The fact that NSAIDS actually delay and hamper the healing of all soft tissues including muscle, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage is overwhelming supported in numerous studies. In one study on muscle strains, a popular NSAID essentially wiped the entire inflammatory proliferative phase of healing (days 0-4). At day two there were essentially no macrophages (cells that clean up the area) in the area and by day four after a muscle strain, there was very little regeneration as compared to the normal healing process. The muscle strength at this time was about 40 percent of normal. Another study confirmed that at day 28 after an injury the muscle regeneration was still delayed.

The key question regarding the healing of sports injuries is what therapy speeds up the healing time by increasing fibroblastic cells (cells that lay down new tissue). The current literature supports a treatment called Graston Technique. Graston Technique is a treatment used to break down scar tissue and initiate healing by increasing fibroblastic proliferation. I have personally seen some amazing outcomes with even in the toughest of cases such as a chronic tendonosis. There are five certified practitioners in state of NH, two of which work out of The Advanced Injury Treatment Center in Bedford, NH. I personally have been using this technique for approximately 6 years and find it to be incredibly effective for resolving soft tissue dysfunction.

I hope this blog sheds some light on what not to do when you suffer an injury. Remember the next time that you go for the bottle of Advil that it will ultimately slow down the healing process and delay your return to activity. I would also recommend being evaluated by a healthcare professional if symptoms persist. Our goal at the Advanced Injury Treatment Center is to get you back to activity in the shortest amount of and enjoying the lifestyle you deserve!

Water is the largest constituent of the human body.  It accounts for more than 60% of the human bodies volume.  Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions.  Dehydration, is defined by 2% loss of water weight which results in decreased muscle strength, endurance, and mental aquity. 

The overwhelming consistent conclusion across multiple research studies, academic societies and training associations is that dehydration can signficantly impact athletic performance.  The American College of Sports Medicine and National Athletic Trainer’s Association recommend 24 hours before exericise 400-600 ml should be consumed(approximately 6-10 oz) .  During exercise, active individuals should consume approximately 150-350 ml (6-12 oz) of fluid every 15-20 minutes.  If exercise is of long duration usually greater than an hour or 75 minutes or occurs in a hot enviroment, sports drinks containing carbohydrate and sodium could be used. 

Newer research is also finding that adding just a a small amount of protein to your post-exercise  glucose-electrolyte solution not only enhances hydration  and rehydration but also promotes muscle recovery and reduces muscle damage. 

In conclusion,  if you wish to perform at your highest level you must understand how to stay hydrated and rehydrate after exercise.  This is a vital component of your event prepration and often makes the difference between a high level performance and a complete disaster!  We strive to educate our patients at the Advanced Injury Treatment Center on all aspects of health and wellness including sport’s nutrition, injury prevention, to pre-event preparation.

First of all, the condition of tennis elbow is also called lateral epicondylitis which is an inflammation of the common extensor tendon that attaches to the outer part of the elbow (lateral epicondyle).  This condition can happen as a result of a macrotrauma or microtrauma.  Most patients fall under the 2nd category which is another way of saying it’s a repetitive stress injury or RSI.  RSI’s usually develop as a result of performing a repeated action to an area that may not be conditioned well enough to handle the load or stress from that repeated action.

In mild cases of tennis elbow, patients will usually be able to experience relief of symptoms with rest, ice, compression and support through either a brace or elbow wrap.  However, most patients will often develop an increase in symptoms that may be present even when they are not playing tennis.  Perhaps they notice difficulties with activities of daily living like brushing their teeth, or reaching into the refrigerator for milk or even shaking a person’s hand! It’s during these situations where it is important to look at the big picture on what CAUSES tennis elbow.

If the inflammation of the extensor tendon (forearm extensor muscles) is the problem, then what causes that tendon to become inflammed in the first place?  The answer usually requires a fair amount of detective work to figure out what the greatest contributor may be to cause the inflammation in the first place.  For example, the overload on that tendon may be coming from a weakness in the area, a lack of flexibility, joint space compromise (bone spurs, worn cartilage), rotator cuff or shoulder muscle imbalance and not mention the racquet and technique component.  Things like improper grip size, racquet weight, racquet balance,racquet head size,  string type, string tension AND swing technique can also play a major role in the complexity of tennis elbow.  Of course, we can’t forget the biochemical component as well.  Lack of proper hydration and a poor diet can also affect the healing rate of the tendon as well as how the inflammatory cycle is regulated for that person.  Diet can determine whether or not chemical reactions in the body are happening at an excessive rate or not happening at all.

Therefore, it is important to look at tennis elbow in three ways – the physical component, the equipment component and the biochemical component.  The greatest results in managing this condition will usually come when all three areas are investigated and treated for optimal results.  For example, someone with tennis elbow may not experience full relief unless they properly stretch and strengthen their elbow and shoulder – modify their equipment and stroke to improve the efficiency of movement and reduce the likelihood of improper elbow loading – and tweak their diet to properly hydrate their body and fuel their muscles with protein to control the inflammatory cycle.  Only then will a person reach their best results.

Often times, a person dealing with tennis elbow may feel like they will never be able to play the sport they love because of the chronic nature of this condition.  However, it’s never too late to have your elbow, equipment and nutrition assessed by the proper professionals to see if perhaps previously attempted treatments failed because the treatment only focused on the physical aspect only.  Personally, I have treated hundreds of elbow complaints and I always reach the best results once we properly manage all three components.

So, the next time you feel that twinge or ache in your elbow after a few sets of tennis – think about what you can do to improve the three areas we mentioned above.  Then think about how much fun the sport of tennis could be if you never had to worry about whether or not your elbow was going to “act up” on you.  The game of tennis gives you plenty to think about without you having to worry about elbow pain.  Stop living with the pain and visit your local tennis professional and local sports injury clinic like Advanced Injury Treatment Center to help you get back to the court quickly and without that nagging pain in your arm.