Strike ‘Em Out! Here’s How To Avoid Pitcher’s Elbow
Photo: @losangelesangels
Baseball season is here! Whether you’re rooting for the Angels, Dodgers, or another club, the perfect start to summer is eating a hot dog watching your favorite team on the diamond. To athletes of the sport, baseball can cause a lot of stress to the elbow because of the repetitive movements. In my experience, my patients that are pitchers tend to deal with a common injury, Pitcher’s Elbow. Stay on the field this season and avoid elbow injuries by understanding the injury and how to prevent it!
How Pitcher’s Elbow Happens
Pitcher’s Elbow, also known as medial epicondyle apophysitis, is extremely common amongst pitchers. Caused by overuse and repetitive motion, Pitcher’s Elbow can cause swelling and pain inside the elbow, leaving a player benched for a few games, if not the season. The forceful and repetitive overhand motion that a pitcher exerts throughout the game can lead to home runs for the team, but can also cause inflammation of the growth plate inside the throwing elbow.
How To Prevent Pitcher’s Elbow
The good news is that Pitcher’s Elbow doesn’t take three strikes to strikeout a player for the season. This injury usually forms gradually, so players can prevent it. Be on the lookout for the symptoms of Pitcher’s Elbow, which includes feeling as though your elbow is locked or having a limited range of motion, making it difficult to move your elbow. Pitching too many consecutive games can potentially cause Pitcher’s Elbow because of the overuse of muscles and ligaments. I also advise my pitchers to be cautious of their pitching techniques. Even though curveballs can lead to strikeouts, these types of pitches put stress on the growth plate in the elbow. So save those curveballs for when the team needs them!
How To Treat Pitcher’s Elbow
If you’re finding yourself with one or more symptoms listed above, there are multiple treatments to get your body healthy again! Depending on how severe your injury is, the first thing to do is rest to allow the elbow to recover from inflammation and injury. What I see works best with my patients’ with Pitcher’s Elbow are physical therapy sessions to restore and improve mobility and strength. Our team of doctors and chiropractors at Next Level Wellness Center can provide throwing analysis and teach movements and stretches to get you back on the pitcher’s mound!
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