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The Can't Rant

    Let's be honest, the word "can't" is very rarely used properly. In my house growing up and currently with the 3 kids we have now, Can't is another dirty 4 letter word. What people really mean when they use that word is: No, I don't want to; It's not high enough on the priority list to make happen; or I don't know how. This becomes very important in communication with people in general but especially for those that are trying to coach you for generally improving your situation or in my case for moving towards a healthier more ACTIVE lifestyle.

Here's why:

• No, I don't want to - Plain and simple. This means either we need to find another way to attain your goal or we need to change the goal.

• It's not high enough on the priority list to make happen - If the goal is important but the task is being avoided with other events put before it then the person must either move the task up the ladder of importance or understand that results will either be non-existent or sub standard.

• I don't know how - This is the most important answer of the bunch as it openly allows for guidance in something that you want to accomplish.

    Everyone has goals, little and big. Avoiding that bad four letter word with your family, friends, doctor's, and coaches will significantly improve how your support group can help you through the speed bumps and roadblocks. Also, if you're in someone else's support group and they're using "can't", call them on it and see what happens. If they actually want to fix the problem they'll clue you in.

Flexibility: The Missing Link to the Perfect Swing

80% of amateur golfers do not have the flexibility to swing the club on the proper plane. This leads to people muscling (arm swinging) through the wrong swing plane, thereby causing injuries and inconsistent shots.

In order to launch booming drives off the tee one must have a long, flowing backswing that acts as a spring gaining tension. When the endpoint is reached and the spring is released, the swing should only have to be guided, not forced, to follow the inside out path through contact with the ball. Using the wrong muscles in an attempt to bring power to an improper swing leads to injuries like sprains, strains, and joint damage not to mention the slices, hooks, and duffs that arise from an inconsistent swing. This makes flexibility not only a key ingredient to the long ball, but to the continued enjoyment of the game.

There are three fundamental causes of golf injuries: poor posture, lack of flexibility, and poor swing mechanics. Golf professionals do a wonderful job at training swing mechanics but many times are plagued by the physical restrictions of the player in attaining that swing, especially if there is pain in the necessary motion. Some people may have muscular tightness as their primary problem while others may have mild to moderate arthritis or joint fixation that is preventing them from attaining their goal swing. One solution may be to see a sports chiropractor that can identify and directly address specific areas of restricted movement (such as ankles, knees, hips, low back, mid back, neck, shoulders, elbows, and wrists) to increase both flexibility and function, which translates into decreased pain. One study states that there was an average of 17% increase in performance in athletes under chiropractic care. Another simple addition to improve your game and prevent injury is a customized pre-golf warm up of a few stretches and exercises. Spending five to ten minutes on addressing your specific areas of inflexibility or instability can shave a number of strokes off your round.

The game of golf contains wonderful physical and mental benefits that can be a healthy compliment to anyone’s lifestyle. Do not let pain or a flexibility problem interfere with your game. We may be able to help. Do not give up on a game you love. Call us to make an appointment at the Active Chiropractic and Rehabilitation (724) 519-8622.

As a golfer the combination of training in core strength and flexibility from a sports chiropractic mixed with training from a golf pro is invaluable. I am happy to work with your pro (if you have one) to get your swing full and protected. I do recommend Aaron Genton at Inner Quest Golf to compliment the Active Chiropractic treatment plan.

Chiropractic For Sports Injuries and Improved Performance

By Thomas F. Antonucci, DC, CCSP

In recent years high school sports have been getting more serious because the stakes are higher. In addition to scholarships for college, the lure of fame and fortune on a professional level is driving kids to train at both a higher intensity and a more frequent interval so they can perform on a more elite level during game time. Unfortunately even with the advent of more technologically advanced safety equipment harder play means more injuries. It is estimated that 30 million children now participate in organized sports including soccer, football, swimming, gymnastics, hockey, skating and baseball. Correspondingly, as participation increases, injuries increase. Sports injuries to young people now exceed the occurrence of infectious disease. (1)

There is help. With the introduction of sports chiropractic, kids can not only prevent injuries but improve performance. Because doctors of chiropractic are experts in the field of human biomechanics, they are very aware of proper posture and movement. A chiropractor that has undergone specialized training in sports chiropractic can observe an athlete in action, detect, and prevent a structural problem that can lead to injury or poor performance. Athletic injures are often caused by improper biomechanics or muscle imbalances within the body that can be corrected or at least strengthened by adjustments and balance training of the affected joint. Chiropractic isn't just for the back anymore, it’s commonplace in a sports clinic to be treating rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and ankle sprains to name a few.

The opposite side of the coin is performance. Sports chiropractic has made a name for itself among the elite athletes. The US Olympic Team keeps two sports certified chiropractors on staff during competition. 31 percent of NFL teams use chiropractors in an official capacity as part of their staffs and a full 77 percent of the trainers have referred to a chiropractor for evaluation or treatment. A survey of certified NFL trainers revealed that 100 percent of them agree that players will use chiropractic care without referral from the team medical staff. (2)

In another study Chiropractic's "winning edge" was tested on fifty athletes who were divided into a control group and a group which added Chiropractic care to their usual training procedures. At six weeks, the group under Chiropractic care scored significantly better on standard tests of athletic ability. When tested on their reaction time, the control group demonstrated less than one percent improvement, while the Chiropractic group achieved reaction times more than eighteen percent faster than their initial scores. (3)

Additionally a Canadian research team included Chiropractic care in the rehabilitation program of sixteen injured female long distance runners. Not only did these runners recover quickly, seven of them actually scored "personal best" performances while under Chiropractic care. (4)

If you’re interested in treating an existing injury, preventing injuries, or taking your performance to the next level call for an appointment at 412-793-3700 or email to docnucci1@hotmail.com . Which a box is available in the "contact us" page above.

References:

Christensen, K. DC, (1997, May/June). Sports Related Back Injuries in Young Athletes.” The American Chiropractor
Stump, J, DC, Redwood, D, DC, JMPT, March/April 2002, Volume 25 - Number 3, The use and role of sport Chiropractors in the National Football League
Lauro, A. & Mouch B. (1991) "Chiropractic Effects of Athletic Ability" "The Journal ofChiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation" pp. 84-87
Grimston, SK, Engsberg JR, Shaw L & Vetanze NW, (1990) "Muscular rehabilitation Prescribed in coordination with prior Chiropractic therapy as a treatment for sacroiliac subluxations in female distance runners" Chiropractic Sports Medicine p.2-8
Personally written articles will occasionally be added and the old will archived in our resource page. 

External reference sites:

• A great site for chiropractic research articles  is www.chiropracticresearch.org and can answer many questions you may have about the effect or efficiency of chiropractic with particular problem. Understand that general research doesn't guarantee or deny results to a specific individual, it's meant to give percentages and generalities. Only the doctor(s) that have/has examined the patient can give the best estimate(s) for that individual.

• Another roadblock in the healing process can be interactions from medications that you are or were taking. www.rxlist.com is a very in-depth site for info on what drugs do intentionally and unintentionally.