Research and News
"Tyler Twist" FlexBar Exercise Featured in New York Times
The New York Times ran a story on the “Tyler Twist” exercise using the Thera-Band FlexBar on August 25, 2009. A recent study found this novel FlexBar exercise led to significant improvements in tennis elbow patients compared to traditional treatment. Lead researcher Tim Tyler, PT ATC was quoted in the article saying, “We couldn’t believe how fast and well the therapy worked. We were seeing improvements in five weeks, even three. It was crazy.”
Click here to see the exercise video, download the study & protocol, and to learn more.
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FlexBar® study on Tennis Elbow published in JSES
about 1 week ago - No comments
Tim Tyler’s study on the novel FlexBar® exercise for tennis elbow has been published in this month’s Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Congratulations to Tim and his co-authors! Their study using the “Tyler Twist” exercise for patients with tennis elbow showed significant improvements over tradition treatment. The study has been featured in the New York
Introducing the newest THERA-BAND FlexBar® Resistance Option: Yellow!
about 6 months ago - No comments
Akron, OH – Performance Health / Hygenic Corporation announces the introduction of new Thera-Band FlexBar, Yellow Resistance, for upper extremity rehabilitation and stabilization training. New Thera-Band FlexBar Yellow is the Extra Light resistance option for beginning rehab, pediatric, or geriatric patients, joining the Thera-Band color progression family of Red/Light, Green/Medium, and Blue/Heavy resistances. Thera-Band FlexBar
New FlexBar Exercise: “Tyler Twist” effective for Tennis Elbow
about 1 year ago - 3 comments
Tim Tyler PT, ATC from Pro Sports PT in Scarsdale New York, investigated a novel exercise using the Thera-Band® FlexBar for tennis elbow. “We know that eccentric exercise is very effective at treating tendinopathies such as tennis elbow,” said Tyler. His exercise, the “Tyler Twist” involves eccentric wrist extension, and was easily performed at home
Exercise with FlexBar may help treat tennis elbow
about 1 year ago - 25 comments
KEYSTONE, CO – People with pain in the elbow or forearm from playing sports or just from common everyday activities, might be able to use a Thera-Band FlexBar and strengthening exercise to alleviate pain, say researchers who are presenting their study results at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting in Keystone, Colorado,
about 11 months ago
The flexbar helped me recover by a good 80-90% within as little time as a week. I did the exercise everyday (3 sets) along with applying ice and taking one ibuprofen tablet. Amazing! I still use it every day to keep my wrist and elbow fit.
about 11 months ago
Should it be the red bar (10 lb.) that is always used? Or should a healthy man with good strength be using a higher resistance one?
about 11 months ago
Steve, all subjects in the study started with the red FlexBar, regardless of their strength, so you should start with red, then progress to green and blue if possible. Once you can easily complete 3 sets of 15 of the color, move to the next. Good luck!
about 11 months ago
I have been using the FlexBar for 3 weeks now. 3 sets of 15 every day (red). I have also completely rested my arm, and I’m continuing to do the other stretches and massages that my doctor has recommended. While I’m hoping for a major recovery, at this point, I haven’t seen that much benefit from the TylerTwist. The stretching certainly feels good when I am doing the exercise (a good hurt that reaches deep into the tendons that are injured). I also can say that I feel marginally better than I did three weeks ago. But I remain in pain. Shaking hands and gripping objects is still painful. There is no way that I could go back to playing tennis at this point without extreme pain. I am planning to take a full 4 months off from tennis, so this is only the beginning but I would just caution people in their expectations for the miraculous 3 week recovery times that have appeared in some articles and blogs out there. I will check in to this blog again in 3 weeks to report if my results are similar to the study that was reported in the NYT.
about 11 months ago
Bruce, try moving up to the green FlexBar if you are able to complete 3 sets of 15 with red. If you are still not seeing results, you might want to see your healthcare professional to rule out any problems with your neck (disks) causing problems. Good luck.
