JasonE
01-04-2004, 03:20 PM
I've had the mixed luck of experiencing many minor (and a few major) injuries over the years, and these are some observations that I'd like to share with the Tribe. Please post reactions/comments/feedback on any or all of them. I learn so much from reading what others have to say on these boards!
1. Bromelain is GOOD: When I had my right knee scoped in '99, the surgeon recommended Percoset for the pain, and 800 mg of Ibuprofen 3x daily for the swelling. :!: I took 1 Percoset and tossed the rest, figuring 2400 mg of Ibuprofen would take care of the pain as well. The swelling wasn't subsiding very quickly, however.
A few days later, I saw my chiropractor, who is excellent. He recommended dumping the Ibuprofen in favor of Bromelain, a pineapple enzyme sold in Health Food stores. He said that high doses of Ibuprofen retard cartilage regeneration (which is what I needed), and that Bromelain was better for swelling. I switched over, the swelling went down super-fast, and when my surgeon checked out my knee the next couple of times, he said the joint was healing 3x faster than it should have. :D
2. Static stretches are virtually Worthless: Especially for recovering from injuries. I've gotten lots more benefit from PNF aka "Contract-Relax" methods, especially following a tear of the right Iliopsoas. For safe solo and partner variations, the best resource I found was "Stretching & Flexibility" by Kit Laughlin. I've just recently been exposed to Pavel Tsatsouline's methods, and now I am starting to learn about Coach Sonnen's methods, which seem based on similar principles, and I am excited to see where they take me.
3. Tendonitis can be greatly alleviated by nutritional supplements: A friend with horrendous tendonitis of the left knee and excessive overall muscle tension was diagnosed as having a magnesium deficiency due to poor diet. After 2 weeks on mineral supplements, most of her muscle tension was gone and the tendonitis symptoms had been alleviated. She remained on the supplements and started increasing her activity level to stimulate healing with great results. :)
1. Bromelain is GOOD: When I had my right knee scoped in '99, the surgeon recommended Percoset for the pain, and 800 mg of Ibuprofen 3x daily for the swelling. :!: I took 1 Percoset and tossed the rest, figuring 2400 mg of Ibuprofen would take care of the pain as well. The swelling wasn't subsiding very quickly, however.
A few days later, I saw my chiropractor, who is excellent. He recommended dumping the Ibuprofen in favor of Bromelain, a pineapple enzyme sold in Health Food stores. He said that high doses of Ibuprofen retard cartilage regeneration (which is what I needed), and that Bromelain was better for swelling. I switched over, the swelling went down super-fast, and when my surgeon checked out my knee the next couple of times, he said the joint was healing 3x faster than it should have. :D
2. Static stretches are virtually Worthless: Especially for recovering from injuries. I've gotten lots more benefit from PNF aka "Contract-Relax" methods, especially following a tear of the right Iliopsoas. For safe solo and partner variations, the best resource I found was "Stretching & Flexibility" by Kit Laughlin. I've just recently been exposed to Pavel Tsatsouline's methods, and now I am starting to learn about Coach Sonnen's methods, which seem based on similar principles, and I am excited to see where they take me.
3. Tendonitis can be greatly alleviated by nutritional supplements: A friend with horrendous tendonitis of the left knee and excessive overall muscle tension was diagnosed as having a magnesium deficiency due to poor diet. After 2 weeks on mineral supplements, most of her muscle tension was gone and the tendonitis symptoms had been alleviated. She remained on the supplements and started increasing her activity level to stimulate healing with great results. :)