Doc is in the House

Training Bodybuilding
41

Hi Dr. Ryan,

Let me thank you again for the info. regarding sleeping posture. My main problem was that when I slept on my side I was “crushing” my lower shoulder by placing all my weight over it. By wedging a pillow behind me so I can lean back into it, the problem seems to be solved.

Moving on, I posed a question earlier on this thread regarding forward-tilted chairs. I’ve been doing some research since then, but haven’t come up with much concrete as to whether this type of sitting positively affects posture. I personally find it easiest to maintain good posture if I sit on the very edge of a chair, but I remember reading somewhere that not having lumber support leads to tightening of the hip flexors. Any advice on this subject?

42

Mercury,

Glad the suggestion helped. I had the same problem with side sleeping but no problem since using the pillows.

The tilted seat pan does help if you are working on a computer or desk where you have to lean forward.

However, I’ve found that using a lumbar roll to support the lordosis seems to provide the best postural support.

Check out the ‘Cool Tips’ archive for my ‘Get on a Roll’ tip. Follow the directions. That should help. You will have to slide your chair toward your desk a little bit since you will be sitting up straighter than before. It will help with the low back as well as the neck and mid-back.

If you have any questions after reading the tip, please let me know.

Take care,

Ryan

43

You wouldnt happen to have the list of supps you recommend for psoriasis/ecsema, would you? I hate to bug, but you left it at your office last time I asked.

Thanks a million.

44

If I am having referred pain down my leg into the lateral leg compartment from an SI joint injury (I was thrown on my butt hard in Judo the other day) would you feel that there are any major indicators I should be aware of that would prevent me from doing horizontal plan upper body movements with my lower body anchored?

I am just waiting until next week when I can see a PT, and get antsy if I sit still too long.

45

Funny, I just hit the home button and the threads ‘Howard Dean’, and ‘Gay Marriage…’ had the most recent posts.

There are 6 experts online for a couple hours to answer questions and people are posting on the political forums, priceless!

46

Hey doc, can you figure this out? For the last six months or so, I’ve had pain right in the middle of my chest (in the breastbone between the pecs). It’s in one small spot (like the size of someone’s thumb in my chest or a quarter-sized spot). It comes and goes.

And when I stretch my chest, it will actually “pop” in that spot and feel better. If I don’t pop it, it will continue to hurt, and it seems to affect some of the muscle in my pecs if I don’t do anything (as if all the muscle is being pulled into that spot).

I have no idea why it does this or why my chest is cracking. I’ve had chiropractic care, but I’ve never had my chest adjusted.

Any ideas?

47

Hey Doc i have a question too… This past December I finished a 6 month course of chemo, I was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma in July. That’s over now but because of the chemo I had some weakening of the tendons. I got an 80% tear of my right biceps tendon. I had surgery in Feb. How long would you think it would take me to get back to full strength? I competed in the 165’s and was getting close to a 600lbs pull. I tore it on a warm up with only 385!!! I had pulled 500 the week before. I can’t wait to get back on the platform!!
Hope you can help!
Danny

48

DA MAN,

Sorry about that.

There are several different things you may want to try.

Vit D 400 IU/bid (2xday)
selenium 100mcg/ tid (3xday)
zinc (monomethionine) 30mg tid
Vit A 25000 IU/bid (not beta carotene)

Fish Oil 4-6 grams combined EPA/DHA
Antioxidant supp.

Incidently, cod liver oil contains Vit A and D in pretty good doses and also contains EPA/DHA. It is fairly cheap and may be an easy way to add some of these nutrients. The Vit A dose is very high and would only be used at that dose for a few weeks at a time.

Other than that, you may want to either get some food allergy tests done or try an elimination diet to see if any sensitivities may be playing a role in the psoriasis.

Also some people have had an overgrowth of candidiasis.

Definitely maintain proper hydration status and avoid caffeine/nicotine/theobromine.

Limit refined carbs and alcohol.

Stress reduction and adequate sleep also can play a role.

Feel free to PM me if you have any follow-up questions.

Ryan

49

the Maxx,

Feel free to do any activity that does not recreate or exacerbate your symptoms.

What movements cause you problems?

Take care,

Ryan

50

Nate Dogg,

Just wanted to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Dad.

Sounds like you have some irritation around the anterior rib head/costal cartilage articulation on the sternum. Some times you can get irritation or even some laxity around this articulation which can allow the rib to move a little in that cavity. This could create symptoms like you described.

Was there anything associated with the onset of this problem.

When does it happen? Have you found it to be related to any particular movements or exercises, etc?

Take care,

Ryan

51

Danny,

I’ve never had a patient with that sort of injury that has done any lifting comparable to the numbers you listed.

