Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright December 26, 1990
Those of you who have been following my columns for the past few years know that this is the time of year when I clear up several matters which have been clogging my desk for the good part of a year. Joke questions which people write to me, easy questions which I could answer in one sentence and others which just didn’t rate a full column answer throughout the year. Here we go.
Dear Dr. Horowitz:
I have a pain in my elbow, actually just below the elbow bone. It bothers me whenever I lift anything. I don’t remember hurting it. What could it be and what should I do about it?
A.A., Richmond Hill
Answer: What you describe sounds very much like something we call “extensor tendonitis,” “lateral epicondylitis,” or if you are talking to someone from this planet, “tennis elbow.” There are several different ways to cure this condition.
Rest, bracing , change in activity (once the offending activity is found), therapy, exercises, injection and surgery all are effective.
Obviously, it is wise to begin with the simple solutions like rest and bracing and proceed from there only if needed.
A professional should be consulted and he/she will guide you along until your condition improves.
Dear Dr. Horowitz:
Over the years, you have helped many people and answered many questions about many different “pains’’ people have had.
This government of ours is giving me a real pain in the butt. What can you do about it?
Answer: That is one pain I cannot help. Usually pain is an indication something has gone wrong, is malfunctioning or is deteriorating.
The brain feels pain messages so that it can take appropriate action to correct the situation, which will get rid of the cause of the pain.
Your question brings us to the point where the brain knows something is wrong but can do nothing about it.
We know the government is malfunctioning, deteriorating and “sick,” but I cannot help you. Sorry.
Maybe we should call this the “arthritis government” because we know it is there, no one wants it, it bugs us, causes us great discomfort, we know it will be there for a long time and the best way to get rid of the pain it causes us is to ignore it and try to function to the best of our abilities even in spite of the government.
Dear Dr. Horowitz:
I am a figure skater and not a very good one. I cracked my tailbone last year and it still bothers me a bit, especially when I fall on it. Is there anything I can do to protect myself?
Answer: The tailbone, or “coccyx” is the end part of the spinal column which forms a point at the tip of the spine. In some people, especially females, the coccyx is very prominent and isn’t as protected as it should be. This leaves it vulnerable to iqjuiy.
Even if it wasn’t more vulnerable than “normal” the coccyx is a bone with very little muscle or fatty protection. Skating, tobogganing and slipping on ice are times when this area often gets injured.
If you are a skater who spends a lot of time on your “bum” you should buy or make a small pillow which can be strategically placed inside or outside your underpants.
It can be secured directly over the point of the tailbone so that when you fall, the pillow absorbs at least some of the impact. It should also be water resistant for obvious reasons.
You should also practice falling. By this I mean you should always try to land on one of the cheeks of your bum, rather than directly on your tailbone.
When you fall, you always have at least a brief fraction of a second warning and if you can get into the routine of falling on your buttocks which are padded, you will not injure yourself as often.
Better yet, learn how to skate better and remain on your feet.
Allan Horowitz, D.C., it a Richmond Hill chiropractor and writes this public service column. He will attempt to answer readers’ questions on a variety of topics including back pain, headaches, nutrition, sport injuries and preventive medicine.
Address your questions to Allan Horowitz, care of The Liberal, Box 390, Richmond Hill, L4C4Y6.