Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 44

Ron Wolforth

Why One Should Never Ignore Arm Pain

Part 2: Understanding the Significance of the Location of Your Arm Pain

Pay close attention to where your arm pain is located; it can offer vital clues about its source.
Let’s begin Part II of our discussion on arm discomfort with a truth you already know intuitively: Not all arm discomfort is of equal concern.

While this statement is undeniably true, things can quickly become unclear when we try to dig deeper into the issue.

We tend to rationalize discomfort using seemingly harmless phrases like:
· "It’s just normal after-throwing soreness."
· "I’m just stiff."
· "I’m just tender."
· "I’m just tight."
· "I’m just tired or fatigued."
· "I slept wrong on my arm last night."
· "I banged my elbow on something."

These “explanations” often serve to help us ignore our concerns about arm health and durability… At least temporarily.

However, denial is a dangerous thing. It can soften or blur the truth, often delaying or even preventing us from addressing and overcoming a potential issue. Unfortunately, the consequences of denial tend to show up at the worst possible times—like when the stakes are high, and scouts are watching.

Instead of denial, we should choose awareness, recognition, presence, and acknowledgment. The truth, though it may sting initially, is far more productive in the long run. As Scripture reminds us, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Once you come to terms with the truth about your arm health, the next critical question is: Where EXACTLY is the pain? Point to it.

· Medial elbow?
· Anterior shoulder?
· Lateral elbow?
· Posterior shoulder?

Or is your pain in multiple areas, like the medial elbow and anterior shoulder?

How significant is the pain, and how frequently does it occur?

Why the Location of Pain Matters

The location of your pain can give valuable insight into the inefficiency of your throwing mechanics. This applies to ALL throwers.

· Medial elbow and/or anterior shoulder tenderness often points to inefficiencies in the acceleration phase of the movement, leading to microtrauma in the soft tissues of these areas. While not always the case, this pattern holds true a majority of the time. Therefore, this is where we focus during video analysis.

· Lateral elbow and/or posterior shoulder tenderness typically points to inefficiencies in the deceleration phase, which also causes microtrauma to the soft tissue in these areas. This, too, becomes a focal point in our video assessment.

Individualized Solutions Are Key

Creating a healthy, durable arm is a complex and highly individualized process. No two players experience arm discomfort in exactly the same way.

While many teams and organizations now use basic arm care programs—which is certainly a step in the right direction—treating all locations of discomfort with a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. For example, treating a player with posterior arm pain using the same protocols as a player with medial elbow pain is unlikely to yield satisfying results.

This is why identifying the location of pain and understanding which phase of the movement needs adjustment is critical to reducing or eliminating discomfort.

Yet, how often are these distinctions made? Unfortunately, not often enough. Most programs aim to simplify a complex problem, administering a generic solution to check the "arm care" box.

That’s one reason hundreds of young athletes come to the Texas Baseball Ranch® each year. They seek personalized programs tailored to their specific needs, whether for arm health, velocity, command, or secondary pitch development.

Your arm health matters. The location of your pain matters. Your mechanics, training, mobility, strength, and workload all play a role in ensuring long-term durability.

Next time, “Part 3: Steps to Alleviate Typical Arm Pain.”

Coach Ron Wolforth is the founder of the Texas Baseball Ranch® and has written six books on pitching including the Amazon Best Seller, Pitching with Confidence. Since 2003, The Texas Baseball Ranch® has had over 579 pitchers break the 90 mph barrier, 208 have toped 94mph or better, and 135 of his students have been drafted in the MLB’s June Amateur Draft. Coach Wolforth has consulted with 13 MLB teams, dozens of NCAA programs and has been referred to as “ America’s Go-to-Guy on Pitching” and “The Pitching Coaches Pitching Coach.” Coach Wolforth lives in Montgomery, TX with his wife, Jill. They are intimately familiar with youth select, travel baseball and PG events as their son Garrett (now a professional catcher) went through the process. Garrett still holds the PG Underclass All-American Games record for catcher velocity at 89mph which he set in 2014 at the age of 16.

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Fall/Winter Events at the Texas Baseball Ranch®

Join our 3-Day “Elite Pitcher’s Boot Camps”, designed for pitchers aged 12 and above. We’re hosting one every month from October-February. For additional details, visit: https://www.texasbaseballranch.com/elite-pitchers-bootcamp/

Interested in learning what sets our boot camps apart? Request our comprehensive information package “What Makes This Bootcamp Different?" by emailing Jill@TexasBaseballRanch.com

Attention all CATCHERS: TBR’s 6th Annual “Elite Catchers Bootcamp” will take place this year on December 6th-8th. This is a once a year opportunity to work with the pros. There is an “Early Bird” $500 savings available. Go to www.TexasBaseballRanch.com/catcher to learn more and register.

Do you live in the north Houston area? Then the Texas Baseball Ranch’s night classes could be a great fit for you. For more information, call (936) 588-6762 or email info@texasbaseballranch.com

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