Something interesting happened as my triceps workouts continued
in their intensity. After doing some triceps elbow extensions
and numerous other elbow extension exercises, I began to feel
effects of what is known as elbow tendonitis. The symptoms
generally included a pain with any movement of my elbows. So
much so, that even resting my arms on a chair began to have an
associated soreness to the touch. Similar to my bicep tendonitis
experience, the pain experienced was not normal. A bodybuilder
who is tune with their muscles can tell the difference between
an intense workout and an intensely painful workout.
This elbow tendonitis came about from an overuse of any
exercise. With the increased weight, I eventually reached a peak
of classic overuse of the joints. Not sure of a treatment, I did
the first thing I could. Adjust my form. Keeping the elbows
locked in on triceps movements is critical. It can alleviate if
not remove the pressure on the joints when doing a very heavy
exercise movement. This was my first elbow tendonitis treatment
experiment.
Continuing week after week with my new form, the pain was less
severe, but it was not a full treatment. Some of the elbow
tendonitis symptoms became less painful but the general pain was
always present. This has an acute effect on your motivation to
continue to do exercises. Doing triceps exercises (dips, skull
crushers, one arm and two arm overhead extensions, rope
pushdowns) has always been something I look forward to with each
arm workout. But with anything that is painful, your body
doesn’t want to do it. In fact, continuing and pushing past the
pain “no pain no gain” mantra, I would have eventually damaged
my joints beyond repair.
After talking to a friend’s wife, she told me about her husband,
who started taking Glucosamine for his joints. There are
basically two kinds of people who need some type of cartilage
therapy. Those who are suffering from osteoarthritis or athletes
with overuse injuries. Considering he’s not very old and
probably isn’t losing too much cartilage, I had to believe that
it was working on cars daily and using his joints excessively
(turning hands, manipulating small parts) that lead to his
overuse of his finger joints and the pain associated. Thus began
my short research and trial of a Glucosamine product to see what
benefits Glucosamine might have and any possible side effects
specific to me.
Glucosamine is a combination of sugar and amine. It’s found
normally in cartilage and plays an important role in cartilage
health and resiliency. As you naturally age, you lose some
Glucosamine and that leads to the eventual thinning of the
cartilage around the joints. Osteoarthritis defined as the
deterioration of the cartilage in the joints. Glucosamine and
Chondroitin are found naturally in your body. Chondroitin
Sulfate helps draw water into the cartilage (that the
Glucosamine is repairing) making it more elastic.
Glucosamine is derived from the shells of crabs and shrimp. Most
studies show that taking approximately 500mg three times a day
for a total of 1500mg is effective in improving joint health.
Those who have damaged their joints to the point of little to no
cartilage, or who have had cartilage surgically removed,
probably won’t experience any benefits simply because it’s
impossible to repair cartilage that no longer exists. Most oral
Glucosamine is easily absorbed because the molecules are very
small, easily diffused and water-soluble.
After viewing the brief research above, I began taking oral
doses of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, 1500mg a day, 3 capsules.
My first choice was AST’s ProFlex 750 Joint Support formula. I
ended up going to Costco and getting Kirkland’s Glucosamine
Sulfate product as well. Just so I could have a supply at home.
Different products but basically, Glucosamine and some
Chondroitin.
Within the first few days, my elbow tendonitis symptoms started
to disappear. I’ve been taking this product for about 2 weeks
now, and my workouts are back to their regular intensity. Taking
a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement has all but cured my
elbow tendonitis. From the research I could gather, it’s
important to take these products when you still have a lot of
cartilage to repair. It’s pretty ineffective to take it when the
damage is too severe or the cartilage is absent. Glucosamine is
a naturally occurring substance in the body with a primary
function of stimulating the growth and repair of cartilage
tissues.
About the author:
Marc David has a degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento
State, a 16 year history of non-competitive bodybuilding and is
the owner of Freedomfly -the fitness network! For free fitness
tools, discount supplements, fitness consultation, and workout
routines, visit http://www.freedomfly.net
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