What is Elbow Tendonitis?
Elbow Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons in the elbow.
It is associated with pain in the forearm/elbow.
The content presented on this blog post is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information: Medical disclaimer.
Types (Based on Location Of Pain)
1. Lateral Epicondylitis (“Tennis Elbow”)
The affected structures are located on the outer surface of the elbow.
These following tendons are part of the wrist/finger extensor muscle group and attach to the Common Extensor Origin. (See above)
Potential injury to:
- Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis
- Extensor Digitorum
- Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
- Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
- Supinator
2. Medial Epicondylitis (“Golfers Elbow”)
The affected structures are located on the inner surface of the elbow.
The following tendons are part of the wrist/finger flexor muscle group and attach to the Common Flexor Origin. (See above)
- Flexor Carpi Radialis
- Pronator Teres
- Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
- Palmaris Longus
(Note: I would advise you to check out the location of these muscles on Google.)
What causes elbow tendonitis?
Essentially – it is due to overuse, misuse and/or abuse of the elbow.
Any repetitive or prolonged use of a weak elbow increases the risk of damage to the tendons.
This involves:
- Using your wrist in an ineffective position over a prolonged amount of time
- Insufficient recovery times between periods of use
- Weak tendons in the elbow
- Performing activities at loads which exceed the capacity of the elbow tendons.
How to tell if you have Elbow tendonitis
a) Get a scan
An ultrasound or a MRI scan of the elbow is the best way to determine.
b) Location of pain
For Lateral Epicondylitis: The pain will be on the outside of your forearm and can span to the back of the fingers.
For Medial Epicondylitis: The pain will be on the inside of your forearm and can span to the front of the fingers.
c) Tests
For Lateral Epicondylitis:
Instructions:
- Place your arm in front of you.
- Extend your fingers and have the palm facing downwards.
- Using your other hand, apply a firm downward force on top of your fingers.
- Resist this motion.
Results: If your pain is reproduced in the outer elbow, then it is likely you have Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow).
For Medial Epicondylitis:
Instructions:
- Place your arm in front of you.
- Extend your fingers and have with the palm facing upwards.
- Using your other hand, apply a firm downward force on top of your fingers.
- Resist this motion.
Exercises for Elbow Tendonitis
Disclaimer: The following exercises are designed to be gentle. Please be careful! If any doubts, please consult a health practitioner before you commence any of these exercises.
Step 1: Address any activity that causes pain
Stop, Modify and/or Reduce exposure to any activity that makes your symptoms worse.
How can you expect the following Elbow Tendonitis exercises to help if you continue to aggravate your symptoms?
I can’t stress this enough: Failure to comply with Step 1 will make it very difficult for you to fix your elbow.
Step 2: Reduce Inflammation
Before starting the Elbow Tendonitis Exercises, it is important to reduce any excessive amounts of inflammation.
(If the inflammation is not controlled, the elbow may be too painful or sensitive to tolerate the exercises.)
a) Use a cold pack
- to reduce excessive inflammation
- to decrease the pain levels by numbing the area
- to manage swelling
Recommendation: 10-15 minutes, 3-5 times a day
I generally recommend cold therapy for 2-3 days following any recent aggravation.
b) Anti-inflammatory gel
Apply an anti-inflammatory gel to the areas of pain to help manage excessive inflammation.
Recommendation: 2-3/day
c) Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
This oral medication reduces inflammation in the whole body.
It is recommended that you take it strictly for 10-14 days, at the same time of day, regardless of pain levels.
(Consult your doctor before taking this medication to determine the appropriate dosage.)
d) Steroid injection
This injection consists of a strong steroid (Cortisone) which helps reduces local inflammation.
My recommendation: Try the following Elbow Tendonitis Exercises before you even consider getting the cortisone injection.
