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.

ASPIRATION

See: Draining with needle.

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.

See: Anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs.

BETA-AGONIST

Treatment for asthma.

See: Salbutamol.

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.

NOTE

Some sports do not permit braces that could inflict injury on opponents.

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.

DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

See: Ultrasound, diagnostic.

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.

ECCENTRIC EXERCISES

See: Concentric exercises.

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.