Elbow Problems:
Elbow problems can be minor or serious and may include symptoms such as: pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in temperature or color. Home treatment often can relieve minor aches and pains. To better understand elbow problems, you may want to review the anatomy of the elbow. Most of the time our body movements do not cause problems, but it's not surprising that most symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear or overuse. In fact, surpassing the common cold as the most common cause of missed work, cumulative injuries have increased 670% in the last five years.
Structure and Function of the Elbow:
The elbow is both a hinge and a pivot joint that allows a person to bend, to extend, and to rotate the arm. It connects the end of the upper arm bone (distal humorous) to the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) with ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The two bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) fit into the ends of the upper arm bone like a hinge, forming the elbow joint. The upper arm bone (distal humorous) flares out to form the medial and lateral epicondyles. Some of the forearm muscles attach to the upper arm bone. The olecranon is the large bump of the ulna behind the elbow joint. It forms the bony prominence of the elbow and connects with the triceps muscle of the upper arm.
The following conditions may cause elbow symptoms. Osteoarthritis may cause pain that is worse in the morning but improves during the day. Other types of arthritis, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, and Lupus can also affect the elbow. A pinched nerve can cause elbow pain with numbness and tingling. Problems elsewhere in the body, such as a heart attack, can cause referred pain in the elbow.
Elbow Problems Related to Overuse:Most people may not remember having a specific injury when their symptoms get worse over time, but overuse problems are actual injuries. They occur when too much stress is placed on a joint or other tissue, often when you overdo an activity or consistently repeat an activity. Overuse injuries include Bursitis and swelling behind the elbow may be Olecranon Bursitis (Popeye elbow). Tendinosis is a series of micro tears in the connective tissue in or around the tendon. Soreness or pain felt on the outside (lateral) part of the elbow may be Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis). This is the most common type of tendinopathy that affects the elbow and most often is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles. This overuse may occur during sports, such as tennis, swimming, golf, and sports involving throwing. Overuse may also occur during jobs, such as carpentry or plumbing; or during daily activities, such as lifting objects or gardening. Soreness or pain in the inner (medial) part of the elbow may be Golfer's Elbow. In children who participate in sports that involve throwing, the same elbow pain may be described as Little Leaguer's Elbow. Radial tunnel syndrome, which is the pinching of the deep radial nerve in the elbow joint, usually occurs with repeated motions. Treatment for an elbow problem may include first aid measures, physical therapy, or medication; however, ART® has been proven to be the best method in treating injuries to the elbows.
Golfer's Elbow:
Golfer's Elbow (also know as Medial Epicondylitis) is caused by inflammation of the tendons at their attachment sites and usually occurs when rigid, underused tendons are suddenly stressed. This can be caused by direct trauma, overuse, improper technique, equipment error (grip size), or even problems from repetitive motion. Repetitive motion injury is the most common cause of Golfer's Elbow. Golfer's Elbow responds extremely well to Active Release Techniques®. Many golfers report that they notice relief from their painful symptoms almost immediately after an ART® treatment.
Most cases are corrected within eight to ten treatments with patients receiving specific exercises to prevent re-injury. It is very important not to get stuck on the medial elbow as the location of the lesion. The whole body is involved in the golf swing. If the golfer's hips do not open up due to restrictions in the hip flexors, he or she will not be able to approach the target which will then decrease spinal rotation. The lack of rotation will force the golfer to try to get club head speed from shoulder rotation. Once the shoulder is overworked from overuse, the golfer then unknowingly uses more tension on the elbow tissues which results in "Golfer's Elbow."
Surgeries for Golfer's Elbow are typically performed for about 10-15% of the severe cases and are usually unsuccessful. Most of these surgeries can be avoided if ART® treatments are used followed by a sport specific stretching and strengthening program. LVPRC examinations for golf related conditions always include an examination of the neck, shoulder, spine, hips, knees, ankles and feet. We have found that golfers suffering form Golfer's Elbow usually also have a shoulder condition, and they are often unaware of the restrictions.
Explanation of Golfer's Elbow Pain:
When you experience muscle and tendon pain, the tissues are literally being pulled from the bone. The tension on the tissues can be incredible, resulting in extremely painful symptoms. The injury starts with microscopic tears in the elbow's tissues that lead to a series of natural inflammatory responses including:
-
Tissue inflammation (usually on the inside portion of the forearm)
-
Palpable scarring and the formation of adhesions
-
Shortening of the tendon and muscles (medial elbow area is very tense and painful)
The scar tissue adhesions can occur as a result of acute injury, repetitive motion, and constant pressure or tension. ART® eliminates the pain and dysfunction associated with all of these causes. If this problem is not treated correctly, the elbow will continue to be re-injured and eventually affect the entire golf swing. Golfer's Elbow is the reason why many golfers hang up their golf clubs.
How ART® Resolves Golfer's Elbow:ART® protocols are used for injuries to the muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves, and surrounding soft tissues associated with Golfer's Elbow. ART® has proven to be the most effective treatment for Golfer's Elbow.
Traditional treatments address only one area, but ART® restores unimpeded motion and function to all soft tissues associated with Golfer's Elbow. ART® provides a means to diagnose and to treat the underlying causes of Golfer's Elbow. Typical symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning, and aching.
Unlike most therapies, ART® does not require extended periods of rest before patients notice results. Patients see significant improvements to the area of injury after only three to four sessions. Most golfers are encouraged to return to the course soon after treatment in order to measure improvement.
LVPRC has a proven success rate of well over 90% in treating Golfer's Elbow.
Tennis Elbow:
Tennis Elbow (also know as Lateral Epicondylitis) is caused by inflammation of the tendons at their attachment sites in the elbow. Tennis Elbow usually occurs when rigid, underused tendons are suddenly stressed or overworked. This can be caused by direct trauma, overuse, improper technique, equipment error, and, most commonly, problems from repetitive motion.
Common Cause of Tennis Elbow:The most common cause of Tennis Elbow is the repetitive motion stresses being placed on the elbow and all the other tissues involved.
Tennis Elbow Pain:
With Tennis Elbow, when you experience muscle and tendon pains, the tendon is literally being pulled from the bone. This injury starts with microscopic tears in the muscle tissue that lead to a series of inflammatory responses including:
-
Tissue inflammation
-
Scarring and formation of adhesions
-
Shortening of the tendon
Adhesions can occur as a result of acute injury, repetitive motion, and constant pressure or tension. Typical symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning, and aching.
ART® eliminates the pain and dysfunction associated with these adhesions. If this problem is not treated correctly, your elbow will continue to be re-injured. Even worse, your game will suffer!How ART® Resolves Tennis Elbow:
LVPRC, utilizing ART® protocols for injuries to the muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves, and surrounding soft tissues associated with Tennis Elbow, has proven to be the mot effective treatment of Tennis Elbow. Traditional treatments address only one area, but ART® restores unimpeded motion and function to all soft tissues associated with Tennis Elbow. ART® provides a means to diagnose and to treat the underlying causes of Tennis Elbow.
