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San Angelo
Joined: 2/23/2008
Posts: 27
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Posted: Oct/06/2008 9:43 AM PST
PastorMark - I've had very similar symptoms before, just different area and I've got more bad news than good. I'm a runner by nature, all my life, even through college where I actually won conference my sophomore year. I'm years done with the competitive running but still run alot. Earlier this year though, I up-ed my running to get in great shape for my wedding/honeymoon  , but two months before the big date I began having minor pains...I stupidly ran through them and they grew to major pains. I eventually got to where I couldn't walk without a limp for a few days after a run. I went to a doctor and found that I had developed IT Band Syndrom - usually caused by excess running on a uneven surface (like a crowned road). I liken my experience to what you are going through but I know that it could be completely different. The point is that I had to give up running for seven months before I was fully healed. My doctor advised that I could run if I wanted to but I should limit it to maybe a half mile to one mile at the most (when I was running 7 and 10 mile runs every three days). I decided to give up the running altogether until it healed. I'm still uneasy with running but I'm doing 2 and 3 mile runs without pain so my confidence is growing.
I hate to say it because I know how frustrating it can be to not be able to do what you love for a length of time but I would suggest that if the pain is bothersome, limit the activities that bug it until everything's healed up. When you stop feeling pain with everyday things like playing the guitar or picking up the milk, then play nine and assess the situation from there. If it still hurts, wait another month (and also listen to CP's advice on advil and PT). It's frustrating when the healing process is slow like this, I know, but all I can say is good luck and I'll pray for you.
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Joined: 12/05/2007
Posts: 589
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Posted: Oct/06/2008 12:06 PM PST
HAHA, I'm well versed in IT Band syndrome. Having to stop running for 7 months sounds a bit extreme. The problem with these injuries is that DOCTORS DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THEM! They are good at diagnosis and telling you whats wrong but they are not versed in proper therapy protocols's which is why when you have a soft tissue injury you should go to a doctor but immediately get a referral to a physical therapist. I've taken runners from limping in major pain to being back running full steam ahead in as little as 4 weeks but 8 weeks is more typical. Keep working those inner thigh muscles and foam rolling the crap out of that IT Band and you should be allright!
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San Angelo
Joined: 2/23/2008
Posts: 27
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Posted: Oct/07/2008 8:57 AM PST
There are more details to the story than I was out for 7 months. The first two months, the doctor I was going to was telling me "there isn't a problem and it's all in my head" all because my ex-rays came back negative ( what a quack, I'll never go back ). I got a second opinion and figured out the problem but was only given stretches to rehab it, also I kept running every 3 weeks or so to test it out and the pain would flare up again...so I was probably prolonging my recovery by doing that. I finally decided to just stop running altogether and hit the pool instead but that was almost four months into it. It was probably around 10 weeks after good diagnosis and I stopped aggrevating it for my recovery.
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Joined: 10/08/2008
Posts: 3
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Posted: Oct/08/2008 11:22 AM PST
HI I went through this about 2 years ago. It did take a LONG time to go away because at first I was unwilling to admit I had a problem and nor was I willing to give up golf for months and months.
What I did: cortisone shots - a couple. Definitely eased up pain for a couple of days when it was unbearable. I don't recommend this unless you are in a lot of pain at rest.
ice- I was inconsistent with this
Pressure pad- this is like they use for tennis elbow. The Dr will show you where it goes, which I think was on the opposite side of the pain spot. I hated wearing it, but I think this is probably something that helps it heal faster. Mine looks like the one on this page http://www.orthobionics.com/elbow/index.htm Pneumatic Armband by Aircast. "The Aircast Pneumatic Armband tennis elbow strap contains a small aircell that focuses more pressure on the involved muscle and less around the arm." I don't have this exact one, but pretty similar.
massage- a sports massage therapist- by far this has been the most effective at reducing recovery time. In a few visits, they seem to accelerate recovery of just about anything, including my 'golf elbow'.
muscle specific exercises. Sorry, but it's too hard for me to describe them. I googled and came up with these 2 references:
http://sportsmedicine.upmc.com/InjuriesGolfersElbo wRehab.htm. This video is pretty good and show exercises similar to what I did. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eQA3Igex6A
Triple Flex- I swear by Natures Made Triple Flex (costco) whenever I have joint or muscle problems.
In conclusion, I think the exercises and massage were most critical to get the healing moving fast. I didn't start this until after months of lingering, annoying pain which was a big mistake.
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Joined: 12/05/2007
Posts: 589
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Posted: Oct/08/2008 2:02 PM PST
yes, the massage treatment helps break up adhesions in the muscle fascia and restore flexibility to the region and are definately very important. Thats what foam rolling the it band does as well. bottom line is that golf elbow sucks. If you live in a climate where you aren't able to play in the winter keep in mind when the warm weather comes that you can't go out and start taking a million swings. you have to progress slowly, just like a MLB pitcher starts slowly in spring training.
