Are you suffering from Golfers Elbow?
Keep reading below to learn:
- What is golfers elbow?
- What treatments are effective for golfers elbow?
- How physio can help?
What is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a painful condition caused by overuse or repetitive strain on the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow. It’s commonly seen in golfers, but can affect anyone who performs repetitive motions with the elbow and wrist.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy can help manage golfer’s elbow through techniques like massage, exercises, and bracing. A physiotherapist can help strengthen the affected muscles and tendons, improve range of motion, and provide pain relief.
Effective Treatments for Golfer’s Elbow
Common treatments for golfer’s elbow include rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy exercises, shockwave therapy and in some cases, corticosteroid injections. A combination of these treatments is often the most effective approach.
Click the link below to learn more about shockwave therapy.
https://www.miamiphysio.com.au/our-services/shockwave/
Case Study: Recovering from Golfer’s Elbow
“John”, an avid golfer, developed golfer’s elbow after a weekend tournament.
We treated John with a tendinopathy plan specific to golfer’s elbow. This plan involved using shockwave therapy over the sore tendon insertion at the elbow for pain relief and stimulation of healing. His physio also used massage of the forearm muscles to decrease the tight muscle bands, improve muscle flexibility and increase blood flow. John was keen to try some dry needling, and so this was added to his plan and used on the forearm muscles. Initially John’s elbow was taped to decrease the irritation to the tendon insertion. An important part of John’s treatment plan was activity load management – which means decreasing the load on his elbow to a manageable level whilst still encouraging John to exercise in ways that won’t irritate his injury. John was able to continue playing golf, but 9 holes, and only once per week during the first pain management stage of 2 weeks. During this time he worked on an exercise program starting with isometrics and progressing to increase loads through range of motion. Once his pain had settled, he progressed onto increasing loads with his exercises, increasing his golf. He continued to use a specific elbow brace for 6 weeks. In total, John had treatment for 6 weeks and was able to return to golf stronger and more resilient!
If you think you may be experiencing golfers elbow, give us a call and book in for an assessment with one of our physiotherapists! We would love to help!
