How to Prevent Golfer’s Elbow

With the weather getting warmer, many people like to hit the golf course. A common problem, though, is that of golfer’s elbow. Symptoms of golfer’s elbow include:

• Pain and tenderness
• Stiffness
• Weakness
• Numbness and tingling

If you’ve been hitting the golf course and have elbow and arm pain, learn why it could be golfer’s elbow today. 

What is Golfer’s Elbow? 

Golfer’s Elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a form of tendinitis. Tendinitis is a condition that results in tendons becoming irritated or inflamed. Most often, tendinitis happens when it’s overused or injured. Golfer’s elbow happens when the tendon that connects the wrist to the elbow tears. 

Medical News Today explains that the signs and symptoms of golfer’s elbow most commonly include: 

• Pain when flexing the wrist towards the forearm
• Pain that goes from the elbow through the hand 
• A weak grip
• Pain when shaking hands
• Difficulty moving the elbow
• A tingling sensation extending from the elbow to the fingers
• Having a stiff elbow
• A weakened wrist

Though it’s most commonly referred to as golfer’s elbow, people who play a number of different sports are at an increased risk of suffering from this injury. People who play tennis, lift weights, play baseball, or row are also at risk, according to Medical News Today. Additionally, sometimes a person’s occupation is what causes this injury they say. Those who have careers as a butcher, plumber, in construction, computer work, assembly lines, cooks, and painters also suffer from medial epicondylitis. 

Preventing Golfer’s Elbow

The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent golfer’s elbow. The Mayo Clinic offers these prevention tips: 

• Strengthen your forearm muscles: begin incorporating simple exercises to help your muscles better prepare for the physical aspect of golfing
• Stretch: before you begin golfing, take a few minutes to warm up your muscles
• Focus on form: it’s important to make sure you are golfing properly to prevent injury. If you’re new to the sport, try and get expert guidance on how to properly swing the clubs
• Use the right clubs: if you’re using older clubs, you’re more likely to suffer an injury. Be sure you have the correct grip and light head to reduce your chance of injury
• Lift properly: be sure you lift from your legs and not your back. Keep your wrists stable to help protect your elbows
• Know when to rest: don’t overdo it, if you begin feeling pain, take a break

At Home Treatment Options

At the initial sign of pain, you can try some at home remedies for golfer’s elbow. First and foremost, it’s best to take a break from golfing if that’s what’s causing your injury. 

If you begin to feel elbow pain, try icing to help reduce inflammation and swelling. You can also try over the counter medications, like ibuprofen, to help with mild pain and swelling. Gentle stretching might also help, but if you begin to feel any pain while stretching stop immediately and seek help from a doctor before you do anything further. 

Golfer’s Elbow Help with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy

If an injury, like golfer’s elbow, is preventing you from enjoying some of your favorite activities, Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center can help. Our team will work with you in choosing what state-of-the-art procedure is best for your symptoms and your condition. These procedures have the ability to help reduce or eliminate your pain completely in some cases. Our team is extensively trained to customize a treatment plan that best fits your specific needs. In addition to our non-invasive procedures, physical therapy might also be beneficial to regain mobility and function of the tired muscles. Some of the techniques we recommend might be one of the following: 

• Stretches to relieve tension in muscles and tendons
• Gentle massage therapy to reduce pain
• A splint or brace to stabilize 
• Trigger point therapy
• Lifestyle changes to eliminate repetitive strain
• Joint injections to reduce inflammation and swelling
• Chiropractic adjustments 

Your Initial Visit

The first appointment you will have will entail having Dr. Shaner or another member of our team evaluating your current pain and your past medical history. All of this information combined will help our team best know how to help you. After we begin treating your pain, we will also give you recommended at-home care tips to help you heal even faster. 

Get Help Now

If you’re suffering from golfer’s elbow or other pain and need help, our team here at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy is more than qualified to help you. Providing specialized treatment plans for those in the Austin area, we’re here to get you healthy as soon as possible. Call today for a consultation: (512)-806-0015.