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doctor or PT recommendation in Salt Lake valley for arm/tendonitis issues?

Original Post
John Evans · · South Jordan, UT · Joined May 2006 · Points: 150

I am done, done, done with my RSI/elbow issues screwing up my climbing and training. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good, climbing savy, clinician in the Wasatch area? Doctor, Physical Therapist or other, I am interested in hearing suggestions. I seem to be stuck with chronically strained brachioradialis muscles and tennis elbow pain, generally in both arms. Typing and mousing can easily make it worse if I don't watch it (use good technique and don't do too much)

I used to see Dr. Toronto, years ago, and received a decent amount of help, cortisone shots eventually, that got me out of a always inflammed loop I seemed to be stuck in (months of wrist curls and pronator/supinator exercises didn't do much). But I don't want any more cortisone shots, and I don't know if he is seeing patients anymore.

Tried massage years ago as well, before the cortisone, but it didn't help. Maybe its time to try that again.

My wife and I have a two week road trip throughout Wyoming, where I learned to climb, planned for next July, and I want to train and be ready for it, not be weak and injured.

Thoughts, suggestions, recommendations, please.

Tico · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0

Emma Maaranen (focusbodywork.com) is good at this sort of thing, and actually helped me with issues Dr. Toronto couldn't. She works with a lot climbers. Good luck.

John Evans · · South Jordan, UT · Joined May 2006 · Points: 150

Well, thanks for the ideas and references. I have an appointment with Emma in early January. I'll definitely be creating a set of PT exercises to use, probably after seeing Emma, and see if she recommends a particular doc, or PT person. Rest doesn't worry me too much as I have been doing that for a while already. I am ready for it to end though so I can be training. Still, top concern is to be pain free and be able to just get out and trad climb regularly in the Spring and Summer.

Jake, the idea of targeting the eccentric exercises to the areas where the pain is the most is new to me, but I have seen it on Julian Saunders website as well (www.drjuliansaunders.com), though for different motions. I will be setting up a routine with your suggests and some of his and working gently, but painfully through those in the next several weeks and longer, I'm sure.

With respect to massage, I'm assuming this is self massage with the opposite arm? Both arms are an issue for me, and I don't want the massage to be a stressor for the arm doing the massaging. Any opinions about the Forearm Rx device for massaging? (www.forearmpain.com) I'm not sure if it would be focused enough.

Thanks for everyone's comments and thoughts.

tenesmus · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2004 · Points: 3,023

John,
I've had a ton of issues with pain there too. Two things help a bunch:
To stretch your right brachioradialis, cross your forearms placing your palms together, pinkies out. Use your left hand to twist your wrist counterclockwise. Keep your elbow straight. Extend your left wrist to stretch your right. I said keep your elbow straight.
Do the same on the other side.

The other thing is a Bikram yoga position that I thought was going to break me. When you're warmed up, lie on your stomach. Place your arms under you, palms down and pinkies together, head forward. The weight of your body will force your elbows into extension. This hurts kind of like a mo-fo. Take it easy and be careful you don't injure yourself. If you can lift your legs up off the floor it increases the tension but be careful with it. When I do this one consistently I have absolutely no elbow pain but you gotta start slow and be very careful.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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