Golfer’s elbow is also known as medial epicondylitis which involves an injury on the inside of the elbow caused by excessive and repeated stress placed on the tendon. The muscles that bend your wrist travel up and attach to the inside of the elbow with a tendon. A tendon attaches muscles to bone and are easily aggravated by overuse of the muscles over several days.
Who experiences golfer’s elbow?
You don’t have to be a golfer to feel the effects of this issue. It is common with anyone who performs repetitive movements such as:
- Lifting
- Throwing
- Jobs (Examples: construction or plumbing)
- Racket sports and of course golf
What are some of the symptoms that you may have if you have Golfer’s Elbow?
- Pain on the inside of the elbow
- Possible numbness and tingling into the hand especially the last two fingers
- Stiffness and weakness of the forearm
- Tenderness when you touch the inside of the elbow
Why should you address this NOW?
Tendons do not have a great blood supply, so if it is not addressed early on and you continue to perform movements that aggravate you, this could possibly cause the tendon to tear. It is important to seek out a Physical Therapist to ensure the treatment is tailored to your needs.
One person could be experiencing pain because of constant computer setup problems while another may be experiencing pain because of weightlifting. It is also important to have someone be able to guide you through the appropriate exercises and give you home exercises that will benefit YOU. Sessions will also involve hands on therapy to address the soft tissue restrictions and educate you on proper ergonomic setup as well as return to sport. You’ll be back to normal activities pain-free in no time!
