Tennis Elbow….
Could doing lateral shoulder raises or reversed bicep curls with barbell (controlled light weight clings) cause this. I did my back and biceps last week with a day off of running only. The next day(two days later) I did shoulders. The best I can figure is I stressed out one of my forearm muscles and it caused swelling in the area.
I have had light elbow pain before after heavy lifting but it would go away in a day or so. So by last weekend the pain is worse, huh not normal. It is also hurts to pick items up when my arm is extended and pressure is put on my elbow. The pain seems to start on the outside of my elbow and travel down a few inches. I have already researched healing my elbow; however I want to identify the cause. I feel it may have been one of the above mentioned exercises. If so please respond so I can correct it.
I’m in on this and hoping someone has some insight (paging Dr. Will). I’m experiencing tennis elbow pain after a day of cleaning up downed branches (chopping) from a storm a couple months ago. So far I’ve read that there’s either no cure and/or the support bands don’t work or are actually bad for treatment.
I just want to know if one of the above exercises is responsible. From what I have read ice,rest,and ibuprofen is a it as good as it gets besides shots.
On the bright side mine disappeared as fast as it came on after a month or so. Made shooting a pain literally. Shot with a Velcro strap made it bearable. Thought I was stuck with it, then it disappeared.
Oh I am pissed it is slowing down my workout. By the way Boy Scout an easy ice back is zip lock bag water and rubbing alcohol. Freeze it and it turns to a mushy ice.
Gallon size freezer bag (double bagged is better in case of a leak)
Regular size bottle of cheap rubbing alcohol
Fill the empty bottle 2.5x with water.
Freeze several hours and then lay it on a counter and use your fist to break it up a bit.
DO NOT put directly on your skin. Wrap in a dish towel
20 minutes on. 40 minutes off. Repeat as needed.
Getting close to a year now of dealing with this crap. Did PT and changed my office lay out. Went away for a few months. Then got back on the dry fire and shooting and voila the crap is back. I may go and get shots this time round. Another option may some serious massage therapy and acupuncture. Not sure which I’ll try first.
Bad news from my orthopedist is that once you get it it appears you become susceptible to getting it again.
I also need to take a look at my habits and see what aggravates it. Thumb typing on iPhone, mousing, leaning on elbows during the day can all have an impact as can some types of maintenance meds.
Try some DMSO. Make sure it is Pharmaceutical Grade only. Its hands down the best anti inflammatory on the planet. Dilute it down to 70% DMSO and 30% quality water. Apply generously to the affected areas. It cured arthritis I had in my shoulders, wrists, hands and elbows. I use it on injury’s like strains and sprains and sore achy muscles. Truly amazing stuff. http://www.eden-health-products.com/dmso-pharmaceutical-grade When you apply it go past the affected areas like if its your forearm do the whole forearm wrist hand and back up into your bicep and shoulder. Sometimes injury’s extend beyond where we are actually feeling the pain. Use 2-3 times a day until the pain is gone then once a day for a week beyond that. Then use when needed. If the pain still persists after a week then combine it with Arnica Montana. http://www.natrabio.com/pain/the-arnica-rub-1.html DMSO is a transdermal which by itself goes all the way down to the cellular level but when another topical is applied 30-60 seconds after the DMSO it pulls it down in with it. This will deal with the pain but if you want to look further into it take a look at a possible vitamin or mineral deficiency. Possibly D3 or B-vitamins. Do some research on MSM also…
That is exactly what my Ortho prescribed for my TE. My injury was work related and I had to make a conscious effort to stop using the motion and heavy lifting that had brought it on. My TE is in remission right now and I’m thankful. It sucks when picking up anything heavier than a cup of coffee causes pain.
Good deal! Sometimes having patience and allowing an injury to heal is the hardest part. I had strained a hamstring many years ago and it took almost a year to heal up. Sometimes injury’s are more severe than we want to admit to ourselves especially when we live an active lifestyle. I speak from experience.
