Elbow UCL sprain can be a frustrating and painful injury that can obstruct our daily lives, especially for athletes who heavily rely on their arms and elbows like pitchers, tennis players, weightlifters, and rock climbers. The UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) is essential to the elbow joint as it connects the upper and lower arms and provides stability to the elbow during various movements. Some of the well-known causes of UCL sprain are overuse, repetitive motions, incorrect technique, sudden impact, and ageing. Fortunately, certain exercises and rehab programs suggested by chiropractors, physiotherapists, and kinesiologists can help ease the pain and restore the UCL’s strength and functionality.
Chiropractic Doctor:
Chiropractors can provide patients with customized therapy programs that help them recover from UCL sprains. The chiropractic techniques used to treat elbow pain include manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue therapy. Besides, they show patients a variety of exercises to strengthen the elbow joint’s muscles and reduce the risk of future injuries. Exercises like dynamic wrist curls, wrist extension, supination/pronation, and reverse wrist curl can help improve range of motion, flexibility, and strength within the forearm and elbow muscles.
Physiotherapist:
Physiotherapists use several techniques to reduce the pain caused by UCL sprains, like heat and cold therapy, ultrasound, and TENS. The exercises they recommend can help improve wrist and shoulder mobility and strength. Some useful exercises like wrist flexion and extension, reverse wrist curl, pronation/supination, and gripping exercises with a stress ball can help strengthen the injured elbow muscles and improve the ability to perform daily activities.
Kinesiologist/Fitness Trainer:
Kinesiologists are professionals trained in the science of human body movement. They know most about how our body functions and can help build up injured areas by creating strength training and mobility programs. They recommend effective exercises such as wrist flexion and extension, forearm curls, reverse curl, and pronation/supination that can help improve the injured area’s blood flow, repair muscle cells and gradually increase strength.
Effective Stretching:
Stretching can help heal your injured muscles and restore your joint’s movement. Some of the perfect stretches for UCL sprains are wrist extension and flexion, wrist radial and ulnar deviation, and the forearm stretch. It helps to retain the muscles’ length and flexibility without overstretching the sprain. Stretching before and after exercise can help improve muscular performance while reducing the risk of further injury.
Proper Technique and Rest:
One of the major causes of UCL Sprain is incorrect technique while doing exercising or sports. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to observe and develop proper form before performing exercises. Furthermore, taking appropriate rest after a workout can also reduce injury’s possibility, so over-exertion to injured areas during strength exercises should not be done.
Living with Elbow UCL sprain is not easy. However, we can find relief with the right exercise program prescribed by experts like chiropractors, physiotherapists, and kinesiologists. We can regain our elbow’s strength and functionality and get back to sporting activities without pain or restrictions. Along with exercising, taking enough rest and implementing the correct techniques can go a long way in ensuring a speedy recovery. Remember to have patience and take recovery one step at a time, and it will undoubtedly lead you towards a full recovery.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Dr. Tyler Baron, BASc, DC or another Kitchener chiropractor at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
