Post: #1

I recently had a case of Golfer's Elbow. I actually don't play Golf. It was caused by overuse from lifting. For treatment I didn't see a doctor but consulted a trainer that I trust. The pain is on the inside of the elbow with Golfer's Elbow and the outside of the elbow with tennis Elbow.

I took two weeks off from the gym as I wanted to avoid it becoming chronic. I iced my elbow for 20 minutes, 3 times a day for. I experienced the pain when doing curls, pull-ups and lat pull-downs. After two weeks off from the gym, I worked around biceps and back, focusing on the other muscles groups for about one month. After one month I slowly incorporated biceps and back into my work-out regimen with lighter weight, especially for biceps. It took about 6 weeks of this and I am back to my normal routine. I still feel slight tenderness so I continue to ice and make sure I am not over-extending myself when working those areas.

About ten years ago, I had tennis elbow. The pain is on the outside of the elbow and occurs when the tendons are stressed and over-worked. Tennis elbow is often caused by activities other than playing tennis such as weight training. In this case I was reluctant in changing my work-out routine and it developed into a chronic condition. Again, caused by overuse and perhaps improper technique from lifting weights. The pain was left from working my triceps and during some chest work-outs.

From my refusal to rest appropriately, I developed chronic Tendinitis . The pain in my elbow was such that it hurt to hold a glass of water. This last roughly 5-6 months and ultimately I took some time off from the gym because the of the pain.

Lesson learned: I have a tendency to overwork biceps and triceps. When I feel that sharp pain, I immediately stop, give it rest and focus on other muscle groups while applying ice a few times per day.

Post: #2

I've had both. Had a shitty repetitive stress job years ago, developed tendinitis, and it's never really gone away. Plus I still work at a computer all day which doesn't help. Lifting for the last 6 months hasn't helped either but oh well. I ice my arms a few times a week.

So yeah, lesson is don't develop tendinitis because it'll be recurring at best and chronic at worse.

Post: #3

Can you expand more about the symptoms you experienced with Tennis/Golfer's elbow?

My finger, wrist, and elbow joints crack a lot on some days. I can even crack them at will and after a while it feels very uncomfortable, although there isn't really pain.

I am not sure if this is because of playing guitar for way too long back in the day, Aikido, too much computer, or lifting....

Post: #4

(08-01-2014 09:56 AM)FretDancer Wrote:  Can you expand more about the symptoms you experienced with Tennis/Golfer's elbow?

My finger, wrist, and elbow joints crack a lot on some days. I can even crack them at will and after a while it feels very uncomfortable, although there isn't really pain.

I am not sure if this is because of playing guitar for way too long back in the day, Aikido, too much computer, or lifting....

When I was researching the symptoms it is common to have sensation, pain and tension in the wrist, hand and fingers. However, my pain was concentrated in the elbow and was a direct cause from lifting weights. The key is to avoid a chronic condition. The tennis elbow took me a solid 6 months where the pain was manageable and I was able to resume my normal work-out.

Post: #5

One thing you can do is wear a compression sleeve on the arm that hurts.

I've also noticed that ice doesn't help my tendinitis issues in my right arm I prefer heat and rest. Rest is the only long-term solution. Along with changing your mechanics.

Post: #6

The best info I found on this is a site called Tennis Elbow Classroom. Corny name but well researched and discusses evidence behind commonly proposed treatments.