How to deal with joint pain?

muszyngr wrote: »

Chieflrg wrote: »

muszyngr wrote: »

cmriverside wrote: »

So, what was the diagnosis?

So for my left elbow the diagnosis was something called a Golfers Elbow. Now we all heard of Tennis Elbow well this is the opposite. Golfers Elbow is when the inside of your elbow joint hurts. The ironic thing is that I never played golf in my life (well maybe miniature golf once or twice, ha ha)

so far the only thing that seems to work is rest, which as all of you might know for us doers is very very difficult to do, since we are like sharks, no? always have to be moving

thank you so much for offering to help I really really appreciate it (all of you)

Golfer's elbow is just medical slang as golfer's might experience it though I've noticed lifters who do excessive curls or chin ups might experience it as well.

Since it's more than likely inflammation of the tendon that is noticed, proper load management is better than plain rest. You want to increase the blood flow to heal since tendons are more restrictive than muscles.

In this case I usually lower the external load and see how you respond.

Next would be ROM of the movement that is affected.

Lastly exercise selection with specificity to movement.

I've had great success with this style management for medial epicondylitis.

Practice proper load management and this will go away.

thank you, I'm not sure I understand what is meant by "load management" does that mean watch how much you lift? I ask because I know I have a problem so I lift really light

the day before the pain started I did 5 sets of dumbbell bicep curls of 10 reps each (but I built up to this over time doing some every other day or so, nothing crazy)

10 x 15 lbs in each hand (so light)
10 x 15 lbs in each hand (so light)
10 x 15 lbs in each hand (so light)

that felt easy so I switched to the 20 pounders for the last two sets

10 x 20 lbs in each hand
10 x 20 lbs in each hand

I did the same for standing above the head tricep extensions

Load management is regulating what stress your body accumulates over your activities.

With lifting it has to do with external or internal loading. So volume increases be it adding reps or sets and/or intensity.

If you are increasing your intensity 33% per set as you mentioned on either of the lifts you stated and are doing them more than once a week, I would start there.

Withh dumbbells in particular, I would increase reps or possibly even add a set first before increasing intensity.

muszyngr wrote: »

this sucks

Icing is not helpful for tendonaphy. It actually slows the blood flow and process of healing. You will find using a elbow sleeve far better temporary relief and makes things more tolerable especially during trainingbecause it keeps the area warmer.

Neither icing nor the sleeve will heal tendinopathy. Once again that is done effectively with proper load management.

I have pain in both elbows. With the left, i believe it is similar to golfers elbow, pain on the inside, probably triggered by parallel grip pullups and bicep curls this summer. The right elbow hurts on the outside and top portion of my forearm. Not sure what triggered that one. Now they both hurt almost every day. Ibuprofen seems to help. I'm not sure what else to do.

Your Golfer's elbow is likely carpal tunnel. I get it all the time. Find some extensor rubber bands and do them around 3 to 4 times a day and I bet your elbow pain goes away. If you don't have an ergonomic mouse, it would be a wise investment. Mine lessoned greatly when I changed to that.

I can't help you with the knee. There came an age I just couldn't run any more. Around 50. I would sit with inflammation for 3 hours after a run. To me, it wasn't worth it. I took up indoor rowing, assault bike and elliptical work. Would love a SkiErg.

@DancingMoosie - could be same thing. Texting will also do that with both forearms. When the forearm tendons get tight (from gripping and never extending), it can affect both elbows. We grip WAY more than we realize and never extend the fingers with tension. I was getting massive pain on the inside of my right elbow. It was all the computer work.

I don't think your doctor was very helpful, find another one, its Ok to be chummy but its not helped you. You need to know if your pain stems from muscle or bone, or if its anything to do with posture, you could have developed flat feet for example which will play Havok with knees or lower back and all. You need some really good advice.

Arthritis can be caused by a lack in growth hormone for repair and often hits years before a thyroid condition, not often mentioned by most medics. Mostly arthritis is put down to wear and tear though as some above said it can be autoimmune in origin and someone else said the anti-inflammatory diet could help. Glucosamine sometimes with chondroitin and even omega 3 can be helpful, the addition of MSM has been key for me, all at higher rather than lower levels but I know what I am dealing with.

You really need to discover the underlying cause, even causes. My expectation is you have been minding your cardiovascular system which is good but can really mess with your skeleton. Good Luck. Keep on taking care.

Mouse_Potato wrote: »

MikePfirrman wrote: »

Your Golfer's elbow is likely carpal tunnel. I get it all the time. Find some extensor rubber bands and do them around 3 to 4 times a day and I bet your elbow pain goes away. If you don't have an ergonomic mouse, it would be a wise investment. Mine lessoned greatly when I changed to that.

I can't help you with the knee. There came an age I just couldn't run any more. Around 50. I would sit with inflammation for 3 hours after a run. To me, it wasn't worth it. I took up indoor rowing, assault bike and elliptical work. Would love a SkiErg.

@DancingMoosie - could be same thing. Texting will also do that with both forearms. When the forearm tendons get tight (from gripping and never extending), it can affect both elbows. We grip WAY more than we realize and never extend the fingers with tension. I was getting massive pain on the inside of my right elbow. It was all the computer work.

@MikePfirrman Could you elaborate on the extensor rubber bands? Is this what you mean?

https://www.amazon.com/AllCare-Stretcher-Resistance-Exerciser-Strengthener/dp/B076HPB675

I have no doubt my pain comes from grip. It started when I broke my right wrist and was in a cast for 19 weeks (so relying on one hand for everything I did), but worsened when I went back to aerial silks, which is probably about 75% gripping and pulling your self up.

It's exactly what I mean. Anymore, we all grip so much -- computer mouses, phones, weights, you name it. Very little attention paid to extensor muscle exercises. All about balance. If the top of your forearm is very tight and sore, there's a great chance that the pain is radiating from tight tendons in the wrist and forearm. Extensor finger exercises helped a great deal with my elbow, wrist and forearm pain. They are dirt cheap and worth a try. If your pain is from that, a week of doing finger exercises with these will help. If not, there's not much money invested.

I like the FlexEx ones but it's just a personal preference. They will eventually break but the thinner ones are easier for me. I broke a thumb years ago that never really properly healed.

My knees are weak since I fell ice skating (we trying to) damaged both knee caps so cant really run or jog, damaged my hip and back from a fall so exercise is often tricky but I am getting there as I strap up my knees when walking or doing cardio. I do the leg exercises shown in the posts and do lots of low impact exercises and weights. I use FitOn exercises and do lots of walking daily. Good luck

Rest and ice, I strap mine up with a stretchy band for support as mine is weak. Hope it feels better soon. If your worried see the doctor.