Monday, January 16, 2012

How to Reduce Tendon Injuries in Golf?


Tendons connect your muscles to your bones. Tendonitis refers to any inflammation, swelling or irritation of the tendons. Golf elbow is a type of tendonitis, but at a very specific location. To combat golf elbow, consider the proper treatment and prevention strategies associated with the injury.
Causes
Golfer's elbow, often called medial epicondylitis, is an inflammation and irritation of the tendons connection to the bones that make up your elbow. Primarily, golfer's elbow occurs on inside, or medial side, of the elbow, closer to your body. The main cause of golf elbow is simple overuse. Playing too much golf at a time, swinging too hard or playing too soon after an injury can inflame and irritate the elbow when swinging a club.
Symptoms
The most apparent symptom of golf elbow is pain, particularly on the inside of the elbow and upper arm. However, pain may radiate to other parts of the arm or down to the wrist. Other symptoms may include minor swelling, restriction of motion, numbness and stiffness. Pain will present most significantly during your swing or any motion that uses the same muscles and tendons used during a traditional golf swing.
Treatment
The most immediate treatment for golf elbow is rest with regular icing to help reduce swelling and inflammation. According to the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, the inflammation will last anywhere from four to six weeks. You need to rest your elbow for as long as inflammation and pain exist, continuing the icing program throughout. If you start to play golf before the inflammation is gone, your golf elbow will return.
Prevention
Prevention starts with behavioral changes. You should ease back into your golf game, playing nine holes at a time instead of full rounds. Ice your elbow after every round to help control any swelling or inflammation. Before each round, stretch your elbow by holding your arm out in front of you in a locked position and pulling back on your fingers, in both palm-in and palm-out positions. As you play more golf, consider a strengthening routine of lifting weights to help build up your tendon and muscle strength to avoid further injury.


 
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