Dwyane Wade (NBA), Matt Hasselbeck (NFL), and former MLB pitcher Kris Benson have all turned to acupuncture as a natural treatment for injuries and chronic pain, often in conjunction with other modern medical treatments. It has helped athletes who might otherwise find themselves watching from the sidelines get back in the game more quickly; and it has helped others continue successful sports careers even after a debilitating injury.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an effective natural treatment for injuries such as:

• Sprains and strains
• Swollen muscles
• Knee injuries and pain
• Achilles tendonitis
• Tennis elbow
• Shin splints

It is an alternative therapy that involves inserting thin needles into strategic acupuncture points in the skin. According to traditional Chinese medicine, this helps regulate the body’s energy and restores balance. In modern medicine, acupuncture is said to ease pain by stimulating the nervous system and by releasing pain-relieving chemicals into the body.

Acupuncture for athletes

Acupuncture can drastically speed up recovery time and even improve performance, which is why so many athletes are increasingly turning to this natural treatment for pain and sports-related injuries. Professional basketballs players have always been supporters of acupuncture with stars turning to the treatment for sore muscles and strains. In the 90s, Charles Barkley saw an acupuncturist for a sore neck. Grant Hill famously visited an acupuncturist in Phoenix for sluggishness and even admitted to receiving treatments for allergies. Meanwhile, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade relied on acupuncture for pain relief caused by knee tendinitis.

Aside from reducing pain, acupuncture has also been shown to promote tissue regeneration, leading many athletes to turn to the treatment post-surgery. Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, Kris Benson, started acupuncture treatments after undergoing Tommy John surgery in order speed up recovery. He was able to get back on the mound within a year of his operation. Another famous baseball player, former homerun king Mark McGwire, also trusted acupuncture treatments during his time in the Majors in order to manage back pain induced by a bulging disk.

With big name athletes spreading the word about the success of acupuncture therapy, this natural treatment for pain is sure to continue gaining popularity with pro athletes and amateur sports players alike.

Photo source: Dwyane Wade by Keith Allison

The practice of meditation is when an individual trains his or her mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or as an end in itself.

The study, conducted by University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds in the Waisman Center, examined the usefulness of meditation, called mindfulness mediation, in reducing pain.

This is the first study to control for other therapeutic mechanisms that may influence the pain intensity as well, such as social interaction, instruction, or learning new skills.

Published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity. the study compared two ways of reducing stress:

1. Mindfulness meditation
2. A program designed to enhance health in ways that weren’t associated with mindfulness meditation.

Researchers induced inflammation in participants by using capsaicin cream. They measured immune and endocrine levels before and after the participants were trained in either of the stress reducing techniques. Psychological stress using a tool called Trier Social Stress Test were implemented to view results.

Results from the study showed that although behavioral changes were effective in reducing emotional stress, mindfulness meditation based approaches helped these people deal with pain associated with inflammation more effectively.

However, researchers maintain that mindfulness meditation is no “magic pill” to reduce pain. According to the lead author, “This is not a cure-all, but our study does show that there are specific ways that mindfulness can be beneficial, and that there are specific people who may be more likely to benefit from this approach than other interventions.”

Yoga’s popularity is constantly gaining momentum. In 2001 there were around 4 million people practicing and teaching Yoga. Now, in 2011, there are over 20 million. Yoga is seen to be an appealing exercise, as the stretches and poses work on not only the body, but also the mind. Yoga is perceived as a “gentle” exercise, which for many, provides an alternative to an intense cardio workout.

A controversial article, published in the New York Times, interviewed Glenn Black, an experienced and popular Yoga teacher in New York City. Black made a number of interesting claims, that really opposed many modern ideas on the perceived benefits of Yoga.

He claimed that a vast majority of people should give up Yoga

Yoga is for people in good physical condition. Or it can be used therapeutically. It’s controversial to say, but it really shouldn’t be used for a general class.

The reason most people develop Yoga related injuries, according to Black, can be traced to the manner in which Yoga first developed. Initially poses were developed from Indian practitioners. They often spent the day squatting and sitting crossed legged. Compare this to the average day of a New York City office worker, who spends the day sitting on a chair, it’s a no brainer to understand where difficulties may arise!

The medical community started to recognize the threat Yoga can pose to people’s health. A number of respected medical journals researched common injuries, that often affect Yoga practitioners and students. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common, often developed from a number of common yoga poses, that put too much strain on this system.