I do know that it can take 6 months to a year or more for the muscles/tendons to regain the majority of their tensile strength following an injury. It may be even longer for pulling that kind of weight.

It also would depend on how fast your body heals.

Has the surgeon given you any kind of estimate?

You may want to ask Eric Cressey or Mike Robertson to see if any of the powerlifters they know have had a similar injury, and what kind of recovery time they had.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

Let me know what you find out. If you can’t get any feedback, PM me and I will check with an ortho I know to see if he has any kind of recommendation.

Take care,

Ryan

52

[quote]Dr. Ryan wrote:
Nate Dogg,

Just wanted to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Dad.[/quote]

Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers as well as everyone else’s!

[quote]Sounds like you have some irritation around the anterior rib head/costal cartilage articulation on the sternum. Some times you can get irritation or even some laxity around this articulation which can allow the rib to move a little in that cavity. This could create symptoms like you described.

Was there anything associated with the onset of this problem.[/quote]

The only thing I can think of that may have been the cause was when I was laying on my side on the bed with my left arm/elbow propping my body up while I was on the laptop. I did this a few times about six months ago.

At first, this just caused extreme pain in my left shoulder, but it was soon after that I started having the chest pain. And of course, my left shoulder has still been hurting me (anytime I lift and sometimes depends on how I move my arm). The odd thing is, my left shoulder used to be my “good” shoulder. Now it’s become my bad shoulder. And after about 8 months of chiropractic care, my right shoulder is no longer bothering me (however, a MRI showed a labral tear, but it’s not enough to make me want to have surgery). My right shoulder has been an issue for YEARS. I’ve had PT, massage, ART, ice, Aleve, special exercises, rest, etc. to try to fix it. And now it’s better than it has been in forever.

The first time it happened, it was out of the blue (soon after the whole laying on my side, body propped up by my left arm/elbow). It hurt bad, and I was supposed to hit the bench that day. As soon as I warmed up with the bar, the pain was just too much. So I took the day off. I was fine a day later, but then the pain would come back randomly. Many times, I’m just sitting in a chair (at work, movies, in my car, etc.). And other times it’ll happen when I’m just walking or doing normal activities.

Does that help?

53

Dr, Ryan,
Thank you for your fast reply, my surgen thought it might be about 6 months, but he also has never had a powerlifter for a patient. I’m still squating over 500, and my deadlift was always stronger than my squat. I’m confident my muscle strength will come back fast. My only concern is how long it will be before my tendon will support that kind of weight. Last year I was ranked 86th in the country by Powerlifting USA and to think I already had advanced stage 2 cancer at that time. I’m excited to see what i can do now that i’m cancer free!!!

again thank you!!
Danny

54

Alright, I’m ready for more questions.

55

How about where we left off just a few posts above?

56

Doc have you ever done any BB contests? If so any tips on last week prep?

57

Mike,

I have never done a BB contest, but I have a good friend that went to chiro. college with me who has done several. He was on the cover of a Muscle Media training guide and won his weight class at last year’s Mr. Alabama contest. He also did a nutrition article for T-nation a couple years ago. Check out the author archives for the article by Clay Hyght, D.C.

His T-nation handle is Dr. Clay, try PMing him, he would be able to give you some great tips.

Take care,

Ryan

58

Sure Nate, sorry I missed it.

I meant to ask you, the pain is not where the collarbone hooks in at the sternoclavicular joint, correct?

I was of the thinking you are referring to an area lower than the SC joint. Is this correct?

59

Hey Doc, thanks for your reply in my other thread.

Since you said you’re ready for questions, here’s one.

My girlfriend was complaining this afternoon of an intense pain in her right side trap/neck/shoulder area. Said it hasn’t been quite right since last week but today it was obvious she was in a great deal of pain. She doesn’t lift or anything like that. I had her sit in front of me and gave her a light massage to see if her muscles were tight and then performed neck stretches of the type that MR and EC prescribe. She said the pain was the worst when she tilted her head TOWARD the right(injured side) which I found odd.

Her right trap area actually looked a little swollen when I compared the two sides from behind (her neck boys, get yer minds out of the gutter!)

So, what thinks you…ice…heat…stretch…?

60

[quote]Dr. Ryan wrote:
Sure Nate, sorry I missed it.

I meant to ask you, the pain is not where the collarbone hooks in at the sternoclavicular joint, correct?

I was of the thinking you are referring to an area lower than the SC joint. Is this correct? [/quote]

Well, I’m not sure what the sternoclavicular joint is, but the pain is nowhere near the collarbone. It’s strictly in the middle of the breastbone directly in the center of my pecs. Right where the “line” that separates the left and right pecs connects. A quarter or thumb-sized spot that will hurt and then crack when I stretch my chest.