Step 3: Symptomatic relief
a) Use a heat pack:
- to relax tight muscles
- to improve circulation
- attract nutrients and healing properties to the area
Recommendation: 10-15 minutes, 3-5 times a day
b) Pain killers
In the initial stages, pain killer medication can be helpful in the reduction of pain.
However, as the pain levels improve, I would advise to wean off as soon as you can.
(Please consult your doctor to determine what would be the most appropriate medication.)
Step 4: Releases
Starting position:
a) For Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): Place your forearm (palm facing upwards) onto a table.
b) For Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow): Place your forearm (palm facing downwards) onto a table.
Instructions:
- Place a massage ball underneath the painful points of the elbow.
- Apply a firm downward pressure onto the ball.
- If required, you can use your other hand on top of the forearm to apply additional pressure.
- Make sure to search and release for all of the painful regions.
- Whilst maintaining the pressure, proceed to do a combination of wrist movements: Wrist circles, Open/close hand, Up/down, Side-to-side and Twisting movements.
- Continue for 1-3 minutes.
Step 5: Stretches
Stretching is all about a game of angles. You may need to adjust the position of your hands until you get the specific stretch in the right location.
I suggest doing both stretches regardless if you have tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow.
Note: Do NOT stretch into sharp pain!
a) For Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Instructions:
- Straighten your arm in front of you. (palm facing downwards)
- Make a gentle fist with your hand.
- Bend your wrist downwards.
- Twist your wrist outwards.
- Using your other hand, apply more pressure into the same direction.
- Aim to feel a stretch on the outside of your elbow.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
- Repeat 3 times.
b) For Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow)
Instructions:
- Straighten your arm in front of you. (palm facing upwards)
- Keep your hand and fingers opened.
- Bend your hand towards the floor.
- Using your other hand, apply more pressure into the same direction.
- Aim to feel a stretch on the inside of your elbow.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
- Repeat 3 times.
Step 6: Reduce nerve sensitivity
There are several nerves in the elbow that can amplify the amount of pain being experienced.
Nerve glides/stretches are great ways to reduce the sensitivity of the nerves.
(READ THIS: Do not over stretch the nerves as this can cause more irritation! Go slow! Avoid any tingling/numbness in the arms.)
a) For Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Instructions:
- Pull your shoulders back and down.
- Keep your elbow completely straight throughout this exercise.
- Lift your arm out towards the side towards shoulder height
- Make a gentle fist with your hand.
- Twist your entire arm inwards (internal rotation) so that the palm is facing behind you.
- Bend your wrist backwards.
- Slowly tilt your neck towards the opposite side.
- Aim to feel a stretch anywhere along the side of the neck/upper arm/outside elbow and back of wrist.
- Hold for 1-2 seconds.
- Repeat 20 times.
b) For Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow)
Instructions:
- Pull your shoulders back and down.
- Keep your elbow completely straight throughout this exercise.
- Lift your arm out towards the side to shoulder height.
- Bring your arm backwards.
- Twist your entire arm outwards (external rotation) so that the palm is facing upwards.
- Extend your wrist/fingers backwards so that the fingers are pointing towards the floor.
- Slowly tilt your neck towards the opposite side.
- Aim to feel a gentle stretch anywhere along the side of the neck/upper arm/inside elbow and front of wrist.
- Hold for 1-2 seconds.
- Repeat 20 times.
Step 7: Isometric Contractions
Isometric contractions of the elbow is when you activate the muscle without moving the elbow/wrist/fingers.
The aim of the following Elbow Tendonitis exercises is to reduce pain and to commence gentle strengthening exercises.
a) Initial exercises
Instructions
- Bend your elbow to 90 degrees whilst keeping your elbow by your side.
- For Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): Make a gentle fist with palm facing downwards.
- For Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow): Make a gentle fist with palm facing upwards.
- Maintain this position as you push down on the fist with your other hand.
- The aim is to push as hard as possible without causing a significant amount of pain.
- A slight discomfort and/or small amount of pain is acceptable.