Although often people attend yoga to deal with chronic or acute pain, some find themselves seeking out medical attention to deal with injuries that Yoga can cause. Clinics all over the country see more and more Yoga “ victims” attending pain management clinics. Some even attend special pain management in tyler texas.

I myself, am a keen follower of Yoga. I appreciate both the physical and mental benefits. So rather than throwing in the towel altogether with my Yoga routine, I made some “wellness” guidelines. They allow me to keep in good shape and NOT injure my body.

Hope they help!

Marina’s Tips for Safe Yoga:

• It’s Yoga, not Tennis

Yoga is not a competitive sport, so do not make it one. You are not in competition with the other members of your Yoga class. How can you possibly relax and concentrate, if you are constantly checking out everyone else’s progress? Concentrate on your OWN progress.

• Listen to your body

Just a little further…..Pushing through stretching plateaus is a sure way to improve your Yoga postures. IF done gradually. You know the difference between a stretch and throbbing pain. If your body is telling you to stop, listen to it.

• Start at the very beginning, it’s a very good place to start

I see them coming into the local Yoga class. The cynics who think Yoga is gentle and easy. It is not. Very few come into class and can master the poses on their first try. Unless they have some post experience in other forms of stretching and balance training, everyone struggles at the start. It is normal. That is why you attend the class, TO LEARN.

• Choose a teacher to suit your style

I have been through my fair share of Yoga teachers. Some were bad, others great, some were great, but I knew they were not suited to me. Check out the vibe you have with your Yoga teacher. How you feel after the class. If you are not suited to one another, it’s easy, change Yoga teacher. There are millions out there. Find the one that suits you!

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is common when starting a new exercise program or increasing the resistance, frequency, or intensity of a current workout program. DOMS comes from a combination of waste products in the muscles and stress-induced microscopic muscle tears and inflammation. Muscle soreness typically begins several hours after the workout and lasts anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.

Although DOMS cannot be completely eliminated, it can be controlled and reduced. One of the keys to a good workout without is doing everything you can to reduce soreness before and after you are finished. Below, are some tips to get your post-workout plans on track:

1. Warm up.  Before jumping into a work out, it is best to get your blood flowing and heart rate up. Rather than just stretching cold muscles before a workout, try warming up first to avoid injury and reduce soreness post workout. Examples of warm up activities include jogging, lunges, or squats.

2. Cool down. When you are finished with your workout, don’t just stop. Continuing to move around at a very low intensity for 5 to 10 minutes post-workout can help remove lactic acid from your muscles and may reduce muscles stiffness and soreness.

3. Stretch. Stretching after a tough workout is a simple and fast way to help muscles recover and reduce post-workout soreness. You can also perform stretching exercises before your workout, but after your warm up so that you aren’t stretching cold muscles, which can lead to injury.

4. Apply ice. Placing an ice pack over a sore area is a great way to reduce soreness after a workout because of its numbing capabilities. Ice is effective for constricting the blood flowing to the particular area of pain, which is what makes it so effective for injuries like sprained ankles.

5. Apply heat. Using a heat pack over sore muscles is another great method of pain and soreness relief. Often times, people apply a heat pack after using an ice pack. The ice pack can provide instant pain relief, and application of a heat pack can help with flexibility and restore range of motion.

6. Massage. A massage not only feels good, but improves circulation while allowing the body to fully relax. If done correctly, a massage can help relax muscles that are too tight and alleviate pressure in certain areas. If the price tag of a professional massage is too much, you can try self-massage and using foam roller exercises for easing tight muscles.

7. Eat right. After a workout, these is a maximum of around 2 hours to most efficiently absorb what you eat as energy and repair fuel. If you don’t eat, your body may not have enough carbohydrate energy for your next workout, protein to repair muscles, or healthy fat for your hormones and joints. Make sure you eat whole-grain, high-protein foods – or a protein smoothie could work just as well.

8. Hydrate. Just like the body, muscle cells need water. When it comes to recovery, dehydration is one of your biggest enemies. Make sure you stay hydrated before, during, and after a workout.

Painful muscle soreness is generally an indication that the intensity or frequency of a workout was increased, or that recovery did not occur properly. There is no reason why getting in shape should be painful. Although there is no one-stop solution for reducing post-workout soreness, there are plenty of choices and options available.

