I have a friend who is a minor league pitcher and is suffering from some joint pain in his elbow. Do you guys have any suggestions or advice for him? Other than icing it and taking Advil, he hasn’t tried much else. Also, has anyone heard if the Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplement is effective for joint repair and pain relief? Thanks!
I’ve used glucosamine for a few years now, after a knee surgery to remove a steel shard that shot into my knee. I can definitely tell the difference if I’m off for more than a couple days. The surgeon said he couldn’t officially recommend it, but could cite a lot of anecdotal evidence of it’s effectiveness. When I was looking into the stuff, I saw the chondroitin, and asked around a bit with some chiros. Basically they said the chondroitin doesn’t survive the digestive process very well, and is of little help. But, many people swear by it. I suppose it couldn’t hurt. For the glucosamine, get 1500mg a day split over two doses. It may take a week or so for the pain to diminish, it it’s a degenerative cause. If it’s tendonitis, there’s other things to do that many other people here are much more qualified to comment on.
I was a minor league pitcher for 3 years my last year playing was in 1999 I too suffered from join pain in my elbow (coincidentally tearing my rotator cuff and tendon ended my baseball career in aaa ball) I used glucosamine for my joints and it did fell a lot better but do you know what I found worked even more …flaxseed oil right before I went to bed…my trainer suggested it to me…I tried it and after about a week the soreness went away…try it and see if it works for your friend.
Go find an ART provider. There are a few different possibilities, but it should help with a few treatments. The web address is www.activerelease.com. You can read about the technique and look up a provider.
After reading about Darren Dreifort of the Dodgers is lost for the season and half of next season with a torn medial collateral ligament in his elbow, I would get that elbow checked out by a doctor. I wouldn’t risk my career by following the diagnosis of someone who cannot see your friend’s elbow personally.
ART is definitely the first thing to consider. I had an elbow problem that bothered me for over 6 months that after 5 ART treatments is just about better now. Also if you what to cover all of the bases nutritionally take the previously mentioned glucosamine, chondroitin and flax oil and also add in some fish oil caps (EPA/DHA) and MSM.
The Life Extension Foundation has an awesome anti-arthritic natural formula- Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Nettle, Ginger and EFA’s . .go to www.lef.org and type in arthritis as a search . . the articles and product should pop up
Mike
what does the team doctor say? I don’t know if he has told him/her of his pain but if he has not tell him to NOW (I was offerd a undrafted free agent contract years ago, undrafted so my odds were long but atleast I had a chance, I did NOT tell my coach about my shoulder pain and I have ALWAYS wished I had)the team doctors nowadays are pretty up to date on things so I’m sure he/she can help him.