Elbow pain can occur due to a number of reasons. Usually it can be due to simply some strain or inflamed tendons and you can cure them on your own without going to an orthopedic elbow specialist. Let us discuss as to how it all works.

How Does An Elbow Work?

Orthopedic doctors will first according to their training and practice share with their patients as to how the elbow works before proceeding with the treatment. We are going to do the same as well. Each arm has three major muscles. The bone, which is long at the top of the arm known as humerus that proceeds to join two forearm bones known as radius and ulna. It is a joint that enables you to bend your arm. The radius’s upper part rotates so that twisting your forearm is made possible.

The muscles that are attached to the outside of humerus allow straightening of fingers and wrist. Travelling outside the elbow, these are connected with the brain as well as the nervous system via radial nerves.

On the other hand, muscles attached to the inside of humerus enable you to bend your fingers and wrist resulting in grasping action. These are also connected to both the brain and nervous system but via the median nerve, that runs in front of the elbow. Finally running inside is the ulnar nerve that allows movement of small muscles. The current type feeling hitting you while bumping your elbow against something is actually the ulnar nerve being pinched.

Treatment of Elbow Pain

Now that you are well aware about the working of the elbow, let us discuss as to how elbow pain can be treated.

Changing How You Move

The first thing you can do is, changing the way you move your elbow. If you observe that certain movements and actions are causing the pain, you might want to avoid that. In addition to that if you feel that the pain flares up in certain positions, you are sure to not move your elbow that way. In case of one being a mechanic or belongs to a field that involves repetitive elbow movements, then you might want to consult a therapist.

Drugs

Drugs such as paracetamol can be used to relieve the pain. However, it is suggested to take them before the pain starts to become unbearable. There are drugs available readily in the market such as ibuprofen that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help with the pain, stiffness and swelling. If using the drugs results in stomach problems, you might want to consult a doctor who can recommend gels and creams as a substitute.

Splints

In some conditions or movements where using the elbow causes pain, splints can be used to support your elbow. Easily available at sports shops, chemists and physiotherapists, splints can help significantly in reducing your pain and while you are at it, ask the pharmaceutical professional or your doctor as to how can you use it.

Heat and Ice Packs

Heat and ice packs have been recommended by doctors and therapists in certain conditions to help ease the pain. You can use a water bottle made specifically for the purpose, heat it up and use or even purchase ice packs for the purpose. If you do not happen to have ice packs, you can use frozen peas as well, they shall also work like a charm. Always remember that heated water bottles or ice packs should not be directly applied to the skin, they should be wrapped in a towel or anything similar as it can irritate or even burn the skin.

Exercises and Physical Therapies

With time, not moving your elbow can stiffen it. Exercises and physical therapies will help you in avoiding that. Rest is necessary but not more than a few days. Exercises and physical therapies will help your elbow gain strength and flexibility. Start by simple exercises so that you are able to observe pain reduction. if your elbow was pain caused by an exercise, you should stop that workout.

Surgery

If the pain is acute or if you don’t see a relief in pain after 6-12 months of rest or rehab, your doctor may recommend a surgery.

Conclusion

Overall, elbow injury doctors McLean will be able to cure your pain without undergoing surgery. It is not often in such cases that a surgery is required. With so many techniques and treatments available, doctors are able to provide relief from elbow pain.

When engaged in physical activities such as working out – may it be at home or in the gym, you tend to push yourself to the limit. That is one of the many reasons why the spine and back doctors advise their patients to take every active lifestyle nice and slow. That is to avoid any strenuous impact that may inflict on your bones and your body in general. Moving a lot with heavy weights, sweating so much, grunting till your guts are out, and acting like you’re a gym monster can and may cause you negative side effect in the future.

WHEN TO CALL IT A “TIME OUT”?

The aftermath of working out too much is sore muscles and a trembling body, but those discomforts are normal for gym rat people. You reap what you saw and if you really have a goal and wanted to accomplish this kind of activity for yourself then all the body aches are sure worth it.

However, there is always a limit to everything and you should know too when you should stop pushing yourself through a workout and to make sure that you are not just being a big wuss.

  • When You Are Sick.

Of course, you are not 100% superhuman and there are times when you will feel a bit under the weather, like having the flu or cold or perhaps you have an upset stomach because of something you have eaten.