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North Carolina
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 104
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Posted: Oct/08/2008 6:26 PM PST
Thanks for all the follow-up, everyone! Progress so far: I took 10 days off from play, and had decided to not swing a club until October 14 (the day my vacation starts). Well...the weather turned really nice, and I couldn't wait. Thought I'd play an easy 9-hole, see what happens. Strangely enough, the elbow had been tight and hurting the whole time of layoff, but after the nine-hole round, it actually felt better! More mobile anyway, and less painful. So, I've been carefully adding a few rounds back in, being careful not to overdo.
Applying the coldpack and the Ibuprofen regimen is helping. I got a squeezy rubber ball to work out with. I've been doing CP's thing -- holding a club in the middle of the shaft straight out in front of me and rotating my hand from palm up to palm down -- also very good at relieving the pain and stiffness. And I've purchased an armband like described above, complete with insert to target the affected area. THAT is very helpful and I can play without suffering after -- I need to wear it playing guitar now, see if it helps there as well. So, I've played 36 holes over four days, taking it really easy, not worrying at all about distance, being willing to take a steady diet of bogeys and doubles where I have to, and making sure to hit NOTHING fat, which probably caused this in the first place.
Thanks again for all the input.
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Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 1
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Posted: Dec/02/2008 8:26 AM PST
I think CP Fitness had everything correct in his advice to you. I would add two other items. There is a product called a BandIt it is an tennis/golfers elbow aid and works great. I have suffered from this problem off an on for several years when I overdo practice ect. This product works and will help aliviate your pain. Most of the other products of this type do not work and are a waste of time. I don't sell or profit from this product. Secondly get a product called Super Blue Stuff. www.bluestuff.com
it is the only topical rub on type of product that I have ever found that actually works. I use it for all of my various muscle pulls, back pain (congenital) and little pains that you get from time to time. Again I don't sell or profit from this product whatsoever. You may or may not be over your elbow problems by now, but from my experience it will probably come back in the future. I have loaned my bandit to many friends and all have experienced relief from it. The Super Blue Stuff usually comes with sample packs and I give these to my friends who all end up buying this product because it works. Hope you get better. Golf is a great game, however it is very hard on the body.
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Joined: 12/19/2008
Posts: 9
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Posted: Dec/22/2008 10:35 AM PST
Hi there,
Bear in mind, I'm from the UK, so the trade name below may not mean anything, but my wife has been suffering from Golfers Elbow BEFORE she started playing golf and she has visited her doctor and he prescribed Feldene which has 10mg Piroxicam. I think it's the "Piroziam" bit that is important, the other is a trade name I think, but it gets rid of the pain. She was also told to wear a brace, which she is, and that has been helping a lot.
The above helps the pain, but to make ker better, she has been advised to have a steroid injection and just take it easy.
Hope that helps, but seeing my missus, I sympathise with you.
Have a good holiday
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Joined: 4/17/2009
Posts: 1
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Posted: Apr/17/2009 2:24 PM PST
Pastor Mark, I was just wondering how your tennis elbow is feeling? I was searching for any articles on golf and massage and your story came up. I am a massage therapist and am looking to specialize in treatment of golf injuries.......the reason for my search for golf + massage. The suggestion for receiving massage for this condition is your best bet in my opinion. But, you have to have someone specifically trained in sports massage or orthopedic massage, specifically with tennis elbow diagnosis. Just a Swedish massage is not going to get you the relief I'm sure you desire.
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Joined: 4/13/2009
Posts: 2
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Posted: Sep/02/2009 12:47 AM PST
I have been having this problem for abut a year now. It's not that severe, as I dont feel it when I play. But 2 days after, it comes and stays for about a week. Worst case ever was 2 weeks.
Is it because i'm whacking the ground too much or is it the amount of force I'm using in my swing? I swing at about 106 with my irons, and i just bought a Superquad with a stiff flex 65. i'm gettng this because i was using the big bertha war bird for about a year now, and hit really hard with it.
i noticed the only time i didn't get any pain after golf was a week when i used my friend's R7 with a regular flex. i hit it well that day. and that day only.
Could the speed of my swing have any to do with it or is the cause of my golf elbow be because of the impact my irons are getting on the ground? See this has got me thinking if I should change my swing to accomodate a regular flex (it's going to be EXTREMELY difficult) or stick with a stiff and be careful with the irons. See.... I'm assuming the pain is coming from how hard I swing the driver.
Am I on the right course? Btw, do those fore arm bands you get at walgreens good for helping with these pains?
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