Targeted soft tissue treatment for medial elbow pain at Beverley Road, New Malden KT3 4AW. BTEC Level 5 qualified. 65 five-star Google reviews. First session from £60.
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is pain on the inside of the elbow caused by overloading the forearm flexor and pronator muscles at their attachment to the medial epicondyle. Despite the name, golf accounts for a small minority of cases. Climbers, manual tradespeople, gym-goers and desk workers are all commonly affected — anyone who performs repetitive gripping, pulling or wrist flexion in their work or sport.
Pain on the inner elbow typically worsens with gripping, carrying, shaking hands or flexing the wrist against resistance. It can radiate down the forearm toward the wrist, and in some cases is accompanied by tingling in the ring and little finger, a sign that the ulnar nerve, which runs close to the medial epicondyle, is also involved. Left untreated, the tendon attachment becomes increasingly sensitised. For the companion condition on the outer elbow, see tennis elbow.
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Flexor Carpi Radialis & Pronator Teres
The two primary drivers in most golfer's elbow cases. Pronator teres is particularly important and often overlooked. It attaches at the medial epicondyle and becomes chronically tight with repeated gripping and forearm rotation.
Common Flexor Tendon
The shared tendon of the forearm flexor muscles attaches at the medial epicondyle. Deep transverse friction here reduces chronic sensitisation and promotes tissue remodelling, essential for lasting resolution.
Ulnar Nerve Assessment
The ulnar nerve runs through the cubital tunnel at the medial epicondyle. In some presentations it becomes compressed or irritated alongside the tendon, producing tingling in the ring and little finger. Assessment before treatment identifies whether the nerve is involved.
Full Flexor Group
Flexor carpi ulnaris, palmaris longus and flexor digitorum contribute to loading at the medial epicondyle. Treating the whole forearm flexor group rather than just the tendon attachment site produces more complete and lasting results.
Four distinct groups seen regularly at the New Malden practice. Each presents with a different loading pattern but the same medial epicondyle problem.
The golf swing loads the medial epicondyle at impact, particularly in players who grip tightly or have a strong wrist-flexion move through the ball. Most common in the lead arm (left for right-handed golfers).
Sustained and repeated finger and forearm flexion on the wall creates chronic overload through the common flexor tendon. Golfer's elbow is the most common chronic overuse injury in regular climbers. The flexor load is constant and high intensity.
Plumbers, electricians and carpenters perform repetitive gripping, torquing and pulling movements. The medial side is loaded more heavily in pulling and rotation tasks — the opposite loading pattern to tennis elbow, which dominates in pushing and gripping.
Sustained mouse use and typing, particularly with the forearm pronated on a hard desk surface, loads pronator teres continuously. Nick treated office professionals at Google HQ where medial forearm tightness was a regular complaint in heavy keyboard users.
Every session begins with a brief assessment: how long the pain has been present, what movements aggravate it, and whether there are any signs of ulnar nerve involvement (tingling in the ring or little finger). This shapes the treatment approach from the outset.
Treatment covers the forearm flexor group with targeted soft tissue release, with particular attention to pronator teres, which is frequently tight and often undertreated. This is followed by deep transverse friction massage at the medial epicondyle tendon attachment to promote tissue remodelling. For complex or longstanding presentations, remedial massage provides a more structured clinical assessment. For deep forearm tension, deep tissue massage reaches the flexor layers more thoroughly.
You will leave with specific eccentric loading exercises and clear advice on load management: which movements to reduce and which to maintain to support tendon healing without complete rest.
13+ years treating elbow, forearm and wrist complaints from golf, climbing, manual work and desk use. Former tennis coach of 8 years with direct understanding of how racket sport loading differs between medial and lateral elbow presentations. Ewell Chiropractic clinical background, treating complex and longstanding forearm cases alongside chiropractors.
MSMA Member — Sports Massage Association (SMA)
If you hold private health insurance, you may be able to claim sports massage sessions back. Check with your provider. A detailed receipt is provided on request.
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