9/29/00 Olympic Fever/Peak Performance

Subject: (GH) Health & Longevity Gets Olympic Fever
Reply to: gentry@alternativedr.com

In this week's Health & Longevity newsletter:
*Peak Performance for athletes & everyday life
*Readers' herb suggestions for strains & sprains
*Dr. May answers readers questions

It's been going around the last two weeks, & everyone has caught the bug---I'm talking about Olympic Fever! The athletes' strength, agility, fitness, and mental concentration are amazing. Their little secret is called Peak Performance, & the formula behind it can actually be applied to everyday life.

So how do you do it? The quickest and easiest way to get started is to familarize yourself with the basic concepts. Go to the Peak Performance section of AlternativeDr.com at http://www.alternativedr.com/peak/.

Shane Murphy, the former chief sports psychologist for the United States Olympic Committee presents 8 simple steps that readers can use to improve their lives: focus, concentrate, energize, be consistent, stay calm, think like a winner, keep emotions in check, and think creatively. http://www.alternativedr.com/books/bookspeak.jsp.

So, I ask the readers, how do you stay motivated to start/keep up with/maintain your exercise routine? What are your mental tricks to stay fit? gentry@alternativedr.com.

From the last issue: Sprains & Strains….

Readers Suggest Herbs & Supplements Note: Please remember that the following are suggestions from readers who may or may not have expertise about herbal supplements. Educate yourself at http://www.alternativedr.com/conditions.html.

>I take Arnica Montana 30C for sprains, strains or bruises. I also apply topically for muscle aches! Terri from Orlando, FL

>Thanks for helpful information. I have successfully used Bromelain for backache. However, I have given it to my kids for muscle ache and they do not report the same improvement. Patricia from Kalamazoo, MI

>>>>Comment from Dr. Lloyd May, MD: Bromelain is a glycoprotein obtained from the pineapple plant, usually derived from the stem. Arthritis is a disease. Bromelain is also used for digestive assistance, ulcer prevention, & sinusitis relief. Maybe your child did not have arthritis and you do… More info on bromelain at http://www.alternativedr.com/conditions/ConsSupplements/Bromelaincs.html

Dr. Lloyd May, MD Answers Readers Questions about Strains & Sprains NOTE: Dr.May's answers are not a substitute for seeing your own doctor. His answers are intended to serve as brief information on various medical topics.

>>>Hi. My husband has been experiencing pain in both his shoulders for the last 3 weeks. He's been taking aspirin and then he tried Advil, neither of which worked. He feels better as the day goes on, but when he goes to bed at night, the pain kicks in and he has a very restless night and in the morning he is stiff and sore. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you, Carol

Dear Carol,
Most pains are more discernable at night. Shoulder pain can be due to many conditions including biceps tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, or gout. If it wakes him up at night, it's often arthritic pain. Most of these conditions are listed on our Web site at http://www.alternativedr.com/conditions/index.html. If it continues I would recommend seeing a doctor.
Sincerely, Lloyd May, MD

>>>Hi, I've been experiencing numbness above my ankle to the whole top of my foot-it feels tingly when touched. Do you think it has to do with an injury from walking-I walk 5 miles a day.
Thank you, Tracy

Dear Tracy,
From your description, it sounds like a dorsal compression neuropathy, or more simply stated, a type of compression of the nerve. One thing that you can do now, is to make sure you avoid any type of tight foot gear. That will only exacerbate the situation.
Sincerely, Lloyd May, MD

>>>Doc:
I'm a 46 year old male in fairly good health (6' 240 lbs - yeah I know...) who regularly plays tennis and gets regular cardio workouts. 2 years ago, I ruptured my Achilles tendon. It was a total rupture and was surgically repaired. I resumed tennis a year ago and now the Achilles in my OTHER leg is very tight - and slightly sore (I "tweaked" it slightly in a tennis match last week.) Actually, both are tight most of the time.
My question is: Am I doomed to another rupture? I take MSM (3 grams/day) with vitamin C and an anti-oxidant called Microhydrin. What do you suggest? Thanks, Henry

Henry,
Achilles tendonitis is common in runners, patients with short Achilles tendons, and patients with Reiter's disease. Chronic inflammation contributes in a major way to spontaneous rupture; hence, at signs of inflammation it should be relaxed. Stretching is very important as well. More information about tendonitis as well as alternative treatments & helpful supplements can be found at http://www.alternativedr.com/conditions/ConsConditions/Tendinitiscc.html Sincerely, Lloyd May, MD

>>>Dr. May:
Last August 1999 I developed a "heel spur" in my left foot that began to bother me when I got up in the morning, and when I got out of the car after a long drive. I also developed carpal tunnel syndrome. After checking into the conditions, I made a major change in my lifestyle, including losing 40 lbs. Over 6 mo., joining the YMCA to work out every day for 1/2 hr, started taking karate classes, started taking glucosamine, chondroitin, evening primrose oil and vitamins. I feel and look better now than I have since I was a teenager. (l am 48) However, the heel spur is stubbornly hanging around. What can I do? (BTW:carpal tunnel went away)
Kathy Samuels

Kathy,
Congratulations on your progress and for taking control of your health! Heel spur is a term that usually refers to heal pain, often in the morning and sometimes associated with standing for long periods of time, the weather, or exercise. The medical term is plantar fasciitis and is an inflammation of the origin of the longitudinal ligament that forms the arch of the foot. Flat feet, high arches, turned in ankles, and short Achilles tendons predispose one to the condition. Obesity, working on concrete, poorly fitted shoes, and prolonged daily standing aggravate the condition. X-rays are usually NOT indicated except to exclude calcaneal fractures, especially in runners or to exclude a large, over 1 cm heel spur. Small calcifications at the origin of the fascia are EXCEEDINGLY COMMON, are a reflection of the inflammatory process, and are not an indication for surgery by themselves. Treat this condition with stretching (especially Archilles stretching exercises), arch supports, well supported shoes, and padded insoles.
Sincerely, Lloyd May, MD

Note: Dr. May received a lot of questions! Answers will continue to appear in the next issue. Thanks for everyone's interest…

Dr. May recommends Chondro-Plex, a combination of chondroitin & glucosamine sulfate for walkers & runners. We've put it on sale at 25% off! http://store.yahoo.com/foodscienceofvt/welal.html

We look forward to hearing from you!

Have a great weekend!

Gentry Holbert
Dr. Lloyd A. May, MD
gentry@alternativedr.com