I helped to moderate a STOP Sports Injuries tweetchat February 13, 2013. We discussed baseball and softball injuries and welcomed healthcare professionals, parents, and coaches from all over the country. The post below is a summary of that discussion. Thanks to the Tommy John Pitching Academy for participating as well!
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Joining us again tonight is @DrDavidGeier from @MUSChealth-he also worked with the St. Louis @Cardinals during his Fellowship! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety @MUSChealth Glad to be here! Love these chats and all the great ideas! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Get settled in for the hour & we will start with Q1: What kinds of injuries are most common in baseball and softball players? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
A1: I’m already starting to see quite a few shoulder issues in my softball players.. they only started a few weeks ago.. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
A1: Shoulder/elbow injuries, esp. overuse, common in baseball/softball. Most preventable, treatable w/o surgery if found early #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
A special welcome to @TJPA25 as well – representing Tommy John’s Pitching Academy. Thanks for joining! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SportsSafety A1 Shoulder issues are definitely a big one – it’s an unnatural/uneven motion, so it causes lots of stress. #sportssafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety arm injuries due to lack of approach #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s I’ve had some elbow issues right as baseball practice has been starting too, Mike. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @ENERGYbits A1 Shoulder issues are definitely a big one – it’s an unnatural/uneven motion, so it causes lots of stress. #sportssafety
Seems to me most baseball/softball injuries are overuse and much less acute, traumatic things.. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety @TJPA25 Wow! That’s great! Thanks for joining us! #SportsSafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@SportsSafety Q1. #SportsSafety I’ve had only one elbow inflammation so far. Just instructed to stretch! And focus on forearm/wrist strength
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @TJPA25 @SportsSafety arm injuries due to lack of approach #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@ENERGYbits @SportsSafety Great point! Pitching is a stressful motion anyway, making proper mechanics critical #SportsSafety
Dr. Ray Solano @DrRaySolano
@SportsSafety Wrist/Hand injuries and Elbow tendinitis are commonly seen. #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety too much focus on velocity not enough on execution #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety pitching also is repetitive microtrauma. which leads to macro #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@DrRaySolano @SportsSafety Ray, what kinds of wrist and hand injuries have you been seeing? Definitely makes sense #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Proper nutrition and foods to help with recovery are key – especially with motions like pitching #sportssafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @DrRaySolano Wrist/Hand injuries and Elbow tendinitis are commonly seen. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
So true. Too much focus on radar gun; not enough on technique RT @TJPA25 too much focus on velocity not enough on execution #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@DrDavidGeier @TJPA25 Probably lack of cross-training as well, lots of specialization out there #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @PT_ATC_CSCS a1 Ankle sprains and quad/hamstring/groin strains. Inadequate hydration affects the whole team.
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@caseypaulkATC @SportsSafety Casey, do you have your players on an exercise program to prevent these injuries? #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm Cross training is key – great way to hit a wide variety of muscles #sportssafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
#SportsSafety anybody else use rice bucket as tool to strengthen wrist/forearm? Is it still used in the big league ATR?
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
There is too much specialization and I think baseball/softball are major culprits. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@caseypaulkATC we still have one in our PT clinic. I may need to invest in one for the ATR #SportsSafety
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
Any suggestions on medial epicondylitis on a 3/4 pitcher? Tried most everything. He also has no insurance and pre-existing #SportsSafety
@DrDavidGeier @sportssafety #SportsSafety my coach does a really good job with proactive exercises. Plus. His wife is a PT!
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SchraderKirsten have you tried ice massage? #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s True, Mike. Baseball not only offender, but it’s most common sport for year-round overuse issues, in my experience #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@caseypaulkATC best exercise hands down for all ages #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@caseypaulkATC @SportsSafety That’s great that you and your coach are working together to prevent injuries. So important! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@SchraderKirsten IASTM? ice massage? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Good stuff for Q1. Arm, shoulder, wrist injuries seem to be a common theme. Let’s move to discussing prevention. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Q2: How can young athletes prevent these kinds of injuries? How can they prep before spring for a safe and healthy season? #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s too many foxes in the hen house when it comes to instruction #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
A2: Progressive throwing programs. Not just going out and starting right off the bat #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
A2: Coaching, it all comes down to learning the right techniques, and making them habitual early on. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
A2: Don’t throw too much! Stop pitching too many innings per year, too many pitches per game/week. And don’t throw year round #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q2 be smart and save bullets stop focusing on max effort focus on comfort zone pitching #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
#SportsSafety RT Q2 – outside the box thinking here, but focus on play for fun, natural cross-training & non-sport specific activities
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
@mnhopper1s #SportsSafety We have done it. Voltaren gel sample, nsaids, mechanics, kinesiotape, wrist support and strengthening. I give up.
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@SportsSafety #SportsSafety #THROWINGPROGRAM!!!
