Typical Baseball Injuries

Summer is officially over and the summer heat has finally left Southern Ontario. With the change of seasons comes the end of some sports and the beginning of others. In the spirit of the Blue Jay’s winning the AL East title this season, baseball and typical injuries involving the sport will be our focus.

As with every sport, repetition of certain movements can cause specific injuries to occur. With baseball, shoulder and elbow injuries are most common due to the constant throwing motion. Most of the elbow injuries are due to tendinitis which is the inflammation of one of the tendons that attaches just above the elbow joint. Tendonitis can also affect the shoulder joint because of pitching or throwing, and may include the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles (Infraspinatus, Teres major and minor, Subscapularis, and Supraspinatus). The long head of biceps can also be affected in this sport, also turning into tendonitis. This is why pitching in baseball is so hard on the player’s shoulder and elbow. The extreme flexibility that a pitcher has in their forearm when throwing causes the elbow to be put in a position where injury is quite common; couple that with the repetitive rotation in the shoulder and injury for every position involving throwing can occur at any time.

Hamstrings are also muscles that are quite commonly injured in baseball. Many players pull their hamstrings because of how the sport is played. Individuals go up to bat after sitting for a long period of time on the bench; their legs muscles are cold from inactivity and without warming up properly, they hit and then sprint full out to run bases as fast as they can. Cold muscles will not perform well and the sudden demand that the players put on their legs can cause muscle strains to occur.

It is important as an athlete to seek out treatment on a regular basis. Regular massages help prevent injuries from occurring. Warming up the body properly before playing any sport will also help prevent tendonitis. When receiving massage therapy, specifically ask your therapist to treat areas that are overworked so that your muscles can find relief from the activities that you ask them to do every day. Regular massage therapy may help make the difference between being able to play long term or suffering an injury. Book a massage today!

Heat Stoke and Heat Exhaustion

Although summer time is coming to an end, we are continuing to have hot days throughout September and a lot of us may be starting to make plans for South-bound trips in the late autumn and winter months. Heat can affect the body in the wrong way and it is important to note the strong effects the sun can have on us as well as the differences between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion.

Heat Exhaustion, although not as severe as Heat Stroke, is still quite serious. It can occur when an individual spends too much time in extremely hot temperatures and is highly dehydrated or if the person is low in sodium (mainly due to excessive sweating). Symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion, muscle cramps, and vomiting or diarrhea. When demonstrating such symptoms, immediately try to lower your body temperature by taking a cool bath or shower and increase your water intake to rehydrate yourself. Although the sun can cause heat exhaustion, it isn’t necessary for it to occur. High temperatures are the main factor for causing heat exhaustion and should be avoided if possible.

Heat stroke is highly dangerous and can lead to death and is a medical emergency. It is usually a progressive ‘heat exhaustion’ condition, and sometimes shows no previous signs before occurring. The core body temperature has now heightened to above 105 degrees Fahrenheit and other symptoms may be fainting, lack of sweating, nausea, vomiting, hot skin, seizures or losing consciousness. Emergency medical treatment is needed immediately and should be contacted right away.

Be safe in the sun and enjoy the heat with caution. Be aware of the effect high temperatures can have on the body. Stay hydrated and in the shade when dealing with extreme conditions to prevent Heat exhaustion and heat stroke from occurring.

COVID-19 Update

Due to the State of Emergency announced in Waterloo Region this past week and the mandate put forth by PHA and my governing college (CMTO), I will be temporarily keeping my Massage Therapy Clinic closed at this time. As I am unsure as to when it will be safe to reopen, I will be contacting clients on a weekly basis who have an upcoming appointment to cancel their treatments and will be placing them on a rebook list for when this outbreak has passed.