Quote (invisiblehand @ Oct 27 2011 02:38am)
Raynor,
I've never had a H&F related question that I felt I needed another person's opinion on, until now.
The problem is I can't just throw google at this shxt and work it out with the quickness. It's not that simple.
Besides, if I run into one more Bullshxt website trying to sell me a crusty jar of Phillipino goat semen as some kind of "Natural Topical Remedy" I'm going to put my skull through the fxcking computer screen.
Anyway, My problem is Joint pain in my elbows.
It's only happening after Bi and Back day, and is usually gone in about 24 - 48 hours. It's not like hella-intense pain or anything, but I'm getting older and this shxt has never happened before. I have close friends who are just a little older than me who have blown out their knees and/or their shoulders, and their shxt is always bothering them now.
I have tried changing my routine, and (as to be expected) the elbow pain isworseafter workouts that include certain exercises (Standing Barbell Curl, preacher Curl, Patmon Rows) and it's not as bad when when I swap these out for alternatives (seated dumbell curls, concentration curl, Bent-over Row).
I do not hyperextend my elbows. I neverflop during any part of the movement. I never drop weights after the final rep. I keep complete control of the weight through full ROM. My Barbell curl high point is usually just above the nipple line, below the neck; and my low point is just below the top of the iliac crest. While my ROM may be a little shorter than what is defined as "textbook perfect", I am very sure that my elbow pain is not related to problems in form.
Obviously, the simple answer would be to take a fxckin' tylenol and stop doing the exercises that hurt... But that's not the answer I'm looking for.
I do not want to stop doing exercises that I've been doing for years. Especially not because of this old fxcker BS.
Here's like a breakdown of what I need to ask:
1. What are other possible reasons for this elbow pain besides bad form? How do I fix them?
2. Aside from the obvious sign of *pain* are there any other things I should look for to know that an injury could be imminent?
3. What else is important shxt that I need to know about joint health and bodybulding?
-I've been thinking about starting Glucosamine, but I want to make sure I get some brain-reps in about joint health before I just start taking another supplement.
Raynor, thank you for your help man. You are like the only dude on this forum who I'd actually ask a real question to.
Hey there. You certainly came to the right place.
OK well first of all, after reading your post, it seems to me like you definitely have one of the following: tendonitis, pulled muscle, deep tissue bruising, early onset arthritis, ligament strain, or partial wrist/radius/ulna dislocation.
I used to have very similar problems that extended down my forearm when curling with a straight bar. The solution for me was regular chiropractic adjustments to my wrist and ulna. Both of them were partially dislocated in the way that I could not detect, but xrays could. How it actually happened, I do not know. This is something that comes with years of lifting weights, eventually you find an injury that just simply will not go away on its own.
Without going into too much detail, let me answer your questions first:
1. I just answered above - but the source of the pain could be from angles that you are placing your wrists at during times of intense stress - this being straight bar curls which are an unnatural movement and take your hands out of neutral position and thus can cause bone and joint issues over time.
2. Look for swelling, tenderness, creaking, throbbing, redness, or tenderness to the touch. All of these can support the theory that you have a more serious injury.
3. It is imperative that you do several things to maintain joint health. First of all, take a good joint support supplement with glucosamine+chondroitin+MSM. Personally I recommend Universal Animal Flex. Secondly, I recommend that you stay away from exercises that take your joints out of neutral and natural alignment. Unfortunately straight bar curls are one of these exercises. In my time of lifting I have caused myself MANY injuries from not listening to my own advice. Instead I worked through pain and performed exercises that I knew I shouldn't and now I am paying the price. I typically only use dumbbells when training now. I stay away from anything with a straight or fixed bar (with the exception of deadlifts). Bench press is death to my shoulder after two rotator cuff tears. I do flat bench every so often just to monitor my strength gains (if any). I really mean this....it is NOT worth the long term damage to keep at something just because you like it, or because you feel it works the muscles better than other exercises. If olympic bar curls hurt, stop. I know you don't want to, but unfortunately you are not a cyborg - and health comes first.
For now, the treatment I recommend....
1. Ice the area 15-20 minutes at a time, 3 times a day.
2. Take ibuprofen as necessary, but it you notice ibuprofen making things worse, stop immediately
3. Drink enough water (1.5 gal a day)
4. Take joint support (Universal Animal Flex)
5. SEE A CHIROPRACTOR (this is extremely important). Have him do the introductory xrays and adjust you as well as work on that elbow. You'd be surprised how much better you will be.
6. Make sure you get enough sleep every night - a full 8 hours.
I hope it all works out for you..if you have any other questions, let me know.