What exactly is angina?

Angina occurs in people with Chronic Heart Disease (CHD). Angina in itself is not a disease, but a symptom of disease. Characterized by pain in the chest, shoulders, back, arms and abdominal area (especially after a heavy meal) it is often bought on by physical exertion or emotional distress. Some people will manifest with a crushing pain in one or more of these areas, others may just feel out of breadth. The pain one experiences with angina is not directly proportional to the severity of their CHD.

According to vascular specialists Northwest Florida, what happens to the heart when a person has angina is, that due to the CHD there is an negative balance between the oxygen being supplied to the heart muscle and the amount of oxygen being consumed by the heart.

Florida cardiologists claim angina today is well controlled and treated.  There are mainly three treatment options for people diagnosed with angina.

• Medication: Pharmalogical therapy can keep some types of angina under control. There are mainly two drug groups recommended for angina.  The first are for anti-angina therapy. Drugs such as beta blockers, nitrates, calcium channel blockers and potassium channel agents are used to improve blood supply to the heart by causing blood vessel dilation and lowering blood pressure. These drugs are often combined with secondary prevention drugs such as anti-platelet drugs and lipid lowering drugs which help treat the causes of CHD.

• Medication, Angioplasty and Stent: If medication is not addressing a person’s symptoms they could be considered for an angioplasty and cardiac stent. This is usually for people that have less than three arteries that have been affected by CHD.  When a stent is used with angioplasty there is less chance of the unblocked artery (unblocked by the angioplasty procedure) becoming occluded again. In recent years stents have been developed that are coated with a drug that reduces inflammation. This procedure is usually done in a day surgery, however sometimes it may require an overnight stay.

• Medication and Coronary artery bypass graft: this treatment is offered to a patient when stenting is not an option. Such as patients with a completely blocked artery. This surgery is more complicated than a stent and can require a longer stay in hospital. In this procedure a bypass is made passed the blocked vessel. How? A section of vein is removed from the leg or arm and used as the donor graft. The patient ends up with a vein from their leg or arm connected to the coronary artery, pretty impressive!

If you are concerned about CHD or angina you should make an appointment to see your cardiologist.

1. Exercise. Even mild exercise releases endorphins, the feel-good brain chemicals that have the ability to lift mood and block pain. Simple, everyday activities like walking, swimming, gardening, and dancing can ease some of the pain directly by blocking pain signals to the brain. Any physical therapist in Minnesota would agree that physical activity also helps to stretch stiff and tense muscles, ligaments, and joints, which can lessen pain.

2. Breathe. Concentrating on breathing when in pain can help a person manage the pain. When the pain is intense it’s very easy to start taking shallow, rapid breaths which can cause feelings of dizziness, anxiety, or panic. Instead, it is better to breathe slowly and deeply. This will help a person feel more in control of the situation and will keep them relaxed and prevent any muscle tension or anxiety that could worsen the pain.

3. Sleep. It’s important to try to stick to a normal sleep schedule in order to have the best chance of sleeping through the night. Sleep deprivation can worsen pain, so it is advised to go to bed at the same time each evening, and get up at a regular time in the morning. It is also best to avoid taking naps during the day.

4. Quit smoking. Smoking can contribute to pain in the long run, as it slows healing, worsens circulation, and increases the risk of degenerative disc problems, such as spinal stenosis mn, a cause of low back pain.

5. Stop drinking. Pain can make sleep difficult, and many people use alcohol to help them sleep, which can make sleep problems worse. For those suffering with chronic pain, drinking less or no alcohol can improve both their sleep routine and quality of life.

5. Eat right. Nutrition can naturally provide pain relief, and a well-balanced diet can keep a body strong. Eating right can improve blood sugar, help maintain a healthy weight, reduce risks of heart disease risk and diabetes, and aids digestion.

6. Relax. Negative feelings such as depression, anxiety, stress, and anger, can increase the body’s sensitivity to pain. Taking control of stress can help provide relief from chronic pain. Several techniques can help reduce stress and promote relaxation vary from breathing exercises to massages to types of meditation.

7. Talk. Reaching out is the most important habit a person can develop to help deal with chronic pain. Asking for help, learning more about the condition, and then sharing the new information with others, such as friends and family members, is a great way to reach out. There are also support groups and therapy sessions available for those dealing with chronic pain.

