Elbow Pain When Shaking Hands? Here's What It Means and What to Do
Updated October 20261 minute read
Elbow pain triggered by shaking hands or gripping is a hallmark of tennis elbow (outer elbow) or golfer's elbow (inner elbow) — the grip loads the irritated tendons at the elbow. It's not serious and responds to progressive strengthening rather than rest. Reduce forceful grips temporarily while loading the tendon. The location of the pain (outer vs inner) points to which tendon is involved.
What this usually means
Most likely causes. Tennis elbow (outer) and golfer's elbow (inner) are the common causes, since a firm grip loads the elbow tendons. Less common causes. Radial tunnel (deeper outer-forearm ache) can present similarly.
What you can try at home
Reduce forceful gripping temporarily and use a softer or palm-up grip when possible, while keeping the arm active. Begin gentle, progressive grip and wrist strengthening to rebuild tendon capacity.
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When to see a physical therapist
If grip-related elbow pain persists, a PT can identify which tendon is involved and build a loading plan.
Red flags — don't wait
Seek care for a hot swollen elbow with fever, significant injury, or tingling/weakness in the hand.
Already seen a doctor, or have imaging? Request a match — free.
If a doctor has checked you out and physical therapy is an option, tell us where you are. We'll send you cash-pay PTs nearby who treat this, with their prices and first openings — bring your results to the first visit. You choose; we don't give medical advice.
We check two or three cash-pay PTs near you. We reply within 1 business day with next steps.
How a PT treats this
Treatment combines load management with progressive grip and wrist strengthening for the involved tendon.
Frequently asked questions
A firm grip loads the elbow tendons, which flare when irritated.
Sources (5)
- Lucado AM, et al. Lateral Elbow Pain and Muscle Function Impairments: Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022. — PubMed
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis). — AAOS OrthoInfo
- Li D, et al. Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow). In: StatPearls. NCBI Bookshelf. — NIH/NCBI Bookshelf
- Karanasios S, et al. Exercise interventions in lateral elbow tendinopathy have better outcomes than passive interventions: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2021. — BJSM
- Coombes BK, et al. Effect of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy, or both on clinical outcomes in patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2013. — JAMA
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.