Phil
about 10 months ago
Phil,
Thanks for that advice. I followed it and started using the green (3 sets of 15 reps daily) starting earlier this week. My arm is starting to feel better. This is after 4 weeks of consistently following the regimen. I have virtually no pain when the arm is not involved in activity and tolerable pain w/minor activities (shaking hands). I have not restarted tennis or any other sport. I will report in again in another couple of weeks.
about 10 months ago
I have now been doing the “Tyler Twist” for approximately 6 weeks for tennis elbow. 3 weeks w/red and 3 weeks with green (next level up). I have also stopped playing tennis
for the entire period. I have ceased weight lifting, push ups, and any other exercise that involves forearm movement. Here’s a quick summary of my progress:
- No pain at rest
- Minimal pain w/minor forearm involvement (lifting a backback or throwing a ball to my kids (but still need to be very careful)
- Pain trigger activities remain: I shook someone’s hand a few days ago, and suffered a day or two of lingering “at rest” pain
- I am fairly certain that if I started playing tennis again, the pain would return immediately, but I have committed to laying off of tennis until the end of December (4 mos full rest)
So at rest pain relief with thera band has worked as described on these web sites. What is unclear is whether it is helpful at all in returning to activity. I am happy w/pain relief, but I also think that this would have occurred with full rest alone as well — maybe it would have taken longer w/out the exercises.
Is there any research showing that Tyler Twist facilitates return to activity?
about 10 months ago
I am starting to use the thera band bar to help cure a year and half of tennis elbow. I had physical therapy a year ago and I improved after not playing tennis for 3 months. I still have minor pain and I cannot play more than two or three times a week. I am hoping the thera band will help me become completely pain free. However, I am wondering if I have to stop playing tennis while I am doing the 3 times a day regimen with the thera band. I noticed that it is too painful to do my normal repetitions with the green bar right after I play, but the next day I am fine. Advice?
about 10 months ago
Shanan, you should stop playing tennis while using the FlexBar exercise, and only perform it once a day, not 3 time. You should also start with the red FlexBar and progress to the green when you can complete 3 sets of 15 without excessive pain. Good luck.
about 9 months ago
I have tendinitis in my right elbow/forearm from a combination guitar playing and “mousing” at the computer all day, and pulling a roller bag for business travel – It’s been a chronic problem for at least two years – generally treated with ibuprofen and ice. I had recent bout in late August/early September and started using the red Flexbar since mid September. When I started doing the Tyler twist I could feel the injured tendon/muscle being exercised (a sore /slightly pain in an okay way) in the right arm as compared to the left arm (I am doing exercises for both arms). By the end of October, the right arm felt just as strong and feels “as good” as the left arm when doing the twist, and it definitely feels – dare I saw “cured” ? I haven’t had any problems with pain now during the activities that used to aggravate it i.e. the guitar playing and mousing – I still pull the roller bag with my left arm just in case! This worked SO MUCH BETTER than the exercises I got in physical therapy which were different wrist curls with light weights – I didn’t actually see results with that old method. Definitely recommend this! I will keep doing this everyday so my tendinitis doesn’t come back!
about 8 months ago
my physician suggested i look into using this! had sx on left elbow for lat.epicondilitis in 2007. now my dominant side, right has lateral epicondilitis along with a high grade tear. my question is, will this type of exercise allow the tear to heal without having to have sx? I have constant pain and am on a computer at least 8hrs/day, i have tried splinting, resting and numerouse exercises with no relief -
about 8 months ago
If you have a “high grade tear” in the muscle, it’s not likely that this exercise will help. It sounds like you have a structural pathology that requires surgery, versus a more functional overuse pathology that would benefit from the exercise. I’m sure being on a computer 8 hours a day doesn’t help either. Good luck.
about 6 months ago
Hi,
After 6 months of Tennis Elbow I have just started using the red flexbar. Approx 1 month in and results are extremely positive.
Should I move up a bar?
When and how can I return to activity?
