Do you feel a sharp pain on the inside of your elbow whenever you try to grip or lift something? Does this pain make even simple tasks, like typing on your computer or enjoying your favourite sports, tough?
You might have a Golfer’s Elbow if the pain hasn’t disappeared. And despite what the name suggests, it doesn’t just affect golfers. Plus, if you don’t treat it on time, it can become a constant problem that affects your daily life.
ANF Therapy®️ is a non-pharmacological and non-invasive treatment for the Golfer’s Elbow. This approach uses ANF Devices, which are strategically applied to specific areas of the body. Many patients experience relief within minutes or hours after the application in the first session. This therapy aims to alleviate pain and discomfort quickly and effectively without the need for medication or surgery.
What is a golfer's elbow?
Golfer’s Elbow, also called medial epicondylitis, is a form of tendonitis that causes pain and swelling on the inner side of the elbow. It occurs when the forearm tendons attach to the bony bump called the medial epicondyle. Overusing these tendons leads to tiny tears, which cause inflammation and pain.
Repetitive movements like lifting, gripping, or twisting, can lead to this condition. It can also affect people playing sports such as golf, tennis, and baseball. However, you don’t need to be an athlete to get it. Anyone, including workers and people doing everyday chores, can develop a golfer’s elbow.
Golfer’s elbow can also be known as pitcher’s elbow, tendinosis, or epicondylalgia.
How common is a golfer's elbow?
Golfer’s Elbow affects less than 1% of people overall. However, the risk is higher for people 40 and older. Though it’s less common than tennis elbow, it constitutes 10-20% of all cases of epicondylitis. So, even though it might not be widespread, it’s a notable concern for many, especially as they age and engage in repetitive activities.
What is the difference between a golfer and a tennis elbow (Golfer's elbow vs tennis elbow)?
Although often mixed up, a golfer’s and a tennis elbow are different conditions.
Both conditions involve tendonitis, but the key difference lies in the location of the pain. Golfer’s Elbow affects the tendons on the medial side of the elbow, whereas the Tennis Elbow affects the tendons on the lateral side.
Here’s a table showing the key differences:
Feature | Golfer’s Elbow | Tennis Elbow |
Affected side | The inner side of the elbow | The outer side of the elbow |
Tendon attachment | Medial epicondyle | Lateral epicondyle |
Pain location | Inner elbow and forearm | Outer elbow and forearm |
Typical causes | Repetitive gripping or flexing | Repetitive extending or twisting |
What causes the golfer's elbow?
The primary cause of golfers’ elbows is repetitive stress on tendons, resulting in degeneration and pain.
However, certain risk factors can contribute to this condition, including:
- Sports such as golf, American football, tennis, racquet sports, bowling, weightlifting, and javelin throwing. However, it’s interesting to note that over 90% of cases are unrelated to sports.
- Training errors like overuse and incorrect routines.
- Improper technique or unsuitable equipment.
- Functional risk factors such as lack of strength, endurance, or flexibility.
- Occupational risk factors include heavy physical work, excessive repetition, high body mass index, smoking, high psychosocial demands, and comorbidities.
- General risk factors include type 2 diabetes, tobacco use, and obesity, especially in women.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain or tenderness on the inside of your elbow may spread down your forearm.
- Stiffness makes it challenging to move your elbow or make a fist.
- Weakness, causing a weaker grip and difficulty holding objects.
- Numbness or tingling that radiates to your fingers, especially the ring and pinky fingers.
These symptoms usually start gradually and can worsen over time. They can also be misleading since they might mimic other health conditions.
How can a golfer's elbow be treated with ANF Therapy®️?
ANF Therapy®️ is a groundbreaking approach to treating orthopaedic disease. Your ANF Therapist will diagnose this condition by taking a detailed history from you regarding your disease and by doing your physical examination:
History:
In history, your ANF Therapist will ask you the following questions about your disease. These include:
- When do your symptoms appear?
- How much pain do you feel?
- Do you feel pain during movement?
- Occupation history
- Do you have any past surgical history?
- History of the previous injury
- Any sports activities
Physical examination:
During physical examination, your ANF Therapist will inspect your elbow to look for any visible swelling or deformity on the affected area and to check the temperature and tenderness of that area. Other physical examinations include:
Range of motion:
In this test, your ANF Therapist will evaluate your range of motion at your wrist and elbow joint to look for any limitation or pain during the activity.
Resistant flexion test on your wrist joint:
In this test, your ANF Therapist will ask you to flex your wrist against the resistance and keep your arm in a supination position. Pain on the medial side of your elbow suggests Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis).
Mill’s test:
In this test, you will be asked to extend your elbow and passively stretch your wrist into extension. Pain during this activity suggests medial epicondylitis.
Resistant pronation test:
If you feel pain during resistant pronation of your forearm, you might have a Golfer’s elbow.
Neurological examination:
During a neurological examination, your ANF Therapist will Check for signs of ulnar nerve involvement, such as tingling or numbness in the little or ring finger.
Application of ANF Devices:
After a detailed history and physical examination, your ANF Therapist will develop a personalised treatment protocol for your symptoms. For Golfer’s elbow, the treatment begins by applying devices designed to provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant energy and promote blood flow. These devices reduce inflammation, minimise oxidative stress, and enhance circulation in the affected area, effectively supporting your recovery process.
Expected outcome:
According to Dr. Mikel H-G Hoff, the founder of ANF Therapy®️, most patients feel an improvement in elbow pain after a few minutes of applying ANF Devices. ANF Therapy®️ aims to reduce pain by 50% after the first session. However, response to ANF Therapy®️ may differ in different individuals, depending on the severity of the disease.
Follow-up:
Regular follow-ups are essential in treating elbow pain and checking the efficacy of ANF Devices. Your ANF Therapist will guide you on the number of follow-up sessions and treatment duration. You will need to change ANF Devices after 72 hours. Your therapist will create a personalised treatment plan for you and educate you about these changes.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy®️:
ANF Therapy®️ offers an innovative tool for managing elbow pain. By utilising wearable ANF Devices that emit neurological frequencies, ANF Therapy®️ aims to modulate inflammatory responses, promote healing, strengthen your arm and forearm muscles and support overall well-being related to health. This non-pharmacological therapy provides a safe and effective approach that improves disease outcomes by targeting the root cause. If you’re suffering from elbow pain for any reason, consult an ANF Practitioner or find an ANF Therapist to start your treatment with ANF Therapy®️ today!
If you’re a healthcare practitioner aiming to enhance your clinical skills with frequency medicine, learn more about the ANF Therapy®️ and ANF Clinical education program by visiting www.anfacademy.com.
What are the complications of a golfer's elbow?
- Chronic pain
- Limited range of motion
- Difficulty with daily activities
- Increased risk of developing other elbow injuries
- Problems like ulnar neuropathy, ulnar collateral ligament injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, and rotator cuff tendinitis.
Surgical cases may result in medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve neuropathy, ulnar nerve injury, or infection.
How to prevent a golfer's elbow?
You need to reduce strain on your elbow tendons to prevent a golfer’s elbow. Here are some tips that can help:
- Use correct techniques during sports or physical activities to minimise elbow strain.
- Gradually increase workout intensity to prevent overuse injuries.
- Ensure sports equipment, like grips and handles, is adjusted to your body.
- Regularly strengthen and stretch your forearm muscles to improve flexibility and endurance.
- Take breaks and rest during repetitive tasks to prevent excessive strain.
