Neck Pain

Ferreira’s Olympic Bronze among the many stories from the Men’s Halfpipe Ski Finals

Published

3 years ago

February 20, 2022

Alex Ferreira of Aspen shows his bronze medal after the men’s halfpipe ski final at the Winter Olympics on Saturday February 19, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China.
Francisco Seco/AP

Worlds away from Beijing, Colorado’s top high school skiers gathered Friday night at Granby’s Middle Park High School for the CHSAA State Championships Awards Ceremony. The procession was slowed down by the Olympic men’s halfpipe skiing bout, which featured both Aspen’s Alex Ferreira and Winter Park’s Birk Irving.

“They were doing the awards show and they had a split screen because on one side there was all the awards shows but on the other side was a superpipe live stream because of their guy Birk,” Aspen High School Nordic Ski Coach Das said Travis Moore on Saturday. “And they kept interrupting the awards ceremony so Birk could ski, but in the end our guy from Aspen beat him.”

It was the final freeskiing event of the Beijing Winter Olympics, won by New Zealand’s Nico Porteous while Nevada’s David Wise finished second. But the bronze medal went to Ferreira, who defended the last podium spot ahead of Canada’s Noah Bowman and Irving, who finished fifth.

“Didn’t quite go my way,” Irving told reporters after Zhangjiakou’s contest. “It was really difficult with the wind to find small windows with good skiing I think. Couldn’t quite find the speed but was excited to put something down and compete in my first Olympics.

Here are some other nuggets to take away from the men’s Olympic halfpipe ski finals:

Ferreira overcomes for another Olympic podium

Ferreira, the 27-year-old native of Aspen, won silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, his first start at the Olympics. But over the next few years he developed serious neck pain from a pinched nerve that he left untreated for too long, necessitating surgery just nine months ago.

After one of the worst seasons of his career last winter – at least by his standards – Ferreira found a new life with a clean bill of health and it shows in his skiing this season. He won the season-opening Copper Mountain Grand Prix and then won the Dew Tour for a third time, both in consecutive weeks in December to earn a seat on the plane to China.

He sat out the X Games Aspen, which he admitted was a difficult decision, to rest for the Olympics, a move that paid off when he was presented with the bronze medal for third place.

Aspen’s Alex Ferreira is lifted by his coach Elana Chase after winning bronze in men’s halfpipe skiing at the Winter Olympics on Saturday February 19, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China.
Lee Jinman/AP

“I’m thrilled,” Ferreira told reporters after the final. “Just being on the podium is incredible. It was such a tough competition with some really tough conditions so it’s a real pleasure to share the podium with my teammate David Wise and a friend Nico Porteous.”

Dealing with Mother Nature

The weather didn’t do the athletes any favors on Saturday at the Genting Snow Park. A steady breeze with reported gusts of up to 40mph – added to a wind chill that dropped to minus 26 degrees Fahrenheit – made it a challenging contest.

“I had so much prepared,” Wise said of his scheduled Olympic runs. “It’s like I cooked a meal for everyone and couldn’t share it.”

Ferreira said his runs accounted for about 85% of what he was capable of due to the wind. In the final, a large majority of the athletes fell, and all three podium runs were dropped in the first of the three laps.

Porteous was one of those who took quite a bit of damage on his last run, with only Crested Butte’s Aaron Blunck yet to go. Blunck was also hit hard on his last run but seemed to be doing well after the contest.

“Pretty stupid decision to do that,” Porteous said of his latest trick, a failed 1440 attempt that got blood from his right ear. “But it’s the Olympics. So you have to leave everything out there.”

While it seemed like the wind would hit skiers the most as they climbed the lip of the halfpipe, Irving said the transitions were just as difficult.

