Kauai Physical Therapy Blog
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Flexibility
Waves of Consequence
Large Australian Swells Testing Competitive Limits
SIx Times World Surfing Champion, Stephanie Gilmore, in a better place. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Gilmore’s Facebook page.
On a recent free surf in Australia, six-time world champ Stephanie Gilmore wiped out with bone-breaking intensity. “I fractured my fibula… I just ejected out of the lip, tried to pin drop feet-first and went straight-legged into the sand,” said Gilmore in an interview during the 2015 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. It not only kept her from competing in the contest, it also highlights the range of injuries that can be sustained while surfing.
We see a lot of strains, sprains, and tears in our patients at Action Physical Therapy— especially the ones that surf—but fractures are less common. Which is actually a little surprising, considering a cubic meter of water (about the size of your oven) weighs a ton. The eight- to twelve-foot waves breaking at the 2015 Margaret River Pro were unleashing hundreds of tons of water at the competitors riding them. The athleticism and flexibility of even the most prepared, intensely trained surfers are tested when they met the wrong side of those breaking waves. (Ninth best surfer in the world, Jordy Smith, had to pull out of the competition because of injuries sustained to his foot and knee during a between-round surf at spot near Margaret River.)
And, while it may sound more serious, a fracture can be more preferable to something like a ligament tear. A hairline fracture like the one Stephanie Gilmore sustained, often does not require surgery, but will need rest and physical therapy to ensure it heals correctly and completely.
If you’re experiencing pain while surfing, or any other activity for that matter, it could be an undiagnosed, yet easily treatable issue. We encourage you to talk to your doctor, or call us for a consult. We can create a specialized PT program for surfing injuries, and the many other conditions that go with living an active life.
We wish Stephanie Gilmore the best in her recovery, and look forward to watching her rip in the upcoming Oi Rio Women’s Pro in Brazil. And congrats to John John Florence on his runner up win at the Margie’s Men’s Pro! He walked away with second place, but he’s a first-rate competitor and ambassador for Hawaii. #GoJohnJohnGo!
Stay Healthy by Playing Less? Dr. Andrews thinks so. You should listen.
Dr. James Andrews is the undisputed rock star of orthopedic surgeons. His personal statistics regarding number of surgeries are mind-numbing. The list of who’s who in professional and collegiate sports he has repaired is unparalleled. The contracts his patients have signed post surgery exceeds a billion dollars. To put it succinctly, Dr. Andrews is the authority on sport injuries. Now he wants you to stop playing sports so much. Read on.
The crux of Dr. Andrews new book, Any Given Monday: Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them, for Athletes, Parents and Coaches — Based on My Life in Sports Medicine, and personal goal is to stop treating child athletes like they are adults. “I hate to see the kids that we used to not see get hurt. … Now they’re coming in with adult, mature-type sports injuries. It’s a real mess. Maybe this book will help make a dent,” states Dr. Andrews.
His advice is simple. First, kids need a rest between seasons. He advises against specialization where a child plays a sport year round exposing them to more traumatic and repetitive injuries. And second, a child shouldn’t be worked out as if they are a adult. Training for children should be geared towards the child’s age.
For more in depth information on Dr. Andrews and sports medicine click here:
Or watch the video here:
Scapulothoraticic Bursitis, or as most people call it, “My shoulder hurts.”
The shoulder is a complicated and often over-used joint prone to various pain-causing issues. Between swelling of the bursa, bony abnormalities and insufficient musculature, the shoulder can become a painful and noisy joint. Sound familiar? The first step to healing and returning to pain-free movement is see your P.T.
Motion in the shoulder depends on adequate coordination of the concave scapula on the convex thoracic wall by the periscapular musculature. Incongruence, which has several possible causes, such as bony abnormalities, insufficient muscular control and the thickening and scarring of connective tissue may result in a painful grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage during movement.
If you are interested in learning more read here or contact Action PT today.
Foam Rollers: 5 Common Mistakes
At Action Physical Therapy, we utilize tools to help you feel better. Even a simple foam roller can have very effective results in treating pain if used properly.
Check out Christine Yu’s, “Are You Foam Rolling All Wrong?” on dailyburn.com. This article breaksdown the five most common mistakes that people make when using the foam roller. Here are her top five mistakes.
- Mistake #1: You roll directly where you feel pain.
- Mistake #2: You roll too fast.
- Mistake #3: You spend too much time on those knots.
- Mistake #4: You have bad posture.
- Mistake #5: You use the foam roller on your lower back.
If you still aren’t sure if you are using the foam roller the right way and want to get the maximum benefits from a roller, make an appointment with Action Physical Therapy. One of our therapists can work with you to help ease your aches and pains.
How to Reduce Back Pain From Cycling | Play Better | Core Daily | Core Performance
How to Reduce Back Pain From Cycling
via How to Reduce Back Pain From Cycling | Play Better | Core Daily | Core Performance.
This blog is sponsored by Action Physical Therapy.
office phone:: 808.246.0144
physical address:: 4381 Kukui Grove Street, Suite #3, Lihue, Hawaii 96766
email:: Steve@ActionPT.com
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