16 year old pitcher -- back injury -- need advice!

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Aug 21, 2008
2,359
113
Acer, I don't usually reply on here much anymore, even more rare that I visit the site. But i'm waiting for a plane and thought I'd see what's new... and boy are there some threads really over complicating pitching!! But anyway... Mark Anderton is a friend so I'll give you my 2 cents which may be all it's worth. I suffer from CHRONIC back issues. I get the injections for painkillers and everything. Is my injury from pitching? Partly. Is it from travel as much as I do? Partly. And partly it's genetics. I know there is a "famous" pitching coach who's daughter pitched on USA and now Hal who seem to believe they are the only people who teach "safe" mechanics but, there is no such thing. There's a risk of injury in EVERYTHING we do. Obviously some things increase the odds. But, it could come down to good ole genetics. See a PT and ask about McKenzie Method of back treatment. A series of stretches designed to strengthen the area. In all liklihood, her disc is coming out. Bulging. Herniating. This is COMMON among pitchers who throw INDOORS a lot as the pounding of landing on hard floors can be tough. The other major injury many pitchers get: Jumper's knee... just like basketball players. I know Mark's place has turf but, it could be that she injured it pitching elsewhere? Hard surfaces create havoc for pitcher's bodies from the pounding. Go see a doctor, get a PT prescritpion. Ask about McKenzie method. I use it and it's helped... .before my body deteriorated to the point where it didn't... which is why I've retired. Spending more time in beer tents at tournaments instead of hotel work out rooms takes it's toll.

You daughter's injury is common. It doesn't NECESSARILY mean she's doing anything wrong. Don't panic. But as someone with a lot of pain in this area myself, I know of what I speak. Email me if I can help more. And tell Anderton he talks funny... (he's from New Zealand everyone).

Bill
 
May 10, 2010
256
0
I think it is a tragedy that you do not post here more often. Yes there are some that over complicate and some that think that there is only one style. There are no absolutes in pitching that is for sure and I hate to see new posters feel intimidated. I am a visual person and get very little out of some of the posts. This site needs the experience of pitchers who have been there and done that. I believe the good lord,sound mechanics,hard work and an inversion table have kept my dd injury free. If it was not for the wisdom of you and a few others my dd might not have been so lucky. Good luck with your back issue, I have first hand knowledge of back pain also.
 
May 10, 2010
256
0
Some say throw like Finch or Ostermans mechanics are the way to go. I like BM's explanations and mechanics, but do not agree totally. Some of the warm up drills that some say are useless my dd does. My dd does throw mid 60's, but its from bits and pieces of different pitchers. Maybe absolutes was a poor choice of words. I just knew when me and my dd started many years ago there was no one around to teach. So I had to try bits and pieces from Finch, Osterman, Hillhouse videos, and pitching camps. The result was mechanics that my dd could physically perform.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Acer, I don't usually reply on here much anymore, even more rare that I visit the site. But i'm waiting for a plane and thought I'd see what's new... and boy are there some threads really over complicating pitching!! But anyway... Mark Anderton is a friend so I'll give you my 2 cents which may be all it's worth. I suffer from CHRONIC back issues. I get the injections for painkillers and everything. Is my injury from pitching? Partly. Is it from travel as much as I do? Partly. And partly it's genetics. I know there is a "famous" pitching coach who's daughter pitched on USA and now Hal who seem to believe they are the only people who teach "safe" mechanics but, there is no such thing. There's a risk of injury in EVERYTHING we do. Obviously some things increase the odds. But, it could come down to good ole genetics. See a PT and ask about McKenzie Method of back treatment. A series of stretches designed to strengthen the area. In all liklihood, her disc is coming out. Bulging. Herniating. This is COMMON among pitchers who throw INDOORS a lot as the pounding of landing on hard floors can be tough. The other major injury many pitchers get: Jumper's knee... just like basketball players. I know Mark's place has turf but, it could be that she injured it pitching elsewhere? Hard surfaces create havoc for pitcher's bodies from the pounding. Go see a doctor, get a PT prescritpion. Ask about McKenzie method. I use it and it's helped... .before my body deteriorated to the point where it didn't... which is why I've retired. Spending more time in beer tents at tournaments instead of hotel work out rooms takes it's toll.

You daughter's injury is common. It doesn't NECESSARILY mean she's doing anything wrong. Don't panic. But as someone with a lot of pain in this area myself, I know of what I speak. Email me if I can help more. And tell Anderton he talks funny... (he's from New Zealand everyone).

Bill

http://www.mccc.edu/~behrensb/documents/MckenizeMethodARomano.pdf
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
I would love if Bill contributed more here, but I don't think it is going to happen. Judging by the tone of some of his posts, I don't get the sense that he sees much value in what is discussed here or in how it is discussed. The comment about "some threads really overcomplicate pitching" is too broad to be of any use. Is this a reference to the Drive Mechanics thread? another thread? wish I knew because I have a huge amount of respect for his knowledge, but absent at least a little explanation, it just comes across as uselessly snarky from someone so esteemed and well respected. JMHO.
 
Dec 7, 2011
2,368
38
"and boy are there some threads really over complicating pitching!!

Alleluia I thought I was the only one getting turned off by the hyper minutia over pitching here.... At least I know now that some of you Bill-disciples are going to detune now a bit - yeah!
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I have not read all the responses, so this may have been covered, but my DD strained her lower back when she started "over torquing" during her backswing. Instead of coming straight back, and exploding forward, she started rotating at her waist, probably in an attempt to get more movement on her curve ball. The end result was a stained lower back.

The best way to diagnose this is sitting on a back and watching her backswing like a hawk.
 
May 10, 2010
256
0
I tell everyone that has a dd with back problems to find and read RB's thread on the subject. Lots of good info. and should be a sticky in my opinion.
 

Gbucz

WNY native now in Charlotte, NC
Apr 28, 2012
87
8
Charlotte, NC
My DD had back problems from overloading her throwing side. Since doing core training she has balanced herself out and never had a reoccurrence. Get with a good strength and conditioning coach and always look to balance out her left and right sides.
 

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