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- The TheraBand FlexBar is a flexible, durable resistance device with a ridged surface for enhanced grip during use.
- It is used to improve grip strength and upper extremity stabilization by bending, twisting, or oscillation movement. It comes in various tensile strengths sorted by color- page 2 of this pdf outlines the different tensile strengths
- Here are some ways to protect golfer’s elbow on the golf course
- I’ll walk you through some of the exercises you can perform to help with your golfer’s elbow
My friend Sam, a fellow golfer, was dealing with pain in his arm and elbow. He wasn’t sure what was causing the pain, but he knew it was getting in the way of his game.
He tried taking a break from golfing, but that didn’t help. He then tried different treatments and therapies, including KT tape for golfer’s elbow, but nothing seemed to work.
One day, Sam heard about the TheraBand FlexBar and how it could help with grip strength and upper extremity stability.
He decided to give it a try. The TheraBand FlexBar was easy to use and really helped with the pain in his arm and elbow.
Some of the exercises he did with the FlexBar included the Tyler Twist and the Reverse Tyler Twist.
With the Tyler Twist, Sam would hold the FlexBar in front of him with his injured side and extend his wrist. He would then grasp the upper end of the bar with his other hand facing away from him.
Here’s what the Tyler Twist looks like:
Next, he would twist the bar with his top hand while stabilizing it with his bottom hand.
He would hold both wrists steady as he extended both elbows in front of him. The wrist on his sore side would be extended while the other wrist was flexed.
Slowly, he would release the bar with his injured side while maintaining tension with his stronger side. He would do this in repetitions of ten to fifteen up to three times a day.
Within a few weeks of using the FlexBar, Sam was able to get back on the course and start playing like he used to.
Thanks to the TheraBand FlexBar, Sam was able to continue enjoying his favorite hobby without any pain or interference.
The Flexbar & Golfer’s Elbow
So, you have a golfer’s elbow and you want to do something about it. While the majority of the time the pain and suffering of this form of tendonitis eventually go away, sometimes it’s been known to be more persistent.
This is especially true if fans of the sport play it often and have done so for many years.
Even though there are some really good stretching and strengthening exercises that can help keep issues like the golfer’s elbow at bay, sometimes there are a number of factors that can make things a bit more complicated.
Those factors can include arthritis, injuries, and non-related medical issues. And, let’s face it, our bodies tend to become less cooperative as we get older.
We can exercise and eat right all we want but there is not a single human being that can escape the realities of aging. It happens. Make sure to learn about whether you can make golfer’s elbow worse!
Introducing the Flexbar
The Flexbar is a product that’s been used by sports physical therapists and athletes as a means to deal with issues such as golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow. Believe it or not, a tennis elbow happens more often than a golfer’s elbow.
While both injuries deal with the pain that extends from the elbow and into the forearm, the difference between the two is golfer’s elbow affects the tendon’s interior while the tennis elbow affects its exterior.
The popularity of the Flexbar increased after Tim Tyler published the results he received after using the Thera-Band Flexbar in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. With an exercise regime developed by Tyler, golfers around the world have since invested their time and money into the Flexbar.
There was also a clinical study on the exercises featured in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. Exercises such as the Tyler Twist and Reverse Tyler Twist were used as part of a program that’s designed to deal with golfer’s elbow at a more direct level.
TheraBand FlexBar is a trademarked product. It’s designed to be a flexible device with a ridged surface designed to enhance grip during use. It’s used to improve grip strength, as well as upper extremity stabilization.
This is achieved by bending, twisting, and oscillation movements. These FlexBars come in different strengths and are sorted by color.
Exercise #1: Tyler Twist
The Tyler Twist is designed for lateral epicondylitis. Otherwise known as tennis elbow, the FlexBar is designed to help rehabilitate the wrist extensor muscles by eccentric loading. Tennis elbow is actually more common than golfer’s elbow and the Tyler Twist exercise takes this into consideration.
The first step with the Tyler Twist is to hold the FlexBar in front of you with the injured side and extend your wrist. Next, grasp the upper end of the bar with the other hand facing away from you.
Now, twist the bar with the top hand while you stabilize it with the bottom hand. You need to hold both wrists steady as you extend both elbows in front of you. The wrist on your sore side should be extended while the other wrist is flexed.
Slowly, release the bar with the injured while maintaining tension with the stronger side. Do this in repetitions of ten to fifteen up to three times a day. The easiest FlexBar to work with is red. This applies to both exercises.
Exercise #2: Reverse Tyler Twist
For medial epicondylitis, using the Reverse Tyler Twist with the FlexBar will also help rehabilitate the wrist flexor muscles by eccentric loading. The first step is to grab the FlexBar with the injured side and bend your elbow while holding the bar parallel to the ground.
Now, lift the elbow of your stronger side upward and rotate your forearm so the palm of your hand faces away from you. Grasp the other end of the FlexBar with the stronger hand facing away from you and pointing downward.
From there, twist the FlexBar with the stronger hand as you stabilize it with the weaker hand. Hold both wrists steady as you extend both elbows in front of you. You should have the wrist of your sore side flexed toward you and the other wrist extended.
Slowly, release the FlexBar with your sore side while maintaining tension with the stronger side. Do this at ten to fifteen repetitions up to three times a day.
Hi, my name is Vince Richmond and I am the owner of earlygolfer.com. This blog is all about golfing, from tips and tricks to equipment reviews and everything in between. I have been golfing for over 20 years now and love the sport more than ever. I am always looking to improve my game and help others do the same. When I’m not golfing, I can be found spending time with my wife and two kids or playing some other sport (I’m a bit of a sports junkie). Thanks for reading and be sure to check out earlygolfer.com for all your golfing needs!