Jan/Feb 2010

Metamorphic Massage Newletter

Olympic Games: Ice Hockey & Whiplash
Healthy Hearts

Nikki Nichols LMP, RN,BSN

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In This Issue

Ice Hockey and Whiplash

Let the Games Begin!

This cry will be heard around the world on February 12, 2010 at the opening of the Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC.

Excitement is building amongst the athletes who will compete in one of about 15 different games including skating: skiing, sledding, snowboarding, and more.

But, unfortunately some athletes who have, or would have, qualified for the Olympics, won't be able to compete due to injuries. One of those is our local Scott McCartney, Downhill skier from Kirkland. Due to, persistent back pain he is unable to complete in Vancouver. Other injuries he's suffered are severe brain injury and a blown out knee.
(See: http://www.metamorphicmassage.biz/ligament_injury.html for an article about knee injuries)

Some ice hockey players are also unable to compete in Vancouver due to injuries of the upper body, back, knee, concussion, broken jaw, broken arm, wrist.
For details: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=513601

Ice Hockey:
Ice hockey is one of the most dangerous and injury heavy sports. This is due to the combination of fast speeds, multiple collisions, long hockey sticks, a hard, slippery playing surface, sharp blades and a puck traveling up to 100 miles per hour! Most injuries come from collisions with other players of many sizes. The body check (hitting) is the most common cause for injuries.

In spite of all the injuries, ice hockey is one of the most popular team sports in many parts of the country. In Seattle the professional team is the Seattle Thunderbirds, and, for high school students, the junior Thunderbirds = SKAHA, (Sno-King amateur hockey assn). Part of their training program is injury prevention to help prepare athletes both mentally and physically for strenuous activity. Warm-ups are a crucial part of the program and are designed to increase the heart rate and warm and stretch the muscles to avoid injuries due to being cold and inflexible.

In spite of warm ups, injuries do occur.
42% of ice hockey injuries are head, neck, and face injuries (incl. Blindness).
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sports/ice_hockey.php

WHIPLASH is a neck injury that can occur when the player's head hits the ice or from body checks or colliding with another player.

Whiplash refers to an acute injury, generally caused by a trauma to the neck and/or head, due to a rapid acceleration or deceleration. Whiplash can result from ice hockey, auto accidents or other causes. The force and direction of the impact can cause potential injuries at various locations in the neck.

There are 4 categories of whiplash severity:
1. neck pain or discomfort
2. neck pain or discomfort plus musculoskeletal signs of potential tenderness, muscle spasm; and/or loss of mobility, joint binding or instability
3. all of the above symptoms plus neurological signs such as sensory deficit or diminished tendon reflexes
4. all the above symptoms plus cervical fracture or dislocation

The primary concern in whiplash is muscle and ligament damage, as evidenced by the frequently given diagnosis of cervical strain/sprain,
In severe injuries there can be vascular compromise, nerve damage and/or disc or vertebral damage. Osteoarthritis can result from injuries to joints.
Contusions (bruises) to the brain are also possible.

The onset of symptoms may occur immediately after the injury or be delayed for as longs as several weeks after the injury. The reason for the delayed onset could be related to inflammation or possibly increased sensitivity of the neurological system. Pain from one type of tissue may override sensations from other tissues. (For these reasons, if you have PIP coverage from an auto accident, PIP attorneys and I advise that you leave the claim open at least a year)

Tho' whiplash is an acute injury it can become a chronic condition. Chronic symptoms may include
Headaches, and other pains that can radiate down the spine through the thoracic and lumbar regions, or even radiate through the upper extremities. Heat, swelling and bruising may be evident. Residual effects can occur if there was a previous whiplash.

TREATMENT:
MASSAGE THERAPY:
Gentle massage, including Swedish or myofascial techniques. - to both the posterior and anterior aspects of the neck.
As the client can tolerate pressure, deeper techniques including neuromuscular techniques (NMT), with accompanying stretches, can be used.
It's important that massage is done cautiously because there can be post - treatment excessive soreness, even if there is a minimal amount of pain during the massage itself.

HYDROTHERAPY - use cold packs for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for the first 1-2 days.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORYagents and medications

OTHER PRACTITIONERS - acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.

Orthopedic Assessment in Massage therapy by Whitney Lowe = primary resource

May your heart be healthy and happy this Valentine's Day, a day devoted to the heart.
What would make it so?

Love? Massage? Chocolate? Red wine?
Not only are these things wonderful but they are also healthy for your heart

How so? you may ask.

Love
Love fights disease, boosts immunity and lowers stress.

Massage
Reduces blood pressure
Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
Strengthens the immune system
Call today for a 25% discounted rate on a massage gift certificate for your Valentine

Chocolate
In cocoa there is a substance that helps the body process nitric oxide (NO), a compound critical for healthy blood flow and blood pressure.
Cocoa beans contain large quantities of flavonoids. Flavonoids are plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties. They make blood platelets less likely to clot.

Red wine
Red wine also contains large quantities of flavonoids, as does tea, cranberries, peanuts, strawberries, apples and many other fruits and vegetables.
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?id=3464&t=CFIDS_FM

Metamorphic Massage
transforming injuries into wellnes
and
helping athletes achieve peak performance

Nikki LMP - provider of massage at 3 Olympic Games
WA Sports Massage Team - active member for 15 years
Certified in Orthopedic Massage

Call or e mail to schedule a massage.
Nikki Nichols LMP, RN, BSN
Metamorphic Massage
206-499-4281
Nikki@metamorphicmassage.biz