Elbow Pain Rehab: Tennis Elbow & Golfer’s Elbow Recovery Timeline

Introduction

Elbow pain is one of the most frustrating injuries we see at Revive Physiotherapy. Whether it’s the nagging ache on the outside of the elbow (commonly called tennis elbow) or the deep soreness on the inside (golfer’s elbow), these conditions can be stubborn, painful, and slow to heal.

In our clinic, we’ve consistently observed that tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) typically take about 12 weeks to fully rehabilitate. That timeline can feel surprisingly long, but there’s a reason: the physiology of the elbow, the nature of tendons, and the barriers to recovery make these conditions uniquely challenging.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• What tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow really are

• Why elbow tendons take longer to heal than other injuries

• What treatments are most effective for long-term recovery

• A realistic 12-week elbow rehab timeline

Understanding the Physiology: What Is Epicondylitis?

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

• Affects the tendons that attach to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle).

• Commonly involves the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon.

• Caused by repetitive gripping, wrist extension, or overuse in sports, work, or daily tasks.

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)

• Affects the tendons attaching to the bony bump on the inside of the elbow (medial epicondyle).

• Involves the flexor-pronator tendon group.

• Often caused by repetitive wrist flexion, forearm pronation, golf swings, throwing, or manual labor.

Why Elbow Tendons Heal Slowly

Despite the “-itis” ending, both conditions are actually tendinopathies (degenerative tendon changes, not just inflammation). This is why rest alone won’t fix them.

Tendons around the elbow heal slowly because they have:

• Limited blood supply compared to muscle

• Constant daily stress from gripping, typing, and lifting

• High exposure to repetitive movement in work and sports

These factors explain why elbow pain rehab takes 12 weeks or more compared to faster-healing muscle injuries.

Effective Treatment for Elbow Pain Rehab

At Revive Physiotherapy, our proven approach includes:

1. Pain Relief & Tissue Healing

   • Manual therapy to reduce tension and improve circulation

   • Dry needling for pain relief and tendon stimulation

2. Load Management

   • Activity modification to avoid flare-ups

   • Supportive braces/straps and ergonomic adjustments

3. Progressive Strengthening

   • Isometric exercises for early tendon loading

   • Eccentric training to rebuild tendon fibers

   • Functional strength for grip, lifting, and sport-specific tasks

4. Whole-Body Integration

   • Addressing wrist, shoulder, and upper back mechanics

   • Posture and movement corrections

5. Consistency & Patience

   • Tendons respond to progressive loading over time—not quick fixes.

12-Week Timeline for Elbow Pain Recovery

• Weeks 1–2: Pain reduction, activity modification, gentle isometrics

• Weeks 3–6: Eccentric loading, light strengthening, functional progress

• Weeks 7–10: Heavier resistance, return to sport-specific drills

• Weeks 11–12: Full integration into work/sport, prevention strategies

Average recovery = 12 weeks, though age, activity, and consistency may speed up or slow down progress.

Barriers to Recovery

• Jumping back into aggravating activities too soon

• Skipping exercises or poor rehab compliance

• Chronic or long-standing elbow pain

• Work demands with repetitive strain

• Health factors like diabetes, smoking, or poor sleep

Takeaway: Healing Elbow Pain the Right Way

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are not quick fixes. They’re tendon injuries that require structured rehab, consistent effort, and patience. At Revive Physiotherapy, we guide patients through proven rehab programs so they can get back to sport, work, and daily life pain-free.

📞 Call us today for an assessment or
💻 Book online to start your recovery.

FAQ: Elbow Pain Rehab

Q: How long does it take to rehab tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?
A: On average, recovery takes about 12 weeks with structured physiotherapy.

Q: Can tennis elbow heal on its own?
A: Rest may reduce pain temporarily, but true recovery requires progressive tendon loading and strengthening.

Q: What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?
A: Tennis elbow affects the outside tendons of the elbow; golfer’s elbow affects the inside tendons.