- Feel the contraction of the muscle at the site of pain.
- Hold for 45 seconds.
- Repeat 3 times.
- Progression: Perform the same exercises with an open hand. (resistance applied at finger tips).
- You can perform this exercise at different wrist angles as well.
Step 8: Strengthening exercises
These exercises are designed to improve tendon strength, endurance and load tolerance.
My recommendation:
- Start with a light resistance with high repetitions.
- Progress to heavier resistance with low repetitions.
a) Grip strength
Instructions:
- Grip onto a stress ball.
- Firmly squeeze as hard as you can without feeling any pain.
- Hold for 5-10 seconds.
- Repeat 10 times.
- Progression: Move your hand in different directions as you squeeze. (eg. Up/down, circles, side to side, twisting)
b) Eccentric strengthening
Instructions:
- Support your forearm onto a table with your hand hanging over the edge.
- For Tennis elbow: Palm facing downwards
- For Golfers elbow: Palm facing upwards.
- Place a suitable amount of weight in your hand.
- (Challenging, but able to control)
- Using your unaffected hand, lift both the weight and hand together upwards.
- Let go of the hand, and allow the hand holding onto the weight to control the weight as it is slowly lowered.
- Perform 20 repetitions.
- Repeat 3 times.
c) Resisted Extension/Flexion
Instructions:
- Support your forearm onto a table with your hand hanging over the edge.
- For Tennis elbow: Palm facing downwards
- For Golfers elbow: Palm facing upwards.
- Place a suitable amount of weight in your hand.
- (Challenging, but able to control)
- Whilst holding onto the weight, proceed to lift and lower the weight in a slow and controlled manner.
- 3 seconds up/3 seconds down
- Perform 20 repetitions.
- Repeat 3 times.
d) Resisted Supination/Pronation
Instructions:
- Support your forearm onto a table with your hand hanging over the edge.
- Hold onto a hammer.
- Proceed to twist your forearm (palms up/down).
- Perform 20 repetitions.
- Repeat 3 times.
- Progression: Tie a resistance band to the hammer.
e) Finger strength
Instructions:
- Apply the finger resistance band as shown above.
- Proceed to open and close your hand.
- Perform 20 repetitions.
- Repeat 3 times.
Step 9: Reduce demand on the elbow
The elbow will tend to compensate for any weakness in other areas of the body.
Strengthening these weak areas will reduce the demand on the elbow muscles.
For Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow):
a) Scapula retraction + Posterior shoulder strengthening
Instructions:
- Tie a resistance band onto a stationary object at waist height.
- Stand sideways.
- Hold onto the band and keep your elbows by your side throughout the exercise.
- Make sure to keep your palms facing forwards towards the resistance band.
- Keep your shoulders wide/long and gently retract the shoulder blades.
- Pull the band out to the side.
- Aim to feel a contraction in between the shoulder blade and behind the shoulder joint.
- If you feel your elbow is over working, reduce the amount of resistance on the band.
- Hold for 3-5 seconds.
- Repeat 10 times.
b) Shoulder flexion
Instructions:
- Hold onto a suitable amount of weight.
- (Challenging, but able to control)
- Raise your arm up to shoulder height.
- Keep your palm facing downwards.
- Aim to feel a contraction in the front of your shoulder.
- Make sure to keep your wrist and elbow locked into position.
- The movement should be from the shoulder only.
- Repeat 10 times.
For Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow):
a) Pulling (Latissimus Dorsi)
Instructions:
- Tie a resistance band in front of you.
- Loosely grip the band with your hand.
- Pull the band backwards.
- Think about the elbow driving backwards (as opposed to pulling with the hand).
- Feel the contraction in the latissimus dorsi and biceps muscle.
- If you feel your elbow is over working, reduce the amount of resistance on the band.
- Hold for 3-5 seconds.
- Repeat 10 times.
