Pain Condition
Tennis and Golfer's Elbow (Epicondylitis)
By Dr. Anthony J. Gordon, Doctor of Acupuncture | Last reviewed September 2026
Picking up a coffee cup, shaking hands, turning a key or carrying groceries sends pain into the outside or inside of your elbow. Most people who get tennis elbow do not play tennis, and most with golfer's elbow do not golf. Both come from overloaded forearm muscles and tendons, and dry needling is commonly used for both.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (516) 597-5400. Most new patients are seen within one to two weeks.
Overview
Understanding Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is pain on the outside of the elbow where the wrist and finger extensor muscles attach. Golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is pain on the inside of the elbow where the wrist and finger flexors attach. Both are forms of epicondylitis, and both are common in people who type, use tools, lift, garden, play racquet sports or golf.
Despite the name, these conditions are usually not inflammatory. The tendon is overloaded and its tissue changes, and the forearm muscles connected to it develop trigger points that keep pulling on it. Grip weakness and pain with lifting are typical. Neck and shoulder problems can add to the load.
Dry needling of the forearm muscles is widely used for tennis and golfer's elbow. Dr. Gordon combines it with load management and coordinates with your physician or physical therapist on strengthening.
Tennis and Golfer's Elbow at a Glance
Also called
Lateral or medial epicondylitis, epicondylalgia
Tennis elbow
Pain on the outside of the elbow from the extensor tendons
Golfer's elbow
Pain on the inside of the elbow from the flexor tendons
Who it affects
Office workers, trades, gardeners, lifters, racquet and golf players
Key point
Usually an overload problem, not inflammation
The Gap in Care
What Tests Check, and What They Can Miss
Epicondylitis is often treated with rest, braces and injections. Without addressing forearm trigger points and load, it tends to return.
What routine testing is looking for
- Tendon tears
- Ligament injuries
- Nerve compression
- Arthritis
What often keeps symptoms going
- Forearm muscle trigger points pulling on the tendon
- Grip and lifting technique
- Workstation and tool setup
- Shoulder weakness increasing forearm load
- Neck contributions
These are found with hands-on, strength and workplace assessment.
Signs & Symptoms
Does This Sound Like You?
Symptoms vary from person to person. These are the patterns Dr. Gordon sees most often.
Outer elbow pain
Pain on the outside of the elbow (tennis elbow).
Inner elbow pain
Pain on the inside of the elbow (golfer's elbow).
Pain gripping
Pain lifting a cup, shaking hands or carrying bags.
Weak grip
Reduced grip strength.
Forearm aching
Aching spreading down the forearm.
Morning stiffness
Elbow stiffness in the morning.
Root Causes
The Four Drivers Dr. Gordon Looks For
Most people have more than one of these in play. Finding which one leads makes treatment more efficient.
Tendon overload
Repetitive gripping overloads the tendon at the elbow.
Forearm trigger points
Trigger points keep tension on the tendon.
Technique and tools
Grip, tool and racquet setup affect load.
Shoulder and neck
Weak shoulders and neck problems increase forearm load.
Your First Visit
How Dr. Gordon Evaluates Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
The initial evaluation runs 60 to 75 minutes. You leave with a clear picture of what is driving your symptoms, a written plan, a realistic timeline, and in most cases your first treatment.
Records and history review
Dr. Gordon reviews your imaging, physician or physical therapy notes, medications and past treatments so he knows what has been ruled out and what has already been tried.
Elbow tendon testing
Tests to confirm tendon involvement on the outer or inner elbow.
Forearm muscle mapping
Assessment of the extensor and flexor muscles.
Grip and shoulder testing
Grip strength and shoulder assessment.
Plan and coordination
A clear plan, plus communication with your physician, orthopedist or physical therapist when that helps your care.
When to see a physician first
- Sudden weakness in the arm or hand
- Numbness or tingling that is spreading or getting worse
- A hot, red, swollen joint or fever
- Visible deformity or inability to use the arm after an injury
- Arm pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating
- Loss of grip with dropping objects frequently
If you have any of these, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department.
Bring to your first visit
Records
Recent lab results, imaging reports and specialist notes. These can also be faxed ahead.
Treatment history
A short list of what you have tried and what did or did not help.
Clothing
Something comfortable and loose fitting.
Treatment
How Dr. Gordon Treats It
These are the tools Dr. Gordon uses most often for tennis and golfer's elbow, chosen from your exam findings.
