I can't count the number of emails I receive that ask about specific exercises that target some very difficult areas of the body. Here is one that seems to be a frequent trouble spot.

The Elbow-Seven Days to Freedom from Pain

Ask yourself this question. How do you go about exercising your elbow? If you think about it, it is not a simple one to answer. Unfortunately, this is one area where arthritis seems to cause a lot of problems. The usual situation is pain when your arm is in a straightened position.

The Ten-Second Pull

Take the arm (elbow) that is giving you pain and hold it out as straight as you can. Reach over and grasp the wrist of that arm and continue to straighten until you feel an increase in the pain. As you continue to straighten the arm (and straighten the elbow) apply some pressure with the holding hand in the opposite direction back toward your shoulder.

Now, release the hold you had on the wrist of the affected arm and try to straighten it out once again. As you do this without the opposing force on the arm, you will discover that it moves much more easily and with less pain.

Gaining Mobility and Putting the Pain to Rest

This simple resistance exercise should be done several times daily for about 10-15 seconds each time you do it. Typically, it takes about a week or so before the pain begins to disappear in the arm that is giving you the elbow pain. (Of course, it may be both elbows.)

Give it Two Days

Try this simple regimen for a couple of days. At the end of that time, you should see a considerable reduction in pain. However, if your pain has increased or if it persists you should stop trying this routine and seek a medical opinion.

Aiding the Exercise

To really get the maximum benefit from this exercise, try putting a hot pack on the elbow joint before doing it. This will allow for even greater flexibility in the affected elbow.

Over the next few editions we will be talking about other arthritis trouble spots and simple exercises that will assist in allieviating the pain. It is so simple to rid your body of these troublesome pain spots and it takes so little time that we urge all of you to watch for these great tips. After all, if arthritis is the question, then we hope to continue bringing you simple answers that will make your life a little easier.

J.R. Rogers is the founder and President of Activex America, Inc. makers of Liquid Glucosamine Formula Syn-flex®