Screaming Elbows

[old] OxfordOkie · Post by **[old] OxfordOkie** » August 23rd, 2004, 4:51 pm

Dear Friends, Have had my new Model D for only two months, I'm 45 years young, and foolishly starting thrashing the machine without proper regard to warmup or technique. Have developed 'tennis elbow' symptoms, both arms, and a knowlegable friend has told me it's because I allow my arms to remain slightly flexed rather than 'locking out' the elbow joint in the most forceful part of the stroke. I'm hoping some of you can verify this. So the arm should be utterly straight during the pull?? Surely I'm not the only one who's hurt himself in this way?! Trouble is, I'm a professional pianist/keyboard player, and this part of my bod is my livelihood. Any advice would be gratefully received.

[old] nkoffler · Post by **[old] nkoffler** » August 23rd, 2004, 5:00 pm

This is almost certainly from putting too much stress on your arms. With proper technique, this shouldn't be a problem. I've been guilty of engaging my arms too early in the stroke. Advice I've received included: 1) Try to focus on "hanging" on the handle with your arms as cables; 2) Hold the handle with one or two fingers/per hand; 3) Don't start pulling with you arms until your leg are straight and don't bend your legs on the recovery until your arms are straight; 4) At the catch, the legs and the back are engaged as one unit connected by the arms to the handle. Bent arms result in the dissipation of power and stress on the elbows; 5) To focus on the catch, try rowing with straight arms for a few dozen strokes. This results in a shorter stroke; and 6) Focus on the leg drive, not the arms. Legs are much more powerful. You can work through this. Try to look at the technique video if you can. Good luck, Neil

[old] Mark Keating · Post by **[old] Mark Keating** » August 23rd, 2004, 5:26 pm

I developed a similar problem about three months ago, although I would describe my pain as more of a forearm pain than elbow. I am unsure if it arose exclusively because of the erg because I had begun cycling at about the same time. I only developed it in the left arm and it did become quite painful, to the point of interrupting a good night's sleep at times. I received a couple of good tips from this forum that I will pass along: 1. you will probably be able to work through it, although if your livelihood depends on proper healing, I would consult a doctor/physiotherapist. 2. as above, don't grasp the handle with all of your fingers. I use only my middle three digits. 3. try some light dumbell curls, maybe even wrist curls, to counter the forearm pain and tension 4. best of all - go golfing! Hard to believe (especially for my wife), but this was by far the best therapy I discovered. Not exactly sure how the golf swing remedied the pain that I was suffering, but I was almost pain free the morning after my first round of golf of the season and it improved with every round after that. I am free of pain now. Good luck! Mark

[old] Bill · Post by **[old] Bill** » August 23rd, 2004, 11:00 pm

Hello, Be very careful with this elbow problem. I didnt row for 5 months last year because of a similar problem. I found the physiotherapist far more useful and knowledgeable than the doctor. I now wear a tennis elbow strap at the top of my forearm when I row - it helps. You can search the old posts in this forum for "Elbow" to get tons of tips from other people. You can search the net as well for "Rowers Elbow" or Tennis ELbow - lots of sites out there with pictures explaining it. Get someone knowledgeable to look at your technique ? Bill

[old] Cran · Post by **[old] Cran** » August 24th, 2004, 4:58 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>best of all - go golfing! </td></tr></table> I think I'd give up erging rather than have to play golf...

[old] grams · Post by **[old] grams** » August 24th, 2004, 11:32 am

What drag factor do you have the erg set at? Perhaps you have it too high for your needs. Concept recommends starting at 3. grams

[old] Rocket Roy · Post by **[old] Rocket Roy** » August 24th, 2004, 4:07 pm

I had tennis elbow, and it is no joke! my best tip is to row with your thumbs on top this means the muscles that were affected by my tennis elbow weren't under stress, so less pain. I had to have a cortizone injection and 2 weeks rest, but it worked. Yet I'm always cautious of that area now and try not to stress it.

[old] raverlaw · Post by **[old] raverlaw** » August 24th, 2004, 11:35 pm

Don't forget also that your elbows should be at your sides at the end of the drive, not flying out from your body. Using only two or three fingers works well to keep the force where it belongs, and reduces blistering, too.

[old] Paul S · Post by **[old] Paul S** » August 27th, 2004, 12:05 pm

I am wondering if the new, more ergonomicaly correct handle puts more stress on the elbow. I upgraded my "C" to the new "D" handle 3 months ago and I am noticing increasing problems in my right elbow. I have tried sitting on my rower holding my old handle as if I was rowing and as you reach your abdomen there seems to be less pull on the elbow. The new handle may be more correct for your hands and wrists, but I believe it stresses your elbows more as you reach the end of the drive. Paul S

[old] Paul S · Post by **[old] Paul S** » August 28th, 2004, 3:25 pm

Well I replaced the new "D" handle with the old "C" one before today's workout. I noticed more of a pulling feeling on the inside of my elbow instead of the outside as before. The drive seemed more linear and flowing. I will keep the old one on. Perhaps it is just something related to my particular build. Anyone out there want a "D" handle?? Cheers - Paul S (_)?

[old] wcreaser · Post by **[old] wcreaser** » October 25th, 2004, 7:58 pm

I am totally in agreement with those that "upgraded" the model c handle with the D handle. I too developed severe tendonitis - tennis elbow in both elbows and have been finshing 8 wks of phys. therapy. Putting my old handle back on immediately. Wished I had not gone through this.

[old] jfo · Post by **[old] jfo** » January 18th, 2006, 8:58 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(Rocket Roy @ Aug 24 2004, 10:07 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I had tennis elbow, and it is no joke! my best tip is to row with your thumbs on top this means the muscles that were affected by my tennis elbow weren't under stress, so less pain. </td></tr></table> Now after 3 months of erging (Pete's Plan) I begin to feel pain in my left forearm. It is hard to tell exactly where it is...in the middle of the forearm I guess. I have been trying from the beginning to stretch my arms fully in the catch. Will try your suggestion on keeping the thumbs on top of the handle. It sounds reasonable as I read that the reason for getting tennis elbow is grabbing something forcebly while flexing the elbow. Btw. I use the new type of handle. What is the difference between the two?

[old] Alissa · Post by **[old] Alissa** » January 18th, 2006, 11:30 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(jfo @ Jan 18 2006, 04:58 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>...I read that the reason for getting tennis elbow is grabbing something forcebly while flexing the elbow.[right] </td></tr></table> Hi jfo. Are you grasping the handle tightly? If what you read is right, that could be the source of your problem. Try making hooks of your hands, leave the thumb underneath, but don't have it touching the handle (or only touch lightly). When on the recovery, your hands should be relaxed enough that you can pretend you're typing or playing the piano with your fingers as you move toward the catch. HTH, Alissa

Concept2 Forum

Screaming Elbows

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training

Training