1. What Can Happen To An Elbow?
Golfer's elbow, tennis elbow and other names have been given for the elbow pain. Such pain can make it extremely difficult to carry out even the most mundane daily tasks, to say nothing of actually playing a sport. Swimmers, basketball players, cheerleaders and volleyball players, just to name a few, rely on the elbow and its supportive strength as an essential part of their athletic routines. Treat it with care by practicing solid before- and after-workout stretching exercises.
2. The Muscle's Connected to the Tendon
Because you're dealing with various components of your body's systems, you need to take them all into account when thinking about stretches. Muscles and bones, connected by tendons, all have a role to play in your general feelings of flexibility. So, as in all exercises, do something to warm up--brisk walking or some other aerobic activity--before getting into full-scale pulling and stretching of the tendons and muscles of your elbow, or any body part. The idea is that you get your blood going and get your body warm before doing intensive movements. If you cause yourself injury, then the routines are no good.
3. Popular Stretches
1) While seated, back straight, reach your arms out in front of you, one at a time, or both at the same time. Make a fist, with your palm facing the floor. Then tilt your hand inward at about a 45-degree angle, as through you're pouring a cup of tea. Hold for 5 or 10 seconds, then go back to horizontal. Repeat several times.
2) Hold one arm out in front of you, with palm up or palm down. Either way, take the other hand and pull the wrist of the first hand down and hold for 10 to 20 seconds before letting up.
4. Helpful Exercises
While sitting at a table or desk, put your hands, relaxed, on your knees in front of you, palms down. Gently raise them and press against the bottom of the table with the tops of your hands. Hold this position for 5 or 10 seconds then relax. Repeat several times. While strengthening your wrist muscles, the resulting effect is beneficial for your elbows, as well.
5. General Things To Think About
Stretching is good to do before and after any physically strenuous activity, such as shoveling snow or working in the garden. Both these activities stress the elbow in ways similar to that found in competitive sports. In other words, solid warm ups and stretching are not just for athletes in organized sports; they're also helpful for your elbows as it goes through its daily motions and routines.
