Strained the Elbow

Strained my medial epicondyle and its attached flexor tendons, also known as a golfer’s elbow. That tiny bump on the inside of your elbow. Although mine isn’t chronic, yet. This strain isn't caused one movement or one gym class. It’s caused by repetitive stress over three days of gym classes. Obviously my muscles aren’t strong enough to withstand what I made them do, and in the slightest off form, they protested. 

I know what the culprit is. Accck. All those tricep push-ups. I'm not strong enough to do 150 of them in a day, what more for three days in a row.

Naaah, this isn’t something I need a doctor’s consult on. I could stop by the osteopath clinic, but I didn't feel like it. It didn't seem that bad. I was quite certain I can stretch it out at pilates, gyrotonic and with targeted arm and shoulder rotations at home. 

I’ll never rush the healing. I’ll wait for any injury/strain to subside and feel 100% before resuming the usual intensity and pace. I could rest it for two days, but I couldn't have it frozen. So I took it easy on the exercise regime for the rest of the week and the next.

As the week went by, pull-ups didn't seem like an issue. Chest presses and overhead presses are. The slight twinge told me that the tendons are 100%. Then I tested it out gingerly at gym class yesterday. This class is fast, and that speed can cause injuries if I'm not careful or if I forget to use my entire core to help. Cleared 32 clean and presses on a 20-kg barbell. It oddly felt stronger, even. Alrighty, I'm back in business. 

Still, I skipped certain movements if it requires my elbow to be bent at angle carrying a weight for a prolonged few minutes. I certainly don't bother with holding any weights. No shame in that. If a goblet squat follows immediately after RDLs with dumbbells, then I'm ditching the 'goblet' and just doing the squat. I 'compensate' by going heavy on RDLs with two 15-kg dumbbells. A 30-kg deadlift isn't an issue at all.