Fundamentals with existing chronic elbow problems?

Hey everyone!

I've discovered gymnastic bodies through the Tim Ferris podcast and think it's a fantastic way of training. I'm now thinking about getting the fundamentals training program, but have, for years now, an existing condition with my neck/elbows/shoulders and pecs. Lifting my arms too high for a period of time, like putting my arm around ones shoulders or in general, lifting with a curl motion makes my hands get tingling and numb. 

I've had all kinds of physical therapy, manual therapy etc. but nothing has really helped so far, the thing that helped the most was climbing/bouldering, even though it also puts a lot of stress on my arms, shoulders and elbows.

So far, I've also had several MRIs to check for herniated discs in my neck, since the symptoms I exhibit could be just that, with no positive result, meaning my discs are all ok.

At the moment, I think it is a muscular issue, that could be resolved with the right training and maybe massage therapy and stretching.

My question now is if the Fundamentals Course might a) be a help to relieve my issues and b) is possible to complete with my chronic injury?

Regards,

Sami

The first thing to do Is check a physical therapist in order to know what you can do and you cannot do. then evaluate your situation, solve possible injuries or work around them.

My quick and initial thoughts is that if your cervical spine is okay (with respect to disc, facet, and/or nerve rootlets), then you're correct in thinking it being a peripheral as opposed to axial issue.  However, keep in mind that an MRI, or any imaging for that matter, does not diagnose pain, but diagnose divergence from "normal" anatomy.  Thus, just because your imaging is normal, does not mean you do not have nerve inflammation, ie neuritis or radiculitis.  Also, keep in mind, an MRI/imaging is usually static and is not imaging you through your range of motion which aggravates your symptoms.  In short, make sure you have a great physician/health care provider who you trust.  

All that said, if we are sure the cervical spine is not the issue, I would consider common entrapment sites for the upper extremities to nerve anatomy since this is BILATERAL and pain is presented as PARASTHESIAS which are POSITIONAL in nature.  Considerations should be given to the brachial plexus (through physical exam) and also considering the nerves in the arm which are vulnerable to entrapment sites.  The ulnar nerve with its three entrapment sites to be medial middle biceps, just distal to the medial elbow**, and the distal ulnar at the wrist.  Median nerve entrapment would be at the medial aspect of the proximal forearm (pronator teres) and then obviously at the carpal tunnel (distal wrist).  Radial nerve can also be a consideration, but their entrapment sites usually affect motor nerves and not usually sensory.  In my experience, this may be more related to the ulnar nerve at the medial elbow (ulnar nerve entrapment as it travels through the aponeurosis of the Flexor carpi musculature [FCU]).  This usually occurs, as you have intimated, with tight musculature/connective tissue (aponeurosis) surrounding the elbow.  In addition, I have noticed that weight training without stretching the connective tissue also leads to this issue as the muscle fibers hypertrophy from the training, which in turn, traps the ulnar nerve against the still unstretched connective tissue (FCU aponeurosis).  

It's just a thought, but of course, diagnosis over the internet is difficult.  But that said, to answer your questions from what I wrote above, a) I think the course would help with your concerns since the ethos of GST basically emphasizes connective tissue health (mobility) WITH strength training.  Therefore, to answer your question on b) with improvement in flexibility/mobility at the elbow which, if you perceive that it helps relieve your issue, then deduction would answer, YES, you'll be able to complete the course with your "injury".  Of course, completion of the course would definitely be relying on other factors for completion aside from your elbow issues :-).  But I got what you meant...

Hope that helps!

Alex

Wow, Alex, thanks for your detailed answer!

I have talked to my physical therapist, and he said that he doesn't think there are movements I should avoid, diagnostically speaking, I should just try what works and what doesn't, i.e. hurts.

I think that it mostly comes from tightness of muscles. I've been to a lot of doctors during the 10 years I've had this issues, and had my ulnaris nerve tested by a neurologist, who didn't find anything out of order; reactivity is perfectly fine.

I think I'll try to do Fundamentals, and if it doesn't work for me, I guess I can still try to use the money back guarantee.... ?

No worries Sami, I do this sort of stuff every day...

Another quick point, just because a NCS/EMG (nerve conduction study electromyography) reveals no nerve injury, does not mean you have nerve irritation (neuritis).  Like me, a neurologist would use an NCS as a diagnostic test for nerve damage only (neuropathy).  Many folks have neuritis without neuropathy.

That said, I agree with you.  You are the one who knows your body the best and keep in mind, muscle tightness can cause neuritis and not necessarily neuropathy.  

Good luck and keep us posted!