Doctors of Osteo can help you with your golfers elbow

Doctors of Osteo Hawthorn 3123 is a group of highly skilled and experienced osteopathic physicians that are passionate about helping people!

Doctors of Osteo provide services for muscle strains, joint pains, back or neck pains, postural aches, sporting injuries, or headaches & migraines. They believe in treating the whole person to help them get better.

Osteopathy for golfers elbow

The pain that often starts in your arm and travels down towards the elbow could be a golfer’s elbow. It can cause permanent damage like limiting the range of motion, chronic aches/pains as well weakening grip strength if left untreated.

If you are suffering from golfers elbow and need some relief, Doctors of Osteo is here to assist you. Doctors of Osteo are servicing Hawthorn, Kew, Balwyn Canterbury, Camberwell, Richmond, Glen Iris. 

What is a Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)?

Golfer’s Elbow, medically known as Medial Epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain, weakness, numbness/ tingling, or swelling on the inside of your forearm and elbow. The pain is commonly attributed to overuse of the forearm flexors, whose role is to control gripping, wrist flexion, and finger bending.

How does a Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) occur?

Golfers elbow/ Medial Epicondylitis is categorized as a repetitive stress injury. Sports such as:

• Swinging a golf club

• Racket sports

• Throwing sports

• Weight-training

or even tasks such as carrying a heavy suitcase for an extended period may contribute to an overload of the forearm muscles. These repetitive actions create microtrauma or micro-tearing, resulting in inflammation and pain.

What should you avoid doing if you have Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)?

First and foremost, the repetitive action or overload placed on the forearm muscles needs to stop, or at a minimum decrease. Caution should be exercised when returning to the activity or sport. Actions such as cooking (holding a fry pan or pot), housework such as making beds, and lifting children with the affected arm should be avoided to maximize recovery time.

What treatments are there if you have a Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)?

There is a range of treatment options ranging from home management, manual/physical therapy, and in rare cases surgery. In most cases, the condition will get better with rest and manual therapy. However, if left untreated for an extended period it can be harder to treat and may require more invasive methods of treatment which are discussed below.

What can I do at home to help with my Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)?

• Ice: Icing the elbow after use to reduce swelling and inflammation.

• Bracing/support: An elbow brace should be fitted correctly to reduce tension where the muscle inserts. We recommend 3 finger-widths from the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow.

• Rest: Gripping activities should be avoided while the wrist is painful.

• Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can reduce the inflammation in the area (always discuss medications with your general practitioner).

• Exercises/ stretches: After assessment via your osteopath, a set of exercises and stretches to perform at home will be implemented to enhance recovery and prevent reoccurrence.