Forms
Sports Medicine – Providers

Introduction

Sports medicine, for athletes ranging from weekend warriors to World-Class Olympians, has proven to be another area where pharmacy compounding has shown to be very useful. For example, compounded medications can be used to treat sports-related pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, bacterial/fungal infections, and neuralgia. In addition, compounded medications can help treat excessive sweating, can be used for pre-game rubs, and can be used with iontophoresis and phonophoresis technologies, which are used to enhance drug penetration through the skin. Compounded medications allow personalized treatment and the options are unlimited as formulations are customizable in terms of dosage, method of administration, the number of active ingredients, absorption, and more.

Treatment Options

Many preparations are commercially available to help manage pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms, but they can cause undesirable side effects. However, these medications, when used topically, can provide better therapeutic benefit with fewer unwanted side effects.

Treatment options may include:

  • Topical NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
  • Topical anesthetics such as LET gel (lidocaine, epinephrine, tetracaine)
  • Medications for iontophoresis and phonophoresis such as steroids, dexamethasone, NSAIDS, local anesthetics, salicylates, and individual substances such as zinc oxide, iodine, acetic acid, and calcium chloride
  • Medications used for pre-game rubs such as emu oil and anti-spasmodic drugs
  • Medications for excessive sweating
  • Nutritional Supplements
  • Rehydration Drinks
 

Examples of physical stress:

  • Severe or recurrent infection or illness
  • Severe injury
  • Surgery
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Insufficient sleep

Examples of emotional or psychological stress:

  • Difficult relationships
  • Death of family member
  • Problems at work

Adrenal fatigue, although not a proven medical condition and not recognized by any Endocrinology society, is believed by some healthcare providers to be caused by chronic exposure to stressful situations. Chronic stress may disrupt the adrenal gland’s normal pattern of cortisol release which can lead to problems such as:

  • Insulin resistance/diabetes
  • Cardiovascular problems including arrhythmias, CHF, MI, atherosclerosis and hypertension
  • Osteoporosis
  • Dementia/memory loss
  • Immune suppression
  • Impaired thyroid function
  • Decreased kidney function
  • Exacerbation of skin conditions (acne, psoriasis, eczema)
  • Gastrointestinal problems (GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
  • Mood disorders and depression
  • Increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases
  • Sleep disorders
  • Reproductive disorders
  • Premature aging 

Depending on the adrenal gland disorder with which you are suffering, you may require lifestyle advice to reduce stress and improve diet, exercise, sleep and relaxation. In addition, nutraceuticals, supplements and medications may be required to stop the excess or insufficient production of hormones. Your compounding pharmacist, working with your healthcare provider, can help you achieve optimal hormone balance.