Ice Bath + Hot Shower = Magic
Tue, Nov 18, '03
A lot has happened here at Northerns since my last diary entry, including a minor lower back strain that forced me to miss a crucial match last weekend against North West.
I was very disappointed to suffer this injury, just the same way that I am usually when this unfortunate part of the game happens to me, being a strike bowler and knowing that the team needed all the bowling power in this match against Border that we had lost on first innings and looking to force an outright win.
In the first innings, I had bowled 18 overs -- the most since I arrived here and I was feeling some soreness which I attributed to the long spell. But, it got worse after a few balls in the second innings and the physio decided it was best to be cautious and not bowl again.
I was gutted not being able to bowl in the second innings, which I think was the perfect stage and opportune time for me to pull out all the stops. Thankfully, it was just a minor strain to a muscle in the lower back and the physio did an amazing job of icing the area and getting me the required therapy. I was planning to bowl in the second innings but,under the new rules, I was not allowed because I had stayed off the field for 32 overs.
We haven't played any cricket since then. Like I explained in my last column, the overseas pro is required to play in club matches in between first class games but, because of the injury, I haven't been on the cricket field since.
Reon King's Column sponsored by Social VIP Travel.
Since arriving here, I've been introduced to the 'ice bath/hot shower' recovery treatment that is nothing short of miraculous. I swear, it is the most fascinating thing I've experienced in my cricket career and I'm a believer.
There's this huge tub in the treatment room that they fill with ice. I'm talking 14 big bags of ice cubes dumped in this tub. We have to strip down to our underwear and sit in this tub of ice (up to shoulder) for a minute. The first time I saw this tub of ice, I wanted to know who was the madman that came up with this idea. My first soak in the tub was agony and I don't think I could have spent more than a minute in there.
Then, it's out of the ice tub and into a steaming hot shower for another minute. Then, back to the ice bath for another minute. We alternate from hot to cold in one-minute intervals three times. It's unbelievable how you feel afterwards. It's like your body is brand-new again after a hard day's play.
I did a bit of research on it and found out that the hot-and-cold treatment creates a pump effect which removes the waste products of exercise such as lactic acid. The blood vessels dilate in the heat and constrict in the cold and it pumps swelling out of the body.
The alternating of hot-and-cold and reduces inflammation as fresh blood and healing agents are pumped into the injured area. It also helps repair all those little tears players get in your muscles after a long bowl. This is something I'd definitely recommend for all fast bowlers in the Caribbean. I hope someone can experiment with it in the West Indies to deal with the little muscle niggles and tweaks that are a part of bowling.
In between the hot-and-cold treatments, I've been spending a lot of time in the gym. The team trainer Rob Walter has given me a very detailed program to work with, including specific weight-lifting to strengthen the lower back area. In between gym sessions, we play touch rugby as a squad to enhance aerobic activity.
The life of a professional cricketer can be lonely but I'm lucky in that I live in a compound a stone's throw from the ground and a lot of my teammates are in the adjoining apartments. I've had a lot of time off in between games but it's never boring. I spend the time catching up on e-mail, browsing the news from the Caribbean on the Internet.
I've been in touch with Daren Powell and Nixon McLean, the two other West Indians here. They're both doing well for their teams and it's nice to be able to hear a familiar voice during a long season. I'm also being a mentor for some of the younger players here at Northerns. We go to dinner and share experiences, talk about cricket and life and just get to know each other. It's a great way for me to learn about life and the history of South Africa.