I am having a great deal of pain in my elbow and the part of my arm (front and back) down to my wrist. I'm sure it's from carrying my 9mo old son. He's a big boy! Everyone thinks he is older than he is. At times if I lift him, I'll have a shot of pain right down the center of my elbow. And when I twist my arm from picking him up or twisting a cap on to milk for example - same thing another pain - just in my arm. Did anyone else experience? Did you go to the doctor? Will it go away? I know I'll be carrying him for still some time and I don't want to drop him when I experience pain. Or do some damage that will not allow me to carry him. Please let me know - thanks
I started having elbow pain--not sure why it started--but my chiropractor has helped me figure out what the problem is that's causing the pain and is helping me get it back to normal again. I go to Drs. Jim Bob and Cindy Haggerton at Lifetime Family Wellness Center in Hurst. Seeing a chiropractor might be a good idea for you too!
C. @ Celebrate Birth Midwifery and Doula Services
Chiropractor or acupuncture would be your best bet. I am not sure where you live...but if you live in the Plano or Frisco area I can give you some referrals for both. Let me know.
Hey E. - Sounds like tennis-elbow to me. No you don't have to play tennis to get it. My mom got it a few years back and every once and while it'll flare up again. She was told to wear this elbow band that puts pressure on the tendons right below the elbow- it is secured by a velcro band. You can buy one at the grocery store for pretty cheap. You are supposed to wear it night and day until the pain goes away in a couple days. Hope it gets better!
Hi E.,
I have had pain in my wrist at different times and I was going to suggest a chiropractor as well. It turned out for me that the problem was really in my neck and shoulder (the nerves that go to the hand/elbow run through that part of the neck and was giving me "false pains"). I knew that I felt tired and sore in my neck and shoulders as well, but I didn't connect the two.
If you are primarily carrying your son one side and not trading between the two, you might be causing a stress injury on the dominant side. Carrying a heavy load on one side also tends to put the body out of alignment - especially as women as we tend to put a hip out to help carry the load which puts our whole spine into an 'S' shape.
If you can, try carrying your son on the other side some. It will take some getting used, if you aren't doing already. I find that being able to trade my daughter (18mo) from one side to the other can bring some relief.
You also might try a carrier of some kind - I have a Baby Bjorn, which I love, but it sounds like your son might already be too large to that one, but there are others like it that can accomodate larger/heavier babies and also side-carriers, where the baby is positioned on the side, just like you might carry him, but the weight is distributed better. There are also back-pack style carriers that might work. We have one of those now for my daughter and she loves it. I was afraid that she was so used to being in my front that she might not like being on the back, but she loves it.
Anything that gets him out of your arms (but still nestled with you!) will give your arm some time to heal.
I hope it gets better soon!
P.
