I just attended a softball camp last weekend with my dd and it was entertaining to watch all the different style pitching being thrown. It was obvious to see who were Abbott fans, and who were not. Some of the girls had a pre-pitch routine that was entertaining to say the least.
Pain that is keeping her off the mound
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I just attended a softball camp last weekend with my dd and it was entertaining to watch all the different style pitching being thrown. It was obvious to see who were Abbott fans, and who were not. Some of the girls had a pre-pitch routine that was entertaining to say the least.
I think it must be frustrating to have a diagnosis that is not really a diagnosis- because it does not specifically identify the problem, or what caused it. Their description- that it is related to growth suggests a problem at a place where a muscle tendon attaches to bone, like an apophysitis. This type of thing can take significant time to heal. There are many large muscle groups that attach on the pelvis. and I saw an article on line which indicates that apophysitis in the iliac crest (which is a part of the pelvis) can cause lower back pain.
Here is a link to a pdf which describes (in a general way) this problem. http://www.pedortho.com/files/PIHpApophysitis.pdf
If this is indeed the problem, I would offer two suggestions, see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon if you have not already- and nail down the diagnosis. As you can see from the link, it requires not just stretching- but a sports specific program of strength and stretching exercises that should be designed for her main activity- which is pitching. I think Carly's site (fastpitchpower.com) has some great suggestions for core strength which would help- even if it is not apophysitis- strong abdominal muscles are the best defense against back problems in general. SHe should definitely start incorporating core strength (lozza suggested pilates which does this too)
I think the lean forward at the end of her motion could definitely be aggravating the issue but it is hard to know if it caused the problem. Correcting that would certainly help. If she still is experiencing pain- she should stop for now until she is pain free. it does not mean she can't do walk throughs or other parts of the pitching motion in isolation if she is pain free when she does them, she needs a good sports therapist- maybe someone who knows softball too. Good luck!
Here is a link to a pdf which describes (in a general way) this problem. http://www.pedortho.com/files/PIHpApophysitis.pdf
If this is indeed the problem, I would offer two suggestions, see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon if you have not already- and nail down the diagnosis. As you can see from the link, it requires not just stretching- but a sports specific program of strength and stretching exercises that should be designed for her main activity- which is pitching. I think Carly's site (fastpitchpower.com) has some great suggestions for core strength which would help- even if it is not apophysitis- strong abdominal muscles are the best defense against back problems in general. SHe should definitely start incorporating core strength (lozza suggested pilates which does this too)
I think the lean forward at the end of her motion could definitely be aggravating the issue but it is hard to know if it caused the problem. Correcting that would certainly help. If she still is experiencing pain- she should stop for now until she is pain free. it does not mean she can't do walk throughs or other parts of the pitching motion in isolation if she is pain free when she does them, she needs a good sports therapist- maybe someone who knows softball too. Good luck!
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- Jul 26, 2010
- 3,554
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Looking at her pitch, there are some clear mechanical flaws which can certainly lead to back pain. She doesn't open, she has excessive pre-motion, and she uses her back foot like an anchor bending towards the batter at release. The latter is a very serious issue that will cause pain. I have seen very athletic young ladies have to end their pitching days due to that particular flaw.
What really catches my eye, however, is that this young lady is large for her age yet does not display the core strength required to move athletically. She moves very timidly and appears overly conscious of her body movement. This can certainly be attributed to her injury, but can also be contributed to how she stores excess mass. Some young ladies are able to perform and still be overweight, but it takes a great deal of core strength to do successfully. The athletes that can do this are few and far between, and many end their careers early or suffer long term effects when their careers are over. From watching her video, it seems to me that her weak core is contributing to the mechanical flaws she has. She will have to strengthen her core quite a bit in order to begin using proper mechanics.
