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2nd edition August 12, 2002 |
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Subject: bruising Dear doc, I have noticed lately that my muscles bruise after a game. (Quadriceps and triceps on throwing arm) I do stretch normally through the week and prior to every game. The bruising does not hurt like one from blunt trauma, it feels like sore muscles. What could be the cause? Sincerely, R Dear R, Sounds like it could be a vitamin deficiency. How long has it been going on? Have you been sick recently? Without getting into details about which vitamin deficiencies cause the slight bleeding (bruising) I would recommend that you get a good multi-vitamin at a health food store and start taking it now (I have one on my website, but that won't get to you soon enough). Those Centrum
vitamins you can buy at the market aren't any better than Flintstones vitamins. Are you taking any kind of supplements or medications? Aspirin, Advil and Gingko Biloba can thin the blood, making it much easier to bruise. If you are taking those before or after a game, stop now! Use ice after a game. Please get back to me with the answers to my questions.
Dr. Ross p.s. If the bruising persists some blood work may be necessary. Subject: Re: Lower Back Pain? Hey Doc, Is there anything more I can do besides stretching and 800mg Motrin to relieve the lower back pain and the stiffness that sets in immediately after initial lower back exertion? Sometimes just carrying my bag and some extra equipment from the car to the dugout will set it off. I had L4-L5 Laminectomy about 15 years ago and hope this is only a muscular problem. Any suggestions other than hanging it up? I'm in my 40’s and have my NABA future ahead
of me. Thanks, R.H. Hey R.H., Are you just having lower back pain? Or, do you have some radiation of pain into your buttocks or lower? How long has it been acting up? The stretching is good, but how often are you doing it? (morning and night, everyday should help, not just game day). I would also recommend icing your back after you play and if your work is strenuous, possibly after work. Was the laminectomy due to a
traumatic (accident or fall) injury or was it just wear and tear? Either way you may have some damage to L5-S1 that is starting to rear its ugly head. This is not to say it is time to hang it up (I'm very conservative about telling someone it's over). Have you seen a doctor/chiropractor lately about this? X-rays? Orthopedic tests? Being a chiropractor, I'm pretty much anti-drug -- be careful with regular use of ibuprofen (did you read my first article for NABA?).
I wish I could say that it is just muscular, but in my experience it is usually biomechanical which causes the muscles to tighten and protect the area. If you can find out why the muscles are tightening you have a better chance of finding relief. I can possibly give you more answers if you give me a little more info. Also do I have permission to put your question and answer
on the NABA site (of course removing your name and e-mail address)?
Dr. Ross Remember, it's not over till the Fat Lady sings Subject: Traction Yo Doc, My back is always stiff and sore after a game. Never bad enough to call it pain. I take some Advil after a game, it seems to help but I read your other answers and want to try stopping using them. A co-worker told me about inversion therapy. What do you think about it? B Dear B, There are several different types of inversion therapy. You may remember the gravity boots of the seventies. The benefits were there with the boots, however you can only hang upside-down straight. There is also the ortho-pod where you hang from the bent knees. Again you are only in one position, hanging straight down. The other version is an inversion table in which you can change the
angle in which you hang. I like the versatility of this unit. You can see one on my website wwww.RelaxBack.com. With inversion therapy you can use them to hang for traction, but you can also do exercises to build your abs which can also help your low back pain. Also I know I am repeating myself, but you should also ice after your games. Sincerely, Dr. Ross
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