Sports Medicine Direct

Jay Moncliff asked:


Taking medicine has its risks. In fact, some medicine you take will have more risks than the illness you are tying to cure by taking the medicine. There are a lot of things about medicine your probably don’t know, but are facts that you need to educate yourself on so you can be as healthy as possible and know what is going on with your body.

Before you take any medicine, make sure you know what the medicine is, the name of it, and why you are taking it. Mistakes happen all the time in the medical field, so it is up to you to make sure you are getting the correct medicine.

Also, ask how long you should take the medicine and in what doses. Some medicine needs to be taken frequently while others are only once a day or even once a week. Make sure you are very clear on the dosage schedule for the medicine.

Find out if there are any foods or activities you need to avoid while taking a particular medicine. Some drugs will warn you to stay away from the sun or not drive while others will suggest you avoid certain foods and most will warn against drinking any alcoholic beverages. You will also want to know if any over the counter drugs like Tylenol can be taken when you are taking a particular medicine as well. Be sure you are clear on these recommendations before you take any medicine.

You should always ask your doctor if there are any other side effects of the medicine and what they might be. Also, some side effects of medicine are very serious so if you are taking a medicine that has a high risk factor you will want to be well informed and know what to do in case of an emergency.

Medicine is great because it helps people fight illnesses, feel better, and live with aches and pains. However, one should always be fully educated about a particular medicine before beginning a regimen.



Veronica

countryfied chik asked:


I’m a junior in high school and interested in physical therapy/sports medicine. Is there an extreme difference or could i do both. I just don’t know to much about what i will have to go through etc.. can someone let me in on some details

Melanie

Katie Kelley asked:


Although the sports medicine community has not come to a consensus, there are two methods of objective testing that may satisfy the reasonableness test: neuropsychological testing and postural stability testing.

Neuropsychological testing measures the athlete’s cognitive flexibility, attention span, orientation, concentration, visual-spatial capacity, distractibility, immediate memory recall, and problem-solving abilities.

These tests directly measure the cognitive qualities that are affected by head injury and allow athletic trainers to objectively evaluate the athlete’s condition.

The administration of these tests generally occurs in a clinical setting, although recent research indicates that athletic trainers may also administer neuropsychological tests on the sidelines and achieve valid results. The National Football League and National Hockey League currently use neuropsychological testing to assess professional athletes’ cognitive abilities, establishing that it is reasonable to employ these tests as a standard for assessing, treating, and making return-to-play decisions.

Similarly, researchers have established that postural stability tests are reasonable to use in determining when symptoms of concussion cease. These objective tests use sophisticated force plate systems to challenge sensory systems involved in balance by altering visual and support surface conditions.

Although it may not be reasonable to expect the average athletic trainer to have access to this type of equipment, research indicates that there is a significant correlation between the results of simple tests that the athletic trainer can conduct on the sideline and the results of sophisticated postural stability tests.

One of the reasons that athletic trainers rely so heavily on subjective measures and personal intuition when evaluating an athlete with a head injury is that they have nothing for comparison. Athletic trainers and team physicians routinely conduct pre-participation examinations to determine if an athlete has a condition that would preclude participation in sports.

Although reported legal decisions provide little guidance regarding the appropriate nature and scope of a standard pre-participation examination, many lawsuits allege that the sports medicine professional did not discover a medical condition that later resulted in injury or death.

Informed Consent

Generally the law has found that physicians who conduct a thorough pre-participation examination in conformity with accepted standards of practice are not liable for the athlete’s injuries that occurred post examination.

Sports medicine professionals should always consider the intensity and physical demands of the athlete’s sport, all objective clinical evidence, and the probability and severity of harm from athletic participation given the athlete’s condition. Failure to provide an athlete with full disclosure of material information about playing a sport with a medical condition or the potential consequences creates liability for negligence. This duty to disclose relevant information relates to the issue of informed consent.

Informed consent is usually a defense for assault and battery, but courts have translated this concept into negligence terminology. Informed consent comes from the public policy that a competent adult has the legal right to determine what to do with their body. As such, adults may provide consent, but minors require consent by a parent or guardian.

The consent must represent an informed decision regarding the risks of treatment and participation. For an athlete’s decision to be informed, the sports medicine professional must clearly warn of all material, short-term, and long-term medical risks of continued athletic participation under the circumstances. Athletic trainers and team physicians can share liability if more than one person, other than the athlete, contributed to any injury.

