Treating Golfer's Elbow - Trigger Point Therapy

Older golf players tend to be more prone due to the continuous repetitive movements over time leading to wear and tear of the tendons.

Less experienced players may also be more likely to get Golfer’s Elbow due to poor technique when over-gripping causes increased strain on the tendons.

Anyone who participates in activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscle, especially while gripping something, are more susceptible to this condition.

This broadens its reach to a variety of professions including cooks, cleaners, butchers, gardeners, assembly-line workers, bowlers, and pitchers.

If your forearm muscles are unfit and you suddenly start to play a racquet sport or take on a new DIY project, you are also more likely to get Golfer’s Elbow.

Differential Diagnosis - What Else Could It Be?

Here is a list of other conditions which can mimic a Golfer’s Elbow if you are concerned please check with your doctor or therapist:

• Problems with the radial head of the radius bone at the elbow joint

• Problems with the discs in the neck C6/7 neuropathy (cervical disc)

• Guvon’s canal syndrome (ulnar nerve compression syndrome)

Trigger Point Therapy

There are well established trigger point treatment protocols that have mostly been developed within elite athletics.

These protocols include the identification and treatment of the trigger points, combined with stretching, muscle energy techniques (MET's), and strengthening exercises.

In most cases, Golfer's elbow is associated with trigger points in the triceps, and forearm flexor muscles.

Hot and Cold (ice) Therapy

Ice or cold therapy, is more effective at treating tendonitis when symptoms first develop. Ice helps to constrict blood vessels to reduce swelling and inflammation resulting from tissue injury.

Cold therapy can also reduce muscle spasms and numb pain. Cold therapy includes using cold packs, bags of ice or fluids like ethyl chloride.

Always place a thin cloth between your skin and the ice pack to avoid tissue damage. Limit cold therapy to 15 to 20 minutes at a time, as longer exposure can also lead to tissue damage in some cases.

Heat opens up blood vessels and increases blood flow to your injured elbow joint, which promotes healing. It alleviates symptoms such as pain, stiffness and fluid build-up, or edema, in the tissues.

However, you should not apply heat to a new injury; wait three to four days before using it or until any swelling subsides.

You can choose from a variety of heat therapies such as using a heat pack; soaking your elbow in warm, moving water, such as in a hot tub; using infrared heat or heated wax; or applying a medicated heat rub. Never apply heat to any area with an open wound.

General Advice