From left, David Wise, Nico Porteous and Alex Ferreira stand after receiving their medals from the Men’s Halfpipe Ski Finals during the medals ceremony at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Saturday February 19, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China.
Lee Jinman/AP

“It just spun around and hit both sides of the pipe, so it kind of came to the chest when it came through,” he said. “It would only slow you down if you go into the left or right wall, really whichever one you go into. It happens. It’s part of it. We don’t do indoor sports.”

A well-known pedestal

The Beijing Olympics medalists were the same three who finished on the podium in South Korea four years ago, albeit in a different order. Wise had won gold in both 2014 and 2018 – halfpipe skiing only made its Olympic debut at those Sochi 2014 games – so this year’s silver win officially ended his reign at the top of the sport. Still, that’s three medals from three Olympics for the 31-year-old from Reno, who probably won’t be competing for a spot at the Italy 2026 Olympics but also never entertained the idea of retiring in the run-up to Beijing.

Porteous won Olympic bronze in 2018 as a 16-year-old and has since taken over the sport. He goes into the offseason as an Olympic gold medalist, world champion and two-time reigning X Games Aspen champion. If there was any doubt as to who is the best halfpipe skier in the world, the Kiwi has clearly ended that discussion in China.

“It feels unreal. We’re a bunch of workhorses I think,” Ferreira said with a laugh at why the same trio found the Olympic podium together again. “The hardest workers get on the podium and Dave is a good friend of mine. He is a good man. Nico is a good friend of mine. He inspires me. Both do it every day.”

From left: David Wise, Nico Porteous and Alex Ferreira celebrate at the end of the halfpipe during the Venue Awards Ceremony for the Men’s Halfpipe Ski Finals at the Winter Olympics on Saturday February 19, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China.
Lee Jinman/AP

Ferreira said Porteous, who landed first back-to-back 1620s at X Games Aspen 2021, was his inspiration to also learn the double cork 1620, which requires four and a half turns in addition to the two inversions. or cork. Ferreira has landed the trick a couple of times now in the competition, albeit not on back-to-back hits like Porteous. He successfully laid down the 1620 in Saturday’s Olympic final, but missed grabs kept him from pushing Wise and Porteous to a higher spot on the podium.

“To be on the podium in such difficult conditions really feels like I’ve won gold,” said Ferreira. “The wind was definitely a factor. Conditions are difficult and sometimes the universe has other plans for you and you have to adapt like us. I did my best and ended up on the podium.”

fun with numbers

Nine medals have been awarded since men’s halfpipe skiing made its debut at the Olympics in 2014. Wise and Ferreira now make up five of them together, with Porteous making up two more. The other two are Canadian Mike Riddle (silver) – Riddle is currently coaching the US halfpipe team – and Frenchman Kevin Rolland (bronze), both since 2014. Rolland finished sixth in Beijing.

New Zealand’s Nico Porteous stands after receiving his gold medal in the men’s halfpipe ski final at the Winter Olympics, Saturday February 19, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China.
Francisco Seco/AP

A not-so-fun number for Blunck is seven, which is exactly the place the 25-year-old Colorado native has finished in all three of his Olympic appearances. Blunck has won X Games and World Championships, so the Olympic podium is pretty much the only thing missing from his resume.

Happy trails

The Beijing competition was the career finale for at least two of the skiers, Rolland and Gus Kenworthy, both of whom are retiring. Rolland, 32, the cousin of French freeskier Tess Ledeux, was a 2009 world champion (he also has three other world championship podiums) and was a three-time X Games champion.

Kenworthy, 30, grew up in Telluride and was long a mainstay of the US Ski Team before deciding to compete in his final Olympics for his mother’s home country, Britain. A five-time X-Games medalist, Kenworthy won Olympic slopestyle silver in 2014 and was one of the first action athletes to be revealed as gay.

“This sport and the Olympics and competing at a professional level has changed my life in ways I never could have imagined,” said Kenworthy, who finished eighth in Beijing. “I’m gay. I felt like I didn’t belong, in sport. I’m proud to be in the Olympics and all the opportunities that have been given to me since the Olympics, I couldn’t be more grateful.”

