Elbow Pain: A Permanent Solution in Brisbane

Elbow pain often manifests in individuals without a preceding injury. Discomfort typically occurs on either the lateral or medial aspect of the elbow, with infrequent incidents of pain at the elbow's posterior.

Symptoms such as inflammation, tenderness, and stiffness may surface when the arm straightens or bends, during the lifting of objects regardless of their weight, when executing a bench press, or in actions involving grasping. This elbow affliction might coincide with pain in the wrist or shoulder.

But what initiates elbow pain? Is it advisable to persist in weight lifting amidst such discomfort? Are stretches an effective remedy for elbow pain?

This article delves into the various forms of elbow pain one might encounter, the plausible origins of this discomfort, and strategies for addressing the fundamental cause while averting future occurrences of elbow pain.

Types of Elbow Pain

Lateral epicondylitis, or 'tennis elbow', characteristically begins as a jarring pain on the elbow's external side. In contrast, medial epicondylitis, known as 'golfer’s elbow', presents itself with discomfort internally (Javed, et al. 2015).

Another variant involves chronic bilateral elbow pain restricting extension, often accompanied by painful clicking or the elbow's locking.

Additionally, neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation are often associated with medial elbow pain.

Interestingly, despite their sport-specific nomenclature, 'tennis elbow' and 'golfer’s elbow' are not confined to these sports. Athletes from various disciplines, including baseball, javelin, bowling, rock climbing, archery, weightlifting, and even non-athletes, report similar discomforts.

Elbow pain tends to arise during specific physical activities, indicating a connection between movement and discomfort.

What’s the Cause of Elbow Pain?

Elbow pain, uniquely occurring absent of traumatic injury, frequently results from repetitive strain due to improper biomechanics. Essentially, if your movements isolate your arm, failing to leverage your shoulder, and rib cage properly, the undue strain falls upon your muscles, ligaments, and tendons during activities such as lifting, swinging, or throwing.

This biomechanical inefficiency can confuse many, so let’s consider specific examples illustrating the relationship between elbow positioning and overall body posture.

Example 1 highlights how adjustments to spinal and scapular stability influence elbow positioning, indicating a broader biomechanical interplay. These improvements weren't achieved through elbow-specific exercises but through holistic postural enhancements addressing foundational human movements.

Example 2 presents a dynamic scenario, explaining how structural integration alleviates pain in motion-intensive activities. This systemic approach, rather than a symptom-targeted one, corrected biomechanical interactions, eliminating the discomfort.

What’s the Fix?

A study on adolescent baseball players suggested a correlation between growth spurts and increased incidences of elbow and shoulder pain (Tajika, et al. 2021). This connection possibly stems from the athletes' biomechanics failing to adapt to their evolving skeletal structure.

Conventional coaching might advocate isolated muscle exercises, possibly modifying techniques like grip width during bench presses. However, such methods don’t address core human movements, potentially leading to maladaptations.

Traditional therapeutic advice often revolves around rest, which, while beneficial for healing, doesn’t resolve the underlying biomechanical issues. A more comprehensive approach considers the interconnectedness of the body's systems, emphasising the necessity of addressing biomechanics for long-term elbow pain relief.

Functional Patterns Brisbane Protocols

The question then arises: what protocols best serve this purpose?

Initially, we recommend curtailing activities aggravating the elbow, reducing stress on the affected musculature. Adherence to a diet eliminating inflammatory foods further supports tissue recovery and reduces pain symptoms.

Most crucially, addressing biomechanical deficiencies remains paramount. A systematic evaluation of posture and movement informs corrective strategies, fundamental to alleviating pain. For a structured approach, consider the 10 Week Online Course, focusing on rectifying postural dysfunctions.

For those seeking guided, accountable pathways, consulting with a Human Biomechanics Specialist certified in Functional Patterns is advisable.

Conclusion

Elbow pain, a seemingly capricious ailment, often occurs without discernible injury, affecting various aspects of the elbow. Despite sport-related designations like 'golfer’s elbow' or 'tennis elbow', the discomfort extends beyond athletic pursuits, emerging in everyday activities.

The enigmatic nature of elbow pain, sometimes accompanied by wrist and shoulder discomfort, challenges traditional remedies. These often offer transient relief, failing to confront the root cause.

At Functional Patterns Brisbane, we advocate for an integrative approach: reducing activities that intensify the pain, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, and, fundamentally, addressing biomechanical inefficiencies. By focusing on holistic, systemic corrections rather than isolated exercises, we align with human evolutionary adaptations, fostering a more enduring resolution to elbow pain.