Trevor Ng
Golfers elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is an injury that causes elbow pain and inflammation of the tendons. It is often caused by overuse of the muscles in the forearm, poor body mechanics, or improper equipment use. Treatment for golfer's elbow includes physical therapy, and your therapist may recommend kinesiology taping techniques to support your recovery. This involves applying tape to the affected area to reduce pain, inhibit muscle spasms, and facilitate correct muscle contractions. The process of taping involves preparing the skin, cutting the tape to the correct size and shape, and applying it to the inner arm and elbow to provide support and promote healing.
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What You'll Learn
Kinesiology taping techniques
Kinesiology taping is a safe and simple technique used to treat golfer's elbow, which is caused by inflammation to the attachment point of the forearm flexors due to repeated wrist movements and forceful gripping actions. The taping technique can help reduce inflammation, ease pain and increase blood flow to the affected area.
Before applying kinesiology tape, ensure that your skin is clean, dry, and free of any lotions. If you have hair on your arm, you may want to shave it off for better adhesion.
- Cut a "Y" strip from the kinesiology tape, approximately 5 to 6 inches long. Round the edges of the strip with scissors, and then cut a 2 to 3-inch line in the middle to form the arms of the "Y."
- Tear the paper backing on the wide end of the "Y" strip, as well as at the base of each arm. Leave the paper backing on for now, as you will remove it in later steps.
- Remove the paper backing from the end of the tape opposite the "Y" arms. Apply the tape to your inner arm, just above your elbow, at the lateral epicondyle (the small bony bump on the inside of your elbow). Gently rub the tape to ensure proper adhesion.
- Stretch the tape by 25% to 50% while removing the paper backing from the main section of the "Y." Keep the paper backing on the "Y" arms. Stretch the tape over your elbow and press to adhere it smoothly, ensuring there are no wrinkles.
- Remove the paper backing from one of the "Y" arms. Stretch this piece of tape over your forearm and press to affix it in place.
- You can keep the tape on for 2 to 5 days, and it can get wet. However, monitor your skin for any signs of irritation or redness, and remove the tape if irritation occurs.
Kinesiology taping is not a cure-all for golfer's elbow, and it is recommended to combine taping with an active rehab program, including exercises to improve elbow movement and tolerance to stress.
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Taping with KT Tape
KT Tape can be used to provide support, reduce pain, and reduce swelling for injuries like golfer's elbow. Before starting the application, ensure your skin is clean, dry, and free of any lotions. If you have hair on your arm, you may want to shave it off for better adhesion.
First, cut a "Y" strip in the tape, about 5 to 6 inches long. Round the edges and cut a 2 to 3-inch line in the middle of the strip to form the arms of the "Y." Tear the paper backing at the wide end of the "Y" and at the base of each arm, leaving the paper backing intact for now.
Remove the paper backing from the end opposite the "Y" arms and apply the tape just above your elbow, on the inner arm, with the small bony bump known as the lateral epicondyle. Rub the tape gently to ensure it adheres properly.
Once the end is affixed, apply a 25% to 50% stretch to the tape as you remove the remaining paper backing. Stretch the tape over your elbow and press it down to adhere it, ensuring there are no wrinkles.
Finally, remove the paper backing from one of the "Y" arms and stretch the tape over your forearm, pressing and rubbing it to affix it securely.
The tape can be left on for 2 to 5 days and can get wet. However, monitor your skin for any signs of irritation, and remove the tape if redness or skin irritation occurs. While taping can provide support and pain relief, it is not a cure, and an active rehab program with specific exercises is recommended for a full recovery.
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Taping with CureTape
Taping is a safe and simple technique used to treat golfer's elbow, which is a common overuse injury of the forearm muscles that flex the wrist and fingers. The condition is similar to tendonitis and results in inflammation of the tendons as they attach to the bony protrusion of the inside elbow. Golfer's elbow can be treated with CureTape kinesiology tape, which can reduce pain and promote faster recovery.
Before starting the application of CureTape, ensure your skin is clean, dry, and free of any lotions. If you have hair on your arm, you may want to shave it off for better application. When taping your arm, choose a tape that provides strong adhesion and support, such as CureTape. For regular use, CureTape Classic or Art is ideal. However, if you are engaging in extreme sports or swimming, the extra sticky CureTape Sports variant is recommended.
To apply CureTape for golfer's elbow, first, cut a "Y" strip about 5 to 6 inches long. Round the edges with scissors, and cut a 2 to 3-inch line in the middle of the strip to form the arms of the "Y." Tear the paper backing on the wide end of the tape and at the base of each arm of the "Y." Apply the tape to your inner arm, just above your elbow and the lateral epicondyle (the small bony bump on the inside of your elbow). Rub the tape gently to ensure it adheres properly.
Once the end of the CureTape is affixed, apply a 25% to 50% stretch to the tape while removing the paper backing. Stretch the tape over your elbow and press on it to adhere it to your elbow, ensuring no wrinkles form. Finally, remove the paper backing on one of the arms of the "Y," stretch the tape over your forearm, and press and rub it to affix it to your forearm.
You can keep the CureTape on for 2-5 days, and it can get wet. However, watch your skin around the tape for any signs of irritation, and remove it if you notice any redness or irritation. To remove the tape easily, use body or massage oil.
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Strength and movement tests
To determine if an individual is experiencing golfer's elbow, a therapist may ask the following questions to understand the nature and triggers of the pain:
- Does pain occur when the elbow is bent and the hand is moved towards the back of the forearm?
- Does the patient experience pain when bending the wrist?
- Does the patient feel pain when bending the fingers while simultaneously flexing the wrist in the direction of the palm?
- Does the patient experience pain when picking up objects?
In addition to these strength and movement tests, a therapist may also assess the patient for tenderness from the medial epicondyle to the pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis muscles. Pain in these areas may indicate golfer's elbow.
Kinesiology taping is a treatment option that can be used to reduce pain and promote faster recovery. It is often used in physical therapy and can be applied at home. This technique involves placing tape across a specific joint or muscle, altering the body's perception of movement in that area. The tape provides extra feedback to the body and brain, helping to coordinate meaningful movement.
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Contraindications and aftercare
Contraindications:
- Pregnancy
- Open wounds
- Broken bones
- Unexplained complaints
- Allergies and skin diseases
- Use of medication such as blood thinners
- Thrombosis
- Fever
Always apply tape in consultation with a specialist.
Aftercare:
Kinesiology tape can be worn for 2-5 days and can get wet. However, it is important to monitor the skin around the tape for any signs of irritation. Remove the tape if there is any redness or irritation on the skin. Kinesiology tape is not a cure for golfer's elbow, and it is recommended to engage in an active rehab program to improve the condition. This includes exercises to improve the elbow's range of motion and tolerance to stress.
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