Elbow and Wrist Pain Osteopathy, Including Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
Elbow, forearm and wrist pain often builds up with repeated gripping, lifting and twisting: using tools on site, typing and using a mouse, carrying shopping, lifting a baby, or a block of heavy pulling at the gym. Common presentations include tennis elbow (pain on the outside of the elbow) and golfer's elbow (pain on the inside). Your osteopath will assess the arm and the tasks that load it, and plan a staged approach to building capacity for your work and training.
Symptoms commonly come on gradually and may be felt as an ache that builds during or after activity, pain with gripping, or weakness when lifting objects at arm's length. Common presentations include:
Tennis elbow: pain on the outside of the elbow with gripping, lifting or turning a key or screwdriver
Golfer's elbow: pain on the inside of the elbow with gripping, throwing or pulling
Thumb-side wrist pain with lifting and repeated thumb use, including in new parents
Wrist aches linked to typing, mouse use, push-ups or pressing
Forearm tightness and fatigue from tool use or manual work
Why load matters
Many elbow and wrist presentations involve tendons, which tend to be sensitive to sudden changes in how much and how often they are used. A new job, a busy week on the tools, a jump in gym volume, taking up a racquet sport or a change in grip can all play a part. Tendon-related symptoms often take time to settle, so management usually focuses on a steady, staged plan rather than complete rest followed by a sudden return to full load.
What your assessment looks at
Your osteopath will ask about your work, tools, hobbies and training, and how your symptoms respond to activity. Assessment may include movement and strength of the elbow, wrist and hand, grip testing, and checks of the neck, shoulder and nerves where symptoms suggest they may be involved. If there are signs of a fracture, a tendon rupture or nerve compression, your osteopath will discuss referral to your GP.
A staged management plan
Management commonly combines education, load adjustments and progressive exercise. It may include:
Short-term changes to grip, tools, workstation or training
Progressive strengthening for the forearm, wrist and shoulder
Hands-on care or dry needling where appropriate
Advice on bracing or taping where it may be useful
Review and progression based on how symptoms respond
What you can do in the meantime
Reduce, rather than stop, the tasks that clearly aggravate your symptoms. For example, lift with your palm facing up, use a thicker tool grip, share heavy carrying, or cut back pulling volume at the gym for a while. Take regular short breaks during repetitive work. Some people find a forearm strap makes certain tasks more comfortable; your osteopath can discuss whether it suits you.
Common questions
Elbow and wrist pain: your questions
For questions about referrals, fees, private health and funding pathways, see our full FAQ.
Not necessarily. Many people can keep training with changes, such as using lifting straps or a neutral grip, reducing load on pulling and curling, or shortening sessions. Your osteopath will help you work out which exercises to modify and how to build back gradually.
Braces and forearm straps can make some tasks more comfortable in the short term for some people, but they are usually used alongside exercise rather than instead of it. Your osteopath can advise whether one is likely to be useful for you.
Many elbow and wrist presentations can be assessed and managed initially without imaging or injections. If your symptoms are not progressing as expected, or assessment suggests a different cause, your osteopath will discuss referral to your GP to talk about other options.
Tendon-related elbow pain can take some time to settle, and the timeframe varies between people and with work and training demands. Your osteopath will discuss what to expect after your assessment and review your progress as you go.
