sport injuries Archives - Susquehanna Spine & Rehab

Concussions

Football season is upon us, and a topic of interest as of late is concussions. These injuries occur in all age groups; from high school athletes to professional NFL players. Continued head trauma has been shown to be detrimental for brain and spinal health. Football demands consistent head to head contact, and with this excessive contact brain and neck injuries can occur. In addition to concussions, head to head trauma can cause: headaches, cervical sprains and strains, and disc herniation.

Treatment for these injuries is possible. Cervical chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be helpful for all of these injuries. Additionally, myofascial therapy in conjunction with chiropractic care has been shown to be a superior treatment plan for head and neck injuries.

While it is possible to recover from these injuries, prevention is the best way to combat them. The best way to prevent these injuries is to use sufficient head protection and taking adequate precautions to head trauma. It is important to replace a helmet every 2 to 3 years to maintain sufficient protection.

Football isn’t the only sport that utilizes a helmet. With the winter season upon us, the winter sports come with it. The use of helmets by those who ski and snowboard is a must. Whether you are a casual skier or an aggressive snowboarder who visits the terrain parks, head injuries can occur. A slip and fall on ice can be detrimental for winter athletes. Use of helmets can help prevent these injuries and keep your head warm.

Other ways to get a Concussion

· Indoor & outdoor soccer from heading the ball.

· Cheerleaders and dancers from falls.

· Anyone from an auto accident.

· Bikers (always wear a helmet)

· Skateboarders

Do you plan to use your feet today?

The shape, flexibility and mobility of different parts of your eye ball determine your sight. Any variation and you might end up thinking that raccoon near the bins is a cute little puppy and boom, you’ve got rabies. That’s why they make glasses. The shape, flexibility and mobility of your feet determine your posture and gait cycle. Any variation and you’ll have foot, ankle, knee, hip, pelvic, low back, mid-back pain and even headaches. That’s why they make orthotics. Orthotics look like regular ol’ insoles (which aren’t worth the foam they’re made of), but are bio-mechanical appliances that are custom made from a mold of your foot to correct your specific foot/feet imbalance.

How do custom orthotics work?

They ensure the correct positioning of the bones in the feet and legs. Also the soft tissues of the hips that hold the leg bones in place are prevented from over-stretching, which can lead to further injury and aggravation. Orthotics also reduces muscle fatigue and may help to promote more efficient muscle performance. Each pair is made custom to each foot. Most people find that even between your two feet the orthotics are different. They provide support and level your body from the ground up. Think of it like leveling the foundation of a home. Custom orthotics are designed to level your feet and give your body a good base to provide support from the ground up.

Who needs orthotics?

Orthotics are a good solution for anyone who uses their feet on a regular basis and wants to protect their body form the feet up.

Athletes of all ages – orthotics increase performance and decrease injury and reduce bounce back time from strenuous workouts
Those who carry extra weight – orthotics relieve the additional stress of the extra weight off the ligaments in their feet and leg.
Jobs that require you to be on your feet– doctors, nurses, teachers, restaurant workers, and warehouse workers find that orthotics prevent foot issues, reduce fatigue, pain and discomfort in feet, legs and back by absorbing and distributing shock to avoid the ‘dead on their feet’ feeling at the end of the day.
Those in pain – plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, other foot pain; meniscus injuries, ACl/PCL, IT band, runner’s/jumper’s knee and other knee issues; hip, SI joint and other low back pains have found that have found tremendous relief-even those who have not found luck previously.

Are orthotics a good solution for me?

Orthotics are a good solution for people of all ages. They are affordable and some insurance companies will cover them. One pair will transfer to multiple shoes. So if you use your feet then orthoics are a good solution for you.

Joint Pain

What does Dr. Lee have in common with the Golden State Warriors?

What does Dr. Lee have in common with the Golden State Warriors? Not much really except he can dunk it on LeBron; wait that’s a lie. The real answer: they both use TheraGun to treat debilitating and nagging soft tissue injuries.

What is TheraGun? theragun device

It is a hand held devise that vibrates the muscles and breaks up scare tissue. This allows the muscles to move more freely and decreases increases range of motion. In short its trigger point therapy on steroids!

Tell Me The Science:

TheraGun was engineered to effectively treat sore lactic-acid-filled muscles and other muscle-related conditions, as well as activating muscles and joints to achieve a broader range of motion. Studies on chronic pain have showed that deep brain stimulation at frequencies of approximately 30 Hz can produce analgesic effects. The TheraGun’s reciprocating motion runs at a higher frequency (35-40 Hz) than chronic pain (25-30 Hz) with amplitude of ½ inch. The nervous system’s hierarchy is programmed to pay attention to the higher frequency stimulus over the pain stimulus. This is important because the TheraGun’s vibration and amplitude on the body send signals to the brain faster than pain signals can travel. This high frequency vibration actually overrides pain signals. Therefore, for a period of time, pain is significantly decreased.

