Training Injury Free
Pt.II
An Interview with Dr. Patrick O'Brien
SSM Hi Pat.
Dr. O'Brien
Hello once again.
SSM In the
first installment of Training Injury Free we covered some basic
injury prevention/maintenance protocols that athletes can readily
use to fix and avoid injuries. Now I'd like to focus on some more
specific details that would apply to a particular genre of athletes.
Dr. O'Brien
Okay, let's get down to business.
SSM Let's
start with football. What are some of the more common injuries
you've dealt with in working with professional football players?
Dr. O'Brien
Since football is an intense, full contact sport a variety of
injuries can occur. Some of the most common injuries I have treated
include hip flexor strains, rotator cuff injuries, ankle sprains,
wrist tendonitis and hamstring injuries.
SSM Hamstring
injuries seem to constantly plague these athletes. It almost seems
to be the equivalent of rotator cuff injuries amongst bodybuilders.
What specifically are some of the more common hamstring injuries
and what steps could be taken to avoid these from occurring?
Dr. O'Brien
Hamstring injuries commonly occur when the muscle is unable to
respond appropriately to a sudden ballistic full body movement.
There are many ways to avoid hamstring injuries. Proper hydration
and balanced nutrient levels in the tissues are key to preventing
a hamstring injury. Developing strength/quad ratios as close as
possible to 1:1 is also a great benefit to any athlete. Many athletes
injure themselves simply by having knee flexors and/or hip extensors
(hamstrings) that can't keep up with the knee extensors (quads).
Removing adhesions from the muscle following training and competition
with sight specific, hands-on treatment coupled with chiropractic
adjustments for biomechanical balance is critical to preventing
injuries. Adequate warm up including stretching before and after
each training session and competition is also important.
SSM I've
also talked to a number of athletes who have experienced plantar
fascitis. What is this and how can it be treated?
Dr. O'Brien
Plantar fascitis is a very painful condition, which affects the
arch of the foot. Specifically, plantar fascitis is when the ligamentous
arch becomes inflamed and contracts severely causing intense pain.
Similar to hamstring injuries, proper hydration and balanced nutrient
levels in the tissues are the key to preventing plantar fascitis.
My treatment protocol also involves removing adhesions from the
involved areas with a sight specific, hands-on treatment, a biomechanical
adjustment to the foot and ankle and properly prescribed stretches.
SSM What
about impingement syndrome?
Dr. O'Brien
Impingement syndrome occurs when the head of the humerus glides
superior in the shoulder joint pinching certain structures and
causing pain. In order to resolve this injury, the rotator cuff
muscles must be assessed for scar tissue and muscular imbalance
and then treated appropriately by manually removing muscle adhesions.
The spine should also be assessed for any restrictions or misaligned
vertebrae, which can result from compensatory muscle tension.
With this treatment, recovery from impingement syndrome can help
an athlete heal 50% faster than any other form of treatment.
SSM Is an
athlete pretty much out of luck when this happens or are there
steps that can be taken to speed the recovery process?
Dr. O'Brien
With the treatment I just described, recovery from impingement
syndrome can help an athlete heal 50% faster than any other form
of treatment.
SSM What
about Vitiligo? I hear this is a common injury amongst pop stars
these days.
Dr. O'Brien
Uhhhhhhh...
SSM Yeah,
uhhh, so anyway... Are bulging/ herniated intervertebral discs
a common injury amongst athletes?
Dr. O'Brien
Yes, disc injuries commonly result from poor biomechanics while
involved in a high-risk sport. Athletes should see a Doctor of
Chiropractic for all disc injuries, since they are experts in
treating spinal disorders. Doctors of Chiropractic can also rule
out further serious injuries that could require surgery.
SSM What
is this and where does one begin with treatment for this type
of injury?
Dr. O'Brien
A herniated disc occurs when the intervertebral disc (shock absorber
of the spine) herniates or breaks out of its normal contained
environment. Think of compressing a jelly sandwich until it runs
out of the bread. This type of injury can compress spinal nerves
causing severe low back and leg pain. If you suspect a disc injury
see a Doctor of Chiropractic immediately.
SSM Which
sports do you see this occur most often?
Dr. O'Brien
I see the most disc injuries in hockey players, weight lifters
and runners.
SSM I realize
hip flexor strains are quite common in professional sports. You
talked a bit about psoas/hip flexor imbalances in Training Injury
Free Part One. Any advice to our athletes for avoiding hip flexor
problems?
Dr. O'Brien
Since the hip flexors are attached to the lumbar spine they have
a crucial influence on low back function. As a result, spinal
alignment needs to be checked along with hip flexor tightness.
After correcting the specific biomechanical aberrations, synergistic
muscle groups should be balanced. The best way to avoid hip flexor
problems is by getting your body worked on from time to time.
SSM What
other critical athletic injuries have we overlooked in this interview?
Dr. O'Brien
IT Band Syndrome commonly seen in runners and cyclists.
SSM For
the readers that may have missed Part One of this interview, could
you explain a little bit about ART (Active Release Techniques)
and the origin of this revolutionary form of treatment?
Dr. O'Brien
Active Release Techniques (ART) is a specific hands-on treatment
that addresses tissue tightness and other alterations in muscle
texture and tension. The most effective non-surgical treatment
for muscle and tendon injuries, ART is a powerful treatment that
helps athletes heal quickly.
SSM Any
new developments with Active Release Techniques?
Dr. O'Brien
No, it's pretty tried and true already.
SSM What
other forms of chiropractic treatment have you utilized and found
to be effective?
Dr. O'Brien
Acupuncture, properly prescribed nutrients and mind-body work
are all effective tools I use on my athletes.
SSM Once
again Pat, thanks for your time. It has been a learning experience
as always. I hope not to see you soon. Uhhhh, at least not at
your clinic (laughs).
Dr. O'Brien
Perhaps if you took the time to stop by, you'd be be able to get
your max bench over 200lbs (laughs)
SSM For
the readers of Shapeshifter, that last comment was a joke, no
really, it was.