At 5'9" and 190 pounds, her BMI is at 28.1. That is in the high end of the overweight category. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese. While BMI numbers are often inaccurate for athletes that have a large percentage of muscle mass compared to fat tissue, this indicator still worries me and should be cause for concern and re-evaluation. It would be worth it for this young lady to see a professional trainer and have her lean/fat ratio checked and a plan implemented to improve her health and performance along with strengthening her core. It's clear that she loves to pitch and the pain she has endured for so long proves that she is dedicated to being successful. It would be worth it for her to do the hard thing, and resolve to change.
-W
What really catches my eye, however, is that this young lady is large for her age yet does not display the core strength required to move athletically. She moves very timidly and appears overly conscious of her body movement. This can certainly be attributed to her injury, but can also be contributed to how she stores excess mass. Some young ladies are able to perform and still be overweight, but it takes a great deal of core strength to do successfully. The athletes that can do this are few and far between, and many end their careers early or suffer long term effects when their careers are over. From watching her video, it seems to me that her weak core is contributing to the mechanical flaws she has. She will have to strengthen her core quite a bit in order to begin using proper mechanics.
At 5'9" and 190 pounds, her BMI is at 28.1. That is in the high end of the overweight category. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese. While BMI numbers are often inaccurate for athletes that have a large percentage of muscle mass compared to fat tissue, this indicator still worries me and should be cause for concern and re-evaluation. It would be worth it for this young lady to see a professional trainer and have her lean/fat ratio checked and a plan implemented to improve her health and performance along with strengthening her core. It's clear that she loves to pitch and the pain she has endured for so long proves that she is dedicated to being successful. It would be worth it for her to do the hard thing, and resolve to change.
-W
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Find a specialist to find the problem. My DD had a similar story except it was her non pitching arm. Two years ago it started to get numb after pitching. We saw 2 different Dr's, several cat scans, and MRI's and they both said it was a nerve issue and it would go away. During the fall of this year it started hurting. We saw another specialist at Johns Hopkins. He took an MRI again and gave her 8 weeks of PT. Went back to see him after 8 weeks with no progress and he said 6 more weeks of PT. We finally found a shoulder specialist that was referred to us by our PT. He again took another MRI and found a tear. He squeezed us in for surgery just before Christmas. After surgery he sat down with us and showed us that she had a tear in the front and back of her labrum and her bicep was torn at the top were it meets the bone. Her shoulder was in pretty bad shape. She had 3 tears in her shoulder and it was never found by the other 3 Dr's. 2 years, 4 Dr's, cat scans, xrays, and MRI's and the only reason it was found was because her shoulder finally gave up. Be very careful with your DD's and what Dr's you take them to see. Good luck to your DD and I hope your road is smoother than ours was.
- Apr 11, 2012
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The last two posts have been the best advice so far.....let a professional examine her to determine the problem as pitching coaches and their theories about mechanics could be complicating her problems.
My first question would be is her velosity down any from proir to her pain? like the previous posters said, there could be something very wrong in your DD's back / shoulder/ neck / legs / pelvis that has nothing to do with softball mechanics and phsyical activity is only alerting her body that something is very wrong.....rest and/or surgery may be necessary. I was a scholarship athlete (pitcher) and everytime I was in serious pain from throwing there was something wrong that had to be addressed medically...not mechanically.
Playing through some pain is one thing....playing hurt is another.
My first question would be is her velosity down any from proir to her pain? like the previous posters said, there could be something very wrong in your DD's back / shoulder/ neck / legs / pelvis that has nothing to do with softball mechanics and phsyical activity is only alerting her body that something is very wrong.....rest and/or surgery may be necessary. I was a scholarship athlete (pitcher) and everytime I was in serious pain from throwing there was something wrong that had to be addressed medically...not mechanically.
Playing through some pain is one thing....playing hurt is another.
I would like to suggest that you have a qualified pitching coach examine her pitching motion, as poor mechanics can cause major problems in the shoulder and back. Problems from poor mechanics can take years to develop symptoms. I would also suggest that you get her into a specially designed workout program. Strength and conditioning will also help with any extra weight she may need to lose. I was amazed at how many problems I have with my lower back when I am 15-20 lbs overweight, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are NOT helping me lose those extra pounds!
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