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Ask Dr. Dot
Could you recommend a sports bra for a high-impact workout?
The best sports bra is one you feel comfortable wearing. The key word is you.
Because each of us is different and there are so many sports bras,
try out various styles. I find My 14-year-old daughter has been a softball pitcher for several years. She
stretches and warms up before she pitches. My question is, After she gets home
from either a game that she's pitched or a lesson, we have her put an ice bag on
her shoulder for around 20 minutes. Is this a good idea?
Ice or bag it? Good question! If your arm is hurting after you pitch then remember the mnemonic RICE. For any acute injury, RICE is the answer: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (above the heart—easy to do with an arm). But what if your arm does not hurt after practice or a game, should you use ice? This is the million-dollar question. The philosophy behind the use of ice to the arm after pitching or throwing is due to the effect ice has on the body. Ice is cold and causes the blood vessels in our body to narrow, a process called vasoconstriction. That means less blood and blood products get to the area, therefore less inflammation. It is inflammation that is thought to make the tissue susceptible to injury and pain. However, another theory suggests that the increase in blood flow to the shoulder is a natural response of the body to get more oxygen, nutrients and "clean-up" cells to that area. According to this theory, you would not want to use ice because in the recovery stage you want the "good" cells to come in and carry out the "bad" products. So you have to choose between theories. I pulled a hamstring while playing soccer recently. How do I treat this injury
for the quickest possible recovery?
The hamstrings are the most commonly strained muscles in the thigh. When a strain occurs, there is pain during activity, and some people describe a popping or snapping sensation. Running is often impossible. Treatment depends on the severity of the pull. Ice, a compressive elastic wrap and rest should be the first steps, followed by a stretching and strengthening program. The real problem with hamstring strains is their tendency to recur, so take it slow. My arm was caught between two people while I was playing flag football. It was
sore for a few minutes but then felt O.K. However, if I try to throw a ball, my
upper arm hurts and feels weak. Any thoughts?
Your arm should not hurt and go weak when you throw a football or any other ball. Have an orthopedist check it out. You could have injured nerves or arteries. Pain and weakness are your body's way of saying, "Pay attention to me—something is wrong." I'm 14, 5'8" and somewhat overweight, but I'm a star athlete in the sports
I play. I work hard in every sport, so why doesn't my weight go down?
Weight? Well, let's wait a minute! Muscle weighs more than fat. And there are other things to consider. One's weight is the result of many factors: age, height, bone density, body fat, genetics, metabolism, activity levels, and the amount and kind of food one eats. If you think you should weigh what other people say you should weigh, then you aren't listening to the right voice—the one inside you. If you feel strong and toned, I would say you're at the right weight for you. Also, it is not the weight on the scale that should draw our attention, it is the percentage of body fat. Remember that our body needs fat as an energy fuel—just not an excessive amount of it. Keep on being a star and keep on being you.
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