#SportsSafety MT @sarahdlm outside the box thinking here, but focus on play for fun, natural cross-training & non-sport specific activities
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@caseypaulkATC @ENERGYbits Using non-throwing arm also would be even better! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SchraderKirsten MRI? #sportssafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s Yep. Better to ease into something and warm your body up over a couple of weeks time. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm Love that! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm @caseypaulkATC Yup, great idea! Hey, maybe it’ll lead to being able to switch hit 😉 #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@ENERGYbits @caseypaulkATC Can’t hurt to try! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@ENERGYbits @mnhopper1s You have to work into throwing shape. Can’t just start cold, throwing like it’s medseason #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
I have 1 softball girl.. has medial and lateral epicondilytis in her throwing arm.. Never seen that before.. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
How ’bout that for a hash tag for ball players to get behind!? RT @caseypaulkATC #SportsSafety #THROWINGPROGRAM!!!
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s Is she rotating at her release point? Hitting the hip? #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@TJPA25 You mean coaches, parents giving too much conflicting advice? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits I don’t know. Haven’t actually seen her throw; she is a PT patient of ours currently. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s That’s asking for trouble for sure! #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety @caseypaulkATC @mnhopper1s Add that to Mike’s #AT4ALL .. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@caseypaulkATC @sarahdlm @ArchieBradley7 That’s pretty cool! Must help with morale too! #sportssafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@DrDavidGeier all the above #teachingforwrongreason #uneducatedbaseballparents #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@G_mangino11 @mnhopper1s Glad to have you, Gino! Hope practices went well. You’re out in California, right? #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@SportsSafety Q2 – another strategyis to work repetitive motions in the opposite direction – eg pitching would = reverse chop #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Thanks for the great Q2 responses! Let’s move to some more injury prevention topics while we’re at it. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm work antagonistic muscle groups #sportssafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm Yep – I try to focus on this in the weight room too. #PushPull #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
Yep. RT @ENERGYbits: @sarahdlm work antagonistic muscle groups #sportssafety
Q3: How can coaches and parents help young baseball and softball players avoid injuries before and during the season? #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SchraderKirsten @mnhopper1s Missed earlier. Hard to say w/o seeing, but I worry there’s more to diagnosis if no improvement #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@SportsSafety Q3 – Education can help, right delivery of message is key #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
A3: Allow the player to listen to their bodies! Too often coaches/parents push these kids too much which creates injury. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @sarahdlm @SportsSafety Q3 – Education can help, right delivery of message is key #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
A3: During season, don’t let or push kids to pitch through pain #SportsSafety
Dan Newman ATC @danoATC
@danoATC @sportssafety @danoATC: @SportsSafety spondys #overuse #notflexible #sportssafety didn’t read instructions
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
A3: as a coach, dont let your players talk you out of coming out of the game (Pedro Martinez!!!) #sportssafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q3 parents need to enjoy and encourage good play not teach them what they are doing wrong #SportsSafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@SportsSafety #SportsSafety I think they need to remember the ATH are KIDS. Teach them to communicate how they’re feeling>living vicariously
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
I am actually not a proponent of set pitch counts.. BUT pitching in moderation is important. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm So true. Explaining injuries, prevention to parents, coaches, players is key. Have to get buy in, which can be hard #SportsSafety
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s #SportsSafety No insurance. I am also beginning to think that it may be easier to be injured than a bad pitcher.
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Well said. RT @TJPA25 @SportsSafety Q3 parents need to enjoy and encourage good play not teach them what they are doing wrong #SportsSafety
@SportsSafety A3 Parents can feed their children foods with omega-3 & antioxidants which helps reduce inflammation! #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
RT@sarahdlm Yes, but lots of research currently going on to address those barriers, will hopefully find new norm #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SchraderKirsten Not sure if it’s true here, but I have several kids I’m seeing where I think they just don’t want to play #SportsSafety
jb humphrey @PT_ATC_CSCS
@mnhopper1s @SportsSafety agreed. Youth athletes will learn to listen to their bodies to prevent injury…set good boundaries. #Sportssafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@ENERGYbits @sportssafety #SportsSafety and not eat 10 ibuprofen like candy. And think that cures it all.