So what will you do now? Your body is busy undergoing an overdrive to beat whatever is making you sick. In this case, working out while you’re having a fever, body pains or aches, sore throat, and other ailments will just prolong your recovery and could even make your condition worse. If you are really not feeling good, taking some time off from the gym can give you enough time to heal. Once you are back in shape, then your fitness will do too.

  • When You Are Experiencing Pain.

There are those days when you don’t feel like doing your regular workout. It’s either you don’t want to do a routine with your gym partner or you just wanted to stay at home to play that new video game.

The truth is, pain is your body’s way of telling you that there is something wrong. And most often than not, you don’t pay much attention to it and completely ignoring it will just put yourself at a bigger risk.

  • Two Types Of Pain: Acute and Chronic
    • Acute Pain – is a result of a sudden trauma from rolling your ankle, or accidentally hitting yourself with something hard. It also serves as your warning sign to pause your physical activity. Any swelling and sharp pain will be needing immediate attention.
    • Chronic Pain – is the kind of pain that persists after the process of healing and physicians will even encourage you to engage in an active lifestyle and exercise to help ease the pain.
  • When You’re Having Difficulty Breathing.

If you spent time on the treadmill and you feel like you’re catching your breath that is not considered as experiencing difficulty in breathing. Having trouble in breathing can happen because of the following:

  • Your workout level is way past your fitness capacity.
  • You have asthma or other respiratory condition.
  • You have some circulatory issues.

Taking some time just to catch some air after a strenuous activity is normal. But if you find yourself gasping after an exercise routine and you find it hard to breathe after, then there is something wrong.

  • You Feel Light Headed.

There are some major issues why you sometimes feel light-headed:

  • You have a circulatory or a heart problem.
  • You have an existing breathing problem.
  • You’re either having a low blood sugar or metabolic issues.
  • When You Feel Some Discomfort, Pressure, or Chest Pain.

Truth be told, but if you are experiencing these problems, then you should seriously stop because these are considered the sever signs. Medical attention is immediately needed as well.

  • Other symptoms may include:
    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Coughing
    • An irritating feeling in the throat, back, and jaw.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in getting yourself involved in serious physical activities and work out for as long as you know how to read your body signals. Because if ever you are experiencing or going through these signs, you can always consult the orthopedic doctors McLean or any other specialists to be able to professionally address your health issues.

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Millions of people suffer from back pain every year. According to orthopedic doctors, the condition comes about due to many reasons with the most common being:

Aging

Multiple things happen when you get old. Shock absorbing discs wear out, you start suffering from degenerative arthritis in the back, and many other things. Overall, the muscles and bones become weaker. The result of this is you suffering from back pain.

Inactive lifestyle

Majority of the people around the world rarely exercise, which exposes them to the lower back pain and other problems. Studies show that many people that lead active lifestyles where they swim, jog, rid, walk, or engage in other activities tend to have lower risks of lower back pain.

This is usually because they stretch and strengthen their muscles and bones in the process. If you are on your desk most of the time during the day, you should start walking around. You also should consider joining a yoga or Tai chi club.

Smoking

Many young people have the impression that smoking makes them look cool. In addition to it exposing them to cancer, it also increases their chances of suffering from back pain.

Smoking has also been shown to lead to a decrease in vascularity and healing. This means that when you suffer from back pain as a smoker, you have problems getting rid of the pain.

Diet

You must have heard many times that you are what you eat. You must be aware that when you eat food that is rich in carbohydrates, you have a high body weight. The practice also increases stress to the functions of the body organs.

You are not only unattractive when you are obese, but your muscles also tend to be weak and have low elasticity hence the lower back pain. To be on the safe side, you should avoid carbohydrate-rich foods. The best foods to take are those that are plant-based.

They will not only prevent you from suffering from back pain, but they also will help you strengthen your muscles and bones.

Poor posture

Finally, you are bound to suffer from back pain if you walk or stand in the wrong posture. The most obvious poor posture is walking with a hunched back.

Conclusion

These are some of the most common causes of back pain. You can alleviate the back pain by changing your lifestyle but if the condition is severe, consider visiting your local back pain specialist for advice on how to deal with it.