May 15,2000 Newsletter
Hi from Dr. Lamb!
In this issue:
*Vitamins & supplements for specific pain conditions
*Neurontin for Chronic Pain
*Golf - avoid common injuries
*Iasis Corporation
*Ask Dr. Lamb
*New Website - www.drugsanddocs.com
*Recommended website - www.drkomer.com - Women's Health
*Pain Reliever video series on stretching exercises
*Halton Pharmacy
Vitamins
As you know, vitamins and supplements are tools in a larger strategy to stay healthy and to battle painful conditions.
I have chosen vitamins and supplements specially selected for specific pain conditions. I have assembled these into Health Paks
for Fibromyalgia, Rhematoid
Arthritis, Osteo-arthritis, Mind & Energy & Osteoporosis .
http://www.drlamb.com
For your convenience you can also buy on-line.
Neurontin for Chronic Pain
Many of our readers have asked for my opinion about Neurontin for various forms of chronic pain.
Neurontin or Gabapentin made by Parke-Davis is classically an antiepileptic medication that is indicated for adjunctive use in
epilepsy or seizure disorders. However, it is clear that many neurologists and pain doctors are using Neurontin for the treatment of some neuralgias,
such as occipital neuralgia. It is also useful in the treatment of some headaches. I have seen some doctors use it for the treatment of chronic pain that is thought to be neuropathic in other parts of the body.
I myself, have only used Neurontin for headache and neuralgias around the head. Neurontin has the benefit of being well tolerated and having a broader effect than just seizure
control- that is pain therapy. However, like all medication, Neurontin requires close supervision by a qualified doctor.
Golf
I thought that, as we enter into the Golf season, I would offer a quick review of Golfing Injuries.
Most who know me, know that I am NOT a great golfer. I am relatively new at the game and do not play very often. But I understand the biophysics very well and the injuries involved. So this is a case of “Do as I say and not as I do.”
Dr. Germain Theriault studies golf injuries and his medical review was published in the Canadian Journal of Diagnosis, March 2000.
There are 25 million golfers in the US and a similar percentage in Canada. A recent study in Quebec demonstrated that 17.6% of people over 15 years of age play golf. 44% of golfers play for health and physical activity and 24% to have contact with nature. (I play to frustrate myself and to see how many windows I can break!)
Golf injuries commonly occur in both professionals and us amateurs. In professionals, the most common cause of injury is overuse at 79.9%. In amateurs, the most common cause of injury is poor technique, driving home a percentage of 62.7%. Overuse is number two for amateurs with a percentage of 28.9%.
The types of injuries can be broken down into the spine, the lower extremity and the upper extremity. The upper extremity (especially the wrist and hands) represents 53.7% of all golf injuries. The spine - especially the low back - putts in at number two with 28.7% of all injuries and the lower extremity rolls in at 14.2%.
The arm injuries seem to take the longest to recover with 48.3% requiring up to 6 months to get better, while the spine and lower extremity seems to get better within a month. At least statistically, this might suggest we are better at treating low back and leg problems than arm and shoulder pain disorders. This may be true as few doctors recognize that “golfer’s elbow” is typically generated from a neuropathy in the low neck - typically the C7 to T1 area.
There are many suggestions in the article for the reduction of golf injuries.
For the spine they include:
*Better posture
*Reduced rotational velocity
*Muscle strengthening
*Of course stretching.
For the hands:
*Reduce excessive motion in the wrists
*Use lighter, more flexible clubs (graphite)
*Place your tee higher
*Control the balance during weight shift
*Reduce muscle tension in the forearms with a more relaxed grip
*Very important - forearm stretching.
For the shoulder:
*Reduce the range of motion of the back swing
*Avoid excessive arm movement during the swing
*Condition the rotator cuff muscles with exercise and stretching.
Dr. Theriault’s article is an interesting read. I hope that his golf game is as good as his advice. My golfer’s advice is to warm up with a good and complete stretching
program and try not to hit the ball too hard, as this has never worked for me.
Finally, DO NOT ignore a pain problem as it will usually get worse.
See your medical professional before the injury ends your golf game for good.
New Stretching For Golf video to improve your game and prevent injuries!
For those with Golfer's Elbow - there is a stretching video for you too!
Visit www.stretch-doctor.com
Iasis Corporation
You will see the Iasis Corporation mentioned on our websites - this is the corporation that integrates DrLamb.com as well as other products and services. So when you see
"Iasis Corporation" or "Iasis Shoppe" etc. - that's us.
Trivia - iasis is the ancient Greek word for "heal".
ASK DR. LAMB
Thanks to all who have sent in questions. I read every question and we try to pick ones that would be of general interest to cover in the newsletters. We expect to move from a monthly to
bi-monthly format so more questions can be covered in a general way.
We are also developing new ways to communicate and interact with you. My commitment is to make the
Iasis Corporation websites the most useful resources on the web.
If you have other questions - please write me at
pain@drlamb.com
DrugsandDocs.com
As part of our commitment to your health - we have started a new website www.drugsanddocs.com that will provide products and consultation options. We will update you on it as it develops. Currently, we have the Health Paks for
vitamins/supplements and the Pain Reliever video series.
www.drugsanddocs.com
DrKomer.com
I recommend this website to any of you who are interested in learning more about Women's Health, menopause, self-esteem and much more.
Dr. Larry Komer, M.D. and his wife, Joan Komer do seminars
called Be
Menopositive. Visit their website - or email them with questions at askdrkomer@drkomer.com or
askjoankomer@drkomer.com.
www.drkomer.com
Pain Reliever (TM) Video Series
Stretching is a key to muscle health. Now available for purchase on-line Dr. Lamb's
stretching instructional videos. Over 80 different videos in the series!
www.stretch-doctor.com
Halton Pharmacy
Our products are assembled and shipped from Halton Pharmacy in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Their website is-
www.haltonpharmacy.com
Watch for upcoming announcements on:
*Special pain prescription medication soon to be available in Canada over the internet.
*A new priority worldwide medical consultation service with Dr. Lamb.
The information contained in this newsletter is the opinion of Dr. G.
Blair Lamb M.D. C.C.F.P. and should not be used as personal medical advice.
Everyone is encouraged to see their own healthcare professional to review what is best for
them.
For further details, please visit http://www.drlamb.com/legal.htm
Thanks for reading! Visit the website regularly for additional information.
www.drlamb.com
© Copyright 2000 Iasis Corporation
| 