If negligence can be associated to a sports accident or injury there are potential damages, which the injured party can collect. The athlete must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a breach of some type was in fact the legal cause of the injury.

In a negligence case, the injured party generally seeks financial damages for the following areas: past, present, and future pain and suffering; past, present, and future medical expenses; and past, present, and future diminution of earning cap.



Ruby

tia j asked:


I’m in 11th grade and in sports medicine. At my school we go with the football team to games to get hands on experience. I wanted to know is it the same in college

Beth

Gordy Weiss asked:


Magnetic Therapy have been used in the international sports world for many years for

healing injuries due to sprains and repetitive strain. Due to its capability of quick healing it is ruling a major area in the world of sports medicine. Sometimes much kind of injuries has to be treated and healed as quickly as possible and magnet with its quick healing properties is employed in the area of injury to aid the sports person towards a faster recovery.

The increasing popularity and acceptance of bio magnetic therapy is based on two main factors. The increasing confirmatory scientific research conducted on the various healing properties of magnets and the absolute weight of communicative evidence.

Research conducted in using magnets for healing the areas of sprains and repetitive strain injury has come out with positive results. Research shows that magnets have an anti-inflammatory effect. How does it happen? Inflammation causes dilation of the blood vessels which is clinically termed as vasodilatation. Placing a magnet next to the skin will result in constriction of the blood vessels which is clinically called vasoconstriction which causes the opposite effect of vasodilatation thus reducing the cause of inflammation. Research also shows that magnetic therapy or use of magnetic

product as proposed by your therapist helps to maintain the ph balance which often gets imbalanced when you are injured or suffering from ill health. In such cases magnets speed up the migration of calcium ion to heal nerves and tissues. The theory that works behind the healing of the injured area explains that an increase in negative electrical potential which carries a negative charge is involved in the process of healing which is indicated as the North Pole by some researcher. Magnetic applications also increase blood circulations and nutrient carrying potency. Research has also been reported that

magnets also help to produce body’s own natural pain killers called endorphins, when nerve fibers are subject to a magnetic field and also produce melatonin a hormone that promotes restful sound sleep. Although these effects has not been conclusively proved yet.

The different magnetic products available for sporting injuries that enhances the well-being and vitality of an individual is possible due to its faster recovery times, no drugs involved, safe and is without any side effects, minimal expert advice is required to use them, inexpensive and reusable. The growing interest from countries including Great Britain, Holland, Canada and the United States apart from Japan, China,India, Australia and Germany shows that though the theory behind the healing property of magnet is still not supported by the scientific community but its effects are felt.



Michelle

Sean W Russell asked:


Chinese Martial artists for the last 3000 years have been training and getting injured the same as today. In fact martial artists that were considered ‘Masters’ at the time were mostly doctors or bone setters. If you aren’t healthy, you can’t train its that simple. Obviously Physical Therapists and Western Medicine were not around, but hey also weren’t needed. The Chinese used herbs and body therapy techniques to heal injuries and keep students in top condition. The big ’secret’ about these techniques is that Westerners just aren’t educated about Chinese Sports Medicine. The product regimen of these natural products, in most instances are far superior to anything even available to a Westerner. For instance in training westerners make big use of supplements of protein and such, it would just take a couple minutes of anyone’s time to see that 90% of products on the market have never shown a gain in athletes. The difference here is that Westerners are trying to chemically break down and synthesize natural processes in your body for a greater effect.

The Chinese however use 5000years of research on herbal properties to enhance or heal their bodies with little or no side effects. Another main difference is that Westerners prefer to ‘grin and bear it’. When they get bumps, bruises, sprains, strains, and aches unless it is seriously affecting them, Westerners will just try to ‘walk it off’ or ignore it. The only thing this accomplishes is that you ‘baby’ the injury and usually injure another part of your body by, say walking differently. Another problem here is that you not helping the injury heal, you want to be proactive with injuries. Lastly, these injuries can have lasting effects. Bruises are patches of stagnant blood over your muscle that could harden and crystallize over your muscle, giving you pain for years to come. A last great example of Chinese Sports Medicine is they don’t use ice. The short explanation here is think about what your muscles do when they are cold, what does fluid do when its exposed to freezing temperatures? Ice will help reduce inflammation, but with a huge cost. A simple mixture of Chinese herbs however can sedate paid, reduce inflammation, and most importantly remove stagnant blood and fluids and bring in fresh healing blood to the area.

