October 4, 2006 - 9:02pm

Bauerfeind EpiPoint Elbow Strap

Posted in - Injury | 1 comment | 172 reads »

Whether it's caused by your big, kicking serve or imperfect backhand, Lateral Epicondylitis, better known as tennis elbow, is a pain. If you've never suffered from this common, nagging injury, then consider yourself lucky. If you have, then there are three things you must do: rest it for a while, then ice it down every night, and finally wear a brace when you return to play. A really nice example of these braces is the Bauerfeind EpiPoint Elbow Strap. This band is nicely designed and features a gel pad for putting pressure precisely where you need it. It also has a red indicator section that will keep you from tightening it too much. Of course, if you really want to end tennis elbow forever, call your pro and improve that floppy wristed technique.

May 20, 2006 - 9:51am

New Skin Liquid Bandage

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Mary Pierce might call for the trainer, but most of us don't have that luxury when a simple scraped knee threatens to end the day. I can't tell you how many times New-Skin Liquid Bandage has saved a match for me. It's like a crazy glue for scrapes and blisters. I use it mainly for small but nagging injuries: blisters that have broken or cuts on my playing hand, and scrapes on my ankle caused by Opposite Foot Shoe-on-Ankle Abrasion Syndrome (a name I just invented). You spread it on like nail polish (not that I would know that) and it smells as strong. But once you let it dry (it takes about a minute), it's an antiseptic, flexible and water-proof bandage that protects the area and lets it heal. This 1 oz. bottle will last forever, so put one in a plastic Zip-Loc baggie and stow it in your bag. If you get a massage while you're applying it, you could eat up to 20 minutes of momentum-draining court-time. Mary will be so proud.

April 19, 2006 - 8:00am

Triangle Orthopedic Associates

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Okay, this one is a bit personal, and I admit it's not for everyone, but if you have ever faced the really significant pain of a herniated disk, sciatica, or any type of back pain, then I know you're right there with me on this. And tennis? Well, the violent, explosive twisting of today's game is not exactly back-friendly if you have problems to begin with. Last December, 2005, I'm working out with The Coach indoors on the Har-Tru, and he's trying to get me to really follow my serve to the net. So, I'm serving and he's hitting perfect shoelace returns and I'm trying to dig out a volley and it's a good workout. So, I try to crush my next serve but someone punches me in the back. Only no one is behind me. A herniated disk between L4-L5 finally let go and I'm like "Whoa." Two days later, the pain down my leg is killing me, just crushing me; I'm crying like a little girl. Off to Dr. Thomas Dimmig, P.A. Kevin Lavery and Triangle Orhtopedics. On-site X-ray, MRI unit, physical therapy, private hospital, OR, everything in one facility and brand-spanking new. And folks, these people know their stuff. And unlike a few doctors, sports (including tennis) are honored there. I'm in Pre-Op asking "If this surgery is so great, then why doesn't Andre Agassi get it done?" And these boys tell me exactly what's going on with Agassi and what's different about my situation, and I say to myself: "Relax, you're in the right place." So, they cut this damn disk out of me in a beautiful, modern state-of-the-art operating room, then I recover in a spotless hospital, well, suite really and I'm eating delicious food and the nurses are like my aunts or something and, well, it was like I was a customer or a big-time athlete and they were trying to keep my business. So, fast forward 3 months and I'm feeling pain-free and I'm playing tennis better than ever and I'm freaking cured. And these 2 men and their amazing colleagues and staff are the reason and so I'm going to do my exercises and keep losing weight (down 23 lbs!) and the bottom line is: I'm grateful. So, if you live in North Cackalacky and you need a good doc for an aching back, I'll drive you over there and they'll fix you up. (Andre, the pot roast, sweet potatoes, and spinach are highly recommended.)

March 9, 2006 - 9:48pm

Dynaflex Power Ball

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So, I'm watching Kim Clijsters' Bag Check on the Tennis Channel, because I watch Bag Check like normal people watch Lost. And she's pulling out the predictable stuff, her Pure Drive, a little money and some books, etc. Then she pulls out this baby: the Dynaflex Power Ball. So, I have to spend 20 minutes doing slo-mo DVR replay on Bag Check to figure out what it is. But I got it: it's a gyroscopic wrist-exerciser with blue LEDs that glow the more you spin it. It gives you a high-intensity workout for your wrists and forearm. This is also great rehab tool for wrist injuries (as Ms. Clijsters might tell you if Dyna-Flex would come through with an endorsement deal). Time Magazine named it one of their "Top Ten Digital Products". I don't read the Tennis Column in Time that often but it sounds impressive to me.