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety pitch to contact>strikeouts #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@caseypaulkATC Yes! Communication is huge. And parents must look for signs something is wrong-not eating, moody, etc #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier My boss told me he thinks 1 of my bsb players is in that position… not really wanting to play.. seeing him x2 #SportsSafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s Im in Colorado. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@caseypaulkATC Exactly. You can get that anti-inflammatory benefit directly from mother nature – and it’s more effective. #sportssafety
jb humphrey @PT_ATC_CSCS
@SportsSafety a3 Progressive resistance training in post-off-pre seasons. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@G_mangino11 That’s right. Sorry. Knew it was out west. Otherwise you’re working too late #SportsSafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
A2: I think always make my pitchers come in start some shoulder rehab just to get range of motion back I their shoulder #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Good stuff tonight folks! We have one more question for the hour but feel free to keep chiming in on the last three. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier You know how we ATs roll 😉 #SportsSafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
@mnhopper1s I have a baseball player with the same problem #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
Any thoughts on #Graston technique? #sportssafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Heard a few comments on pitch count issue. Q4: How should pitch counts be handled w/ young players in game and over a season? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits I use GT on a regular basis with my athletes. Get excellent results when combined w stretching and exercises! #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@SportsSafety Q4 -Pitch counts are there for a reason, long term health more important than short term gain #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s I think its going to become the new staple for increasing ROM and promoting capillary release for athletes #sportssafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
A3: proper technique! in the off season core & balancing training is a big part of baseball/softball & prevention of injuries #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits There are so many different forms of myofascial release, etc and really I utilize a lot of them! #SportsSafety
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
Q4 Which type of pitch is the hardest on a young elbow? Maybe limit those… #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q4 with observation and efficiency. If efficient let them go till you see significant fatigue and velocity drop #SportsSafety
Ronald Masone Jr. @RonMasone
A4: if a youth athlete is pitching on multiple teams, pitch counts and frequency should be monitored very closely. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits GT, IASTM, foam rollers, The Stick, lacrosse balls, etc. Just got a new one in yesterday called the Roll Recovery #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@RonMasone that’s just one reason why players shouldn’t be playing on multiple teams.. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s big fan of the golf ball for plantar fascia #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@TJPA25 @SportsSafety That’s great but difficult if pitching unmonitored (i.e. in backyard). Easier/safer to go with count #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @TJPA25 Q4 with observation and efficiency. If efficient let them go till you see significant fatigue and velocity drop #SportsSafety
jb humphrey @PT_ATC_CSCS
@SportsSafety a4 As a guide for upper limits to pitch. If an athlete is tired, stressed or dehydrated/hungry, then #’s null. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm @SportsSafety I’ve heard quite a few MLB pitchers didn’t pitch until HS.Played other positions, preserved their arms #SportsSafety
@SportsSafety Pitch count is like a gas tank, best to be in the over half full zone during competition mode. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits I use clear plastic bottles filled/frozen to get ice massage effect. In fact, instructed girl on that yesterday #SportsSafety
Melissa Roth @Melizzard_CAT
Q1: sh. impingement, trigger point referrals, weak/overworked infrasp. and abnormal scapulohumeral rhythm are my biggest ones #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Would you recommend for kids tho? Most prob not going to Major Leagues… #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
About out of time on our baseball and softball #SportsSafety chat. Thanks to all sharing your thoughts as always!
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm @SportsSafety Agreed. But pitching for teams every season of the year for 10 years won’t either. #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q4 people forget we pitch to compete not to pitch under a magical #. If your pitching well your efficient #SportsSafety
Melissa Roth @Melizzard_CAT
Q3: encourage consistent warm-ups, cool-downs, stretching and ice regardless if no pain felt after practices/workouts #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@sarahdlm easier isn’t better #educate #SportsSafety
Chris Kromer @ckatc84
“@mnhopper1s: Seems to me most baseball/softball injuries are overuse and much less acute, traumatic things.. #SportsSafety #preach #preach
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Baseball seems to be a popular topic. Any other topics that you want to discuss in future chats? #SportsSafety
Melissa Roth @Melizzard_CAT
Q3: get the athletes into good habits early in career and it will carry on #SportsSafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
#SportsSafety. Great video on YouTube. Search Dylan Bundy. The video of him working on a heavy bag. Let me know what you think.
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Perceptions & barriers to safe sport/injury prevention? Why don’t we do what we know works? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Always looking! MT @DrDavidGeier Baseball seems a popular topic. Any other topics that you want to discuss in future chats? #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@G_mangino11 How do you get kids and coaches to understand that & do it? It’s so important #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm @SportsSafety I like that! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
A reminder also: We are back here Wed, March 13th for our next chat at 9 PM ET. As @DrDavidGeier noted topics always welcome! #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
#researchstudywaitingtohappen RT @DrDavidGeier: @G_mangino11 How do you get kids and coaches to understand that & do it? #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@heathblackmon63 @SportsSafety Yes for both, but honestly, I don’t think you can discuss those topics too much #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@BarnettFrank should join too 🙂 #researchstudywaitingtohappen RT How do you get kids and coaches to understand that & do it? #SportsSafety
JfitGirl @JFitGirl
How did I miss #SportsSafety chat?? Dang
Dylan E @DylanJEngland
Hot chocolate? = Chocolate PB Casien diluted in hot water. #sportssafety Jonathan Levitt @JWLevitt
@BSosnoskie That’s what we get for too much #sportssafety & #healthchat-ing!
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
@JFitGirl Oops. Hopefully we will see you in March! #SportsSafety
SliderBarUSA @SliderBarUSA
#sportssafety is trending. We’re loving the tweets and the conversation!
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@askdrcorey Love it. Will pass it on to @SportsSafety #SportsSafety
Remember to join us for the #SportsSafety tweetchats! If you are interested, follow me on Twitter and follow STOP Sports Injuries as well!