OUCH FILES: Overuse Edition Your Elbow Is Not a Drama Queen. It’s an Overworked Intern With a Grudge. It always starts innocently. You lift a grocery bag. You open a stubborn jar. You attempt one heroic set of push-ups after watching a motivational video at 2 a.m. And suddenly your elbow feels like it filed an HR complaint. Elbow pain doesn’t roar or throb dramatically. It just zings every time you try to do something mildly productive—like pouring coffee or pretending you work out regularly. The Science (Simplified for Mortals) Your elbow is a hinge joint where the humerus meets the radius and ulna. Tendons attach muscle to bone. Every grip, lift, scroll, or “just one more rep” stresses those tendons. Overuse creates microtears. That’s how tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) appear—often without tennis or golf. Inflammation follows. Tenderness builds. That electric “why are you like this?” sensation appears. Your elbow isn’t weak. It’s overwhelmed. The Fix (No Medieval Torture Required) 1. Stop Aggravating It. Reduce repetitive strain. Switch hands. Relax your grip. 2. Ice It Like It Owes You Money. 15–20 minutes to calm inflammation and quiet the angry intern inside your joint. 3. Strengthen the Right Way. Gentle eccentric wrist exercises rebuild tendon resilience. Slow. Controlled. Consistent. Bonus: A counterforce brace can redistribute tension and reduce stress during activity. The Sign-Off Your elbow isn’t sabotaging your life. It’s asking for boundaries. Respect it now, and it’ll go back to being that quiet hinge you never think about. Join the ItHurts Community Join Now Disclaimer: Enjoy the “Ouch” Files for the laughs and the lessons, but treat us like a witty friend rather than a diagnostic tool. We aren’t doctors, and our stories are no substitute for a professional in a white coat. If you’re actually broken, put down the phone and go see a real medic.
Written by mariadean