You’ve probably heard of tennis elbow before, but have you heard of golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow affects the forearm muscles. The muscles that attach from the wrist and go to the “funny bone” area of the elbow near the inner bump. These muscles are responsible for wrist flexion. In other words, they allow you to twist your wrist.
The truth is you don’t have to play golf to experience golfer’s elbow. Anyone that regularly completes tasks that involve repetitive wrist flexion or forearm pronation (like swinging a golf club) can experience this problem. How do you know if you have it?
Those with Golfer’s Elbow are likely to experience pain or tenderness near the funny bone or inner bump of the elbow, as well as some swelling. The pain may be persistent or just felt when the muscles are in use. Another common symptom of golfer’s elbow is reduced strength in grip, which is a major issue if you actually play golf!
Here are some things you can do to help manage your symptoms and get rid of your Golfer’s Elbow:
1) Rest: I know, I know this may be difficult to hear for avid golfers. But if you are in pain, take a break. Golfer’s elbow is caused by repetitive motion. If you don’t give your body time to heal, the problem will just get worse.
2) Ice: In pain? Apply ice to the joint for 15 minutes every hour until swelling subsides. This will help temporarily reduce acute pain.
3) Try Acupuncture: Acupuncture can be an effective tool for elbow pain and tendonitis because it directly targets the muscles and tendons affected by overuse. It helps the tight muscles to relax and increases blood flow to the area, which in turn promotes the healing process. Interested in giving it a try? Click here to book an initial consultation with our acupuncturist.
4) Visit Your Chiropractor: Chiropractic adjustments can also help. Sometimes tendon problems are caused by spinal stress. Why? Joints are able to move because of nerves that control its action; those nerves emerge from the spine, and travel down to your arms and legs. If a spinal subluxation (misalignment) is causing the nerves to lose full function, golfer’s elbow can result. On top of that, if the pain was caused by a direct injury or repetitive motion, spinal subluxations can worsen the condition. So we suggest having your elbow checked by a chiropractor. Schedule an appointment today!
5) Tape or Brace Your Joints: Taping or using a brace while playing sports like golf can help reduce further stressing the muscles and tendons. This will often speed recovery times.
6) Warm Up: Warming up will help make sure that your muscles are ready for action! If you are a golfer, click here to watch a short stretching demonstration from Golf Info Guide. If you aren’t, some wrist circles or opening and closing your fingers in quick succession can do the trick!