Elbow Pain
 

It was suggested I repost this here:

I've been working diligently for the last month on a flat left wrist and bend right wrist through impact with some good success. The problem is I have developed significant discomfort in the outer portion of my right elbow. It is especially uncomfortable at the point of full right arm extension while the right wrist remains bent. From what information I have gathered so far, this seems to be similar to "tennis elbow" as opposed to "golfers elbow" which affects the inner aspect of the elbow. The discomfort started even when I was doing drills with dowels and hadn't even hit any balls yet. Now that I have started to hit balls, it's gotten considerably worse.

Is this something that is common to starting out with this or do you think I might be doing something wrong? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. BTW I realize hitting off of mats may be exacerbating it but I have hit off of mats for over 20 years without ever having this problem before.

Thanks,

Marty

Marty, Tell me more about the changes in hand and arm position prior to implimenting the TGM right wrist position. I think your claarity will allow me to get more to the point instead of wandering around in my imagination. Also, my traditional question, how's your posture? Vickie

Actually, Marty, I decided to add two factors that could be causing the'wrong side' of your elbow to hurt. By trying to apply a bent wrist you could have inadvertently begun to grip the club to tightly. This will cause this syndrome. Also, think of bringing your club down, I don't know if you're a swinger or a hitter, with the pectoralis and allowing the secondary muscle, the tricep to stretch out and create the elongation of the elbow. With your focus on your wrist you could be creating the action thru the joint in forearm instead of allowing the action to happen as a consequence of the primary action of bringing your club down and across your body. Try a tip from Yoda. Place your hands on your club in your tradidional grip and then pull your index finger out and place the pad on the outside of the shaft. This will emphasise the #3 pressure point and makes it very hard to overgrip. More clarity on this when I learn of your previous swing, arm and hand motions. Vik

Vicky, thanks for the reply. I realize it's going to be difficult for you to diagnose the problem over the internet but I appreciate your efforts. Prior to the discomfort beginning, I had a bit of a flying right elbow and consequently straightening of the right wrist at the top. This tended to throw my weight forward and while my wrist would re-position itself before impact, I often was now a bit ahead of the ball with my head. I've been working very hard to keep that right wrist bent at the top which seems to also keeps my elbow down. I think I am a swinger though I'm so new to this I'm not really sure which is the best way to go. In any case I THINK I've been pulling down with the right arm "right arm swinging"? and this may have contributed to the strain on my elbow. It is certainly possible I may be gripping too tight as well. I've been trying to shorten my backswing and gripping tighter seems to help. I've been concertrating on keeping the wrists loose though.
By everyones account it seems I need to give things a rest for a little while untill the swelling goes down. Anything else you can add would be appreciated. It probably would be wise to visit with Lynn to make sure I'm working on the right things.

Hi

It sounds like you may have lateral eptcondyltitis (tennis elbow).

Symptoms - pain at outside of elbow on the bony prominece right at the joint
- worse with actions that require a stiff wrist

Signs
Press at the sore are - point tenderness is a sign
Elbow straight with hand out in front of you palm down, Have someone press down on your middle finger nail while you aretrying to keep you fingrer straight. Try with the index finger also
This should cause pain at the elbow

Treatment options
- Physiotherapy
- Alter the grip size on your clubs
- Non steroidal anti-inflammatories
- Counterforce brace (Band that goes around the forearm muscles)
- Steroid injection
- Surgery

Differentail diagnosis
- Arthrosis elbow
- Trapped radial nerve

Natural history
90% get better on own within one year

Hope this helps

If the pain does not settle you need an xray to exclude other pathology. See your doctor

Cheers

Julian