By Dr. Derek Pelofsky
Its September and that means only one thing. Football is in full swing. I don’t know about you but I count the days from early January, which is when the college Bowl Championship games are played till the beginning August, the start of Two-a-day practices for teams. I grew up in Oklahoma, and in Oklahoma football is not just a sport it a pretty much a religion. I can remember going to my first University of Oklahoma football game at 5yrs old. Sure enough every Saturday that OU was in Norman for a home game, my dad and I were there thru my college days. Since I’ve lived in Southern California for the past 7 years, my passion for OU and football in general has become even stronger. So my passion for the sport, and having the privilege and ability to play in high school, combined with my passion for sports medicine really fuels what I do for a living.
A subject that I wanted to touch up on is why use chiropractic if not in pain and how it relates to football and sports in general. One of the most common responses I get from patients when asking them how are you doing today is; “well I guess not to good if I’m here. I want to be very clear on this point. Chiropractic and all the different treatments we perform are great to help heal people, and being involved with sports, injuries are going to happen, but the ultimate healthcare minded person is one who looks for preventive medicine. Many people don’t realize that there are many professional athletes around the world that utilize chiropractic as a means to prevent their body from breaking down and keep it running at its highest capacity. A great way to compare this is do you wait for your car to breakdown once the infamous check engine light comes on? No of course not, you do laitance, with regular tune ups and checkups at least every 3,000 miles. Why would you treat your body differently from your car? After all once your body breaks down, that means pain and discomfort which may cause you to lose time at work or just preventing you from the daily things you enjoy doing.
Many of you have a youngster in little league football or even somewhere up in the high school or college level. Now is the time to get these athletes checked out and treated. The most common injuries we see in football are of course knee injures due to all the lateral movement performed. Neck injuries to the nerves that exit the upper neck region and go into the arm, which is known as a “stinger”. Last but not least we see a lot of concussion type injuries due to the all the contact that occurs. As a football player , and as a parent of a football player, I would want to make sure my spine, muscles, and the extremity joints were all working at its highest level to help prevent any of the injuries and allow for a healthy and fun season. Of course this goes for all athletes in all sports, don’t wait for the check engine light to come on before you breakdown! Take care of your body and use the doctors of CSI as the tune-up specialist for your body. BOOMER SOONER!
Dr. Derek Pelofsky is a Doctor of Chiropractic at Chiropractic Sports Institute where he has his private practice caring for both Amateur and Professional athletes. He has completed extensive post-graduate training in the field of Sports Chiropractic and Nutrition. Along with an lustrious career as a College Baseball player, Dr. Derek lives and breaths athletics.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Comparing Over the Counter Meds to Natural Anti-Inflammatories
By: Dr. Derek Pelofsky
Practicing as a sports Doctor that sees a lot of acute and painful injuries we are approached with many questions as far as what can the patient do at home to help speed up the healing and decrease pain. Probably one of the most frequently asked questions is should I take Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve?
Doctors of Chiropractic are not allowed to prescribe any prescription drugs or be advising on taking any over the counter pain relievers such as the most common NSAIDS, (non steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs), Advil, Tylenol, and Aleve. So, as a consumer and a active person that might be put in a situation to fall back on using NSAIDS lets get educated on what you are putting into your body, and not influenced by the many commercials that bombard us daily. Like an automobile, your body reacts on the "gas" that is put in its engine. You will research the best products to put in your car so the engine runs smoothly, do you research the best products to put in your body?
NSAIDS in general, work by blocking natural chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. But the drawback is that those same chemicals protect your stomach from burning up in its own acid. So, long term use can eventually cause some serious issues with your gastrointestinal system, mainly the stomach lining causing a possible ulcer or more serious side effects!
Here is a breakdown of the Top 4 types of NSAIDs and a Homeopathic approach that works if not better than regular NSAIDs without the possible side effects.
1.Ibuprofen
Brand Name:Advil, motrin
How it works:When injured your body naturally produces enzymes to heal you, which create swelling, causing pain. Ibuprofen inhibits or stops the enzymes production.