Been battling neck and back pain; partially torn bilateral rotator cuffs and trauma induced fibromyalga from a crash back in 2009. An Acupuncturist shared the use of Auricular Pressure Points with me. She would apply mustard seeds secured with like a bandaid to pinpoint the spot but not necessary. Here is link showing the points and what each effects: http://www.tcmstudent.com/study_tools/Ear%20Chart.html Using medium to heavy pressure, pinch or press the associated point for an honest 30 seconds. Do this minimum 3 times a day, but as needed is cool.
I use these points ritually, if not for them I would be on many medications. Do they work? True story: fellow passenger on a flight was miserable due to the pressure changes inflight effecting his “tennis elbow”. I showed that chart, 30 seconds later he said " what’s your name? Have to remember who cured me!"
Hope this helps as it has given me my life back.
John
Res502cue
Tennis elbow or Lateral epicondylitis is inflammation, soreness, or pain on the outside of the upper arm near the elbow1. Golfer’s elbow or Medial epicondylitis is pain and inflammation on the inner side of your elbow2.
How the injury occurs:
Both of these injuries are caused by repetitive use of extensor and/or flexor muscles of the forearm. Over time, inflammation, scar tissue, and small tears develop in the origin tendon of the muscle, which leads to irritation and pain when the muscle is used.
Lateral epicondylitis occurs in weightlifters usually due to wrist extension during pressing exercises such as barbell press, where the hands are stabilized, but the elbow has the tendency to move if technique is poor. Medial epicondylitis can occur with improper and/or excessive curling of the wrist during a bicep exercise. Both can also occur in occupation with consistent wrist rotation; like construction, painters, keyboard and mouse use, plumbers, and many more.
Symptoms:
For a Tennis Elbow, pain is usually present when you extend your wrist; the pain may or may not radiate from the elbow to your forearm. Occasionally, numbness and/or weakness may be associated. A lifter may notice it more when performing a barbell exercise. There is also some tenderness within the elbow when you press on the area.
For golfer’s elbow, pain is present when you flex your wrist, squeeze your hand, swing a club, plus many more. Tenderness may also be present. The skin may also feel warm to the touch for both conditions.
Diagnosis:
Usually, your medical history and physical exam will provide enough information for a diagnosis of epicondylitis.
An X-ray can be helpful to rule out other possible causes of elbow pain.
Treatment:
Rest: Stop performing activities that will aggravate the pain, it takes time for the tears to heal. Premature return to activity may prolong the symptoms.
Ice: Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes, 3-4 times per day for several days. Use a thin towel to protect the skin.
Over the counter (OTC) pain reliever: Try ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen, these will help to lower the inflammation.
Injection: Cortisone or similar injection can also reduce the pain and swelling.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), Graston, FAKTR-ISTM, Kinesio Tape, have proven to help in reducing inflammation and pain with little to no side effects.
Tennis or Elbow Brace: Purpose of the brace is to reduce pressure on the injured tendon by creating a temporary muscle origin. Apply the brace 3 to 4 inch from the tip of the elbow, you may need to wear the brace for up to 6 weeks.
It is not uncommon for elbow pain to last 6 to 12 weeks. With treatment, the pain may resolve faster.
Prevention:
These types of elbow injuries can be a part of a bigger picture, what appears to be an elbow injury may start from weak core stability and lack of strength. For a lifter, it means to take a step back and see the overall picture, when attempting more weight do you feel that your core is stable? Are the elbows stable and not flailing around? Are the wrists in severe flexion and extension?
Once the injury is healed, consider incorporating core stabilizing exercises and gradually increase the weight of a lift to emphasize form and technique. Weight train with a wrist wraps to limit flexion and extension. Also train using oversized grip (Fat Gripz).
I never got tennis elbow from playing tennis…but got it by doing rows with an EZ curl bar.
Admittedly…I did up the weight, because going from rows with a straight barbell to the EZ curl made my wrists FEEL better. The extra weight just moved the stress to my elbows. Lesson learned…start off slower with ANY new lift.
After doing many of the stretches suggested by the experienced folks here and going easy on those rows, hammer curls, tricep kick backs and other lifts that tended to irritate the elbow…I am totally cured.
I now lift with more caution, back off the weight and concentrate on better form.