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| Category: Sports Medicine |
Date published: July 3, 2009 |
Sometimes we humans stretch the limit of what was intended for our bodies to accomplish. Throwing a ball at 90+ miles an hour seems like we are asking too much of our shoulder and arm.
Nevertheless, when tendinitis rears its ugly head in a pitcher's shoulder, or elbow, we must deal with it constructively.
First, the problem: over-use of the shoulder and elbow tendons. If we calculate the number of times the pitcher throws the ball per game, we come up with 200 to 225 throws. It's true he will not always throw fastballs; however, the arm is working as long as he is on the mound.
No wonder the coaches like to rest their pitchers for three games!
What muscles and tendons are involved?
At the shoulder there is the long head of the biceps muscle and tendon, located on the front side near the shoulder crease. Then, on the upper side, middle of the deltoid muscle is the supra-spinatus tendon.
At the elbow, there are many tendons. The main biceps tendon is located on the inside middle of the elbow crease. There are two inside and outside upper elbow tendons and two outside and inside lower tendons.(Above and below the condyles; the bones that protrude.)
Any one or all of these tendons can be involved in pitchers tendinitis. At times, it may become so severe as to cause the pitcher to retire. Other times, if they embark on the correct program, it will be possible to continue pitching.
All tendinitis sufferers should bear in mind that tendinitis likes to go chronic. What do I mean by that? First, let me point out the difference between acute and chronic conditions or diseases.
An acute condition is one that requires only a minimum amount of care. A few pills, a ""shot"", or a few treatments, ant it's over! However, a chronic disease requires extended or intermittent care.
Regarding tendinitis; it likes to go chronic which often means intermittent care AND the tendinitis often likes to affect other areas than the original area. But, if you know what to do, it can be readily managed, and that is a phenomenal accomplishment!
There is no ""Quick Fix"" for tendinitis. With two exceptions there is no single pill, potion, lotion or procedure that will cure tendinitis. These two exceptions are, First, Chiropractic (You should be well, or nearly well within 6 visits to a ""hands-on"" chiropractor). Second; Cortisone shots, if you do not have to return to the activity that initiated the tendinitis.
There is a problem with the usual therapies. I don't mean to ""knock"" what is being done, because most professionals are doing their best. However, they are not giving enough proper rehabilitative attention to the muscles. In fact, most physical therapists are doing some things wrong.
Examples: P.T.'s often recommend the use of heat on a tendon (sometimes alternating with cold) with two exceptions; heat should never be applied to a tendon! P.T.'s also ""encourage"" the patient to perform muscle-work exercises. When the patient complains that they feel worse, they are told ""No Pain, No Gain!""
Tendons must be treated gently. No force is required. I speak from experience; I had tendinitis myself for 6 ½ years!
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