When should I use ice and when should I use heat?
Ice should be applied to any injury that involves an inflammatory process, which most commonly occurs immediately following an injury. Ice causes the blood vessels in the area in which it is applied to constrict causing blood flow and thus swelling to decrease in the area. By decreasing the swelling or inflammatory process in the area, you will thereby decrease your pain. Heat, on the other hand, causes the blood vessels to dilate bringing fresh healthy blood to the area. This helps stimulate healing in chronic conditions and also helps loosen tight or tense muscles. Click here for hot/cold therapy products.
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My doctor diagnosed me with “tennis elbow”. What is this and what causes it?
Tennis elbow is the term used to describe the medical diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis. It is typically a chronic injury that is caused by repetitive use of the forearm and wrist as is common in tennis players, people who spend long periods of time on the computer, and carpenters or plumbers. The repetitive use of the forearm and wrist causes microtears in the tendons that attach on the outside of your elbow. This is what generates the pain you feel. Treatment typically includes rest, cessation of the aggravating activity, bracing, stretching, and strengthening and is most effective if initiated as soon as your pain starts. Click here to find products to help you with your tennis elbow.
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My daughter is a highly competitive basketball player who repeatedly sprains her ankle? What, if anything, can we do to help prevent this from continuing to happen?
When you sprain your ankle you stretch or tear the ligaments that provide support to the ankle. You also damage the nerves that send messages to you brain about where you body is and how it should react. This is what causes people to continually sprain their ankles. Treatment for chronic ankle sprains typically includes strengthening and balance training. Click here to find products for ankle sprains.
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I have had back pain for years, what should I do about it?
You should start by seeing a medical doctor for a complete physical exam to rule out any serious causes for your back pain. A medical doctor will also be able to order diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of your back pain. Depending on what your doctor determines, he may send you to another health professional including a neurologist/neurosurgeon, pain management doctor, or to a physical therapist. Click here for products to help you manage your low back pain.
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