Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 11/6/2008

Question
I am a backyard mixed martial arts fighter and I was recently slammed on my
back by a good wrestler.  It was on grass, but it still really hurts.  I know it
isn't the muscles because I feel no pain when doing bridges.  It used to crack
when I pulled my arms back in a rowing motion, and it hurts every time I
breath in deeply.  Will this heal on its own or should I see someone about it?

Im not sure if it will help but the fight was recorded and put on youtube.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR-0HYZJJyM


Answer
back pain, hurts when breathing,

Hello Mike,

Sorry to hear of your injury.  Perhaps you should re-think backyard martial arts fighting!

I did watch this on youtube.com ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR-0HYZJJyM ), the video is VERY dark and difficult to see.  It looks like the striped shirt wins against the black shirt.  The black shirt gets jammed to the ground on his back a couple of times, I guess you are the Black Shirt guy (?).  Of course, as a Doctor, I have to say these 'backyard' events are not a good idea.  Such an event should be set up with professional referees, trainers and health personnel available!

Cut to the chase- "....Will this heal on its own or should I see someone about it?....".  Most athletes, and my Staten Island Sports Medicine chiropractic office treats a lot of athletes, most athletes know their bodies.  LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.  If your body is hurting a lot, or hurting long, or feeling different and you are uncomfortable with this; if this is growing worse-  DEFINITELY see a licensed health professional.  Since you are ASKING me,,,, my recommendation IS to see someone.

You may just have a bump, a bruise, a sprain, a strain, a contusion.  You may have a broken rib.  Worst case, perhaps a compression fracture in the spine or a herniated disc.  Of course the big bad things are not very likely, the 'smaller' things are more probable.

I do recommend you see a health professional.  I would recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).  Perhaps you have a local DC with a sports injury specialty (DACBSP) like me, I would recommend a Chiropractor with a Diplomat from the American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians ( see ACBSP.com).

If you are serious about exercise, serious about athletic competition, here is some information I routinely hand out in my Staten Island Chiropractic office:



PAIN     

Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.

Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.  That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car- -- do you ignore it until the car breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  Pain, pain in your body- -- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?  

NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:  
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;   

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  ‘VSC’ ,    ‘subluxation’   )

Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for ‘Subluxation’. Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).

 Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC.

 The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

Subluxation  is  a  serious  condition  identified  by  its  five  parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:        This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:           Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:       A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:     The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.   
         Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.

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If you are a competitive athlete, you may find this Injury advice helpful:

P.R.I.C.E. =    
P  protection.   R rest.   I  ice.   C  compression.   E  elevation.

Hurt  yourself ??  injury/ trauma/  bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined  if you think it  is  bad  enough.     BUT  in  the  meantime,  some  simple  steps  may  help.   PRICE.
The  PRICE  protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.

P = Protection;  protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you pad  or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !

R = Rest;  rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to repair the area

I = Ice;  ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control  (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again

C = Compression;  to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area.  Many body parts may not be applicable to compression.

E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part

PRICE  may  help :    Sprains,  Strains,  musculo-skeletal injury,  bruise,  contusion
Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain.  Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction).  In the spine, a sprain/strain  is a misalignment,  a ‘kink’ in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!

         Spinal = Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)  ;   ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.  Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint.  CORRECT the subluxation !!!!

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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If you are interested in being better, improving your competitive performance, this may be interesting to you:



Athletic  Performance  Improvement,  Accelerated  Recovery

Chiropractic is well known to improve athletic performance, prevent sport injury, and accelerate recovery from injury or hard training.  With Doctors of Chiropractic serving on almost every nation’s Olympic Team, with Chiropractic holding official status with the USOC and serving almost every US Olympic Athlete:  the results of chiropractic cannot be  denied.     Coaches  and  athletes  are  aware  of  terms  such  as
                               
    enhanced  performance,     performance  improvement,                         .
    accelerated  recovery,   restoration   and   regeneration.

                           .
Many coaching conferences   discuss   strategies   on   these   aspects   of   exercise,   competition,   sports  and  athleticism.

An interesting study was performed and published way back in 1991.   The January 1991 issue  of  the  Journal  of  Chiropractic  Research  and  Clinical  Investigation  published findings that  demonstrate  significant  increases  in  athletic  performance after  a  twelve  week  program  of  Chiropractic  treatment.     

