Tendons hold the elbow together. When they are overused or used incorrectly or a lot of stress is put on them, they get inflamed, irritated and sore. It's called tendinitis or, in layman's terms, golf elbow. This condition can be painful and debilitating, but with the right treatment, those who suffer from golfer's elbow can control and heal it.
Ice Treatment
The easiest way to treat golf elbow is with ice. Applying ice packs to the sore area for 20 to 30 minutes every three to four hours is prescribed. You can also ease the pain with ice by massaging the area. Fill a foam cup with water and freeze it. Peel the top of the cup and rub the ice on the sore spot for five to 10 minutes.
Tennis Elbow Strap or Splint
Another treatment for golf elbow is an elbow strap placed just under the sore area. This allows the muscles causing the pain to pull against the strap and not the sore spot. A more aggressive approach can be taken with a splint that immobilizes the arm. Depending on the severity of the golfer's elbow, the patient might be asked to wear the splint for three to four weeks.
Flexibility Exercise
Golfers experiencing tendinitis in their elbow can build flexibility to resolve the issue. To build flexibility, a golfer can stand at arm's length from a wall, extending the effected arm. The golfer should then place the palm on the wall while pointing the fingers down. Apply pressure and hold for 30 seconds.
Rest
Although golfers might not like to read this, rest might also be part of treatment. Taking a couple of weeks off and slowly getting back in the swing of things upon returning might be the best cure for golf elbow. When golfers return, seeing an instructor is recommended to find out whether an element of the swing caused the pain.
About The Author
Brendan O'Brien is a professional journalist in Milwaukee, Wis. He has worked for several news organizations, newspapers such as the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" and trade magazines during his 15-year career. He is currently a freelance writer who works for several publications.