Who Uses TheraGun?

In addition to Dr. Lee & NBA champions Golden State Warriors daily users include members of elite NCAA programs, MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS teams, the United States Navy SEALs, the United States Marines Corp, IFBB professional bodybuilders, high school athletes and US Olympians. In addition, the world’s best triathletes, cyclists, runners and Crossfit athletes train harder, recover faster and perform better with TheraGun.

What Conditions Is It Good For?

The official manual, which I read by the way; states that TheraGun is ideal for decreasing muscle stiffness, increasing blood and lymphatic flow, releasing muscle spasms, breaking up scar tissue reducing lactic acid along with treating muscle fatigue, nerve damage, atrophy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and a range of other ailments.

By other ailments let’s say: Whiplash, trigger points, Rotator Cuff injuries, Piriformis Syndrome, Plantar Fasciitis, Sciatica, pinched nerves, Achilles injuries, Tendonitis, IT Band (Runner’s/Jumper’s knee, Snapping hip), Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, RSD, Hip Pointer, Shin Splints and probably some more.

As always there are a few limitations, the lawyers won’t let us use it on your head, genitals, infants or small children or pregnant women.

It’s loud, it’s intense but it works and it’s safe.

Back Pain, Chiropractic Care, Pain, Physical Therapy, Sport Injuries

Playing Through the Pain Part 2

Back in my day, if we got hurt playing ball; we were promptly examined and diagnosed by a highly trained professional. And by highly trained professional I mean the equipment manager. Our treatments alternated between ‘ice it down’ and ‘walk it off’.

Most of the patients we see are suffering from the long term effects of people who just tried to “walk off”

Old sports injuries
Auto injuries
Lawn care injuries
Sitting at the desk too long injuries
“Here, hold my beer” injuries
“Well, there was this girl/guy” injuries and so one

You’re not made of wine or cheese. More like milk; it won’t get better with just time. Let’s face it every athlete will have an injury at some point in time. But it is important to not just let injuries heal, but HELP them heal. My kids sometimes get injured too.

Example 1: Last season my youngest fell on stage and broke her arm having to get pins to allow it to heal correctly. She came back in 6 weeks from this injury but only because she did rehab. She was cleared by the orthopedic surgeon with no instructions; however she had restricted range of motion. Because her wrist was immobile for weeks she did not have any flexibility. She slowly did exercises to gradually increase the range of motion and the strength in the muscles in the affected area. Then as her arm became stronger she was able to do weight bearing tricks such as a hand stand, cartwheels, round offs and then she built up her strength until she could do a back hand spring. She is 100 % healed with no restrictions and more importantly no pain or restricted motion.

Example 2: My middle daughter was practicing jumps on a concrete floor. Not the best plan but she’s a kid. She bruised her heals. She was even having difficulty walking. Her instructions from Dr. Dad were to wear tennis shoes at ALL times. She was mortified. She even wore tennis shoes to dance. We also used cold laser and manual therapy. She argued and fought so we told her choices were to sit out or dance in tennis shoes for 2 weeks AND do her rehab. She chose my option and her feet healed right up and it has not returned.

Other common injuries that need HELP to heal:

Ankle sprains
Shoulder injuries
Shin splints or pain
Pain caused by common kid deceases such as
- Severs ( heal pain )
- Osgood-Schlatters

But what can you do as a parent?

The first thing we can do is not do what our first inclination is to do-nothing. Sometimes we think that kids are just “belly-aching” to get out of something. Best rule-immediately ice the injury and have them sit the rest of the day. If there’s still any pain, swelling, deformity, complaints, altered function; if they’ve ‘lost a step’ or anywise not 100% the next day. Bring them in. Remember braces for knees ankles, etc. are not a long term solution.

Why is chiro a good choice for athletes?

We’re not just “back crackers.” We chiropractors (ok, me, can’t speak for everyone) are experts in the biomechanics of the ENTIRE human body. Which means we know if something ain’t right and how to make it right? Look to college and the pros most teams have a team chiropractor on site!

Facebook feelers
– What to do when your kid gets injured
– Chiropractor as a choice for athletes
– Does your kid have Severs?
– Does your kid Osgood sclatters
– My child was released by the orthopedic but they do not have the strength or the range of motion they did before
– My kids seems to always have shin splints
– my kid wears an ankle brace all the time for an old ankle sprain
– my kid wears knee brace for an injury whenever they play

Need an appointment call (443) 512-0025

Back Pain, Chiropractic Care, Disc Pain, Knee Pain, Pain, Physical Therapy

Playing Through The Pain

When I was in high school I was a cheerleader (Just in case you couldn’t figure it out; Mrs Spine, not Dr. Lee, I know this is a shocker). My senior year I had pretty serious injury I fell directly on to my back from a stunt. My parents took the usual precautions. I went to my paediatrician then therapy and rest for 4 weeks. I was anxious to get back. When my parents asked how I was feeling I answered “great;” this was not true at all! I did not want to be benched so I lied every day. The actual truth was that I was in so much pain that when I got home from a game, all my muscles would tense up and spasm and I physically could not move for about 2 hours. Ultimately I played through the pain and was not patient enough to heal my injury. And I’m still paying for it today. If it wasn’t for my wellness and preventative care with Dr. Lee and Dr. Lam I don’t know what I’d do.