8. Socialize. It is important not to allow the pain to disrupt life. Being in pain does not mean that a person should lose contact with their loved ones. Keeping in touch with friends and family is good for health and can help make a person feel much better. Focusing on pain makes it worse rather than better. Activities can keep a person busy and allow them to think about things besides the pain.

According to experts in personal injury Longview Texas, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (or CTE) is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in people who have suffered severe head injuries. Since the 1920s, the condition has been known to affect athletes who compete in contact sports, especially boxers, since the 1920s.

Symptoms of the CTE include: memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and, eventually, dementia. These symptoms can occur after few months or even years after the original head injury.

In the study, which was published in the journal Brain, researchers from Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System examined the brains of 85 people that included 64 athletes and 21 war veterans whose bodies were donated by their families.

After reviewing the results, researchers found that 68 study subjects had signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Among the 64 athletes in the study group, 34 were former professional football players; six of them had played football only at school while nine had played football in college.

CTE was also found in people who had played hockey or were professional or amateur boxers or wrestlers. The disease also affected marines, soldiers and veterans who had served in the wars in Vietnam, Gulf or Afghanistan.

“Every time something like (a suicide) happens, I do worry about status of an individual’s brain because brain trauma can change people,” Chris Nowinski, co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CSTE, at the Boston University School of Medicine, told CNN.

Seventeen cases of the head trauma that were examined in the study showed no signs of CTE. Researchers say that not all head trauma gives rise to CTE. According to pain management Tyler Texas, other studies have shown contact sports make up nearly 10 percent of head and spine related injuries.

Some of these cases of chronic back pain result in needing corrective spine surgeries. 5 years ago in Hyderabad, neurosurgeons reported performing about 10 corrective spine surgeries a month. That figure has now increased 4 fold to 40. Spine surgeons nj and neurosurgery new jersey report similar figures.

Chronic back pain amongst office workers is a global problem. How to combat it? Combat the causes.

A Danish study 2009, reported that a combination of all round physical exercise and specific strength training exercise reduced pain in several regions of the body that office workers cite as common pain sites. A one year intervention was completed from Feb 2005-Janurary 2006. 3 times a week workers did sessions of 20 minutes of specific exercises such as front raises, lateral raises, shoulder shrugs for 2-3 sets with 15 repetitions. General exercise was incorporated into leisure and work time. For example, commuting to work by walking or cycling.

These small exercise interventions had big effects after a one year cycle. After one year complaints of pain by workers in the neck, lower back, right elbow and right hand decreased dramatically.

It is also in the interest of business owners to educate workers on the benefits of exercise and stretches in the office environment.  Chronic back pain is one of the main causes of lost working days in the office. If back pain is prevented and treated the office environment becomes more productive, as fewer workers would need time off from work secondary to neck and back pain.  It would also save workers hundreds of dollars in medical bills.

The benefits are clear, the solution free, and the implementation easy.  So take a break now and stretch!

Researchers from the University of California in San Francisco revealed both high and low levels of exercise can damage knee in middle aged people. In the study, scientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based T2 relaxation times to track the degeneration of the knee cartilage in adults over the years.

Trials included 205 patients between the ages of 45 to 60 who were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their lifestyle and levels of physical activity.

“T2 relaxation times generated from MR images allow for analysis of the biochemical and molecular composition of cartilage. There is increased water mobility in damaged cartilage, and increased water mobility results in increased T2 relaxation time,” said Wilson Lin, B.S., research fellow and medical student at UCSF.

According to estimates by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by 2030, about 67 million Americans over the age of 18 will have some form of diagnosed arthritis.

Results of the study showed that people who had higher levels of physical activity, especially the high impact ones like running, had more accelerated knee cartilage degeneration compared to other people. According to physical therapy in Minnesota experts, these people had a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis.

“When we compared the scores among groups, we found an accelerated progression of T2 relaxation times in those who were the most physically active. Those who had very low levels of activity also had accelerated progression of T2 values. This suggests that there may be an optimal level of physical activity to preserve the cartilage,” said Thomas M. Link, M.D., professor of radiology and chief of musculoskeletal imaging at UCSF.

Researchers found the use of T2 measurements in the study proved this method can be used to detect knee cartilage degeneration early, when the condition may still be reversible. The study concluded people who have high risk of osteoarthritis (people who have family history of the condition) need to maintain healthy weight and avoid high-impact activities.