Golfer’s Elbow
Our ground-breaking therapy involving Focused Shockwave and Magneto Transduction has been proven to successfully treat elbow injuries in golfers of all levels, allowing them to resume playing without experiencing pain and stiffness in a remarkably short period.
Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle of the elbow. It is usually caused by overuse of the wrist and forearm muscles and is commonly seen in golfers and other athletes who engage in repetitive gripping or throwing motions.
One of the most effective treatments for golfer’s elbow is shockwave therapy, this is a non-invasive procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. We use this in combination with MagnetoTansduction therapy (EMTT); enabling patients once again to enjoy a relaxing or competitive round of golf, pain free and with optimum mobility.
Our Shockwave Treatments
Achilles Tendonitis
Back Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dupuytren’s Disease
Golfer’s Elbow
Gout
Hip Pain
Knee Calcification
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Morton’s Neuroma
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Patellar Tendinitis – Jumpers Knee
Pseudarthrosis
Scar Tissue Treatment
Shoulder Calcification
Shoulder Tendinitis & Bursitis
Stress Fractures
Tennis Elbow – Lateral Epicondylitis
Therapy for Diabetics with Frozen Shoulder
Trigger Finger
Golfer’s Elbow Signs & Symptoms
Here are some signs and symptoms of golfer’s elbow to look out for:
Pain and tenderness in the elbow – The most common symptom of golfer’s elbow is pain and tenderness in the inner side of the elbow. The pain may be mild or severe and can be felt when gripping, twisting, or lifting objects.
Stiffness and weakness in the elbow – Golfer’s elbow can also cause stiffness and weakness in the elbow, making it difficult to perform daily activities or sports-related movements. You may find it challenging to extend your arm fully or to make a fist.
Numbness or tingling – In some cases, golfer’s elbow can cause numbness or tingling sensations in the fingers, hand, or forearm. This can be a sign of nerve compression or damage and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Worsening symptoms over time – Without proper treatment, golfer’s elbow symptoms can worsen over time, leading to chronic pain and disability. That’s why it is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially if they persist or interfere with your daily life.
Pain when making specific movements – Golfer’s elbow pain may be especially noticeable when you make certain movements, such as gripping a golf club, throwing a ball, or shaking hands. This is because these actions put stress on the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle.
How Our Physio’s Treat Golfers Elbow
In order to achieve the goal of reducing pain, improving function, and preventing future injury for golfer’s elbow, physiotherapy typically combines exercises, manual therapy, and education. In addition, we will incorporate Shockwave therapy alongside conventional treatments such as these:
Reduce Pain and Inflammation – Physiotherapy can include techniques such as ice or heat therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area. This can help to make it easier to perform daily activities and exercise without discomfort.
Improve Range of Motion – Exercises that help to improve range of motion in the elbow joint can help to reduce stiffness and make it easier to perform tasks that require movement of the elbow, such as gripping or lifting objects.
Strengthen Muscles and Tendons – Physiotherapy can include exercises that target the muscles and tendons in the forearm and wrist, helping to improve their strength and resilience and to prevent further injury.
Correct Postural or Movement Issues – In some cases, golfers elbow may be caused by poor posture or incorrect movement patterns. We help to identify and correct these issues. You may also seek advice from the golf pro at your club as they are trained to analyse and assess a player’s swing mechanics, including body posture, movement patterns, and technique. They may be able to identify any faulty movements or postures that may be contributing to golfer’s elbow and make recommendations for corrective actions.
Educate About Injury Prevention – We provide education on how to prevent further injury and reduce the risk of developing golfers elbow again in the future. This may include advice on proper technique for sports-related movements or guidance on how to stretch and strengthen the affected area.
