Pain on the outside of the elbow when you grip something (“tennis elbow”), or on the inside when you flex your wrist (“golfer’s elbow”), is almost never caused by the sport it’s named after. Most of our Frisco and Allen guests get it from desk-work, phone-scrolling, carrying a toddler on one side, pickleball, home-improvement projects, or weightlifting. Thirty focused minutes of soft-tissue work on the forearm, wrist, and the exact tendon attachment that’s inflamed — and most clients walk out moving the arm better than when they walked in.
Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer’s Elbow — What’s the Difference?
| Tennis Elbow | Golfer’s Elbow | |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical name | Lateral epicondylitis | Medial epicondylitis |
| Where it hurts | Outside of the elbow | Inside of the elbow |
| What aggravates it | Gripping, lifting with palm down, backhand motion | Flexing the wrist, carrying heavy objects, forehand/throwing motion |
| Muscles involved | Wrist and finger extensors (back of forearm) | Wrist and finger flexors (front of forearm) |
| Common non-sport causes | Mouse/keyboard use, painting, carpentry | Carrying a baby, lifting, pulling, pickleball |
Both are overuse injuries at the tendon attachment where the forearm muscles anchor into the elbow bone. Both respond well to targeted soft-tissue work. The techniques overlap but the specific tendon worked is different, so we’ll ask you to show us exactly where it hurts at check-in.
Our Proven Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow Massage Techniques
- Cross-fiber friction at the tendon attachment — the single most effective technique for stimulating healing in a chronic tendinopathy.
- Trigger-point release through the forearm flexor or extensor groups to reduce the pulling tension on the tendon.
- Pin-and-stretch on the brachioradialis and wrist extensors/flexors to restore length.
- Scar-tissue mobilization for chronic cases that have been there months.
- Shoulder and neck work as needed — chronic elbow pain almost always comes with compensations further up the chain.
Why Choose Relax Myora Spa?
Our therapists book this service regularly at both locations and know the difference between a tennis vs. golfer’s presentation on first palpation. We dial pressure to the point where the tissue starts to yield — not past it — and check in at every depth change. Most tendinopathies need a short series (3–5 sessions, 7–10 days apart) before the result holds. We’ll tell you honestly if we think the issue is beyond what massage can resolve on its own and you should also see a physician or PT.
Key Benefits of Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow Massage
- Noticeable reduction in grip pain and tenderness
- Restored forearm range of motion and wrist mobility
- Improved tissue quality at the tendon over a short series
- Addressed shoulder and neck compensations that quietly worsen the elbow
- Honest guidance on when physical therapy or physician care should be added