elbow pain getting worse?

[Vitamin S]

P,

I have this nagging elbow pain that seems to be getting worse as I age. Been about 3 years now and it seems to be okay when I stopped weights, but soon as I go back it hurts again. Best way to describe it is the pain is located in the area where the elbow meets the bottom of the triceps. I think it’s more of a nerve pain (ulnar nerver?) than muscle, because for 2 reasons: 1. When I go heavier in weights doing triceps the pain subsides or is less due to the fact I think the muscle is taking the load of the nerves? And 2: even just sitting around if I tap that area with my index finger or sometimes bang my elbow into the wall if kills so much. I feel so much pain in that area jut by touching it, and there don’t seem to be much muscle in that area, so I can point only to it being an nerve. Like maybe entrapment or something. Also much stiffer in morning or if I slept wrong.

Some triceps I can’t do at all mainly overhead extensions I got to avoid and scull crushers. Push downs is not too bad.

What do u suggest I follow or do to help that area, should I get x-ray etc.?

thx

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Have you tried ART (active release technique)? I had something similar and it was the only thing that helped me. I had scar tissue in the tendon that attached the tricep to the elbow and was always in pain. ART helped smooth out the scar tissue to reduce the pain in the area and increase the strength again. If you try it, learn how the physiotherapist does it and do it on yourself. It is pretty easy in that area.

[moh2010]

Try exercises in neutral or reverse grip... Rope pushdown, db laying extension (decline, flat, incline), dips and one arm overhead extension. Go heavy on back/chest. For small muscles like delts and arms, aim 10-12reps.

Also doing a pre-exhausting movement before your compound movements is a great way to reduce injuries and have more stimulation (less tension in joints, more in muscles...).

For triceps, I would do:

3X10-12 Rope Pushdown
3x10-12 Db laying extension
2x10-12 one arm db overhead extension

oops preatorian corner. I clicked on the new threads.

[Vitamin S]

thaniks guys i will try art, and the tricep routine mentioend. but i feel i can't add mass with those, reverse grip hurts less but i miss the exercises i used to do. can i use a tennis ball to work it out, my work doesn't cover visits, and kinda cash strapped right now. i can maybe self massage that seems to help but not a permanent fix.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

If you do a preacher ez curl bar with heavy weight and strict form, do you feel pain during/after? Even though my issue was with the tricep to elbow tendon, this exercise was the one I saw stars on. I felt pain on skull crushers too but not as bad as this.

If the exercise is affecting you too, I'll try to explain to you how to do ART on that tendon to help you save some cash as it's probably the same problem I had.

[Praetorian]

I would suggest a few things...

1. ART as MP said is very effective at getting the pain and inflammation under control, you can also use Advil, Pennsaid, ice, joint supps, and increase your intake of fish oil to help combat the inflammation
2. Avoid any type of overhead or lying extension movement...these exercises cause 90% of all elbow tendinitis or inflammation issues
3. When doing push downs with a bar use a cambered bar not a straight bar which tends to torque the elbow joint and can lead to the same issue....a Vbar is ideal with the hands in a natural position about 45 degree angle
4. Use a rope for push downs if you dont have a Vbar or cambered bar
5. Avoid the Hammer Strength bench and Delt machines which also put alot of torque on the elbow joint when using heavy weights and will cause the same issue....I eliminated these machines altogether this year because of that very issue

Remember ART and other treatments are great but if you don't remove the root cause then the issue will return and usually with vengeance!
P

[Vitamin S]

thx p any suggestions for a good joint supp?,

mp my pain is duruing the exercise, and bit too after thats a given. i also have lost strength in the right arm due to this damn pain. for ex. single arm tricep extension i do half the weight with my right arm. if i use them both i can handle 100lb dumbell but its painfull, but not as bad as the left arm takes most of the laod, but that defeats the purpose so i stopped.

how can i do self art?

i also bought the below to help with tennis elbow, strengthen thru the use of bands

http://ironmind-store.com/Expand-Your-Hand-Bands153-10-Bands/productinfo/1376/

[cog]

It could be the bone itself.Tapping or banging the area hurts...

[Vitamin S]

can you have bone pain? also when i do a front double bicep pose the damn bone again hurts ???

[Praetorian]

Genuine Health Joint Care is good...one per day...also beef collagen works well in combination.
P

[natenator]

It could be the bone itself.Tapping or banging the area hurts...
Thats inflamation of the tendon, not a bone issue

[rickerred]

Hi I am new to the site but had a similar issue. What it seems like is a pinched/inflamed ulnar nerve, two simple exercises are hold out your arm palm facing up using your other hand gently pull your fingers in a downward motion, (2) place thumb and index finger together to form a circle while keeping the other fingers straight. Place your straight fingers, palm up, around your chin and bring your “circle” up to your eyes to form a mask. Return to starting position and repeat. These movements will open the joints a little Lots of ice, anti inflammatory Also you may have to give up the heavy weights for awhile, give that a shot and good luck. Have a look at this as well.

orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00069

[Felinecougar]

I have had a nerve study done and I have confirmed Ulnar nerve damage as well as severe osteoarthritis in my left elbow. It's not where you have the pain though....mine is in the front of the elbow..more near the bicep not the tricep.

Back in 07 I had a 13 hour plane flight and couldn't stand the pain from a broken rib and the elbow. I went for acupuncture and after 2 visits I was nearly pain free.

A anti inflammation helped as well.. Meloxicam.

[rated_rko]

i think elbow pain comes to all of us eventually...ive had to modify the way i train for the past 2 yrs because of it

[Vitamin S]

yes i believe so, but in muy case i think i know when goofed it up. i was doing shouder press and trying to lock itout and over extended or exerted the tricep on the lockout and since then its never been same. even pushups hurt.

[Felinecougar]

Does the elbow look normal? My x tore his tricep, all three heads but for months before it was completely torn we thought he had bursitis. It was a partial tear then to the tricep and it looked puffy.

[Vitamin S]

elbow looks normal but i have slight atrophy in that triceps possible because the muscles are not firing or responding since i have to use less weight now.

[Praetorian]

If its that serious I would suggest getting an ultrasound to see whats up...there is a HUGE difference from tendonitis to torn tendon....also if it is torn you have about 4-5 weeks max to have it repaired...after that you are pretty well stuck with it.
P