Elbow Pain
While the elbow can be injured a number of different ways, a common way is from overuse-repeating 
the same activity over and over, especially in those who use their hands on a regular basis with griping, holding, etc. While pain can be located any where in the elbow from overuse, common spots are in the inner/medial part as well as the outer/lateral part. These spots on the medial and lateral elbows are called the epicondyles.
Movement of the wrist and hands
Some of the muscles that help move your wrist and hand originate in your elbow at the epicondyles. These muscles run the whole length of your forearm and into your wrist, hand and fingers. The more you use your hands and wrists, the more stress is placed on these muscles. As these muscles get overused, they can become tight and pull on the origin at the epicondyles causing localized or pin point pain in the elbows. This is called epicondylitis.
What causes medial elbow pain? 
Medial elbow pain is primarily caused by overuse activities that involve using your forearm flexor muscles that flex your wrist and hand. These muscles originate at the medial epicondyle and run down the front of your forearm into your hand. As these muscles are overused, they pull and can place added pressure on the medial epicondyle causing medial epicondylitis. Medial elbow pain is very common in golfers-as you swing and begin to follow through, your dominant hand and wrist tends to flex, causing stress on the medial epicondyle. Medial elbow pain is also very common in rock climbers due to the extensive gripping action.
What causes lateral elbow pain? Lateral elbow pain is primarily caused by activities that involve extending or bending your wrist backward. 
The forearm extensor muscles that help perform these motions originate on the lateral portion of your elbow and run down the back of your forearm into your hand. As these muscles are overused, they pull and can place added pressure on the lateral epicondyle. Lateral elbow pain is very common in tennis players, mainly from hitting back hand-as you swing back hand, your wrist extends causing stress to be placed on the lateral epicondyle. This is known as tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. Extensive typing on the computer can cause this as well because of the lifting or extending of the wrist and fingers.
How is epicondylitis treated? When treating medial or lateral epicondylitis, the whole forearm needs to be treated. Even though the pain may be localized at the elbow, tightness in the muscles away from the elbow and toward the wrist could be causing tension which is ultimately causing the extra stress at the elbow. This is done with techniques such as Active Release® (ART®) and Graston® that I incorporate to help loosen the muscles and remove areas of tightness. In addition, exercises are incorporated to help strengthen the wrist and hand as well as the elbow.
| Spotlight: Kinesio® Taping
Kinesio® Tape applied for medial elbow pain. Kinesio® Tape is a specialized form of tape that stretches and helps guide and support the body through motion. You may have seen other people wearing it as it looks like bands of colored tape. Unlike standard white athletic tape which is designed to mainly support and restrict motion, Kinesio® Tape (which I incorporate) helps promote movement while giving support at the same time. Another benefit of Kinesio® Tape is that it can be worn for multiple days at a time helping provide support in between treatment sessions. Kinesio® Tape can be used for a wide variety of injuries including muscle strains, elbow pain, as well as helping support the back from prolonged sitting at the desk. 
Kinesio® Tape applied to the lateral elbow to help reduce swelling and pain. |
Injury of the month: Pronator Teres Syndrome
What is it? Pain in the front of your forearm just below the elbow. The pronator teres muscle runs across your forearm and helps rotate your wrist so your palm faces down or backwards.
What causes it? Pronator Teres Syndrome is caused from overuse or repetitive stress, mainly in people you use there hands in a griping or twisting motion such as twisting a screw driver.
How is it injured? As the pronator teres mucsle is overused, it becomes sore and thight causing pain mainly with motions that rotate the wrist.
How is it treated? Using manual therapy techniques such as Active Release® (ART®) and Graston® to help stretch and loosen the pronator teres muscle as well as other muscles in the arm that might be compensating. Kinesio Taping can be used as well to help aid in movement of the pronator teres muscle. In addition, exercises are incorporated as well to help strengthen the whole elbow and forearm.
"Helping you reach the finish line pain free!"
If you have an injury, or a previous health condition, check with your doctor before performing any of the information mentioned in this article.
Dr. Bradley R. Schmidt, D.C.-As a three time Ironman Hawaii finisher, as well as, a college cross country runner, Dr. Schmidt has suffered his fair share of injuries. He enjoys sharing his first hand injury experiences from training and racing, incorporating them into the treatment of his patients. Dr. Schmidt also incorporates techniques such as Active Release®, Graston®, Active Isolated Stretching, and Kinesio® Taping. By combining athletic experiences and effective treatment techniques, Dr. Schmidt is able to understand and help athletes and patients reach the finish line pain free!
Questions? E-mail us at drschmidt@excelsporttherapy.com or visit www.excelsporttherapy.com
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All information copyright Dr. Bradley R. Schmidt, D.C.