What is Golfers Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, known as medial epicondylitis is an inflammatory condition of the inner side of the elbow, where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. It’s not unusual for elbow pain to radiate down the arm to the wrist. This makes it difficult to complete everyday activities, such as picking up items, opening a door, or giving a handshake. Typically, medial epicondylitis affects the dominant arm.
Medial epicondylitis is caused by repetitive motions, which is why this condition occurs among athletes. Golfers may develop this type of tendinitis from repeatedly swinging a golf club, whereas tennis players can develop it from repeatedly using their arms to swing a tennis racket. In both cases, overuse of the arms and wrist irritates the tendons and triggers pain, stiffness, and weakness.
Other risk factors for this type of tendinitis include sailing, rowing, and weightlifting. Activities like playing an instrument and typing on the computer can also lead to medial epicondylitis.
How can Golfers Elbow be treated?
Most people respond well to conservative management strategies. Physiotherapists often use a combination of manual soft tissue techniques and a progressive loading/rehabilitation programme to strengthen the tendon and the muscle.
The key to pain reduction in the early stages of injury is to reduce your aggravating activities. For example, if every time you swing a golf club you feel a pain in your elbow you should reduce this activity to let the tendon heal. Ice should also be used to reduce inflammation and help with pain management.
If after a period of months using conservative techniques, you are still feeling the pain in your elbow shockwave therapy should be the next treatment option.
Is Shockwave effective at treating Golfers Elbow?
Research suggests that shockwave therapy is a safe and effective treatment modality for golfer’s elbow. Recent studies have demonstrated that the combination of shockwave therapy and conservative management will significantly decrease pain and improve forearm/grip strength.
If you are struggling with pain around your elbow and finding it difficult to grip objects without pain then please enquire today about receiving shockwave treatment.
To book your shockwave appointments with Physio-logical, based in Rowlands Castle, Hampshire then please book online, call 023 9435 0270 or email us at enquiries@physio-logical.net. Research suggests 6 sessions are optimum at intervals of 5-10 days between appointments.
