Pain in lower bicep and joint area both arms until.......

Eric308 · Post by **Eric308** » February 22nd, 2007, 8:30 pm

I bust through about 2K. I've been doing 30 minute pieces lately and the pain is fairly severe. It helps a little to extend my arms to their fullest during the stroke. Then, after 2K or so I'm pain free and it was like it was never there. Anyone have any idea? Thanks!

Alissa · Post by **Alissa** » February 22nd, 2007, 8:39 pm

Eric, maybe you could tell us a little more?

Eric308 wrote:I bust through about 2K.

I don't know what you mean by this... Are you saying that it hurts during the first 2K?

Eric308 wrote: I've been doing 30 minute pieces lately and the pain is fairly severe. It helps a little to extend my arms to their fullest during the stroke.

Are you saying that you keep your arms bent during the drive? And you're only fully extending your arms because of the pain? If so, I would have said that that was the source of the problem. You're trying to use the relatively weaker arm muscles and elbow ligaments to hold against the stronger legs. My understanding has been that your arms should be fully extended during the entire drive...arms only move when you're at the end of the drive!

Eric308 wrote:Then, after 2K or so I'm pain free and it was like it was never there. Anyone have any idea? Thanks!

And it somehow goes away after you've been rowing a while? Is that because you've straightened your elbows during the drive? Because you've warmed up?

Perhaps if you could tell us all a bit about yourself and your experience, someone may be able to help a bit more... Perhaps even post a video of yourself rowing?

Best wishes,

Alissa

Eric308 · Post by **Eric308** » February 22nd, 2007, 9:02 pm

Re: arm extension....I meant when I reach forward at the beginning of the stroke. Also, I just had a total knee replacement in October. I can only bend that knee about 110 degrees and obviously when I row that applies to my "good leg" as well. I guess my arms are being used at a more intense than normal level due to my condition. Anyway, I've been erging for about 8 years and lost track of my meters after 3 million. My best 2K is a 7:37 and that was done with my "short stroke". I figure I come up about 18" less than most people that I see actually touching their heels to their hamstrings. I am envious of all of you!

jbell · Post by **jbell** » February 22nd, 2007, 9:25 pm

I've also had this problem, and I found keeping my arm/ shoulders less tense and it all works out well. My coach said I used to "lock" my arms when I would row (during the drive). Just mentally telling myself to stay loose has helped.

robhen · Post by **robhen** » February 22nd, 2007, 10:02 pm

I would go to a physiotherapist and get it thoroughly checked out.

I think I have had a similar injury which sounds like a slight tear in some of your upper arm muscles combined with a overuse injury with the tendons of the elbow.

If you row through it you have the risk of the injury becoming chronic.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » February 22nd, 2007, 11:16 pm

Soak your elbows deep in cold water with ice cubes.

Sean Seamus · Post by **Sean Seamus** » February 23rd, 2007, 8:26 am

never work through pain
(unless a bear is chewing on you)

discomfort is different,
and distinguishing between pain and discomfort is wisdom

Eric308 · Post by **Eric308** » February 23rd, 2007, 10:26 am

Sean Seamus wrote:never work through pain
(unless a bear is chewing on you)

discomfort is different,
and distinguishing between pain and discomfort is wisdom

I guess discomfort is all relative. When my dentist uses the word....I cringe. I don't think it's serious enough to warrant a doctor visit. I'm going to do some light dumbbell curls just prior to the piece. Also, I failed to mention, I feel no "discomfort" until about 1K, then after another 1K, it's gone.

Eric308 · Post by **Eric308** » February 23rd, 2007, 12:28 pm

Just a thought...could this have anything to do with lactic acid build-up?

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » February 23rd, 2007, 12:51 pm

This sounds a lot like you are trying to use too much arm during the drive. With a pronated hand, as it is when holding the Erg handle, the bicep is normally neutralized to avoid injury, though we can force it to contract, leading to pain in the elbow similar to what you are describing. Focus on drawing your elbows back, rather than pulling the handle into your body and see if that helps. The lats are able to be used much more powerfully than the biceps, so there will be only a benefit to your finish.

LJWagner · Post by **LJWagner** » March 10th, 2007, 12:23 pm

Soak your elbows deep in cold water with ice cubes.

That is afterwards, not before you row.

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Pain in lower bicep and joint area both arms until.......

Pain in lower bicep and joint area both arms until.......

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