Climbers Elbow

We hear people talk about Tennis Elbow or Golfer's Elbow regularly in health care and in our chiropractic clinic.

So, let's be Bozeman and talk about Climber's Elbow...Pain at the inside edge of the elbow, associate with tight muscles of the forearm. This is a form of tendonitis or tendinosis and commonly treated by the chiropractors at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic. There are a number of different solutions to resolving Climbers Elbow, such as dry needling to resolve pressure and tension in the forearm, Graston and Active Release Technique to release any adhesions in the tissue and most importantly eccentric specific exercises.

What causes Climbers Elbow?

Over gripping and intense use of the muscles required to move your body weight around while climbing, can lead to an over-use (or intense-use) injury to the tendons of the forearms. Climbers elbow can also be caused from intense use without proper conditioning (too much in too little time). Climber's elbow can be effectively treated but can also be quite debilitating if allowed to become a chronic condition.

Is this new or old?

Whether we talk about Tennis Elbow or Climber's/Golfer's Elbow, we start with: "Is this a new pain or condition?"

• If it is brand new injury, take a week or two of rest, gently stretch all of the muscles of the forearms and start doing some gentle rehab to the forearm muscles as pain subsides before resuming the more intense activity (climbing). Our doctors will most likely use more passive modalities to reduce inflammation and focus on pain relief.
• If this is not a new condition, it is still worth trying to manage it as if it is a new injury with the recommendations above, but chronic conditions are less likely to respond as easily. Exercises to strengthen the tendons effected will be given and explained to ensure proper form. It is important to note that getting help sooner than later improves prognosis and recovery time. 

The doctors at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic are professionals (and recreational climbers) that can help you manage and heal from tendonitis by providing specific therapies that have been shown to produce positive results for many climbers (tennis players and golfers too)! 

Call Gallatin Valley Chiropractic, today, to schedule an appointment!

406-551-2177