Cheers,
Mick
about 6 months ago
Hi Mick, that’s great news. IF the 3 sets of 15 are easy for you with red, move up to green. When you are painfree, you can start to gradually resume your activity. Good luck.
about 6 months ago
I’m using the green bar now and haven’t had any more problems with the tendinitis at all although I’m still careful not to over use my right arm. Any pain or aggavation is pretty much completely gone. I’m doing the 3 sets of 15 ever day or every other day. Bonus is that the higher tension bar really strenghtens your entire arm and it’s a lot easier to do push ups as well so it seems to be a good entire arm exercise too.
about 6 months ago
Hello,
I was playing tennis at an international level and injured my arm (golfers elbow). I threw the kitched sink at it for 8 months, and nothing. I am now starting the reverse tyler twist, but had a few questions;
1. Should I do 3 set times 15 all at once, or do 15 in the morning, 15 at lunch, 15 at night
2. should i do any supplementary stuff for it, because doing this seems to have my arm feeling weak all the time.
3. How slowly should i do the eccentric part of the excersize?
4. Any other tips?
Thanks so much,
Ash
about 6 months ago
Hi Ash
You should try and do all 3 sets at once, one time a day with a brief rest between sets. You should move a bit slowly during the exercise; try releasing for a 3-count. And, definitely try and keep your shoulder and the rest of your body in shape while your elbow recovers
Good Luck!
Dr. Phil
about 6 months ago
Hi Dr. Phil,
Firstly thank you so much for your prompt and informative reply. I am training in Shanghai and there is so little professional help toward this matter here, so your help is truly appreciated. I was wondering therefore if I could ask a few more questions, found below.
1. Should I do the 3X15 every day, or do it one day on, one day off. Or 3 days on and one day off? Basically what should be my schedule of this.
2. When I mentioned that my arm felt weak from doing this, I meant my forearm, not my shoulders. At the moment my arm is okay for every day activites, like shaking hands, writing, etc. However, I need it to be okay to get back on tour. Since starting the excersizes, the sharp pain that I used to feel has gone away (but I haven’t tested it on the court again yet, I have only been doing this for 2 weeks now), but the forearm feels really really weak. Weaker than before starting the excersizes. So basically, the the sharp pain in my forearm (golfers elbow) is subsiding slowly, but it just feels really weak in terms of grip strength and usage. Is this normal?
3. While I am doing the Reverse TYler Twist for the involved forearm, should i also be doing the normal tyler twist? I have never had tennis elbow in my life, but is it advisable to stregthen this also, or will it only aggrivate things?
4. Besides from the regular tyler twist, should I be doing other things to strengthen my forearm or only be doing the reverse tyler twist at the moment. I mean things like forearm curls, pronation, supination with light weights (as long as there is no sharp pain)?
5. How long should I do the R. Tyler Twist for before trying to get back on court. I don’t want to re injure it again and wait for another 8 months, I am terrified of this. It is so hard to tell because it feels good in everyday life and then even 30 min on court and it feels like its destroyed again ( I am also not playing as a recreational player, so thats why). But what is the normal time scale for this type of treatment? What are check points that I need to reach?
6. Last question, I promise
. The pain I have is right where the tendon attaches to the bone, right on the “bump” of the medial side. When i do the excersizes, I mostly feel it in the muscles, and the tendons further up, but not right at the joint where my pain is. Is this still okay, or am I doing this wrong?
I know that these are so many questions and I am sorry if it takes a lot of your time to reply. This has been such a roadblock in my carreer and I just want to get over this hurdle whatever it takes.
