HEALTH

TAKE IT EASY:

You'" need to modify your weight training to help your elbow heal from an overuse injury.

Rehab may ease overused elbow

Q: I have had pain on the outside of my elbow for about six months. I work out three times a week with weights and also play tennis on the weekend. It feels OK when I rest it but as soon as I go back to

working out or playing tennis the pain starts again. My doctor gave me a cortisone shot and it helped for a couple of weeks but the pdin returned. What should I do?

A: Pain on the outside of the elbow from overuse is usually a form oflat­ eral epicondylitis or tennis elbow. The muscles that allow you to straighten your wrist begin as a ten-

However, if proper exercise is not ini­ tiated post-injection, the symptoms are likely to return. A physical thera­ pist can modify your weight training program so that you are doing things to help the forearm and elbow rather than reinjure it. In terms of tennis, using shock-absorbers on your strings, a well padded grip and some­ times less string tension may help to decrease the risk of reinjury.

I recommend you see an orthope­ dic surgeon or sports medicine spe­ cialist to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment so you can return to sports activities as quickly as possible.

don that originates on the bone on the outside part of your elbow. This area where the tendon attaches to the bone can be very slow to heal. Although this injury is frequently associated with tennis, any activity that causes repetitive stress such as weight train­ ing, lifting suitcases or briefcases or even playing golf can cause the symp­ toms.

Treatment usually involves a reha­ bilitation program aimed at strength­ ening the forearm muscles without further irritating the outside of the elbow. Anti-inflammatory medica­ tions may also be helpful.

In patients with severe pain or those who do not respond to an initial treatment program, a cortisone shot may help to decrease the symptoms.

Dr. Harlan Selesnick is the Miami Heat physician. E-mail: jockdoc69@ aoLcom.

DR. HARLAN SELESNICK

jockdoc69 @aol.com

DOCTORG

Sexual health is vital to men, women of all ages

Hi. I'm Dr. Marc Gittelman. Let's talk about sex. In this new column, I'll cover topics that include

women of all ages. Many people are hungry for knowledge to better under­ stand their own sexuality and how it affects relation­ ships. The field of human sexuality is a relatively new medical science and I have founded the Miami Center for Sexual Health, which is devoted to the research and treatment of sexual issues.

I am a board certified urologist and I have prac­ ticed in the Miami area for the past 18 years in a large

practice known as UroMe­ dix. I founded and devel­ oped our research division, South Florida Medical Research, in 1990 and since then have participated in or supervised more than 300 clinical trial research pro· grams. Many of these pro­ grams have helped to gen­ erate data used in the development of products such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis for men who need a sexual boost

My center has also

helped to produce research to aid in the development of treatments for prostate can­ cer in men and hot flashes and bone loss in women undergoing menopause.

If you have a medical problem. yOU should see your doctor. Your doctor can offer more help than a book or website. Write to me for advice only.

Dr. Marc Gittelman is a board certified urologist. Write to him at DrMarcGit­ telman@yahoo.com.

DR. MARC GITTRMAN

drmarcglttelman @yahoo.com

women,

men and the field of urology.

Sexual health is very important because healthy sexuality contributes to the quality of life for men and

LET'S TALK

Is mental distress nagging you?

Hi, I'm Dr. Andrea Corn. and I'm here to help.

Many times when we reach out for help. we turn to peo­ ple we know. While friends and loved ones are well­ meaning, their advice

can't provide lasting relief. As a licensed clinical psycholo­ gist. I can better understand the rea­ sons for certain actions, feelings and behaviors.

In this new column, I will reply to your personal distress and its effect on you. in your daily life as well as in your relationships with

others. Your prob­ lem could be cur­ rent and involve your child, teen­ ager. spouse,

co-worker, friend.

or boss; or it could be long-standing and relate to an unresolved farnily matter or person'al conflict. You might have questions about stress, anxiety and fears. low self-esteem or depres­ sion. My goal is to help you identify the problem and arrive at the best solu­ tion. Of course. a column can't be a substitute for a session with a mental health professional. Neither can it alle­ viate all of your symptoms. My intent is to provide enough guidance to help you to adequately manage on your own,

Over the past 10 years, my practice has focused on helping children, ado· lescents and families. I received my bachelor's degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. I com­ pleted an internship at Miami Chil­ dren's Hospital and I earned my doc­ toral degree in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University. After graduate school, I received a post doctoral degree in psychoana­ lytic psychotherapy. My lifelong inter­ est in sports has led to my specializa­ tion in youth and adolescent sports. I also participate as a mentor in the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship program and serve on Florida's Advisory Board for Safe Haven for Newborns.

I can't wait to hear from you. You may write to me anonymously If you'd like.

DR. ANDREA CORN

Write to Dr. Andrea Corn at cornpsyd@ bellsouth.net

Dr. Andrea Corn is a licensed psy­ chologist in Lighthouse Point. Write to her at cornpsyd@bellsouthnet.