For both:
This exercise will help with your grip strength.
a) Thumb opposition
Instructions:
- Place the tips of your pinky finger and thumb together.
- Squeeze is hard as you can.
- Keep your fingers curved as you squeeze. (see above)
- Hold for 10 seconds.
- Repeat 5 times.
Step 10: Use the Wrist in a neutral position
It is important to use the wrist in a neutral position as it encourages the most optimal use of the muscles.
(Keep in mind – depending on what you’re doing with your hand, this will not always be possible!)
The neutral position of the wrist:
a) The middle finger is aligned with the line of the forearm
b) The wrist is bent slightly backwards
Any deviation away from the neutral wrist position may increase the risk of aggravating your symptoms.
Step 11: Know your limits
Although I have highlighted in Step 1 to avoid all aggravating activities, you still need to keep your elbow as mobile as possible.
Enter what I call Threshold movements: This refers to the maximum amount of stress the elbow can tolerate before re-aggravating.
(It is important to monitor the pain levels during and 24 hours later.)
The trick is keeping your elbow activity as close to the threshold level without going over.
If you can tolerate 1 hour of typing without any issue, but your elbow aggravates when you type for 1 hr. + 10 minutes, then ~1 hour will be your threshold level.
In that case, you should aim to type for ~1 hour and follow up by a rest period before resuming the activity.
Step 12: Address Rounded Shoulders
A forward position of your shoulder will place your elbow in a position where it will be forced to work inefficiently.
This means that the tendons in the elbow will have to work harder than they should!
a) Chest stretch
Instructions:
- Place both hands on the door frame. (see above)
- Pull your shoulders back.
- “Open up your chest”
- Lunge forwards.
- Do not arch your lower back.
- Aim to feel a stretch in the chest region.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
b) Scapula Retraction
Instructions:
- Maintain wide and long shoulders.
- Perform Scapular Retraction: (see above)
- “Pull your shoulder blades together”
- FEEL the contraction between the shoulder blades.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
- Repeat 3 times.
Step 13: Elbow tendonitis Straps
Elbow braces can help provide support to your muscles.
Just remember – DO NOT become dependent on them!
a) Elbow brace
Elbow braces provide a compression force on the elbow muscles providing stability.
b) Elbow taping:
For Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
For Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow)
How often should I do these Elbow Tendonitis Exercises?
- Start with 1/week for the first 2 weeks.
- Progress to 2/week for 4 weeks.
- Aim for 3/week if tolerated.
How long does tendonitis in the elbow take to heal?
For a minor presentation, it is likely going to take 2-6 weeks to recover.
If you have a chronic case, it may take 3-6 months.
(Keep in mind – there are several factors which can influence the healing time.)
What to do next
1. Any questions?… (Leave me a comment down below.)
2. Come join me on the Facebook page. Let’s keep in touch!
3. Start doing the Elbow Tendonitis exercises!
Hi,
Thanks for this article, additionally, these 13 step are one of the best steps by which plethora of individuals can get benefits and can get pain free life style, I recommend all to follow these steps and thanks the provider.
Tennis players and golfers have more chances to get elbow tendonitis, and stretching before and after would be really helpful.
Hi Mark – just wanted to leave a note to say thank you for putting this all together. I’ve had chronic elbow pain for the last two years in my right elbow and am starting to get it on the left, and from countless doctors visits and PT appointments, your list here is the most comprehensive and holistic set of resources I’ve found.
You’re making a positive change for people, especially in this world where so many people are spending so much time working from home and causing these kinds of injuries (at least the tennis elbow ones for sure).
Hi Vijay,
This was such a nice comment to read!
Hope the website helps!
Mark
Hi Mark,
I have crunching and cracking in my left elbow with no pain, every time it is extended. I have also had Tennis elbow in that arm, since August and wondered if the problems might be linked at all?
I use the gym regularly and play tennis and have been resting now for a month in the hope they tennis elbow will go away. Although the pain is easing the cracking/ crunching sound in my left elbow is almost contact every time it is extended.