Thank you so much for all your help once again,
Ash
about 6 months ago
Ash, unfortunately, most if not all of this can’t be responded to with a simple blog post. I would suggest you see a sports physiotherapist to address your individual problems and goals. Good luck!
about 6 months ago
Hi – Just received the red bar, but have not used it much yet. I have not played tennis for two weeks and still have pain in my right elbow that hurts a bit doing household activities and seems to hurt more when I get up in the morning for some reason. My question is do I start using the bar now, while I still have some pain or I am supposed to wait until I’m completely pain free and then use the bar for the exercises? I’m not planning to play tennis again until the pain is completely gone. Thanks.
about 6 months ago
Hi Deborah. It’s difficult to answer your question based simply on your symptoms; you should consult a healthcare provider to first make the appropriate diagnosis. In the study that Dr. Tyler completed, I’m sure that the patients were not painfree when they started the exercise program, and you will experience pain as you complete the exercises, which is normal.
about 6 months ago
Hello Dr. Phil,
I was wondering when I do these exercises should I do them everyday or take some days off? How many days a week should I do them?
Thank you!
Joeseph
about 6 months ago
I would suggest every other day, so 3-4 days per week.
about 4 months ago
HI,
Really struggling to get rid of my Tennis Elbow. I have worked up to the Blue bar and have been using for a couple of months. Pain has significantly reduced but seem to have reached a plateau. Any ideas? I was doing 3x 15 everyday but have slowed down to 3 x 15 every couple of days.
Cheers,
Mick
about 4 months ago
Hi Mick
You might need a little extra ‘push’ from your physical therapist such as Graston Technique or Kinesiotaping, according to Tim Tyler who invented the exercise…There’s also a chance that you have more than just ‘tendinitis’…you should have a specialist check it out to be sure theres no real structural damage such as a tear. Good luck
Phil
about 3 months ago
I recently purchased the red thera-band flexbar but am a bit confused on the proper time to use it. Currently, I am having pain. It is not enough pain to stop my play or interfere with daily tasks but clearly it is present.
My doctor suggested beginning a course of rest, bracing, and exercise and sent me to a pt to get started. PT says that no exercise or stretching should be done until pain is eliminated. He was not familiar with thera-band therapy. Should the thera-band be used now or in the future.?
about 3 months ago
According to the FlexBar study’s author, Tim Tyler PT, pain is to be expected during the eccentric exercise. Have your therapist visit the website http://info.thera-bandacademy.com/flexbarelbow for more information.
about 3 months ago
Hi,
I was diagnosed with Tennis Elbow just over a year ago and have been struggling with it since. The pain started at the elbow, and has since spread down my forearm, as well as into my shoulder. It’s no longer a sharp pain, but a dull ache everywhere.
I’m a self employed web developer, and spend 6-8hrs a day on the computer… so I’m doing my best to manage the pain, and trying to heal faster than I re-injure myself.
I just heard about the flexbar and was wondering if something like this would be ideal for me, as fully resting my arm isn’t quite an option?
Thanks!
about 3 months ago
Jesse, I’d give it a try. You should look into other ergonomic improvements for your workstation, and also work on exercising postural muscles. Good luck
about 2 months ago
Hi, I was diagnosed with tennis elbow a few months ago. It is a mild case, and I am currently pain free unless I stress the muscle, so I’ve discontinued fitness activities that do so. I read about the Tyler Twist in the NY Times and purchased the red bar. It hurts my forearm when I do the exercises, and the pain lasts for a while afterwards. Is this normal? Should I continue the exercises despite the pain flare-ups? Should I try the yellow bar instead of the red? Thank you!
about 2 months ago
According to the study’s author Tim Tyler, pain is expected. Ice or Biofreeze is great for helping the pain.
You should try to work through the pain. If it increases or remains constant, see your healthcare provider.
All subjects used red in the study; yellow may not provide enough resistance.
about 1 month ago
Hi. Just wanted to share that I got relief from doing the thera band exercises after suffering tennis elbow for almost two years and trying everything from pt to massage to acupuncture to platelet injections. I benefitted from your column’s clarification that I should do 3 sets in a row and should not be concerned that this would cause some pain. While I saw some benefit from using the light bar, it was after I really put effort into the exercises with the thicker bars that my condition improved enough to allow my return to tennis. Thanks!