Side effects:Prolonged and excessive use can lead to bleeding or perforation of the stomach or intestines.
Benefits:Reduces swelling at the site of injury.
2.Acetaminophen
Brand Name:Tylenol
How it works:Exact mechanism in unknown, but believed to inhibit or stop pain by blocking enzymes and prostaglandins synthesis in the central nervous system.
Side effects:Excessive acetaminophen use is the number one cause of acute liver failure in the United States.
Benefits:Does not inhibit production of enzymes in the gastrointestinal system, so safer on your gut.
3.Aspirin
Brand Name:Bayer
How it works:Aspirin works the same way ibuprofen does.
Side effects:Similar gastrointestinal effects as seen with ibuprofen, but because aspirin is derived form acetic acid it can also do minor stomach damage.
Benefits:A proven painkiller for the treatment of arthritis. Thins blood, helping lower the risk of heart disease
4.Naproxen Sodium
Brand Name:Aleve
How it works:The same way ibuprofen and aspirin, but its slower to dissolve, which provides longer relief.
Side effects:ulcers, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach or intestines.
Benefits:effective for the treatment of migraines and inflammation.
Also understand this. Naproxen (Aleve), Ibuprofen and Aspirin thin the blood. Do NOT take these meds prior to participating in a high contact sport! If a head injury occurs, the thinning blood COULD lead to complications. The risk is minimal, but there is still a risk that needs to be considered.
At CSI we use several forms of Natural Anti-inflammatory substances. Since most Pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory medication originate from chemicals found in nature, we have gone to the direct source- Nature. Below, is our answer to fight off the pain of inflammation, but since these products are made with natural, organic ingredients, we have found that they sometime work faster than their pharmaceutical counterparts. There are many products on the market, we have tried most of them and have found these to be consistent with little to no side effects.
Traumeel is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, ant-edematous, anti-exudate combination formulation of 12 botanical and 2 mineral substances. This is a topical cream that works great.
1.Traumeel
How it works:helps control the release of oxygen radicals from white blood cells(neutrophils) and stops the release of inflammatory substances.
Benefits:effective for injuries of all kinds, such as: sprains, muscle aches, dislocations, contusions, burns, effusions of blood and effusions into a joint, post operative and post-traumatic edema and swelling of the soft tissues, inflammatory processes and degenerative processes(arthritis), are just a few types of injuries that can treated with traumeel. Traummel is available as a topical ointment, as oral tablets, oral drops, and oral liquid in vials.
Side effects: none, specifically used to treat elderly arthritic patients who cannot tolerate the gastrointestinal side effects associated with conventional NSAIDs or for patients on anticoagulant(blood thinners) medication.
CSI also offers many different homeopathic blends made by a company called Anabolic laboratories, Metagenics, Nutri-West and Standard Process. All of these companies feature a fully licensed, federally registered pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and state-of-the-art laboratories staffed with PhD scientists and chemist to help produce the highest grade quality of homeopathic supplements to help speed healing in many different musculoskeletal injuries. A few examples of products we carry in the office are:
6.Zymain
How it works:formulated enzymes that breakdown inflammatory proteins. Provides aminoglyco-nutrients for cartilage repair. Also contains vitamin C, manganese and zinc, which aid in biosynthesis of new collagen-depositing tissues and stimulate new cell growth within joints.
Benefits:repair tissue damage by increasing blood flow to, and drainage from, damaged areas to quickly reduce injury inflammation.
Side effects:none, if taken correctly with appropriate dosage.
7.Pro-enz:
How it works: contains curcumin, ursolic acid, and bioflavanoids reduce powerful pro-inflammatory enzymes and tissue damaging metalloproteinases.
Benefits:helps reduce pain and inflammation form superficial and deep muscle bruises, tendon, and ligament complaints and injuries.
Side effects:none, if taken correctly with appropriate dosage.
