Chapter 2. Guide to treatments
A–Z OF SELF AND MEDICAL TREATMENTS
This A–Z of treatments – both self and medically prescribed – tells you what some of the more commonly used forms of treatment for injuries actually do to help you. These can apply whether you have taken a tumble when cycling or fallen off a ladder while painting your kitchen. It is followed by a list of common ailments or minor injuries, plus advice on how to cope with them.
ACUPUNCTURE
Oriental system of inserting needles into specific parts of the body to relieve pain. The needles are inserted along ‘acupuncture meridian lines’ and might be inserted at some distance from the area that hurts. Acupuncture is associated with the flow of qi – vital energy – which is important in maintaining a healthy balance of yin and yang.
See: Dry needling.
ADVERSE NEURAL TENSION
A technique for treating trapped nerves from disc, etc.
AMINO ACIDS
Protein building-blocks of body. Claims for amino acid supplements might be exaggerated, but ‘branched-chain’ amino acids may help fatigue. Tryptophan is known to have produced bad reactions.
ANTIBIOTICS
Chemicals that kill off bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses such as those that cause flu or the common cold.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS/NSAIDs
Neutralize inflammation produced by damage to body. Known as NSAIDs (non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Available as tablet/capsules, gel and cream. Aspirin is best known, but there are many others on the market. Must be taken with food as they can cause indigestion and even stomach ulcers. Some people have an allergic reaction to these drugs. Consult a doctor.
ASPIRIN
Excellent anti-inflammatory agent (see above). Standard dose is two tablets (300 mg) with each meal at minimum 4-hour intervals; also before going to bed with, say, glass of milk. Continue for 48 hours. Paracetamol is recommended for children under 10.
BETA-ANTAGONIST/BETA-BLOCKER
Calm nervous tremors; may cause asthma; can reduce exercise performance. Beta-antagonists are banned by authorities in several sports. If you have been prescribed these for raised blood pressure or angina and they are banned in your sport, see your doctor; other equally effective drugs are available.
See: Calcium antagonist.
BONE SCAN
For diagnosis of stress fractures and bone problems. Uses injection of technetium, a radioactive substance that is the approximate equivalent of one X-ray.
BRACES
Used to support joints, these are more and more ‘high-tech’, often made of strong, lightweight materials. Although knee braces are unlikely to prevent injury to an undamaged joint, their pressure on the skin may enhance awareness of joint position and improve overall control. Some coaches require their players to use joint protection for areas such as the ankle.
Some sports do not permit braces that could inflict injury on opponents.
CALCIUM ANTAGONIST
Drug for angina and blood pressure. Allowed in sports where beta-blockers are banned; more efficient than a beta-blocker if exercising.
COMPRESS
Firm bandaging that may also hold hot or cold pad onto damaged area.
CONCENTRIC EXERCISES
Think how you lift a glass to your mouth. Your upper arm muscle (biceps) shortens and your hand comes up to your mouth. When you put the glass down again the same muscle still has to work to stop the glass crashing onto the table, but this time the muscle is working while it is getting longer. When a muscle works and gets shorter, it is working concentrically; when it works and gets longer, it works eccentrically.
CORTISONE INJECTION
CROSS-FRICTIONAL MASSAGE
Technique of rubbing, using small movements but firm pressure across the line of muscle or tendon growth. Thought to break down scar tissue and realign fibres.
CROSS-TRAINING
Using a range of activities for fitness, rather than relying on repetition of the same ones.
CT SCAN
Type of body scan that produces X-ray slices of the body, using computerized tomography. Excellent for checking or analysing bones; also good for discs, brain and soft tissues.
DEEP FRICTION MASSAGE
Uses firm pressure to get at deeper tissues.
DRAINING WITH NEEDLE
Sucking out fluid from an injured area. Also called aspiration.
DRY NEEDLING
The technique of dry needling is similar to acupuncture. However, many doctors believe that only some points that are needled during acupuncture are essential; these are the specific trigger points in the painful area. Some doctors give an injection of cortisone to the trigger point; this is not dry needling but can be equally effective.
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
Ultrasound screen of the heart that monitors blood flow, valves and thickness of heart wall. Can be used to look for HOCUM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), associated with sudden death in young adults.
EFFLUAGE
Massage technique that moves damaged cells and fluid away from injury and towards heart.
ECG (US: EKG): ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
ENZYME CREAM
Contains chemicals that increase blood supply and ‘digest’ the bruise. Apply to damaged skin and muscles.
EP
Short for erythropoietin (see below).
EPIDURAL INJECTION
Spinal injection, commonly used for women giving birth, that temporarily numbs and paralyses the lower limbs and pelvic area. When given to out-patients in dilute form for sciatica (nerve pain in legs), there is no temporary paralysis, so the patient can walk away. It can be very successful in treating long-standing (chronic) hamstring injury. Can be given via a translumbar route (between the vertebrae) or caudal route (through a hole near the tail of the spine).
ERYTHROPOIETIN
Hormone that stimulates the production of blood cells. Its use in sports is illegal.
FARADISM, DIFFERENTIAL
A machine that causes muscles to contract by applying an asymmetrical alternating current of electricity.
HEEL RAISE
Rubber insertion in shoes to alter angle of foot as it strikes ground when walking or running. Can also help early treatment of Achilles tendon problem.
ICE
Use just melting, or wet ice, which is 32 °F/0 °C. If unavailable, use cold water, cooling gel, chemical freezer, a bag of frozen peas – anything that cools painful area.
Ice with a temperature below 32°F/0 °C can produce ice burns of the skin.
See: page 8.
INTERFERENTIAL
Machine using electromagnetic waves to penetrate deep into body tissue. This stimulates muscle contraction and reduces pain levels.
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