1d • General discussion
Why Your Elbow Isn’t the Real Problem
If you have golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow,
the pain is in the elbow…
But the problem usually starts at the shoulder.
Here’s why.
Your elbow is a hinge joint.
It doesn’t rotate well.
It doesn’t absorb force well.
So when the shoulder blade isn’t stable
or the rotator cuff isn’t doing its job
that force travels downstream.
And the elbow pays the price.
Over time:
• Forearm tendons get overloaded
• Grip tension increases
• Inflammation builds
• Pain shows up
Most people treat the symptom.
Ice. Brace. Rest.
Maybe a cortisone shot.
But if the shoulder mechanics don’t improve,
the pain comes back.
What Actually Causes It
Here are the usual upstream issues:
• Weak lower traps
• Poor scapular control
• Limited thoracic rotation
• Tight lats
• Over-dominant forearms
• Loss of shoulder external rotation
Especially in:
Golfers
Tennis players
Pickleball players
People who lift
People who sit at desks
Sound familiar?
What I Fix First
When I work with someone dealing with elbow pain,
we don’t start with curls or wrist work.
We start with:
- Scapular retraction control
- Rotator cuff strength (external rotation)
- Thoracic spine mobility
- Lat length
- Controlled grip training
When the shoulder stabilizes,
the elbow finally gets relief.
If you’re dealing with elbow pain:
Stop chasing the elbow.
Fix the shoulder.
Restore rotation.
Strengthen the scapula.
Your body works in chains, not parts.
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Why Your Elbow Isn’t the Real Problem
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