Ask Dr. Dot

Dot Richardson, a member of the U.S. Olympic softball team and an orthopedic surgeon. Gerard Rancinan

I recently had wrist surgery to remove tissue in the joint and am now undergoing physical therapy. Can vitamin E speed healing? Is there anything else I can do to heal faster?
Sarah Ennis, Lambertville, N.J.

Simply loading up on vitamin E won't speed the healing process. Vitamin E does act as an antioxidant, inhibiting the formation of toxic products, but it's widely found in foods (such as meat and green, leafy vegetables) so it's unlikely you have a deficiency if you're healthy. Instead, give your wrist the rest it needs, follow through on your physical therapy and eat a balanced diet -- this will help speed the healing.

I play ice hockey and softball, and want to start strength training to improve. Do you have any tips?
Melissa Tetreau, Methuen, Mass.

Talk to your coach or a personal trainer to develop a customized program. It should include exercises to increase your flexibility, endurance and power. It should also focus on the needs of your two sports. For ice hockey you want lower-body strength for explosive bursts of energy. For softball you need a balance of upper-body flexibility and strength so you won't hurt your shoulder when throwing the ball.

Have you ever lost your love for the game?
Meg Davalos, Littleton, Colo.

I don't think so, though many times it's been a struggle. I try not to let a person or a situation take away my passion. I remind myself that negative individuals and hurtful remarks are part of life. If you feel like you've lost your love for the game, try and figure out why -- whether it's a bad coach, teammates you don't enjoy playing with or the pressure of living up to the expectations of others -- and then search for a way to resolve the issues and focus on enjoying the game.

I've heard that exercise can help if you're depressed. I've been making myself lift weights and run for a few weeks. Will it help?
Laura Hagen, Eau Claire, Wis.

The release of endorphins (chemicals that cause a feeling of euphoria), the increase in oxygen and the feeling of accomplishment from a good workout can create a sense of well-being. But while exercise can lift your spirits, if you're depressed you may need professional help. Millions of people experience depression because of a chemical imbalance, which is physiological and can be corrected with treatment. Feeling down or blue is one thing, but if you feel consistently overwhelmed, fatigued, listless or suicidal, or you've lost your appetite and have trouble getting out of bed, see a counselor or psychologist to determine if you need extra help.

After batting practice, my hand is sore for hours. Is something wrong with my swing?
Erin Carey, Saugerties, N.Y.

There could be several reasons for the pain. First, check your grip on the bat. I recommend holding the bat so it makes a straight extension from your arms. Also, since some softballs have a harder core, consider using batting gloves with extra padding. Another part of your problem could be due to overuse. Give your hands a rest, then build up to hitting off a machine or a live pitcher. Stop if you experience pain during this process. Always take time to identify and correct the cause of the problem, so you don't make things worse.

What is your advice on running during pregnancy?
Leah Bolin, Cullman, Ala.

A pregnant woman's ability to run will be affected by a number of factors as her pregnancy progresses. Since running is a weight-bearing exercise, you will find a decrease in your capacity to participate because of increased oxygen consumption, heart rate, and ventilation. The drop in aerobic capacity seems to be proportional to the increase in body weight, the degree of deconditioning in the pregnant woman and increase in uterine size, which affect ventilation. In other words, as you advance through your pregnancy, it will get more and more difficult to run, but you'll have other avenues to continue your conditioning. (It will help if you were in good physical condition before you became pregnant!) Also, be warned that many women find it difficult to exercise in the early months of pregnancy because of morning sickness.

I'm a golfer, and I seem to be developing bunions. Which are better: athletic or golf-specific shoes?
Legare Nadelman, Savannah

First, see an orthopedist to evaluate the cause of the bunions—there are many possible factors. An orthotist, a specialist who can advise you on the type of shoes that will offer the best comfort and fit, may be consulted for evaluation. Different people have different foot characteristics, and a number of shoe manufacturers offer shoes that are tailored to various foot types. To answer your question as to whether athletic or golf shoes are best, the answer lies in the feet you'll put in them. Arch support, width, length, weight, etc. should all be taken into account in selecting proper footwear. A golf shoe may fit your category, but so may an athletic shoe.

During practice I got this really weird pain in my chest. It lasted all day but went away that night. What could it have been?
Lauren, Cincinnati

A number of things can cause temporary pains like that: a strain of the muscles between the ribs, a heartbeat irregularity, and stomach reflux are a few of the likely possibilities, though it's difficult to tell without a more detailed explanation. Any time you have sustained chest pain, it's advisable to get yourself checked by a doctor, especially if the condition persists. It's also important for athletes to have a full physical performed once a year before you begin training for your sport. If you have a physical, symptoms that may occur during competition can be diagnosed and treated if necessary.

As a high school swimmer, I'd like to try to improve my performance with some "dry land" training. Any suggestions?
Nora, South Kingstown, R.I.

It's a great idea to consider cross training, which will help you achieve the results you're looking for. You want to build both strength and endurance, so jogging is good, especially when you can increase resistance by running on a softer surface, like sand. Cycling is very good for the legs (a stationary bike will let you set resistance), and you may want to try a rowing machine to work the upper body.

I play shortstop on my college team and my elbow sometimes hurts when I throw. Are there any exercises I can do to prevent this?
Kara Toigo, Covina, Calif.

If you are throwing properly, you should not experience any pain. You are probably straining some of the ligaments in the surrounding area. Overhand throwers, such as major league pitchers, often strain or tear their ulnar collateral ligament, and usually elect to have surgical reconstruction. The pain that you're feeling in your elbow should not be taken lightly. It is best to have your elbow examined, as well as your fundamentals of throwing, to see if there's a certain aspect of your throwing method that could be leading to these problems.

 
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