Elbow Orientation with Medial Elbow Pain - BillHartmanPT.com Q&A for The 16%

Summary

This video script dives into the complexities of elbow injuries, particularly tennis and golfer's elbow, with a focus on the importance of bone orientation, muscle activity, and the sequential progression of force through the arm. The discussion clarifies how twisting movements, both external and internal, influence these injuries. Emphasis is placed on understanding the body's construction and the interrelation between hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder mechanics. The speaker also addresses practical solutions for athletes, such as climbers and throwers, highlighting the importance of managing muscle tension and optimizing movement strategies to prevent overload and improve performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elbow pain, such as tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, is influenced by how the bones are oriented and the muscle activity that alters these positions.
• 😀 The difference between lateral and medial elbow pain comes down to how long the elbow is exposed to forces and the resulting changes in bone orientation.
• 😀 It is important to distinguish between muscular/tendinous problems and injuries to passive structures when diagnosing elbow pain.
• 😀 Understanding superficial muscle strategies and axial skeleton alignment is key to solving upper extremity issues, as they influence the entire body’s movement and orientation.
• 😀 Musculoskeletal problems often develop over time due to progressive changes in body posture, resulting in a series of misalignments.
• 😀 The idea of 'twisting the towel' is used as an analogy for explaining how the bone twists, which helps in understanding how to correct improper twists in the body.
• 😀 The importance of expanding posteriorly and releasing tension from the bone is discussed as a way to help achieve better alignment and function in the shoulder and elbow.
• 😀 A 'pump handle' strategy is suggested to help internally rotate the arm, which untwists the elbow and relieves tension in the arm’s musculature.
• 😀 Climbers often experience elbow pain due to intense grip, twisting, and muscular activity, which can lead to both golfer’s elbow (medial pain) and tennis elbow (lateral pain).
• 😀 Wrist and hand positioning play a significant role in elbow pain, particularly in climbers, where flexor action can overload the medial elbow, requiring attention from the wrist and hand to reduce the strain.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus is on the biomechanics of the elbow, specifically addressing lateral and medial elbow pain, also known as tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, respectively. The script explores how different bone orientations and muscle activities affect these conditions.

How do the orientations of the bones impact elbow pain?

The orientations of the bones influence how muscles and tendons interact with them. For example, lateral elbow pain (tennis elbow) and medial elbow pain (golfer's elbow) are caused by different orientations and loading patterns that stress the elbow's bony structure over time.

What is the difference between lateral and medial elbow pain?

Lateral elbow pain, commonly known as tennis elbow, is typically caused by overexposure to forces acting on the outside of the elbow. Medial elbow pain, known as golfer's elbow, affects the inside of the elbow and is associated with different loading patterns, though both conditions involve muscle and tendon stress.

How does muscle activity contribute to elbow pain?

Muscle activity can alter the positioning of the bones and put additional stress on the tendons. When muscle activity leads to a misalignment or improper orientation of the elbow joint, it can cause discomfort and contribute to conditions like tennis elbow or golfer's elbow.

What is the role of the axial skeleton in understanding elbow pain?

The axial skeleton plays a critical role in establishing the orientation of the upper body. By understanding how the axial skeleton functions, one can determine the positioning and loading patterns of the upper extremities, including the elbow. This understanding helps identify and address pain at the elbow.

What is the concept of twisting the bones in relation to elbow pain?

Twisting the bones refers to the way forces are applied to the bones and joints, creating tension in the muscles and tendons. By understanding how and where these twists occur, it becomes easier to identify the cause of discomfort and find solutions for improving the joint's position.

How does creating expansion in the posterior area of the arm help with elbow pain?

Creating expansion in the posterior area helps to relieve tension and improve external rotation of the arm. This can prevent compensatory strategies at the elbow and allow for better movement and less strain on the muscles and tendons, reducing the risk of injury.

Why is it important to address both the hand and wrist when dealing with elbow pain?

When dealing with elbow pain, especially in cases like climber's elbow or golfer's elbow, it's important to address the hand and wrist because they are often the source of the problem. Muscular or tendinous issues in the hand and wrist can affect the elbow joint, causing it to overload and resulting in pain.

What is the significance of the 'pump handle' movement mentioned in the script?

The 'pump handle' movement refers to a technique used to create internal rotation and untwist the bones of the arm. This movement helps to balance the forces acting on the elbow and wrist, promoting proper alignment and reducing strain on the medial side of the elbow.

How can the strategy of untwisting the arm help alleviate elbow pain?

Untwisting the arm can help by reducing the tension in the muscles and tendons around the elbow. By counteracting the excessive twist, it becomes easier to realign the joint, which helps in relieving pain and preventing further injury.