Golfer's Elbow Seattle WA

Lately, at Seattle Chiropractic Center, we have been getting a few more than usual with golfer’s elbow. There seems to be some confusion out there, so hopefully this article helps clear that up.

Golfers Elbow is also known as Medial Epicondylitis.

Whether you are a golfer or a tradesman or a housewife, if you over-use your elbow you are in danger of permanent damage if it is left untreated!

It is not only golfers who get it but people who work in various sectors of industry such as…

• Chefs…
• Construction workers
• Machinists
• Factory Workers

Elbow joint pain can be simple and stay simple if it is treated properly, or become critical if it is ignored…

Chiropractors who perform extremity adjustments and soft tissue treatments using instruments (Graston, IASTM, active pin and stretch, etc..) can significantly decrease the healing time for golfer’s elbow recovery.

When the strain from tendinitis is present, bones easily slip out of alignment and add to the pain and irritation…

• A chiropractic adjustment and soft tissue treatment
• Taping your elbow with kinesiotape
• Rest
• Ice
• compression

All of these together is a winning combination if you want to heal as quickly as possible.

Keeping Your Elbow Joint Healthy…

Keeping an elbow joint healthy and free of Golfers Elbow while playing sport or at work requires that the muscle groups in the arms and the back maintain a balance in strength and tone especially the following:

• Muscles around the shoulder blades (rhomboids)
• The shoulder muscles (deltoids)
• The upper arm (biceps and triceps)
• The forearm (extensors and flexors)

If these muscle groups are not strengthened evenly additional pressure will be applied to the tendon through the golf swing or a repetitive motion. Specific resistance movement is key to keeping the elbow joint healthy.

To do list for golfer’s elbow:

1. Two to three weeks of down time from golf or work and following the instructions from your health care provider.
2. Get your clubs professionally fitted. Adjusting grips on golf clubs, changing the weight of your equipment; talk to someone like RedBird Sports here in Seattle and get Jay to tailor it to you.
3. When the pain is gone, start a circuit of balanced light resistance training for your back and arms.
4. If your elbow joint begins to hurt again, STOP, ICE, ELEVATE…use your judgement and review the timeline; how long has this been going on?

Additionally, journaling day to day is particularly helpful so you can see your own time line and also if you need to consult with a physician if you are not noticing improvement.

If you take the ambiguity out of the casework for the doctor, you have a better chance of getting better quality assistance – putting your progress in writing where time and date are noted is a potent way to get the attention you need.

Golfers Elbow Left Untreated Will Turn Into Chronic Joint Pain…

Clients who have refused to take their injury seriously have developed chronic joint pain.

Elbow joint pain can become serious if the tip of the elbow becomes swollen and infected – this is called Septic Olecranon Bursitis and you should get help right away.

If the tip of your elbow is inflammed, please seek medical help as you could be looking at an infection.

An arthritic condition may also develop, which means a painful elbow for life, due to bone spurs developing in the joint.

Please take care of even the smallest amount of elbow joint pain now, do not put it off to go and play even one more round.

Treat it at home, with rest, ice, tape, elevation…if there is no noticeable improvement within two weeks, get yourself seen by a golf specialist doctor in your area.

In the long run, a short time off work or sport will serve you and your employer, or your game, the best. We hope this article helps you understand your pain a little better.