
See your GP promptly, or call NHS 111, if you have any of the following:
- Pain after a significant injury, fall or twist
- Pain that is constant, severe or getting worse, or wakes you at night
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or feeling generally unwell with limb pain
Consider seeing your GP if:
- Elbow pain has not improved after a couple of weeks of self-care
- You have had a fall or direct blow to the elbow
- You have numbness or tingling in the hand, or the elbow is hot and swollen
Where an osteopath fits in
There is limited good-quality research showing that hands-on treatment changes the course of golfer's elbow, so I do not claim that osteopathy treats it.
What an osteopath can usefully do is assess the elbow together with your wrist, shoulder and neck (arm pain can be linked to problems higher up), review the gripping and workload that set it off, and guide a gradual strengthening programme. One NHS trust page says most cases settle with conservative treatment within six to twelve months, and most people make a full recovery. If the assessment suggests you need your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist instead, I will tell you.
If you would like your symptoms assessed, you are welcome to book an appointment. Osteopathic care is not right for everyone, and if something needs medical attention first, I will tell you.
Common questions
How long does golfer's elbow take to heal?
An NHS trust page says most cases resolve with conservative treatment within six to twelve months, and that most people make a full recovery, although it can sometimes return.
What is the difference between golfer's elbow and tennis elbow?
Golfer's elbow affects the tendons on the inner side of the elbow, and tennis elbow affects those on the outer side. They are both overuse problems and are managed in a similar way.
Free 5-minute exercise sheet
A simple, printable sheet of gentle exercises and stretches, about five minutes a day, based on NHS physiotherapy leaflets. It is general information, not a personal treatment plan, and it is not suitable if you have any of the urgent signs listed above.
Sources and further reading
Links open in a new tab. Sources were checked in October 2026.
- Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Golfer's elbow
- NHS: Tennis elbow (the outer-elbow equivalent)
Related guides
This page is general information to help you understand common aches and pains. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose your problem. If you are worried about your symptoms, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111.