Let’s face it; kid’s sports have gotten more and more serious. Kids are playing more hours per week at a younger age. My own kids dance at a serious level. They are in the studio 5 days weeks for more than two hours per day.
Our kids are active now how we keep our kids healthy?

Avoid playing through the pain. When an injury happens; even less serious injuries when ignored can turn into a chronic issue. When an athlete of any type gets an injury, Ice is nice. Ice and rest are the best treatment for small injuries. Let the area heal completely. If after a few days the injury is still present seek treatment.
Prevent injuries.

Technique – proper technique is key in every sport. When children are taught proper technique body mechanics is preserved and they play better and injuries are avoided. Technique is not the most fin part but the basics in every sport should never be skipped.

Diet – anyone who has been at our dance studio have heard me say “you don’t eat you don’t dance” we are very strict on this. All my children must eat a healthy meal before and after practice. This meal contains a good source of protein. You must feed your body. And you are what you eat.

Sleep – My kids have very strict bed times even on the weekends. Your body heals itself when you rest it. Children who stay up late and are constantly tired are at risk for injuries.

Stretching & strengthening – In line with technique, not only should you know how to do whatever it is you’re trying to do, you need to make sure you’re physically able to. General and sport specific conditioning, strengthening are key. “Being in shape” also isn’t a once you’re there you’re there. You have to maintain. Proper stretching allows you to use more of the muscle and lengthens the pulley arm of the muscles and tendons. Making them not only more powerful but more resilient to injury.

Back Pain, Disc Pain, Foot and Ankle Pain, Headaches, Knee Pain, Pain, Sport Injuries

Are custom orthotics right for you?

My oldest is crazy in her growing patterns. One leg will grow, and then a few weeks later, the other will catch up. It really creates a problem because the longer leg will look like it is wedged up under her hips that creates an imbalance in the hip, which causes back pain. I came home from work the other day and she said “Daddy Daddy I put my orthotics in my shoes today and my back didn’t hurt at all. Those things are awesome!” Read more

Nutrition and Wellness, Sport Injuries

Time

Time, she’s (ever noticed inanimate objects/concepts that cause grief are personified as females???) a tricky bugger. Whisky and wine improve over time. Your body on the other hand, is more like milk; old injuries-more like milk left out on the counter. If I only had a dime for every time I heard someone in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and on tell me that they’ve been fighting with a high school/rec league/drunken foolishness injury from decades previous, thinking it would just go away. Given that a clean fracture completely heals in 6 weeks- if the pain of an injury hasn’t gone away by then, it’s not going to.

Referred Pain

Q:If it’s my back that’s out, why does my leg hurt instead? A: Referred pain
Referred pain comes in 2 main types (3 really. The third being trigger points, a muscle based problem-but that’s a different story for a different day): Sclerotomal and Deramatomal. No, I didn’t just make those up, and hopefully they’re not as boring to you as they may sound. The difference between the 2 is very important in the diagnosis and treatment of pain generating conditions. They also explain the often counter-intuitive: if it’s my back, why does my leg hurt? Read more

Foot and Ankle Pain, Sport Injuries

To heel spur or not to heel spur?

Have you ever tried to get out of bed in the morning, and it felt like your heel was bruised and it hurt to walk? Don’t remember injuring yourself, what could that be?

That’s classic for plantar fasciitis-the swelling of the plantar fascia, erroneously known as heel spurs (though over time a spur will form on the calcaneus from chronic stress, it is not a pain generator). The bottom of your foot is composed of 3 arches that act as shock absorbers. They are covered by tissue known as fascia. As you stand and walk, you exert 3-5times the force of gravity on your feet. Read more

Foot and Ankle Pain, Knee Pain

Can chiropractic help with arthritis?

Certainly! Arthritis alone is the general inflammation of joints, which leads to pain, stiffness, and decreased function of the joint. There are several types of Arthritis. Each form has its particular symptoms, demographics, and development. Osteoarthritis is most directly the result of generalized “wear and tear” of joints and their associated structures. Rheumatoid, Psoriatic, JRA, Septic all are systemic forms of arthritis that develop as a result of the presence of variants in the blood. Lastly gout and pseudo gout are metabolic forms of joint inflammation that is generally associated with dietary input into the body as well as improper metabolic function of the body. Read more

Tag Archive for: sport injuries