Another sad elbow over here

[OakLeaf]

If you're in that much pain you're DEFINITELY not being "too sensitive and reactive." Sheesh, give yourself a break, mentally AND physically.

I am NOT a doctor or anything like it, and the usual cautions about diagnoses over the internet... but your description sounds like the triceps tendon?

Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories (both topical and systemic) are good (and be serious about resting for a day or two - yes it's extremely difficult to rest your arms, but really do it) - and I would look for trigger points in the triceps as well. You can massage them using a small-ish ball like a tennis or lacrosse ball, pressed between your triceps and a wall. "Search for the small spot of exquisite tenderness that typifies a trigger point. Six to twelve strokes constitute a treatment, but repeat the treatment several times during the day."

I just last week got the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook which has been highly recommended by several TE'rs. (which the above quote about general technique is from) It's DEFINITELY helping with my calves/ankles.

I think, with an injury like that, there's not much more a doctor would do for you short of steroid injections. But a referral to a good physical therapist never hurts, so that might be a reason to make an appointment. Hope you start feeling better soon.

[firenze11]

Thanks Tokie, LPH, and Oakleaf. My family is kind of strange about injuries. My Dad is more likely to say go to the doctor over stuff and my Mom tends to not go until it gets really really serious so I'm always trying to find the middle ground, haha.

I didn't realize the class was going to be integrated cardio and resistance like that, it definitely seems like they are easy to get injured in. I was hoping for a nice, slow, controlled resistance class but I guess they don't have that here. I signed up for pilates instead and tried it the day after and really liked it (but I don't think helped my arms in this situation)

Oak, I had forgotten completely about trigger point therapy. I've been using tennis balls for my hip and back when they're tight but it didn't even cross my mind to try it on my triceps. I know there's a couple of really tender spots just to touch so I'll see if it helps, thanks.

I think what is worrying me the most is that although my right arm still hurts, it's getting it's range of motion back a little bit each day. But my left arm just seems to be getting worse and losing it's range of motion. I had to sleep with it on a pillow last night because it was aching and I kept falling asleep and trying to roll over with it and that was not pleasant.

Maybe I'll just go and see what they say, even if they can't really give me much more advice than you have. Thanks again!

[Jolt]

I am NOT a doctor or anything like it, and the usual cautions about diagnoses over the internet... but your description sounds like the triceps tendon?

Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories (both topical and systemic) are good (and be serious about resting for a day or two - yes it's extremely difficult to rest your arms, but really do it) - and I would look for trigger points in the triceps as well. You can massage them using a small-ish ball like a tennis or lacrosse ball, pressed between your triceps and a wall. "Search for the small spot of exquisite tenderness that typifies a trigger point. Six to twelve strokes constitute a treatment, but repeat the treatment several times during the day."

I just last week got the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook which has been highly recommended by several TE'rs. (which the above quote about general technique is from) It's DEFINITELY helping with my calves/ankles.

You pretty much said what I was going to say. And on a side note, isn't that book great? I've definitely found it helpful.