[email protected]

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

AmericanChiro

We understand how important it is to choose a chiropractor that is right for you. It is our belief that educating our patients is a very important part of the success we see in our offices.

Neck Pain

Re: Chronic Pain: Management focuses on the individual, not the pain.

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2023

AmericanChiro

Dear Editor

Chronic pain management focuses on the individual, not the pain.

I am very pleased with the review by Kang and colleagues [1]. I write as a spinal pain specialist whose patients had an average episode duration of pain pain of 2.5 years [2] for low back pain and 1.3 years for neck pain [3]. These studies confirm that Kang et. al. noted the significant extent of spinal and extraspinal pain, sleep disturbance, and psychological distress. I also recognize the ‘heartsinks’ who have seen many consultants for a variety of complaints, and those with hypersensitivity. I do accept that some patients need further investigations, but it can be done in a way that does not cause further anxiety. To ensure that intensive rehabilitation is not contraindicated. By showing a genuine interest in the family, job and interests of the individual, you can begin to build confidence and hope for the clinical path being recommended.

The review ignores trauma’s effects on some people, causing their pain to begin, and for others, a major factor. Thirteen percent of patients with neck pain who presented to my clinics had a traumatic origin with a missed break and significant psychological comorbidity. Subsequently, it became clear that post-traumatic distress (PTPD), [a term used because post-traumatic stress may require specialist knowledge for diagnosis] can be present in rheumatological practices [4] and with the increasing influx of refugees in the UK [5], more patients are being diagnosed with PTPD. This can have major effects on families [5]. PTPD is commonly seen in medicolegal situations where accidents have caused major destruction to the lives of individuals and their families, including divorce [6]; and is often associated mood disturbances [6].

Kang et. al. correctly mention that sleep disorders are important in the management chronic pain [1], however, two important aspects of a’sleep story’ must be identified. It is important to ask the individual what they are thinking about when they lie awake in bed at night. This may provide clues as to social or family stress. Second, you should ask about their nightmares and dreams, especially if they are unpleasant. These often involve reliving trauma or accidents. When asked about nightmares, people who deny any unpleasant memories during direct questioning may reveal clues. The presence of PTPD can be important because it opens up therapeutic opportunities with psychological support and medications.

My experience in rehabilitation medicine over the years has taught me that to fully assist our disadvantaged clients, social issues must be resolved before psychological issues, and psychological issues must be resolved before physical issues!

References

1. Kang Y et. al., Chronic Pain: Definitions and Diagnosis. BMJ (Clinical Research ed. ), 2023. 381: p. e076036.

2. Frank A. et al. A cross-sectional study of the clinical and psychosocial features of low back injury and the resulting work handicap: Use of the Quebec Task Force Classification. Int J Clin Pract, 2000; 54(10) p. 639-644.

3. Frank A, De Souza L and Frank C. Neck Pain and Disability: A Cross-sectional Survey of the Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Neck Pain Seen in a Rheumatology Clinic. Int J Clin Pract 2005; 59(doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2004.00237.x): p. 173-182.

4. McCarthy J. and Frank A. Posttraumatic psychological distress can present in rheumatology. BMJ 2002. 325(27 July): p. 221-221.

5. Frank A. Refugee status: a yellow-flag in managing back pain. BMJ 2007;334(13 Jan): p.58-58.

6. Frank A. Psychiatric effects of road traffic accidents: often disabling, and not recognised (letter). BMJ 1993, 307(13th Nov): p.1283.

AmericanChiro

We understand how important it is to choose a chiropractor that is right for you. It is our belief that educating our patients is a very important part of the success we see in our offices.

Neck Pain

Landmark Trial: Opioids No Better Than Placebo for Back Pain

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2023

AmericanChiro

The first randomized controlled study testing the efficacy of a short course opioids for acute nonspecific neck/low back pain suggests that opioids do not relieve acute neck or low back pain in the short-term and can lead to worse outcomes over the long-term.

