Shoulder flexibility causing elbow tendinitis

[bugmenot]

I have golfer's elbow in my left arm and I suspect that it is being caused by limited shoulder flexibility on that side putting tension on my arm when doing low-bar squats. A self-administered test of the external rotation of my arms shows clearly reduced flexibility on my left arm compared with the right.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Is my hypothesis reasonable? What types of stretches can be used to improve external shoulder rotation?

[pcknshvl]

Lots of info here--do a search. Use google to do it, not the site's search function.

[Corrie]

I have golfer's elbow in my left arm and I suspect that it is being caused by limited shoulder flexibility on that side putting tension on my arm when doing low-bar squats. A self-administered test of the external rotation of my arms shows clearly reduced flexibility on my left arm compared with the right.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Is my hypothesis reasonable? What types of stretches can be used to improve external shoulder rotation?

I think your hypothesis is reasonable assuming that you are using good form. I think most people who think they have flexibility issues just need a form adjustment.

99% the odds are that you have a small defect in your form that is causing the pain. I used to have severe elbow pain and I thought I was doing everything right. Turns out I wasn't retracting my scapula and making a tight enough shelf for the bar, I was also pulling down on the bar whenever I struggled on a rep.
Focusing on fixing those issues has completely eliminated my elbow issues.

[bugmenot]

I think your hypothesis is reasonable assuming that you are using good form. I think most people who think they have flexibility issues just need a form adjustment.

99% the odds are that you have a small defect in your form that is causing the pain. I used to have severe elbow pain and I thought I was doing everything right. Turns out I wasn't retracting my scapula and making a tight enough shelf for the bar, I was also pulling down on the bar whenever I struggled on a rep.
Focusing on fixing those issues has completely eliminated my elbow issues.

The tightness in my arm manifests itself as soon as I take my grip (the pain takes some time to appear). Also, this started happening a few weeks ago.

[Corrie]

Have you tried doing shoulder dislocations? I'd think that would be a good place to start. Just keep working on bringing your hands closer and closer.

[tzanghi]

Check your back angle. Too vertical of a back angle can leave the bar supported by your elbows.

[bugmenot]

Have you tried doing shoulder dislocations? I'd think that would be a good place to start. Just keep working on bringing your hands closer and closer.

Tried them for about 2 weeks. No discernible improvement.

[bugmenot]

Check your back angle. Too vertical of a back angle can leave the bar supported by your elbows.

The pain occurs with a broomstick.

[bugmenot]

The pain got so bad that I had to take a week off from squatting (and also chins to be safe).

I think I have isolated the pain to the attachment of the large head of the triceps and the attachment of the triceps to the medial part of the elbow suggesting tension being put on the triceps.

As I said shoulder dislocations don't seem to help (grip may be wide though, I will try to see if I can get it narrower).

[bugmenot]

The pain got so bad that I had to take a week off from squatting (and also chins to be safe).

I think I have isolated the pain to the attachment of the large head of the triceps and the attachment of the triceps to the medial part of the elbow suggesting tension being put on the triceps and not supporting the bar with the arm.

As I said shoulder dislocations don't seem to help (grip may be wide though, I will try to see if I can get it narrower).