Health Briefs
By Valerie Pop, R.N.
Brain or brawn: which is the first to go? That's the questions researchers wanted to know -- is muscle deterioration as we age the cause for running times to edge up? Or is it the signals from the brain and the synapses that are slowing down, causing muscles to get the signal more slowly or not as precisely? The Neurobiology of Aging Journal recently released a study that points the finger at the brain. With age, the myelin sheaths that coat the nerves of the brain degrade, which causes a slowing of electrical impulse time. And it seems that the time for the slowing to start is age 40, right where most Masters age groups begin. What can you do about it? While researchers say more research is needed, there are a few things: brain health is benefited by keeping active and by keeping blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar within the normal range. And physical and mental activity may also induce myelin repair. . . . keep reading...>>
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Hamstrung by hamstring problems?
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
The hamstrings are a group of muscles that form the back of the thigh. They run from the pelvis to just below the knee joint. The three most commonly referred to muscles of the hamgstrings are the Biceps Femoris, the Semimembranosis and the Semitendinosis. These muscles are very commonly injured for a variety of reasons. They span two joints: the hip and knee. They act as hip extensors and more importantly as knee flexors. It is in the function as knee flexors that these muscles are most frequently injured. The classic scene that everyone has witnessed is the 100-meter sprinter pulling up lame in the middle of the race grabbing the back of his leg and going down in a heap. What exactly went wrong to cause this catastrophic muscle failure? . . . keep reading...>>
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Battling Achilles
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
How did a simple part of the human body, the Achilles tendon that runs down the back of the leg, become associated with a mythological Greek warrior? According to myth, the infant Achilles was dipped into the River Styx, which would make him invincible. Unfortunately, his mother held her son by the heel, which subsequently didn't have the same protection as the rest of his body. In the Trojan War, an arrow struck Achilles in the heel, near the tendon area, and the great warrior died. Now, here's the real story about the treatment and prevention of Achilles tendon injuries. . . . keep reading...>>
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How to Cope with Stress (Fractures)
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
Dear GeezerJock Doc: I was recently told I had developed a stress fracture. Any advice? The GeezerJock Doc responds: A stress fracture is a reaction of the bone to abnormal forces. This phenomenon was described as a "march fracture" in military recruits. New recruits were repeatedly made to march long distances with little time for acclimatizing to these new routines. Many recruits complained of foot pain, and x-rays revealed stress fractures. . . . keep reading...>>
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Battling plantar fasciitis
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
Plantar fasciitis is a very common cause of heel pain in the athlete. The plantar fascia is a tough band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel bone to the base of the toes. The primary purpose of this fascia is to provide a strong base of support for the foot. The most common complaint of an individual who is suffering from plantar fasciitis is morning pain. People state that the first step they take in the morning is excruciatingly painful. This a.m. pain will often dissipate, but in some people it worsens as the day goes on. People who work or spend large parts of the day on their feet on hard surfaces often complain of increasing pain toward day's end. Repetitive pounding in worn shoes or shoes that do not provide much arch support can also be a cause of this pain. . . . keep reading...>>
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Tendon trouble
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
Dear GeezerJock Doc: I am 60 years old and have been swimming for the past 12 years. About a year ago, I started having pain in my right shoulder. An MRI showed tendonitis of the rotator cuff. I haven't been able to get rid of the problem. I stayed out of the pool for six weeks and I cut back my swimming time and took anti-inflammatories, to no avail. It doesn't hurt when I swim, but the next day I can feel it. Am I destined to have this forever? I love to swim! -- Jan Bartelt. Read on to see how the GeezerJock Doc believes that a combination of rest, stretching and weightlifting can alleviate the pain associated with tendonitis. . . . keep reading...>>
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A core question
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
Dear GeezerJock Doc: What are your thoughts on core strengthening for overall health? The GeezerJock Doc responds: That's a great question. Core strengthening is the new buzzword in nearly every sport. Which raises two key questions: What is the core? And how do we strengthen it? Most agree the core is the group of muscles that supports and surrounds your trunk and pelvis. Others believe the core also encompasses the muscles of the shoulders, chest and upper back. . . . keep reading...>>
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Menopause and exercise
By Micah Garb, M.D.
Micah Garb, M.D., discusses how research shows that exercise helps mitigate two potential side effects of menopause: osteoporosis and hot flashes. . . . keep reading...>>
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The HIP crowd
By Allan Tissenbaum
The GeezerJock Doc explains the differences between hip resurfacing vs. traditional hip replacement. . . . keep reading...>>
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Joint effort
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
The GeezerJock Doc discusses some of the various nontraditional therapies for osteoarthritis. The therapies explored include chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM. . . . keep reading...>>
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Dem Bones
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
The GeezerJock Doc (who is actually world champion Masters sprinter and orthopedic surgeon Allan Tissenbaum) discusses how exercise and diet can help stave off osteoporosis. . . . keep reading...>>
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A winter's tale
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
The GeezerJock Doc (who is actually world champion Masters sprinter Allan Tissenbaum, an orthopedic surgeon) offers advice on working out in the great outdoors during the winter. . . . keep reading...>>
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Pain in the hip
By Allan Tissenbaum, M.D.
Dr. Allan Tissenbaum, an orthopedic surgeon and world champion Masters sprinter, is the GeezerJock Doc. In this installment he discusses the causes and cures of hip and groin pain. . . . keep reading...>>
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