After 6 weeks there was no significant difference between the pain scores of patients taking opioids and those who took a placebo. After one year, the pain scores of patients who received placebos were slightly lower. After 1 year, opioid users were also at a higher risk of opioid abuse.

Senior author Christine Lin, Ph.D., from the University of Sydney told Medscape Medical News that this is a “landmark trial” with “practice changing” results.

Lin explained that “we did not have any good evidence before this trial on whether opioids are effective for acute neck or low back pain, but opioids are one of the most commonly prescribed medicines for these conditions.”

Lin stated that based on these results “opioids shouldn’t be recommended at any time for acute neck and low back pain,”

The results of the OPAL study have been published online in The Lancet on June 28.

Rigorous Test

The trial was conducted at 157 primary care and emergency departments in Australia, with 347 adults who experienced low back pain or neck pain for 12 weeks or less.

They were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive guideline-recommended care (reassurance and advice to stay active) plus an opioid (oxycodone up to 20 mg daily) or identical placebo for up to 6 weeks. Naloxone is given to prevent opioid-induced constipation, and to improve blinding.

The primary outcome was the pain severity at six weeks, as measured by the pain severity subscale (10-point scale) of the Brief Pain Inventory.

After 6 weeks of opioid therapy, there was no difference between placebo and opioid therapy in terms of pain relief or functional improvement.

The mean pain score was 2.78 for the opioid group at 6 weeks, compared to 2.25 for the placebo group. (Adjusted median difference, 0.53, 95% CI -0.00 – 1.07, P=.051). At 1 year, the mean pain scores of the placebo group were lower than those of the opioid group (1.8 and 2.4).

The risk of opioid misuse was doubled at 1 year for patients randomly assigned to receive opioid therapy during 6 weeks as compared to those randomly assigned to receive placebo during 6 weeks.

At 1 year, the Current Opioid Use Measure (COMM), a scale that measures current drug-related behavior, indicated that 24 (20%) patients from 123 patients who received opioids, were at risk for misuse. This was compared to 13 (10%) patients from 128 patients in a placebo group ( p =.049). The COMM is a widely-used measure of current aberrant drug related behavior among chronic pain patients who are prescribed opioid therapy.

Results Raise “Serious Questions”

Lin told Medscape Medical News that “I think the findings of the research will need to be distributed to doctors and patients so they receive the latest evidence on opioids.”

“We must reassure doctors and their patients that the majority of people with acute neck and low back pain recover well over time (normally within 6 weeks). Therefore, management is simple – stay active, avoid bed rest and, if needed, use a heat pack to relieve short term pain. Consider anti-inflammatory drugs if drugs are needed,” Lin added.

The authors of the linked comment state that the OPAL trial raises serious questions regarding the use of opioids for acute neck and low back pain.

Mark Sullivan, MD PhD, and Jane Ballantyne MD, from the University of Washington in Seattle, note that clinical guidelines recommend opioids to patients with acute neck and back pain when other drugs fail or are contraindicated.

As many as two thirds of patients may receive an opioid for back or neck pain. Sullivan and Ballantyne say that it is time to reexamine these guidelines.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health (University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health) and SafeWork SA funded the OPAL study. The authors of the study have not disclosed any relevant financial relationships. Sullivan and Ballantyne have served as board members of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing (unpaid), and paid consultants for opioid litigation.

Lancet. Online published June 28, 2023. Abstract

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AmericanChiro

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Neck Pain

‘I tried acupuncture for back and neck pain even though I’m afraid of needles–and it’s literally the only thing that’s ever worked’

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2023

AmericanChiro

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AmericanChiro

We understand how important it is to choose a chiropractor that is right for you. It is our belief that educating our patients is a very important part of the success we see in our offices.