Thank you,
Josh
Hey James,
If the crunching is consistent with pure elbow extension, this could be due to an issue of the Ulnohumeral and/or radiohumeral joint.
Have you had any scans to check it out?
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your reply. I have not had a scan as it is causing me no real pain. As I currently have Tennis elbow, I thought the issue could be linked?
Would you say that this likely to be a different issue? If so is this likely something that settles down on its own?
Added to this, I was planning on returning to the gym/ tennis in two weeks, if this crunching sound is continuing in my elbow would you recommend not doing so?
Thank you for your help.
Hi James,
Hard to say without assessing. If the clicking is occurring directly over the area you are experiencing your tennis elbow, it could also possibly be a tendon that is flicking over a bony prominence as you extend your elbow.
However – you specifically mentioned that word “crunching” so this makes me feel it more so the joint. I would recommend getting it scanned (or at least assessed by a health professional) before returning to gym.
Mark
I should also add, the crunching sound is more when I exert force on the elbow. So lifting a weight, doing a press up or hitting a backhands in tennis. Again there is really no pain accompanied with this.
Hi Mark,
I have crunching and grinding in my left elbow joint with some pain. Went to the doctor and got an MRI showing mild cartilage damage on the radius bone. Do you think these exercises would help heal the joint and help remove the crunchiness in my elbow or are there other exercises or things I could try out? I’m not willing to get surgery or steroid injections.
Thanks
Hi Frank,
Although the exercises mentioned are more for the TENDONS, the may also help with the general strength and joint integrity of the elbow.
You basically want to make sure 1) You have full elbow range of motion and 2) strength/control in full range.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your info. I’ve had this elbow grinding sound coming from both arms for about a year now. It has never led to pain so I never thought much of it. But I recently started getting pain after exercise along with the grating sound during pushing movements. A lot of my workouts involve bearing my body weight like handstands so hopefully I haven’t worn out the cartilage at 39 years old :(. I also have numbness and tingling down the arms into the fingers. When I get out of bed in the morning both elbows usually make loud popping sounds as well and sometimes throughout the day. Does this sound like a joint issue or tendon issue to you? Now that there is pain I’m not doing anything, should I rest or try restorative exercises?
Thank you!
William
Hey William,
Popping/clicking noise in the elbow could suggest the elbow joint may be moving in a particular direction more than it should.
(A Snapping sound would fall more in the line of a tendon flicking over a bony prominence)
Numbness/Tingling down the arms may mean there is some sort of involvement with the nerves.
Where exactly are you getting the noises, the tingling/numbness and the pain?
Mark
Hey mark,
I have been suffering from some sort of elbow pain for the past 5 months. Its on the inner elbow and on the back side of it. It does radiate towards the forearm rarely. I have tried physio, exercises, medicine but nothing seems to improve. The xray shows nothing either. I also have grinding in the elbow with pain when i extend it. Any suggestions?
-btw its the same rafay with shoulder impingement :(
Thankyou
Rafay
Hey Rafay,
Sounds like a tendon issue at your common flexor origin (“Golfer’s elbow).
Main thing is to progressively load the tendon by doing exercises like wrist flexion curls and bicep curls.
Mark
So would u recommend me to start doing the exercises mentioned in this article. Cos ive tried most of them but i cant stay consistent because i lose hope after doing it for a week or two.
What should i for the elbow grinding. Is that related to golfers elbow as well?
Sorry for messaging a lot but I would love to hear from you.
Thanks
Hi Rafay,
1 week is far too short! The body needs time to adapt to the exercises.
Elbow grinding sounds more like a joint problem to me, which might be related to muscular dysfunction around the area.
Mark
Hey Mark,
Which additional exercises should i do apart from the ones mentioned in the article.
