Concept2 Forum

Hi everyone,<br /><br />I'm pretty new to rowing and have probably done a couple workouts harder than I should have at the outset. As a runner, I figure it's not worth getting on the rower unless I'm getting a good sweat. I need to let go of that until I get better!<br /><br />A couple of times now I have had nerve discomfort in my right upper arm, just above the elbow. This is when I pull the handle to my abdomen at the finish. It makes it impossible to row.<br /><br />I feel no discomfort on the drive. I also get the sensation when I open a heavy door quickly, etc. It feels like I hit my funny bone. (My brother says this is the Ulnar nerve I'm feeling.)<br /><br />I wonder if any of you rowers out there have ever had similar discomfort. Right now, I'm taking some Advil and icing the elbow, which is where I figure the inflammation is. The nerve apparently runs very close to the surface, which is why it hurts so darn much when you hit your elbow.<br /><br />Is this a technique issue? Or just overdoing it at the start of a new exercise regime? As far as I know, I kept my wrists level and didn't over-pull the chain.<br /><br />For now I guess I will try to just start over again and do a couple 5 minute sessions a day to get strength first. <br /><br />Thanks for your input!<br /><br />Nick

<!--QuoteBegin-Yeischkob+Sep 23 2005, 02:31 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Yeischkob @ Sep 23 2005, 02:31 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi everyone,<br />A couple of times now I have had nerve discomfort in my right upper arm, just above the elbow.  This is when I pull the handle to my abdomen at the finish.  It makes it impossible to row.<br />Thanks for your input!<br />Nick <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Pulling the handle to your abdomen? Where on earth did you get that advice? You should be pulling it to your sternum. I don't know if that is what caused your problem, but it is certainly a flaw in your technique.<br /><br />Bob S.

<!--QuoteBegin-rspenger+Sep 23 2005, 09:38 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(rspenger @ Sep 23 2005, 09:38 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Yeischkob+Sep 23 2005, 02:31 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Yeischkob @ Sep 23 2005, 02:31 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi everyone,<br />A couple of times now I have had nerve discomfort in my right upper arm, just above the elbow.  This is when I pull the handle to my abdomen at the finish.  It makes it impossible to row.<br />Thanks for your input!<br />Nick <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Pulling the handle to your abdomen? Where on earth did you get that advice? You should be pulling it to your sternum. I don't know if that is what caused your problem, but it is certainly a flaw in your technique.<br /><br />Bob S. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Sorry, I guess I didn't use the right word. Although I am probably finishing with my hands a little low. I'll pay more attention to that.<br /><br />Nick

<!--QuoteBegin-Yeischkob+Sep 23 2005, 10:56 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Yeischkob @ Sep 23 2005, 10:56 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-rspenger+Sep 23 2005, 09:38 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(rspenger @ Sep 23 2005, 09:38 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Yeischkob+Sep 23 2005, 02:31 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Yeischkob @ Sep 23 2005, 02:31 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi everyone,<br />A couple of times now I have had nerve discomfort in my right upper arm, just above the elbow.  This is when I pull the handle to my abdomen at the finish.  It makes it impossible to row.<br />Thanks for your input!<br />Nick <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Pulling the handle to your abdomen? Where on earth did you get that advice? You should be pulling it to your sternum. I don't know if that is what caused your problem, but it is certainly a flaw in your technique.<br /><br />Bob S. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Sorry, I guess I didn't use the right word. Although I am probably finishing with my hands a little low. I'll pay more attention to that.<br /><br />Nick <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Try to build a handle which gives you the ability to pull the same way as if you hold a hammer. I saw a picture of such a handle on this board. Good luck.<br />XENO<br />Make sure that your forearms are level to the ground at the finish. The elbows should not "point down".

Xeno,<br /><br />Thanks. I found the thread with the handle adaptations. Pretty inventive stuff!<br /><br />I'll watch my forearms and elbow at the finish. Level is the name of the game.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Nick

Nick,<br /><br />Your brother is probably right; you've likely irritated your ulnal nerve (an injury also seen in golfer's). Whilst this is ultimately a technique issue, you should be cautious in your use of the erg whilst it heals. If it is hurting you constantly, you should see a physician, who will likely suggest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory's (e.g. celebrex, although aceteminaphen/paracetamol or ibuprofen are also in this group) to reduce the pain, along with a cessation of weight-bearing exercise for a period of time (perhaps weeks). Be patient as it can take quite a while for such an injury to heal properly.<br /><br />Good luck...<br /><br />Jane.

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I wonder if any of you rowers out there have ever had similar discomfort. </td></tr></table> <br /><br />I have. When my elbows start to bother me, I replace the handle with a homemade one that allows me to change the angles of my hands. I found out later that Bert had the same problem and also made a handle that allows different positions for the hands. Maybe that was the thread you found.<br /><br />I have also learned to be very careful to keep the forward lean during the first part of the drive, so I don't start using the arms too early, which can cause sore elbows or aggravate sore elbows. Have you seen Xeno's DVD's? If you row along with Xeno or Lucas on Xeno's DVD's you'll develop good technique including keeping the forward lean during the first part of the drive, and you'll be less likely to get an injury and enjoy the ergometer more. <br /><br />Let me pass along one more suggestion, this one from Yoda. He says put a full sheet of newspaper on a table. Grab one corner with your hand. Now keeping your arm off the table, just using your fingers draw in and squeeze the piece of newspaper into a ball. Do this two more times with two more fresh sheets of newspaper. Then do the same with the other hand. Do this every day for a couple of weeks. This piece of Yoda magic does seem to help with sore elbows. I don't know why, but it does. Well, at least it helped me.<br /><br />Good luck with your elbows. <br /><br />Byron<br />