Elbow Pain After Yardwork? Here's Why
It’s been several months of hibernation, and finally on the first warm day, everyone is outside digging, planting, raking, pulling trash bags and picking up winter debris. Although it feels good to get the yard straightened up, you just performed hours of gripping with your hands.
What’s the big deal?
All of the muscles that control your wrist and hand motion attach to the inside and outside of your elbow.
With such frequent contractions of these muscles, you can develop an acute (sudden onset) of tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendons at the attachment point of the elbow. This is known as medial or lateral epicondylitis, or "golfer's elbow" or "tennis elbow." The good news is, it will typically resolve within 72 hours.
Here are some easy exercises you can do after the damage is done, or even better, before you get out there to prevent the pain!
Straighten your elbow and pull your wrist down toward the floor, with you palm facing the toward your body. Hold for 30 seconds, Repeat 5 times.
Straighten your elbow and pull your wrist down toward the floor, with you palm facing the away from your body. Hold for 30 seconds, Repeat 5 times.
If your pain persists after your yardwork is complete, give the professionals at Connect Physical Therapy a call to evaluate and treat your pain!