Athletic  Ability  Research:
Male and female athletes between the ages of 18 and 42, representing a variety of sports backgrounds, were recruited to participate in this study. None had ever before been under chiropractic care.  Each of these participants underwent eleven separate tests, each test designed to measure a specific aspect of athletic performance. Then, half the participants were evaluated through chiropractic analysis and placed on a twelve week program of chiropractic  treatment   ( consistent regimen of chiropractic, similar to a consistent regimen of physical athletic training/ exercise ).  ( measured aspects: side step test, dodging run, right boomerang run, modified bass tests of dynamic balance, vertical power jump, standing broad jump, distance perception jump, horizontal linear space test, nelson hand reaction test, nelson speed of movement test, nelson choice of response-movement test )

All subjects continued to train and practice as usual in their sports.    At the half-way point of six weeks, they were all reevaluated and changes in scores for each group were compared.   All increases in performances by each group were measured by the average percent  of  change  in  all  eleven  tests  combined.

The control group,  those  not  receiving  chiropractic care, showed slight improvement in  eight  of  eleven  tests  ( this group had been training ‘as usual’ for the time period ).    By combining the average percentages of change on each test it was found that the control  group  showed  an  overall  improvement  of  4.5%.

Those  receiving  chiropractic  treatment   (along with their ‘usual training’),  the  test group, had dramatically different results. They showed improvement on all eleven tests for a total   10.7%  average  increase  after  six  weeks.    And  when  retested again  after  the  second  six  week  period  of  care  this  test  group  demonstrated  a remarkable      16.7%    average   increase   in   athletic   ability.
(  consider  that  one/ onehundredth of a second  ( 1/100th ) is the difference between win – lose,,, 16.7%  is HUGE )
What Do Chiropractors Do?
Chiropractors analyze the structure of the body, looking for misalignments, primarily in the spine, and also the extremities.    Spinal misalignments,   termed      vertebral subluxations,     irritate   the  nerves  which  in  turn  inhibits  the  body’s  ability to function optimally.     Like a high performance automobile,  the human structure must be balanced and in alignment to be at it’s best.    A Ferrari with pistons that don’t fire in sequence,  wheels that are out of balance or alignment,  and high performance specifications  that  are  improperly  set   will   not   only   have   it’s   performance compromised    but  will  also  have  dramatically  increased  potential  for  parts  to  wear  out  and  breakdown.   The  human  body, far more delicate and complicated than even the most advanced automobile is similar.    If  the framework,  particularly the spine,  isn’t properly aligned and balanced-  the body cannot perform  to it’s  potential and is more susceptible to illness and injury,  with  slower  recovery  when  injury does  occur.

What Do Vertebral Subluxations Do?
Vertebral subluxations cause nerve conduction interference.  This inhibits millions of messages from the brain from flowing smoothly along the nerves and in this in turn interferes with the coordination of the actions of the body.  The only health care provider trained to diagnose and correct vertebral subluxations is the Doctor of Chiropractic.  Like a properly tuned Ferrari,  the chiropractic patient athlete,  when properly aligned, functions at a level of peak performance.

Famous Athletes Utilize Chiropractics.
Many athletes have discovered the relationship between proper spinal  alignment and their own level of achievement. San Francisco Forty-Niner Greats Joe Montana and Roger Craig as well as heavy weight champion Evander Holyfield are examples of  professional and world-class athletes who realize(d)  the value of proper structural alignment and balance in their bodies.   They have learned through their own experiences what  research  has  shown;   that  through  chiropractic  care -  one  can demonstrate faster reaction time,  better balance,  improved coordination, increased muscular power;  and when injured-  accelerated recovery and regeneration.

The Competitive Edge.
Emphasis on athletic excellence continues to escalate in this country in terms of both dollars and extremes in personal sacrifice. Though the dangers of taking anabolic steroids have been widely publicized for years, the number of athletes who suffer serious health problems caused steroids continues to grow.  Now, however, the athlete looking for the competitive edge  need not look beyond the framework of  his(her)  own body.  Increased  public  awareness  is  leading  many  to  realize  that  a  natural  method  is  available  in achieving  performance  enhancement.     The  method  is  Chiropractic!

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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I hope this all helps.

I wish you good luck and Good Health Naturally !

If further questions, do not hesitate to re- contact me   http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Thank you for your question, your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com      (email newsletter)