The Perfect Pushup was developed by a former U.S. Navy SEAL as a way of enhancing the effectiveness of traditional pushups and reducing the risk of wrist and shoulder injuries that can result from massive repetitions of standard pushups. But like any repetitive exercise, the Perfect Pushup can cause stress injuries to the elbows and other joints.
The Basics
The Perfect Pushup is essentially two devices with hand grips that connect to a circular base. You place the bases and grips where your hands would normally be for pushups, then grasp the handles. In doing a pushup, you go up and down more slowly, and as you rise and fall, your hands turn 90 degrees so that the angles of your arms change, and different muscles in the chest, shoulders and arms allegedly get a more extensive workout.
Elbow Pain
If you experience elbow pain doing Perfect Pushups, it might be because your arms and joints aren't used to this kind of exercise. Bicycle coach Levi Bloom, in a product test on his website, said he felt elbow pain the first few times he tried the Perfect Pushup. He cautioned that anyone who's not used to this kind of exercise might experience similar discomfort. The Mayo Clinic also notes that many causes of elbow pain exist, but that repetitive hand, wrist or arm movements are among the leading causes. Thus, it's possible that if you do any kind of pushup often enough, you could get sore elbows.
Prevention and Care
If you're doing the Perfect Pushup, remember to perform each motion slowly and carefully, with the understanding that you won't do as many pushups as you would otherwise with traditional pushups. If you do experience pain from these exercises, you should rest your arms for a few days, or longer if the pain is severe. The Mayo Clinic also recommends icing your elbows for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day. If your sore elbow doesn't improve within a few days of rest with ice application, make an appointment to see a doctor for an evaluation.
Treatment
The pain you feel in your elbow could very well be a strained tendon, a condition often referred to as tennis elbow. Treating tennis elbow can involve conservative care and a re-training of the various exercises or activities that cause the pain. You might also learn exercises that help strengthen the joint without overburdening it. A brace or wrap might also be recommended.
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