Athlete-doctor's book prescribes fixes for sport injuries

Danbury (Conn.) News-Times—August 15, 2012   

When patients come to Dr. Jordan Metzl with shin splints, tendinitis and other sports injuries, they aren't just seeking his expertise as a physician. They're seeking his expertise as a lifelong athlete and veteran of multiple marathons and Ironman triathlons.

Metzl, who practices sports medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, with a secondary office in Old Greenwich, treats athletes of all ages and abilities. His clients have included football players and the Radio City Rockettes. His patients, he said, don't just see him as a doctor. They see him as a colleague in athleticism -- someone who has experienced many of the same aches and pains that they have.

"If you're going to be a sports medicine doctor, you have to walk the walk," said Metzl, who lives in New York. "My patients respect what I tell them to do, because they know I'm thinking about this from athletic point of view."

In other words, he knows that the primary concern of any injured athlete is getting back to his or her sport or activity. To that end, Metzl has written "The Athlete's Book of Home Remedies," ($25.99, Rodale Books). The book, published this year, offers more than a thousand health fixes and prevention secrets for a wide range of sports injuries. Each chapter focuses on a different section of the body, such as knees or the lower back, and details the various ailments that could afflict these body parts. The book also lets readers know whether they need surgery for a certain condition or if they should call a doctor about their problem. The goal, Metzl said, is educating the athletically inclined and empowering them to take care of their bodies. He spoke more about the book, and his own athletic endeavours, during a recent telephone interview.

Read the full story at NewsTimes.com, StamfordAdvocate.com, GreenwichTime.com, and CTPost.com.