Hi Mark,
Great stuff. Over 2 years ago I developed tennis elbow. As the pain went away I started developing loud crunching sounds in the elbow. So any time I do pushups, etc, I hear loud cracking and mini cracks with a little bit of pain but the pain lasts for a few seconds.
My questions are, do you think these crunching sounds are scar tissue? And do you think they can be removed without surgery?
Hi Khan,
The 2 main possibilities that I can think of:
1. Increased tension in the tendon (can be related to scar tissue)
2. The elbow joint
If it is the former, it is a good idea to release through the area and the strengthen it in various wrist/elbow positions.
Removal of scar tissue via surgical means rarely works, in my opinion!
Mark
Hi Mark, need your help with my elbow.
I feel an ache in the elbow area in my left forearm. I can feel it when my biceps is involved. While doing biceps curls – it hurts. Bench press – it doesn’t hurt.
While doing a seated barbell press – it hurts only at the beginning of the exercise (when I take the barbel from racks while seated).
I can’t figure out what’s that. It hurts for about 1,5 months now. Thanks
Hey Stan,
I would need to the know the exact area of pain to give a better response.
Mark
Hey Mark,
please follow the link, I’ve uploaded the photo.
Many thanks.
Mark, I started noticing that problem after I made some changes in my routine.
1. I was doing dumbbell press with slight declination about 30 deg (that put more stress on my elbows)
2. Seated barbell press with a short range of motion (more stress on elbows)
Hope that helps
Hey Stan,
It could be the biceps attachment on the radius.
Does it hurt to supinate or pronate the forearm?
Mark
Hi Mark,
it doesn’t hurt if I supinate or pronate, but when I use some resistance it hurts when I pronate the forearm.
Stan
Any ideas on how to fix it, Mark?
May I continue my workout with exercises that don’t affect biceps?
Thanks.
Stan
Hey Stan,
If it is the tendon that causing the issue, I would continue to load it as much as you comfortably can.
You might need to go lighter, do less reps, do partial reps etc to make sure you that you do not over load it.
Mark
Mark,
My bf pointed out a hump on the back of my neck which led to frantic googling, looking for an answer. I stumbled onto your website from Reddit and have been reading tons of your articles. My problem is that I have many of the issues you describe, and I have no idea where to start! I have had a really bad bit with tendinitis 4 years ago that never fully healed even though I was discharged from the PT paid for by my work. So last year I sought out my own PT and that did seem to help, but I haven’t kept up with the exercises…. I also have Dowager’s Hump, Knee Valgus, APT, Rounded Shoulders, etc etc. I struggle with gripping things and putting too much pressure on the arm with tendinitis that it makes some of the other exercises difficult/painful. I’m not sure if you could give me a direction to start in, or if I should go back to PT for ….well… basically everything? Is full body PT a thing? I worry they will look at me like a crazy person if I tell them that is why I am there. I appreciate any advice you can give.
Thank you
Hey Ashley,
If your elbow tendinitis is the main concern at the moment, you will need to prioritize getting that fixed first.
Having said that, you will want the PT to have a look at your whole body eventually to see if there is a reason why the elbow might be getting excessive stress.
Mark
Hey Mark!
Thanks for a truly helpful post. These simple exercises were just what I was looking for.
Thanks for leaving me a comment, Mindie.
Mark
Great post, thank you so much!
A bit out of topic, but do you have any remedies / exercises for the medial hip rotation?
I’d appreciate any information! Thank you!!
Hi there Marta,
You might find some of the exercise mentioned on this post:
How to fix knock knees (knee valgus)
In the “Hip section”, the exercises deal with medial rotation of the hip.
All the best!
Mark
thank you very much for this post. very helpful.
Thanks Dave.
Appreciate your comment!
