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wrist joint anteriorly and the MCP and proximal IP joints of fingers 2–5 (index, middle, ring, and little) anteriorly, so it flexes the hand and fingers. The pronator teres pronates the forearm at the radioulnar joints. And all five golfer's elbow muscles cross the elbow joint anteriorly, so they all flex the elbow joint as well (Image 3). Any of these joint actions of flexion of the wrist, fingers, and forearm—and pronation of the forearm—place a stress on the myofascial tissue of the musculature of this group, as well as its attachment onto the medial epicondyle of the humerus, where all their common tendinous attachment is located. Even though golfer's elbow was originally described for its periosteal inflammation of the humeral attachment, before the humeral inflammation occurred, golfer's elbow involved common flexor tendinopathy. And before the tendinopathy occurred, golfer's elbow began as an overuse and tightness of the muscular tissue of the muscles involved. So, what was originally named as a condition of the bone, was before that a condition of the tendon, and before that, an overuse condition of musculature. This factor is often missed in allopathic treatment of this condition. TENNIS ELBOW Tennis elbow is nearly a mirror opposite of golfer's elbow. Whereas golfer's elbow involves five muscles that all attach to the medial epicondyle of the humerus, tennis elbow involves four muscles that all attach to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The four muscles of the tennis elbow group are the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, and the extensor carpi ulnaris (see Image 2). The extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor carpi ulnaris are members of the wrist extensor group. These muscles attach to the lateral epicondyle via what is known as the common extensor tendon because the proximal tendons of these muscles blend into each other. A better 60 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 0 Common Tendons The common flexor tendon is sometimes referred to as the common flexor/pronator tendon because the pronator teres is one of the involved muscles and is not involved in wrist or finger flexion, but does perform forearm pronation at the radioulnar joints. In fact, even the flexor carpi radialis crosses the radioulnar joints and can pronate the forearm, so including the word pronator in the name of this common tendon is even more justified. Similarly, the common extensor tendon can be referred to as the common extensor/supinator tendon because the extensor carpi radialis brevis can assist forearm supination. Also, although the supinator is not technically part of this common tendon, it also attaches to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, immediately adjacent to the attachment of the common extensor/supinator tendon. And given the possible inclusion of the word belly to these terms, we would have the common flexor/pronator belly/tendon and the common extensor/supinator belly/tendon. Anterior view Posterior view Clavicle Scapula Humerus Ulna Radius Carpals Metacarpals Phalanges Bones and joints of the upper extremity, right side. Permission Joseph E. Muscolino, Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle Function, 3rd edition, Elsevier, 2015. 3