The most natural way of fighting of injury and to help speed up the healing process is by eating the right foods. The right fats and oils such as omega 3 essential fatty acids are great inflammation fighters. They are found in cold water oily fish, walnuts, and flax seeds.
Good sources of protein anti-inflammatory foods are soybeans, tofu, and soy milk. Red meat may trigger inflammation.
Good sources of carbohydrate and fiber anti-inflammatory are whole grains, vegetables and fruits. High fiber diets will reduce inflammation.. Berries, especially blueberries and strawberries which are packed with anti-inflammatory phytochemicals are great to reduce inflammation.
If your diet does not get you enough, this is ONE suppliment you NEED to take, we carry, in my opinion, the best source of Omega 3s but Nurti-West.
So, when in need of an over the counter medication to help control either inflammation or pain you will be better educated with the pros and cons of these medications. Also hope you will be open to the many different types of homeopathic blends, such as Traumeel, Anabolic lab products, Nutri-West, Metagenics, Standard Process, and anti-inflammatory foods that are just as effective if not more effective as the common NSAIDs without the possible side effects.
We welcome any comments
Dr. Derek Pelofsky is a Doctor of Chiropractic at Chiropractic Sports Institute where he has his private practice caring for both Amature and Professional atheltes. He has completed extensive post-graduate training in the field of Sports Chiropractic and Nutrition. Along with a lustrious career as a College Baseball player, Dr. Derek lives and breaths athletics.
Practicing as a sports Doctor that sees a lot of acute and painful injuries we are approached with many questions as far as what can the patient do at home to help speed up the healing and decrease pain. Probably one of the most frequently asked questions is should I take Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve?
Doctors of Chiropractic are not allowed to prescribe any prescription drugs or be advising on taking any over the counter pain relievers such as the most common NSAIDS, (non steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs), Advil, Tylenol, and Aleve. So, as a consumer and a active person that might be put in a situation to fall back on using NSAIDS lets get educated on what you are putting into your body, and not influenced by the many commercials that bombard us daily. Like an automobile, your body reacts on the "gas" that is put in its engine. You will research the best products to put in your car so the engine runs smoothly, do you research the best products to put in your body?
NSAIDS in general, work by blocking natural chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. But the drawback is that those same chemicals protect your stomach from burning up in its own acid. So, long term use can eventually cause some serious issues with your gastrointestinal system, mainly the stomach lining causing a possible ulcer or more serious side effects!
Here is a breakdown of the Top 4 types of NSAIDs and a Homeopathic approach that works if not better than regular NSAIDs without the possible side effects.
1.Ibuprofen
Brand Name:Advil, motrin
How it works:When injured your body naturally produces enzymes to heal you, which create swelling, causing pain. Ibuprofen inhibits or stops the enzymes production.
Side effects:Prolonged and excessive use can lead to bleeding or perforation of the stomach or intestines.
Benefits:Reduces swelling at the site of injury.
2.Acetaminophen
Brand Name:Tylenol
How it works:Exact mechanism in unknown, but believed to inhibit or stop pain by blocking enzymes and prostaglandins synthesis in the central nervous system.
Side effects:Excessive acetaminophen use is the number one cause of acute liver failure in the United States.
Benefits:Does not inhibit production of enzymes in the gastrointestinal system, so safer on your gut.
3.Aspirin
Brand Name:Bayer
How it works:Aspirin works the same way ibuprofen does.
Side effects:Similar gastrointestinal effects as seen with ibuprofen, but because aspirin is derived form acetic acid it can also do minor stomach damage.
Benefits:A proven painkiller for the treatment of arthritis. Thins blood, helping lower the risk of heart disease
4.Naproxen Sodium
Brand Name:Aleve
How it works:The same way ibuprofen and aspirin, but its slower to dissolve, which provides longer relief.
Side effects:ulcers, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach or intestines.
Benefits:effective for the treatment of migraines and inflammation.
Also understand this. Naproxen (Aleve), Ibuprofen and Aspirin thin the blood. Do NOT take these meds prior to participating in a high contact sport! If a head injury occurs, the thinning blood COULD lead to complications. The risk is minimal, but there is still a risk that needs to be considered.
