With summer rapidly approaching, the warmth draws us outside and we get the chance to play wonderful outdoor sports like tennis and golf. Unfortunately, with the advent of returning to play, some develop tendonitis in their elbow from over-use and this can stop someone from playing for weeks.
Elbow pain such as this is known as Golf elbow, or Tennis elbow, because it arrives after over-use in these sports. If you are experiencing such pain, call a doctor today to decide on an appropriate treatment plan. Some symptoms of elbow tendonitis are:
- Pain develops either slowly or suddenly around the elbow
- Pain becomes worse while shaking hands and squeezing objects
- Pain becomes worse when stabilizing the wrist or moving the wrist rapidly
Tennis elbow and Golf elbow is a common treatable injury but a painful condition where the tendons in the muscles along the elbow inflame and become tender limiting function and mobility. There are several treatments options for elbow tendonitis but primarily doctors, physical therapists, and in some cases surgeons provide the most effective care.
Physical Therapy is a viable and safe option to look at in order to reduce the swelling in the elbow and alleviate pain. A physical therapist will set you up with an individualized treatment plan that involves exercise, stretching, and guided massage.
Here are some exercises utilized in Physical Therapy and also that can be done at home:
Elbow Bend- Stand up straight and lower your arm to one side. Bend your arm slowly upwards so your hand is touching your shoulder. Hold for 15-30 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Wrist Lift- Bend your elbow at a right angle. Hold a light weight (i.e. a can of beans), palm up. Bend your wrist slowly towards you. Hold for 5 seconds, and then slowly release. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
The physical therapists at Cross Bay Physical Therapy specialize in treating Golf/Tennis elbow helping one get back to their game as soon as possible. Call today at (718) 835-0084 to set up an appointment with one of our physical therapists.
By Benjamin Bieber