Acute triceps pain: anyone else? How did you address it?

RoyalMustang · August 16, 2023

Oddly enough, I started getting some serious triceps pain just above my elbow over the past 2 weeks. I have been playing regularly for 3 years now with no real issues outside of a back tweak from trying to swing too hard. I hit probably 250 balls a week on the range (consistent over the past 3 years) and play 27-36 holes (also consistent). What has changed is my swing: I used to have a bit of a wrist flip and scoop; now I am really focused on being relaxed with a weak grip and keeping the clubface open at impact, which is likely generating harder contact with the ground (the ball is certainly going further). I don't hit off mats but I do hit in my local park, which is bone-dry right now. The course seems to be harder than usual also, for the same reasons. But the fact that it popped up suddenly has me thinking It is related to my swing change. Last night I was walking 9 holes and on hole 7, it started to throb a bit.

My wife needled the area last night (she is a DPT) and gave me some eccentric loading to work on. Has anyone had a similar issue? Was it just a "growing pain" that you grew out of? It's muscular, not connective tissue related (good thing) but I also have a 4 day tournament coming up in 12 days that I want to be able to play in.

Is there any truth to graphite shafts reducing the wear and tear on the arms by absorbing some of the shock? Or is that just a rumor?

Mikey_HACKilroy · August 16, 2023

You mentioned focusing on a weak grip, which turns the hand counterclockwise for a righty. You might be adding undue stress in the upper arm because when I try to initiate a swing motion like that, I can actually feel it in my upper arm in the same general location that I think you're describing.

Outside and midway up the arm behind the biceps.

Just a thought, but maybe see your G.P. and ask about it. Could be nerve related; like a pinched nerve. That is just a guess based on some ponderings... Like a stinger... short term.... will recover with rest and adjustment.

Edited August 16, 2023 by Mikey_HACKilroy

againstthegrain · August 17, 2023

Anytime I made a swing change my body reacted to the change in some way. Take your wife's advice about the eccentric loading and I would advise taking fewer swings on hard ground while your working on the loading. And perhaps alternating ice/heat ending w heat after golf swings.

doctor220 · August 17, 2023

On 8/16/2023 at 2:17 PM, RoyalMustang said:

Oddly enough, I started getting some serious triceps pain just above my elbow over the past 2 weeks. I have been playing regularly for 3 years now with no real issues outside of a back tweak from trying to swing too hard. I hit probably 250 balls a week on the range (consistent over the past 3 years) and play 27-36 holes (also consistent). What has changed is my swing: I used to have a bit of a wrist flip and scoop; now I am really focused on being relaxed with a weak grip and keeping the clubface open at impact, which is likely generating harder contact with the ground (the ball is certainly going further). I don't hit off mats but I do hit in my local park, which is bone-dry right now. The course seems to be harder than usual also, for the same reasons. But the fact that it popped up suddenly has me thinking It is related to my swing change. Last night I was walking 9 holes and on hole 7, it started to throb a bit.

My wife needled the area last night (she is a DPT) and gave me some eccentric loading to work on. Has anyone had a similar issue? Was it just a "growing pain" that you grew out of? It's muscular, not connective tissue related (good thing) but I also have a 4 day tournament coming up in 12 days that I want to be able to play in.

Is there any truth to graphite shafts reducing the wear and tear on the arms by absorbing some of the shock? Or is that just a rumor?

How do you know it’s muscular? It probably is more likely tendinopathy ie a triceps tendon issue rather than an actual triceps muscle issue.

so it’s on the posterior(back) part of the upper arm just above the elbow and not the inner or outer part? People very commonly get flexor and extensor issues ie golfers or tennis elbow but triceps issues are generally more rare for golf

RoyalMustang · August 18, 2023

It's right in the middle of the 3 triceps muscles, pain zone is 2-4 inches above the elbow. the pain is way down after a couple of days off: It could just be some micro-tears due to high impact off hard turf this time of year. There is nothing in my swing to really damage the triceps but I can see it getting more use due to the swing change, and combined with impact, could be making it overly sore.