Shockwave Therapy & Golfers Elbow
As well as our own experience, clinical research has shown that Focused ShockWave Therapy (FSWT) is an effective treatment option for Golfer’s Elbow, with significant improvements in pain and function. Here are some of the most notable studies on this topic:
A randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2016 evaluated the efficacy of focused shockwave therapy versus placebo for treating Golfer’s Elbow. The study found that patients who received focused shockwave therapy experienced significant improvements in pain and function compared to those who received the placebo treatment.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research in 2020 evaluated the effectiveness of shockwave therapy for treating upper limb tendinopathies, including Golfer’s Elbow. The review found that shockwave therapy significantly reduced pain and improved function in patients with upper limb tendinopathies, including Golfer’s Elbow.
A case series published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research in 2019 evaluated the efficacy of focused shockwave therapy for treating chronic Golfer’s Elbow. The study found that patients who received focused shockwave therapy experienced significant improvements in pain and function, and that these improvements persisted at the 12-month follow-up.
What Happens During Golfer’s Elbow Shockwave Therapy
At our clinic, shockwave therapy is a common treatment for medial epicondylitis. Our process begins with a discussion of your clinical history to understand the nature of the problem. We then conduct an examination of the affected area to identify the tender point where the pain is most intense. To enhance the transmission of the focused shock waves, we apply castor oil to the tender point.
During the treatment, a handheld Shockwave device is applied to the skin and this emits high-energy sound waves into the affected area creating a micro-trauma that triggers the body’s natural healing response, stimulating blood flow, and promoting tissue regeneration.
There are two types of shockwave therapy commonly used to treat golfer’s elbow Radial ShockWave Therapy (RSWT) and Focussed ShockWave Therapy (FSWT). We exclusively use Focussed ShockWave Therapy because our experience has shown that FSWT is a more effective and efficient treatment option. This is because:
- FSWT targets the affected area more precisely – FSWT uses a smaller applicator that can be placed directly on the area of pain, allowing for more precise targeting of the affected tissues. This means that the therapy can be delivered more efficiently and effectively, with fewer treatments required.
- FSWT delivers a higher energy level – FSWT delivers a higher energy level than RSWT, which means that it can penetrate deeper into the tissues and provide a stronger therapeutic effect. This can result in faster pain relief and improved healing outcomes.
- FSWT is less painful – While both RSWT and FSWT can be a little uncomfortable during treatment, FSWT is generally considered to be less painful. This is because the energy is more focused and can be delivered directly to the affected area, reducing the risk of discomfort or damage to surrounding tissues.
- FSWT has fewer side effects – FSWT has been shown to have fewer side effects than RSWT, with a lower risk of bruising or other adverse reactions. This is because the energy is more precisely targeted and controlled, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.
We administer EMTT through a handheld device that is placed over the affected area. The treatment is painless and non-invasive, and typically takes just a few minutes to complete. Patients may receive several EMTT sessions over the course of a few weeks, depending on the severity of their symptoms and the extent of their injury.
We are one of the few clinics in the country offering this as a solution to this painful condition and we recommend you book an appointment soon.
EMTT Therapy for Golfer’s Elbow
Additionally, we recommend combining Extracorporeal MagnetoTransduction Therapy (EMTT) with Shockwave therapy for our clients with Golfer’s Elbow, as we have achieved exceptional outcomes using this treatment approach. EMTT is a non-invasive therapy that uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate the healing process in the affected area. It works by producing a pulsed electromagnetic field that penetrates the elbow tissues, stimulating cellular activity to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and promote tissue repair.
Research has shown that patients who received EMTT therapy experienced a significant reduction in pain and improvement in grip strength compared to those who received a placebo treatment. Additionally, another study found that EMTT was more effective than standard physical therapy in reducing pain and improving function in patients with Golfer’s elbow.
One significant advantage of EMTT is that it is non-invasive, which eliminates the need for medication or surgery. This makes it a safe and convenient treatment option for patients who prefer non-invasive alternatives to more invasive treatments
ABOUT SHOCKWAVE CLINICS
Shockwave Clinics Ltd is the leading shockwave clinic in London and the UK with the most advanced and comprehensive range of shockwave and complimentary technologies, including magneto transduction therapy and radio frequency.
For over 10-years we have been using Focused Shockwave to treat numerous muscular problems caused by sports injuries as well as back pain, problems caused by invasive surgery and simple old age.