At CSI we use several forms of Natural Anti-inflammatory substances. Since most Pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory medication originate from chemicals found in nature, we have gone to the direct source- Nature. Below, is our answer to fight off the pain of inflammation, but since these products are made with natural, organic ingredients, we have found that they sometime work faster than their pharmaceutical counterparts. There are many products on the market, we have tried most of them and have found these to be consistent with little to no side effects.
Traumeel is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, ant-edematous, anti-exudate combination formulation of 12 botanical and 2 mineral substances. This is a topical cream that works great.
1.Traumeel
How it works:helps control the release of oxygen radicals from white blood cells(neutrophils) and stops the release of inflammatory substances.
Benefits:effective for injuries of all kinds, such as: sprains, muscle aches, dislocations, contusions, burns, effusions of blood and effusions into a joint, post operative and post-traumatic edema and swelling of the soft tissues, inflammatory processes and degenerative processes(arthritis), are just a few types of injuries that can treated with traumeel. Traummel is available as a topical ointment, as oral tablets, oral drops, and oral liquid in vials.
Side effects: none, specifically used to treat elderly arthritic patients who cannot tolerate the gastrointestinal side effects associated with conventional NSAIDs or for patients on anticoagulant(blood thinners) medication.
CSI also offers many different homeopathic blends made by a company called Anabolic laboratories, Metagenics, Nutri-West and Standard Process. All of these companies feature a fully licensed, federally registered pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and state-of-the-art laboratories staffed with PhD scientists and chemist to help produce the highest grade quality of homeopathic supplements to help speed healing in many different musculoskeletal injuries. A few examples of products we carry in the office are:
6.Zymain
How it works:formulated enzymes that breakdown inflammatory proteins. Provides aminoglyco-nutrients for cartilage repair. Also contains vitamin C, manganese and zinc, which aid in biosynthesis of new collagen-depositing tissues and stimulate new cell growth within joints.
Benefits:repair tissue damage by increasing blood flow to, and drainage from, damaged areas to quickly reduce injury inflammation.
Side effects:none, if taken correctly with appropriate dosage.
7.Pro-enz:
How it works: contains curcumin, ursolic acid, and bioflavanoids reduce powerful pro-inflammatory enzymes and tissue damaging metalloproteinases.
Benefits:helps reduce pain and inflammation form superficial and deep muscle bruises, tendon, and ligament complaints and injuries.
Side effects:none, if taken correctly with appropriate dosage.
The most natural way of fighting of injury and to help speed up the healing process is by eating the right foods. The right fats and oils such as omega 3 essential fatty acids are great inflammation fighters. They are found in cold water oily fish, walnuts, and flax seeds.
Good sources of protein anti-inflammatory foods are soybeans, tofu, and soy milk. Red meat may trigger inflammation.
Good sources of carbohydrate and fiber anti-inflammatory are whole grains, vegetables and fruits. High fiber diets will reduce inflammation.. Berries, especially blueberries and strawberries which are packed with anti-inflammatory phytochemicals are great to reduce inflammation.
If your diet does not get you enough, this is ONE suppliment you NEED to take, we carry, in my opinion, the best source of Omega 3s but Nurti-West.
So, when in need of an over the counter medication to help control either inflammation or pain you will be better educated with the pros and cons of these medications. Also hope you will be open to the many different types of homeopathic blends, such as Traumeel, Anabolic lab products, Nutri-West, Metagenics, Standard Process, and anti-inflammatory foods that are just as effective if not more effective as the common NSAIDs without the possible side effects.
We welcome any comments
Dr. Derek Pelofsky is a Doctor of Chiropractic at Chiropractic Sports Institute where he has his private practice caring for both Amature and Professional atheltes. He has completed extensive post-graduate training in the field of Sports Chiropractic and Nutrition. Along with a lustrious career as a College Baseball player, Dr. Derek lives and breaths athletics.
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