Primary approach
Orthopedic Dry Needling
Dr. Gordon has used dry needling for more than 18 years. Dry needling targets the forearm extensor or flexor muscles and the tissue around the painful tendon.
See all servicesNerve focus
Neuro-Functional Acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture to calm pain and support tendon recovery.
See all servicesBetween visits
Load Plan & Team Coordination
Grip, tool and strengthening guidance, coordinated with your physician or physical therapist.
Referring provider? Contact the clinicWhat to Expect
A Typical Recovery Arc
Visits 1 to 3
Find the main driver
Dr. Gordon confirms which muscles and nerves are behind your symptoms and starts calming the most reactive areas. Many people notice early changes between visits.
Visits 4 to 8
Lower the baseline
Day-to-day symptoms ease, flares become shorter and less frequent, and normal routines start to feel more manageable.
Visits 9 to 12 and beyond
Build resilience
Visits are spaced out as improvement holds. You leave with a maintenance and early-flare plan.
Most patients are seen weekly or every other week during active care. Individual results vary with how long symptoms have been present and how reactive they are. Progress is reassessed at every visit.
Not sure how to describe it? Put your pain or discomfort into words before your visit
"I was referred from a friend to see Dr Gordon for a wrist injury. I have only positive things to say about my experience here. ... Dr Gordon is very knowledgeable caring and compassionate. My wrist is feeling much better and I've only had a few acupuncture treatments."
Christine Cavoto, Google Review
Tennis and Golfer's Elbow Questions
Answers About Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
Still unsure whether this is the right fit? Reach out before you book and Dr. Gordon will talk through your history with you.
No. Most people with these conditions develop them from work, hobbies or daily tasks.
Shots can give short-term relief, but results over the long term are mixed. Your physician can discuss options.
A counterforce strap can help during activity.
Dry needling is commonly used for tennis elbow, and many patients improve with a combination of needling and strengthening.
Many people improve within four to eight sessions.
Usually you can modify grip-heavy exercises rather than stop entirely.
Before You Book
General Questions
The clinic is an out-of-network practice. The initial evaluation is $300 and follow-up visits are $250. After each visit you receive a detailed superbill to submit to your PPO plan for possible reimbursement. FSA and HSA cards are accepted, and the clinic can run a complimentary benefits check before your first appointment. The check is a courtesy, so please confirm your coverage with your plan. See Insurance & Fees for details. See Insurance & Fees for details.
The first evaluation is 60 to 75 minutes and usually includes treatment. Follow-up visits run 45 to 60 minutes.
Yes. Call (516) 597-5400 or send a message through the contact page. This is especially helpful if your case is complex and you want to understand the approach before committing to a full evaluation.
1508 Union Turnpike, Suite 133, North New Hyde Park, NY 11040, with free parking on site. The clinic is an easy drive from Manhasset, Great Neck, Garden City, Lake Success, Floral Park and Mineola. Early morning, evening and weekend hours are available.
Most people feel a quick muscle twitch or a deep ache that lasts a few seconds. That twitch is a normal sign the trigger point is releasing. Mild soreness for 24 to 48 hours afterward, similar to a hard workout, is common. Depth, angle and stimulation are adjusted to your comfort.
Both use the same fine, sterile, single-use needles. Dry needling targets specific trigger points and tight bands in muscle based on your exam. Neuro-functional acupuncture targets nerve pathways, often with gentle electrical stimulation, to calm nerve sensitivity. For tennis and golfer's elbow, Dr. Gordon commonly uses both.
When performed by a trained, licensed provider with detailed knowledge of anatomy, it has a strong safety record. Tell Dr. Gordon if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant or have a weakened immune system so he can plan accordingly.
About Dr. Anthony J. Gordon
Dr. Anthony J. Gordon is a Doctor of Acupuncture licensed in New York and board certified. He holds ASE certification in intrapelvic and extrapelvic dry needling, along with advanced certifications in Functional Dry Needling and Neuro-Functional Acupuncture. With more than 18 years of clinical experience and over 3,000 complex cases treated, he focuses on pelvic, spinal and orthopedic conditions that have not responded to standard care, and works closely with each patient's physicians and physical therapists.
Read Dr. Gordon's full bioFurther Reading
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Book an Evaluation for Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
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Early morning, evening and weekend appointments available. Free on-site parking.
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