Pitching Recovery - How Rest, Ice, Compression And Elevation Can Help You Recover Faster From Pitching Injuries

By Steven Ellis, former Chicago Cubs pitching pro

Pitching injury is pretty much inevitable for a baseball player. How a pitcher takes care of the injury will determine how fast the injury will heal.

Immediately after a pitching injury, use the RICE principle: rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Try to maintain mobility during the first 5 to 10 days of recovery. Nutrients that promote healing (including plenty of protein, vitamin C, and zinc) should be taken. Protein consumption will provide protein synthesis and not protein breakdown. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements could help in healing of connective tissue.

Don't put on weight. Doing so can cause small changes in metabolism which may delay healing. And don't overuse anti-inflammatory drugs. Turmeric is an herb which inhibits inflammation without side effects.

(Los Angeles Times, June 20, 2005)