So what can you do to be a newly informed person in Chinese Herbal Medicine? Well, unless your an herbalist or Oriental Medical Doctor you will have to buy some product to get you going. Here is your short list:

Liniments or Dit Da Jow – You need to be able to have a product that will relieve pain, warm up muscles, remove bruises, and relieve aches and pains.

Ice Substitute – This one is a tough one for you if you don’t buy some type of product like Herbal ICE. However, remember if you ice to only ice for very short periods of time.

Emergency Products- Such as those to stop bleeding, and pills like Trauma Pills.

Here are some helpful things to have around should you choose not to buy product, or keep as emergency.

Agrimony – Stops bleeding. Take internally as strong tea, or bruise together and apply to wounds. Burning it and using the ashes would be superior to stop bleeding.

Tea Tree Oil – Here is an all around First Aid miracle. Apply to bumps, bruises, sprains ect for pain relief. Mix a few drops with Vegetable oil if you have sensitive skin.

Valerian Root – Chew on the dry root for pain relief. Not only will this taste horrible which may distract from pain, but Valerian dry has the most pain relieving properties

Aloe Vera – Since this is a readily available product, i will recommend this for inflammation suggestion. Rub directly on inflammation and take internally often. Fresh Aloe Gel is almost always food quality, and can be used medicinally as well. Alternatively, use all Yin Tonic herbs for inflammation.



George

Steven Parbach asked:


A number of natural health and healing arts programs are offered at schools of complementary medicine. Common studies involve holistic health, kinesiology, art therapy, massage therapy, acupressure, Tai Chi, flower essences, botanical medicine, and holistic nutrition, among others.

For example, schools of complementary medicine that offer holistic health practitioner programs cover diverse subject matter including mind, body, and spiritual healing; acupressure, massage, aromatherapy, flower essences, and biofeedback. While some of these courses may result in a diploma and/or certificate; there are some complementary medicine schools that offer degree programs in holistic health and nutrition.

Acupressure (similar to acupuncture) is sometimes integrated into advanced massage therapy programs at specialized schools of complementary medicine. These types of courses generally run between 500 and 1,000 hours; and include comprehensive instruction in anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, sports massage, Swedish massage, deep tissue therapy, and basic first aid/CPR, among others.

Tai Chi, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophies and theories, is a form of Qigong. This is a great wellness program and martial art that is offered at many schools of complementary medicine. This particular healing art is a mind-body exercise that helps to improve balance, flexibility, strength, and overall wellbeing.

Herbal medicine courses at schools of complementary medicine are often included in naturopathic, homeopathic, and Oriental medicine curricula; however, in some cases, students can pursue degrees in herbal sciences. In addition, there are herbal medicine seminars and workshops that provide short training classes in home herbal remedies, organic gardening, and holistic nutrition.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in learning more about these or other complementary medicine programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore schools of complementary medicine near you.

Schools of Complementary Medicine – Typical Studies

© Copyright 2008

The CollegeBound Network

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.



Pedro

tia j asked:


I really want to have a career in sports medicine but dont know what to major in in college

Catherine

Chris Chew asked:


Have you taken up swimming as a sport to help you to lose weight? If you are, you are not alone because most people think that swimming is effective way to tone muscles and lose weight. This is why the public swimming pools everywhere are always packed in the evenings and on weekends.

Before I disappoint you, I must first declare that I am not against swimming. On the contrary, I swim regularly for the sake of my cardiovascular health.

However, some research seem to suggest that swimming is not an effective way to lose weight and in fact, one can even gain weight with swimming. Getting more bewildering eh?

Swimming is considered by many as one of the best exercises or sport to lose weight and to tone muscles because when you swim, most of your muscles are called into action and you are actually having a full body workout. Furthermore, swimming also has an aerobic effect and so the heart and lungs are getting their dose of exercise as well.

However, a research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine demostrated that in the absence of a controlled diet, swimming has little or no effect on weight loss.

Professor Grant Gwinup conducted an experiment correlating swimming with weight loss and came up with surprising results.

a) Test subjects put in a cycling program lost 19 pounds in a 90 days study.

b) Those following a walking program lost 17 pounds in the same period.

c) Now, brace yourself for this! Subjects in the swimming program actually gained extra 5 pounds!