Mark
hay Mark
my name is Ahmed .
i got accident two years ago and i get injury in my right elbow, so i went to hospital for six month almost to heal my injury . then i have start my physiotherapist for 5 month i get better than before but still i have no complete extent my elbow as well.(its like 22 degree minus.
so can you advise me please?
https://posturedirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/elbow-brace.jpg
Hey Ahmed,
Given that you have had extensive physiotherapy already and still lacking full extension, try to get an XRay to rule out any structural issues may be blocking your elbow movement.
Mark
HI Mark,
I would honestly like to give you all a major prayer and thank you with tearful eyes! I have been suffering from golfers elbow for 2.5 years now, and even though I have seen these exercises and tips on the net, the way you explained it and told us everything in steps is just a life saver! I will try to be more disciplined and follow your guide. Thanks again!!!!
Thanks Aish!
Just remember – Consistency is the key.
I have trigger thumbs on both hands, can’t bend either one without jumping. I waitress but only 15hrs a week at the most, it is extremely painful
Hi Lori,
Here are some general suggestions:
1. Rest it! Can’t expect it to heal if you keep doing the activities that have caused it in the first place.
2. Anti-inflams ( as per doctor’s recommendation)
3. Gentle thumb stretches:
4. Isometric thumb exercises (a quick google search will show you heaps)
5. Address upper limb biomechanics (eg. lifting/carrying technique etc)
6. Cortisone injection
7. Surgery to release the tendon sheath ( if all else fails.. hopefully not though!)
Mark
The first illustration of neutral wrist position for typing on a keyboard is weird and arguably incorrect. It would be very awkward if attempted in real life, as one would have to weirdly bring their forearms in parallel, very close to each other, and not only that’s unnatural, but it would then force some needless and uncomfortable pronation of the hands, as the keyboard is flat, not a “mound”.
A correct illustration would have the hands aligned with the forearms, as is probably what is really intended to illustrate, but the forearms wouldn’t be perfectly parallel to each other, but rather about the same angle that the hands are in the second illustration of an incorrect position.
It doesn’t matter that the wrist or fingers don’t touch the keys in parallel to the straight angle of the rectangular keys; you can of course touch then at an angle, just as if the keyboard was one of those ergonomic models that are split in half, with each side and positioned at an ergonomic angle.
I feel that the the natural angle is about the same angle that the inclined key “column” for each finger is aligned. The keys T, F, and C, for the index finger of the left hand, and the keys Y, J and M for the index finger of the right hand (on a QWERTY keyboard). Imagine lines crossing these three keys at their center, and align your forearms and hands with that. But while the left hand stands more still the whole time, with almost only the finger-folding doing all the work of reaching the keys, the right hand is moved — ideally with elbow rotation, not wrist — to reach backspace, enter, shift, right control and the “secondary keyboards”, when required.
Hey John,
Great comment.
And couldn’t agree with you more.
The main thing is to maintain alignment of your forearm with the line of the wrist and fingers.
You are definitely correct when you say that it is very uncomfortable (and unnatural) if the forearms were perfectly parallel.
Mark
Hi Mark,
First of all, thank you very much for all of the helpful information you provide on this great site. Now I have a question for you. I have some kind of elbow problem and I don’t know how to treat it. I’ve had it for almost a year now and it hasn’t gotten any better. I’ve been to a chiropractor and an orthopedist and they both recommended strengthening exercises, but that hasn’t worked. The main symptom is a snapping in the wrist area when I turn my arm to the supination position. There isn’t much pain unless I’m lifting a heavy weight (and btw, that’s why I’m so eager to get this cleared up, because I can’t lift weights with the condition). The orthopedist ruled out tennis elbow and said something about loose ligaments and elbow instability.
I know you can’t diagnose the problem over the internet but maybe you can give me some general guidance here. Turning my wrist seems to make the snapping worse so I don’t know if I should do the supination exercises or not. But on the other hand, maybe that’s where the weakness lies and so that’s the area I need to strengthen. I’d really appreciate any advice you could offer on this frustrating problem. Thanks.
Hi Eric,
Can you tell me exactly where you feel the snapping sensation?
