Are you looking for an experienced orthopedic elbow specialist near Lancaster, PA? Look no further than Dr. Michael Bercik at Lancaster Orthopedic Group. Dr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with years of experience specializing in conditions of the shoulder and elbow, as well as orthopedic traumatology. Dr. Bercik is dedicated to helping his patients achieve the best results, and he will be by your side during each stage of the recovery process.

Dr. Michael Berick has been awarded several times for his advanced skill set and dedication to patient care. Not only did he win the Mark D Chilton award for outstanding patient care, but he also received the annual Orthopedic In-training Examination award for scoring the highest in his residency program. Dr. Bercik continues to demonstrate his dedication to improving his craft in every interaction he has with patients, and at Lancaster Orthopedic Group we ensure every patient feels confident and involved in their care plans.

Following his residency program, Dr. Bercik completed several fellowships to learn under some of the most influential surgeons in the world. He studied internationally at the Melbourne Shoulder and Elbow Centre and Monash University and renowned Centre Orthopédique Santy in France, in addition to a fellowship in the United States specifically focused on treating advanced post-trauma complications. Dr. Bercik has combined these advanced techniques learned with traditional knowledge to create innovative treatment plans to help his patients achieve their best results.

How to Improve Elbow Strength

The elbow is the joint that allows you to bend your arm and rotate your forearm. The bicep and triceps muscles are the largest muscle groups involved in moving the elbow, with the biceps in the front of the upper arm and the triceps located along the back. The biceps muscle is also involved in rotating the forearm.

By strengthening the biceps and triceps, you will likely improve the quality of movement of your elbow and help yourself perform everyday activities. When the arm muscles are strong, less weight must go directly into the elbow joint. This can help perform tasks such as lifting yourself out of chairs, opening and closing doors, lifting objects, and more with ease.

Several at-home exercises can help strengthen the bicep and triceps muscles. While we always recommend reviewing potential exercise programs with a trained orthopedic elbow specialist, simple bicep and triceps exercises are safe for most people to perform. If you experience pain or any excess discomfort when performing these movements, take caution and refrain from the activity until you can discuss it with your orthopedic doctor.

Example at-home exercises:

Biceps Focused: Water bottle curls. For this exercise, hold a lightweight or full water bottle in your hand. Straighten the arm by your side with your palm facing up. Keeping your upper arm against your side, bend at the elbow and bring your palm toward your shoulder. Gently lower the palm back to your side, so the arm returns to a straight position. Repeat 10-20 repetitions on each arm.

Triceps Focused: Body lifts. For this exercise, start by sitting in a straight-backed chair with sturdy armrests. Place your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on the armrests and exert pressure, lifting your bottom slightly off the chair. Try to hold this lift for a count of 5 before slowly lowering yourself down. Repeat as able.

Let’s Get Started!

Elbow pain can make many everyday activities difficult, and simple treatment methods can have a long-lasting effect on your quality of life. If you live or work in Lancaster, PA, and are looking for an elbow specialist near you, look no further than Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group to get started. To make your first appointment today, click the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.