This last winter I split at least 100 to 125 huge pickup loads of oak by hand using a splitting maul. I have an outdoor wood stove. The last day that I split wood I felt something weird In my muscle between my elbow and hand when I was done. The tender spot Is now right at my elbow and I can feel It more and more when shooting my bow. I was told by a few people this Is probably tendinitis of the elbow but I haven't went to the doctor to confirm It. I'm tiring out quicker then ever before while shooting. I can really feel It when I lift something. Will this type of thing go away? What's a person do?
Sounds like tennis elbow... Now I'm not sure if you play tennis or not, but it's just s term people use for tendinitis. Yes it will/can go away, just give it some rest, old man!!!:d You say you were "splitting" wood, my question to you, is how are you and the girlfriend getting along!!!???....
Schultzy- I had an issue with the same thing for almost two years due to an elbow fracture that never healed correctly. I used a neoprene elbow sleeve that provided support to the elbow, it helped quite a bit until it eventually healed.
If it is Tendanitus it is slow healing. You can try a compression strap they sell at any drug store or Wallyworld/Target. It will probably help I had to use a neoprene elbow brace and it seemed to take the pain away. But the only thing that makes this better is less use of a repetitive motion. It sucks but shouldnt last forever. Expect it to be there for maybe a month or two.
It might NOT go away. I had the same thing in back to back years in opposite arms. One arm got so bad I couldn't hold a glass. See a doctor if it gets worse or it inhibits your ability to do things. I was sent to a physical therapist. Did all this ultra sound stuff, hot and cold compresses and stretching exercises 3 times a week at their place and I was cured. Haven't had it since. This was years ago. One time caused by repeated pounding like you and the other time moving a house full of boxes and trying to carry a lazy mans load each time. Don't fool with it if it gets worse or persist. I could tell you the exercises and the hot/ice compresses.... but I'm no doctor. If you have insurance.... go see someone.
It might NOT go away. I had the same thing in back to back years in opposite arms. One arm got so bad I couldn't hold a glass. See a doctor if it gets worse or it inhibits your ability to do things. I was sent to a physical therapist. Did all this ultra sound stuff, hot and cold compresses and stretching exercises 3 times a week at their place and I was cured. Haven't had it since. This was years ago. One time caused by repeated pounding like you and the other time moving a house full of boxes and trying to carry a lazy mans load each time. Don't fool with it if it gets worse or persist. I could tell you the exercises and the hot/ice compresses.... but I'm no doctor. If you have insurance.... go see someone. Pop some motrin... about 600 milgrams a couple times a day.
Good Info guys, thanks much!! If It don't go away David In the next month I'll be going In. This has been going on now for about 2 months already.
Based on your description, it could be a number of things. The description of the location of the pain is a little broad so that doesn't help too much. Could be tendonitis, a torn muscle, a strain, overuse syndrome, other pre-existing condition or a whole host of other things. There are some other things you could do to help with the pain, but without knowing your medical history I'd hesitate to make recommendations. If you still have it I recommend you go to your MD and be seen - better to do that than take a chance of having it become a chronic condition that affects your shooting. Good luck!
I have tendenitis in both of my ankles because of all of the injuries that I had to them playing basketball in high school. Its been 2 years since I have played real competitivly and the pain is finally starting to go away. It would have healed quicker if I hadn't walked on them every day
Rest, you need to rest your elbow. I had it bad 3 years ago where I couldn't ever lift a gallon of milk with out serious pain. The Doc told me to where the strap 3 fingers below the painful area. This kinda creates a different pivot point at the elbow! I think the meds he had me on was celebrex, an anti inflammatory. It took a few months to go away, but it did and never came back since! Good luck with that bro, rest it!
Same here. Injured my left elbow in HS playing basketball. Still hurts from time to time, especially if I shoot my bow too much, or fish for a long time. I don't think mine will ever heal.... Try some of these...
For any tendinitis type injuries I have suffered over the years, I have always relied on something like this....ice it for a couple of days for 20 minutes, 3-4 times a day. On day 3-4, start the hot/cold treatments(meaning heat for 15 minutes..stretch the muscles around the injured area for about 5 minutes, then ice for 15 minutes). Repeat the hot/cold treatments a few times a day. About day 7, heat for 10 minutes, stretch your arm, and then slowly move your arm through all the ranges of movement. Ice immediately afterwards for 20 minutes. Repeat that for about a week, every day if you can tolerate it...if not, every other day. Then do nothing for about 3 days and see how it feels.
Schultzy... VAshadow is on the right track, however... tendinitis is a swelling or inflamation, not an actual tear or strain. The difference being that much more ice is required than heat. Ice controls the inflamation which causes the pain. Since there isn't really anything to "heal" which is what heating does (by increasing blood flow to the injury)it's not as necessary. Just like icing your arm after pitching, no heat is required. Use heat sparingly to loosen it before stretching, but that's about all I do. I don't have a degree in PT, but I've donated enough money to them that I should have!!! :D good luck.
Dubbya, I hear you on the ice, but the main reason I say heat after day 3-4 is because the muscles around the injured area seem to cramp up/tighten up when one starts suffering from tendinitis. The heat loosens the muscles and therefore provides a lot of relief to the joint that is swollen.
You will be ok Shultzy just be cautious. Warm up more than you normally do. If you feel it start to bother you take a break for a little while. I am not 100% yet after my fall but getting close.
The heat will also open up the blood flow and increase swelling. Ice will degrease the blood flow and reduce swelling and pain. NEVER use heat after exercising it! When I was treating my elbow, I never used the heat, only ice and rest! I didn't shoot my bow for 2 months, doctors orders!
