Wrist and elbow injuries often occur when the body does not have the capacity to effectively compensate for restrictions at the shoulder, spine, or hips.   For example in the game of golf, the wrists are often over-used to drive, as well as decelerate, the golf club. By correcting soft-tissue imbalances throughout the body, we are often able to prevent injuries such as Golfer’s Elbow from occurring, and are able to help the golfer perform better at his or her game.

 

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s Elbow refers to the pain and inflammation that occurs at the inside point of the elbow (medial epicondylitis). Golfer’s Elbow can be caused by any activity (not just golf) that requires forceful and repeated bending of the wrist and fingers. When the golfer swings his club, the flexor muscles and tendons of the arm tighten just before the club makes contact with the ball.

This repeated action stresses the muscles, causing micro-tearing of the flexor tendon, and inflammation of the soft-tissues. RSI problems occur when these muscles and tendons continue to be re-injured while the small tears are still in the process of healing. These new injuries cause the body to lay down additional adhesive scar tissue between the muscle layers in an attempt to stabilize the affected soft-tissues.

 

Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow is a painful condition of the outside point of the elbow that typically involves inflammation and irritation of the extensor tendon where it attaches to the lateral epicondyle.

The process of injury for Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is identical to that of Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis). However, for Tennis Elbow, the pain manifests on the outside point of the elbow Tennis Elbow involves the extensors (the muscles that bend the wrist back). The extensors attach to the lateral epicondyle, on the outside of the elbow. The common extensor tendon also attaches to the lateral epicondyle. Both these structures are susceptible to micro-tears when they are exposed to repetitive actions.         

 

As with Golfer’s Elbow, the so-called Tennis Elbow can be caused by a variety of activities. Any activity that involves supination (turning the hand, palm side up), or lifting objects with your elbow in full extension (elbow straight) can cause this condition.

The repetitive motions of these activities result in micro-tears, inflammation, scar tissue formation, and physical dysfunction's that then manifest as Tennis Elbow. Several layers of soft-tissues are involved in the injury, including:

•The deep annular ligament.

•The supinator and anconeus muscles.

•The superficial structures of the extensor muscles.

In most cases, techniques such as Active Release Techniques, Graston or specific soft tissue procedures could prevent or greatly reduce this type of injury.

At our clinic specific soft tissue procedures are used to treat each layer of the injury. These procedures release the restrictive adhesions that bind these soft-tissue layers together, and allow the tissues to once again move smoothly over each other.

Through touch and practice, the practitioner can literally feel when this has been achieved. In most cases, the patient experiences an immediate decrease in pain, and an increase in range of motion and strength.

How We Correct Elbow Injuries

For the majority of cases, I consider elbow injuries to be very easy to treat when using Active Release Techniques. In fact, for many years, I had not realized how ineffective other methods were for treating this type of injury. We often hear about how a patient has suffered for years, trying numerous types of therapies, with little or no success.

At our clinic, we are able to resolve most elbow injuries within 6 to 8 visits. Many medical professionals and patients cannot believe that we can achieve results so quickly, especially when the patient has already been through extended therapy prior to visiting us.

In order to effectively balance your muscles and remove joint restrictions we conduct a biomechanical analysis to identify your unique pattern of muscle imbalances. By utilizing a series of muscle balance and motion analysis tests, we can identify the exact type, extent, and location of soft-tissue restrictions.

We then use soft tissue treatments and follow-up exercises to release and resolve these restrictions, and then strengthen the muscles to prevent re-injury.

With this type of perspective, we can look beyond just the symptomatic areas, and also consider the effect that other soft-tissue structures within the elbow’s kinetic chain have upon the injury. These areas can include restrictions in structures ranging from the neck to the wrist.

We achieve such a high level of success because we address and remove the multiple levels of restrictions that inhibit the translation and movement of soft-tissues.