Usually a snapping sensation is indicative of a tendon flicking over a bony prominence in your wrist.
Looking forward to your reply.
Mark
Thanks for replying. I’m going to give you as much info as possible–I hope it’s not too much. Ok, when I turn my wrist (toward the palms up position) I feel something in the elbow but the actual snapping sound is in the wrist. The snap occurs just at the point where your hand would be if you were giving a thumbs up. After that I’m able to continue the rotation until my palm is up without any trouble. And it’s not usually painful. However, heavy lifting and excessive snapping (if I turn my wrist repeatedly over a period of time) can cause a little pain. Also, when I do feel pain it’s in the elbow, not the wrist.
I think you nailed it with your observation about the tendon on the bony prominence. After reading that I tried turning my wrist while applying pressure (with the other hand) at that point and the snapping didn’t happen. So I think that’s where it’s catching. I don’t know if it makes a difference or not but on me those bones are REALLY prominent.
Ok, I hope this doesn’t overcomplicate things but I should probably mention this too. When I went to the chiropractor a few months ago she noticed that the OTHER arm was snapping a little too. Well, I had never even noticed it and I just chalked it up to the normal snaps and cracks of the body. But then over the next few weeks I started turning the wrist occasionally just to see what would happen and little by little I started developing the SAME PROBLEM in that arm too! So now both arms snap (although the one that’s been bad for longer is a lot worse). Anyway, that’s why I’m not sure if the supination exercises are good to do in my condition. It seems like rotating my wrist too many times was one the main causes of the condition developing in my other arm.
I’ve been doing wrist and arm curls and ball squeezing to no avail. I started out with a 3 lb weight and have recently dropped it to 1 lb. I’ve been keeping it in a brace at night too. Nothing helps. So what I’m thinking is maybe the supination exercises are what I need to do. But I don’t know. Maybe that’ll just make it worse. Anyway, I’m sorry if I overloaded you with too much info. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and respond. And if it’s something that you just can’t help me with, I still appreciate your time.
By the way, I know my problem isn’t as serious as other peoples’ are, but I think the repeated snapping could lead to something serious down the road (like arthritis). Also, I can’t do much weight lifting now and I’m really skinny and want to bulk up lol.
Mark, just to save you some time in your reply I want to update you on my condition. Thanks to your brilliant internet diagnosis–and I don’t mean that sarcastically–I think I’m on my way to getting this thing fixed. After reading your reply the other day I did a little online research and came to the conclusion that I have tendonitis. I watched some videos on youtube showing some stretching and self-massage techniques and after only a day of trying them I already notice some improvement (snapping isn’t as frequent). If you know of anything else that might help I’d love to hear it.
By the way, you should give yourself a big pat on the back for figuring out what was wrong with me. I was examined IN PERSON by a chiropractor and an orthopedist and they apparently had no clue what was going on. (I guess they’re just boneheads–pun intended lol) Anyway I REALLY appreciate your help with this. It’s very kind and generous of you to take time out of your busy day and help complete strangers for free (I mean, I think it’s free. Will I be billed for this? lol)
Hi Eric,
Glad to know that I was some bit of help. Thanks for letting me know!
(and yes – this is all for free! :) )
amazing!!!!!
I have a little question when i went to my physio she told me my golfer elbow (i have it for 2 years(i tried resting it for more then 6 month)) she told the reason for mt golfer elbow (and started to have tennis elbow latley) is due to rotator cuff and the weak sacpula could you make videos how to work on this area properly cuse i dont have a clue.
Thank you.
Hi Eduard,
The best starting point I would suggest for you is to work on your posture first.
Reason: It will place your scapula muscles in the correct position so that they can function optimally. If your shoulder muscles are working properly, then your elbow muscles don’t have to work so hard.
Have a look at this post here:https://posturedirect.com/sitting-posture/. It will go through the basics of what good posture should look like.
Hope this helps!