Dr. Horwitz Newsletter

A Newsletter From Maryland Sports Injury Center

You Can Be Fit! April 2007

YOUR CAR + YOUR COMMUTE = A VISIT TO YOUR DOCTOR

Washington Post Metro Section 4-9-07, p.B1

"For seven years, Gail Ennis has been spending up to three hours a day behind the wheel of her Subaru, commuting between her law office in Washington and her home on Gibson Island in Anne Arundel County. What she's gotten out of the 100-mile daily round trip is sciatica -- a shooting pain down one leg -- and a lack of time for exercise. "It's just too much and getting worse every year," Ennis said."

"Besides being a daily grind that takes time away from family, a long commute can be harmful to your health. Researchers have found that hours spent behind the wheel raise blood pressure and cause workers to get sick and stay home more often. Commuters have lower thresholds for frustration at work, suffer more headaches and chest pains, and more often display negative moods at home in the evenings.

It's not just the drivers who suffer. Carpool passengers have to deal with what they call "Mustang neck" or "Beetle neck" -- the contortions they must make to wedge themselves into the back seats of certain cars."

"Such ailments have long plagued drivers in California and other parts of the country where grueling commutes have been a way of life for decades. But Washington commuters, who are increasingly making the long hauls that cause the most problems, are catching up fast, researchers said. The region's drivers have the nation's second-longest commutes, behind New York, according to Census Bureau figures, and in outer suburbs, drives are as much as an hour each way on a good day -- and there aren't many good days."

"As a consequence, more drivers will probably suffer the health effects of a commuter lifestyle, researchers and doctors said. "You tell someone they need to exercise or go to physical therapy, but how can they? They leave at 5 a.m. and get home at 7 or 8 p.m. at night," said Robert G. Squillante, an orthopedic surgeon in Fredericksburg who has treated patients for back pain and other commuting-related issues.

He said constant road vibrations and sitting in the same position for a long time is bad for the neck and spine and puts special pressure on the bottom disc in the lower back, the one most likely to deteriorate over the years."

Regular chiropractic adjustments and a daily 10-15 minute exercise program can make an enormous difference. Get back on track, and make an appointment today!

For the complete article, see the link below.

Your Car + Your Commute = A Visit to Your Doctor

NERVE DAMAGE FROM BIKE RIDING

Sitting on Bike Seat Causes Nerve Pressure

Several recent papers have shown that bicycle riders can suffer nerve damage that causes impotence in men and decreased pelvic sensation in both men and women. A paper from Dartmouth College shows that a rider's position on the bike may be more important than the type of seat he or she chooses (British Journal of Urology International, January 2007). Nerve damage comes from pressure on the internal pudendal nerves that travel from the sitz bones (ischial tuberosities) forward toward the center of the pelvic bones. Anything that presses on this nerve can cause permanent damage. The nose of a bicycle seat is positioned between the legs and can press on the nerve.

Bending forward lowers the internal pudendal nerve on the seat to compress it between the pelvic bones and the seat. Changing to a more upright position relieves the pressure. Dr. Steven Schrader, at the National Institute for Occupational Safety, notes that bicycle seats can cause impotence by blocking blood flow to the penis, as well as causing nerve damage. He emphasizes that the nose of the seat is the major culprit and recommends noseless seats. However, bicycle racers and many recreational riders will not use them because they move their legs against the seat's nose to help control the bike. Seats that have holes in the middle do little to prevent

Since pressing on a nerve hurts, you can usually tell when you are causing nerve damage. According to this new study, the best way to avoid nerve damage is to change positions immediately when you feel any discomfort.

MARYLAND STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CLINIC

Saturday, June 2, 2007 at Montgomery Community College

Topics include:

Olympic/Conjugate Hybrid Strength Training
Corrective Exercise for Health and Performance
Non-Traditional Exercises in Strength Training
Dynamic Warm-up and Body Weight Exercises
Fueling the Beast! Sports Diet, Nutrition, and Supplements
Implementing a High School Strength and Conditioning Program
Heart Rate Training and Conditioning
Teaching Proper Mechanics for Agility and Balance
General Speed Development for All Athletes

This is your opportunity to learn from the area's best COLLEGIATE strength and conditioning coaches! Don't miss this incredible opportunity!

See Maryland Strength for registration and more information.

FITNESS CORNER

Weight Training Helps Phelps Break Records

"Bowman told us yesterday that Phelps� focus on strength training would make him a more explosive swimmer."

�We have put a big emphasis on strength training this year,� Bowman said. �It seems to be paying dividends. He hasn�t really lost any endurance, but he has gained a strength and a speed that I think will take him to the next level. I can tell you that he is weighing more and he hasn�t got any fat on him, so it�s pretty easy to see that he�s gaining muscle. I think that he is able to be more explosive.�

From Timed Finals

Now, what was your reason for not including strength training in your workouts? Start strength training today with Mi! See You Can Be Fit Personal Training for more information.

You Can Be Fit Personal Training

NUTRITION CORNER

Protective Effect Of Fruits, Vegetables On Asthma And Allergies Among Children

"Leanne Male, Assistant Director of Research at Asthma UK commented: 'The results of this study add to the existing evidence which indicates that a healthy diet can play an important role in the control of asthma symptoms.

'The results demonstrate that the Mediterranean diet, which traditionally contains higher levels of fresh fruit and vegetables, can have a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms in children. This benefit is thought to be linked to the vitamins and antioxidants which they contain and Asthma UK is currently funding a number of research projects to further explore this association.

'5.2 million people in the UK currently have asthma, and one in ten children are affected. Therefore Asthma UK encourages all children and adults with asthma to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as this may help with the control of their asthma symptoms.' "

From Asthma UK

GOLF FITNESS MADE EASY

A Complete Guide to Golf Fitness and Injury Prevention