Summertime is in full swing and it’s that time of year where everyone is enjoying their outdoor sports, but with an increase in sports comes an increase in injury. Unfortunately the two seem to go hand-in-hand.  A common injury for golfers is Golfer’s Elbow; however you don’t have to play golf to acquire this injury. Golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury of the tendons in your forearm flexor muscles (the inner part of your forearm where most people don’t tan). Anyone who consistently works at a computer, works with tools, or requires a lot of repetitive movements are just as likely to obtain Golfer’s Elbow. Pain is usually felt at the medial (inner) part of the elbow, and may be accompanied with swelling, loss of movement, and a weak grip. Tennis elbow is similar but occurs on the lateral (outer) side of the elbow and affects the forearm extensor muscles.

Massage therapy can help by soothing the muscles that are affected as well as by breaking down scar tissue that may be accumulating at the injury site. Your massage therapist can also provide you with personalized exercises to do at home that may help your injury from progressing. If you put ice on the painful point for 10 minutes this will help decrease the swelling and the pain.

To stretch, straighten your arm in front of you with your palm facing the ceiling. Bend at the wrist with your fingers pointing to the floor. If there is no pain, use your other hand to push on your fingers to increase the stretch. Repeat the same exercise with your palm facing the floor.  Do not increase the stretch if it is really painful!

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