STROKE RECOGNITION
A stroke results from the disruption of adequate blood flow to the brain. The most common source of disruption is a significant narrowing or blockage of the carotid arteries (large arteries in the neck) caused by excessive accumulation of fatty plaque buildup along the artery walls. The carotid arteries are the main blood supply to the brain, and plaque buildup in these arteries is the leading cause of stroke.

The window of opportunity to start treating stroke patients is three hours, but to be evaluated and receive treatment, patients need to get to the hospital within 60 minutes.
Ask the person three easy questions:
1. Ask the individual to smile.
2. Ask him or her to raise both arms.
3. Ask the person to speak a simple sentence

WARNING SIGNS OF A STROKE
1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
5. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience symptoms! Time lost is brain lost!

PREVENTING YOUTH BASEBALL INJURIES
"Elbow and shoulder pain are some of the most widespread injuries in youth baseball, often caused by young pitchers overusing their throwing arms. The number of pitches thrown per game and the types of pitches thrown may be directly related to specific pain and injury. To determine the frequency of elbow and shoulder complaints in youth baseball pitchers and evaluate possible causes, the authors of a recent study in Medicine & Science in Sports Exercise followed approximately 300 pitchers for two consecutive seasons. The 9 to 12 year old age group expressed arm complaints following each game, and the authors related this to the number of pitches per game or per season and to types of pitches thrown.

Children who threw over 75 pitches per game were 50% more likely to suffer elbow pain than children throwing less than 25 pitches per game. Every 10 pitches per game increased the odds for elbow pain by 6%; this pain was seen in more than a quarter of the games played. Overall, shoulder pain occurred in one-third of the games, while elbow pain occurred in one-quarter of the games. Both types of pain were also associated with throwing more than 300 pitches throughout the season, most likely due to overuse of a pitcher’s throwing arm.

The authors of this study recommended limiting young pitchers to 75 pitches per game, and advocate consistent pitching to maintain strength and conditioning. The origins of elbow and shoulder pain differ, so be sure that methods for preventing pain at one location don’t increase your child’s risk for pain elsewhere."

Lyman S, Fleisig GS, Waterfor JW, et al. Longitudinal study of elbow and shoulder pain in youth basebgall pitchers. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2001; 33(11):1803-1810.

FITNESS CORNER - Abdominal Bracing
An abdominal brace occurs when you have contracted the abdominal muscles, lower back muscles, and buttock muscles at the same time. Here is how to do it:
1. Stand up straight and place one hand on the small of your back and one hand on your abdomen.
2. Bend forward at the waist and feel the lower back (extensor) muscles contract.
3. Come back to an upright posture and feel them “turn off.”
4. Without moving, contract the abdominal muscles (like you are about the get punched in your gut - feel them tighten with your hand) and feel the lower back muscles contract (with the other hand). This is an abdominal brace – all the muscles around the torso contract to ensure stability.
5. At the same time as you contract your abdominal muscles; add a contraction of the buttock muscles (as if you are holding in a bowel movement). This will supply even more stability to the spine.

When all the muscles work together a “super stiffness” occurs, all three layers of muscles of the abdominal wall are activated to protect and stabilize the spine. This transmission of forces to each muscle group is greater than the sum of the contraction of the individual muscles around the spine. Therefore, single muscle “isolation” is both ineffective and dangerous when performing activities requiring core stability (bending, twisting, running, jumping, kicking, punching, etc.). In other words, do NOT just suck your belly button inward when doing these activities. Perform the abdominal brace and protect your spine. A note on breathing: learn to perform the abdominal brace independent of breathing!

The STICK
The STICK is a revolutionary device designed to loosen up tight muscles. It is used by athletes to warm-up before activity, to flush the muscles after activity, and to reduce muscle soreness, stiffness, and pain.

"The Stick is used as a training tool by athletes at the US Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs CO, Lake Placid NY, Marquette MI and Chula Vista CA."

Once you try The STICK, you will feel the difference. SPECIAL PRICE UNTIL MAY 15, 2006 - $30.00!