Did the findings shock you? I couldn’t believe what I was reading when I first came across the report.

Professor Gwinup then assumes that swimming in cold water stimulates the appetite to increase caloric consumption. Do you feel hungry after a swimming session? If you do, then professor could be right.

Professor Louise Burke, Head of Nutrition at the Australian Institute of Sport pointed out that competitive swimmers typically have body fat levels that are higher than those of runners or cyclists who expend a similar amount of energy when they train.

Why is that so? This is because swimmers feel hungry after swimming and may simply replace all the calories they have burned with a large meal and a sugar laden drink after their swim.

On top of that, they may even consume more calories than they have used up.

“Some research suggests that this is due to the cool temperatures in which swimmers often train in and by contrast, runners and cyclists usually experience an increase in body temperature during their training sessions, which may help to suppress appetite.” Professor Burke said.

Professor Burke also noted that competitive swimmers are less active when not in training sessions. The swimmers are so tired from the hours of intensive training that they sleep, relax or avoid any active physical activities outside their training sessions. Deja vu? Do you feel tired and sleepy after a swim?

Now, let’s talk about toning muscles. Do note that most of the work your body does when swimming involves positive muscle actions and no negative action and we know all know that the negative phase, that is, when lowering the weights during weight training is very important in building muscles.

So can your muscles develop properly when only the positive muscles are worked on? By the way, before you say that competitive swimmers have nice muscle tone, that is because they lift weights to maintain muscle balance as well as to gain strength for more powerful strokes.

Please, do not give up swimming if you enjoy the sport. Doing any exercise or sport is better than not exercising at all. Just make sure that you don’t eat more or become more less active after your invigorating swim.



Dennis

James Schramko asked:


As little as a decade ago, anti-aging medicine was considered to be purely science fiction by some. Now, ten years later, a great many of the insights that have been put forth by anti-aging clinicians and pioneering researchers have become science facts.

Scientists know much more today about the deterioration that we all undergo and the vulnerability to disease that is characteristic of the aging process. Many of these newly found discoveries can be traced to the beginning of anti-aging medicine which heralded in a new era for not only an innovative health care model but an exciting scientific field of study as well.

Anti-aging medicine has grown to be a medical specialty that has been founded on the application of advanced medical and scientific technologies for the early prevention, detection, treatment and reversal of all age-related diseases. Anti-aging medicine has become a health care model which promotes innovative research and science to prolong a healthy lifespan in human beings. Anti-aging medicine is based on solid principles of responsible and sound medical care which are consistent with those that are applied in other preventive health care specialties. Anti-aging medicine is:

Scientific

The practices of anti-aging diagnoses and treatment are supported by scientific evidence. They cannot be branded as merely anecdotal.

Evidence-based

This branch of medicine is based on a direct and orderly process by which data can be acquired in order to formulate an objective yet scientific assessment so that an effective treatment plan can be assigned.

Holistic

This branch of medicine makes use of an organized framework for a diagnostic assessment based on the whole person and the subsequent plan for a treatment regimen.

Synergistic

This branch of medicine recognizes that often a multi-faceted approach may produce greater rejuvenating effects than just by administering a single therapy.

Anti-aging medicine has been well-documented by such peer-reviewed journals as Aging, Lancet, Journal of the AMA, American Journal of Cardiology and many more. Anti-aging medicine has its main focus on the application of highly technical diagnostic and treatment biomedical technologies so that it may come up with the earliest detection and the most aggressive care of disease. Anti-aging medicine’s goal is not just to prolong an individual’s life as far as years are concerned, but it wants to ensure that the individual will enjoy those years in a vital and productive fashion.

Anti-aging medicine has hastened the pace of advancement in preventive health measures as well as in health promotion. By putting into practice a proactive health program that embraces all elements of anti-aging preventive health care for yourself, the ability is increased for you to live a robust and long life in which you will spend abundant and quality time with your family and with its future generations.

Human performance scientists all across the United States agree in one accord that the best thing you can do to slow down the aging process is to stay physically active. Exercise experts now see “aging” as being inactive. Now, thanks to rehab advancements and high-tech sports medicine, men and women who are up in years (90’s and 100’s) are regaining mobility and strength from muscle training.

There is one lesson to be learned from this: It is never too late to begin an exercise program. However, it is best to get a jump start on exercising while you are still agile enough to do it.



Manuel