Golfer's elbow is a painful condition that affects the inside of your elbow joint. It is mostly caused by repeated golf swings, but can be seen in other sports that put excessive strain on athletes' elbows. There are several steps that can be taken to prevent golfer's elbow, including using proper form when playing sports, building muscle strength in your arm, preparing before physical activity and lifting weights properly.
Definition
Golfer elbow's is a condition characterized by pain on the inner part of your elbow. It is similar to tennis elbow, except that the pain comes from the inside of the elbow joint opposed to the outside. Golfer's elbow is the result of the overuse of the flexor muscles in your forearm, causing the tendons that connect these muscles to the bone to stretch and tear. One motion that commonly causes golfer's elbow is a golf swing. However, the condition is not limited strictly to golfers, and can be seen in others who participate in physical activity.
Proper Form
Improper technique is the main cause of golfer's elbow. If you are a beginner, ask an instructor to teach you the right form. A proper golf swing is a full-body swing, involving both the lower and upper body. Poor form can cause you to use your wrist and forearm muscles too much. The overuse of these muscles puts strain on the tendons, leading to golfer's elbow.
Muscle Strength
The stronger your forearm muscles, the more strain they can handle. Building strength in your arms will ensure that your muscles can absorb the energy of sudden physical stress. Therefore, in order to prevent golfer's elbow, you should try to strengthen these muscles as much as possible. You can employ simple exercises such as lifting light weights or squeezing a tennis ball.
Preparation
Warming up before any physical activity is very important in preventing injury. Proper preparation includes walking or jogging for a few minutes to warm up your muscles. Then you should gently stretch out your arm muscles before beginning your game.
Careful Lifting
Lifting heavy weights, or lifting anything improperly, can strain your elbow. When lifting, make sure to keep your wrist stable. This will help reduce stress in your arm that can be transmitted to your elbow.
Treatment
If these steps fail to prevent the injury, you will have to treat your case of golfer's elbow. If self-care does not improve your pain, you should consult a doctor for a proper treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your case, this may include resting and reducing the load on your elbow, as well as using ice, pain relievers and other medications.
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