PGA tour player, Kevin Na says he knows what he is doing and has a fix to speed up his snail-like play. Yet, he is worried that his fix will harm his golf game.

Na mentioned he never entertained the thought of seeking the help of a sports psychologist. One wonders, why this is? If he hurt his wrist, would he immediately seek the help of a trainer or physician?

Why does Na and other athletes feel they can handle their mental game but not their physical game? He and other athletes continually try new equipment, exercise, engage in physical practice and good nutrition to establish a physical edge. But, why do they ignore the most important aspects of their sport, their mind and emotions?

I will not try to speculate why Na or other athletes are choosing to be their own mental training expert. There are articles listing seventy plus reasons why athletes shun sports psychologists, mental trainers.

This blog is only to point out the absurdity of their approach because research and empirical results clearly shows the benefits of a good mental trainer.

To learn techniques for Sports Performance, Self-Confidence, Mental Training, PNPR™, Non-Invasive Pain Management, Concussion Symptom Management contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com , type relief4u2 in search bar for more information.  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

The Phoenix Mercury's Diana Tausai sat out the season-opening loss to Minnesota Lynx with a hip-flexor injury.

It is possible, by using PNPR™ <http://www.reliefforyou.com/page7.html>, she could have been available for her team. They may not have won, but having Taursai available would have given the team the best chance to win.

"Dr. Petras worked on my son who was a high school senior.  It was the day of an important game, and Mark was not supposed to be able to play because of a hip-flexor injury.  Dr. Petras removed the pain, Mark started on both offense and defense, had a pass interception and punted for a 40-yard average."  Vic Wallace - Head Football Coach, University of St. Thomas, MN, Lambuth University, Jackson, TN

To learn techniques for Sports Performance, Self-Confidence, Mental Training, PNPR™, Non-Invasive Pain Management, Concussion Symptom Management contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com , type relief4u2 in search bar for more information.  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

There are many ways to approach pitching. One approach is to be level-headed, a Joe Cool, laid-back or never-let-them-see-you-sweat type of pitcher.

The important item here is that there is emotion involved in this and every approach to pitching. Emotions are part of our psyche and need to be channeled properly. Unchecked emotion can cause disaster on the mound as well as on a freeway. Whether you show a lot of emotion or very little or whether it is positive or negative is not as important as how you deal with it.

It has been said, "The problem is not what happened, it is your reaction to the problem that is telling."

It would be very beneficial if athletes spent time learning about emotions and how they can improve or devastate performance. A good mental trainer can help. Sometimes you just can not do it yourself.

To learn techniques for Sports Performance, Self-Confidence, Mental Training, PNPR™, Non-Invasive Pain Management, Concussion Symptom Management contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, elite sports performance expert, mental trainer, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com , type relief4u2 in search bar for more information.  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

Headlines

1. "Nationals C Wilson Ramos suffers knee (ACL) injury." He is the 11th Nationals player to go on the disabled list this season.¹
2. "On the mend. " D-Backs players hurt and still out: Chris Young (CF), Daniel Hudson (RHP) and Steven Drew (SS).²
   

Is there a way to manage injuries and get players safely back on the field more quickly then with present conventional standard medicine (CSM) and training methods?

There is a method called PsychoNeuro Pain Response™³ that has helped players return to play safely and quickly.

Case 1-MLB Pitcher, Shoulder
During Cactus league spring training, a pitcher was referred to me by the team chiropractor. He had been in therapy for a shoulder injury, for approximately six months. He still had limited range of motion and was in a lot of pain. Using only mental techniques, in approximately 20 minutes, he was pain-free with complete range of motion.

Case 2- Runner Injures First Baseman-Rapid Return
On Wednesday, June 23, 2010, a first baseman was knocked unconscious. He received a broken wrist, a concussion with amnesia and a cut in his eyelid and brow requiring stitches. While he was fielding a throw from the third baseman, the batter ran into him. Two days after his accident, June 25, I taught the first baseman visualization techniques to eliminate his pain and speed his healing. His pain immediately decreased. On June 29, the day before his appointment with an orthopedic physician, he had another session with me.  During this session, he practiced visualization techniques to further speed his recovery.

The next day, June 30, exactly one week after his injuries, the athlete saw an orthopedic surgeon. His mother said that when the surgeon saw the X-ray, he asked if the injury was a year to one and a half years old.  When told it was one week old, he could not believe it. The following week, two weeks after the wrist was broken, the orthopedic surgeon removed the player’s cast. He indicated that he had never removed a cast earlier than six weeks before. “It was amazing,” he said.

Case 3- Pitcher and Outfielder: Wrist & Shoulder
On Saturday (2/26/11), I worked with two college softball players, a pitcher and an outfielder, to prepare for their spring tour. Their AD/Coach asked if I could help with the players’ injuries. Both, under the care of the team trainer, had shoulder injuries with a lot of accompanying pain. The pitcher also had a painful wrist injury. After the initial session, which lasted approximately one hour each, neither experienced any pain. The trainer was amazed and pleased. Upon follow-up (four days later), neither felt any pain since the initial session. On Monday (2/28/11), the pitcher was strong, confident and able to pitch and do push-ups without any pain. By the way, the sessions were over the phone.

To learn techniques for Sports Performance, Self-Confidence, Mental Training, PNPR™, Non-Invasive Pain Management, Concussion Symptom Management contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com (type relief4u2 in search bar).  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

¹Arizona Republic, MLB Notes, 5/14/12.
²Arizona Republic, Notes, 5/14/12
³PsychoNeuro Pain Response™ (PNPR™) also called Talking Away Pain™ (TAP™) <http://www.reliefforyou.com/page7.html>

Research shows that when visualizing an activity, the muscles that are normally involved in that activity fire. For example, an alpine skier visualizing her run down the hill and through the gates has the same muscles fire as if she were actually skiing down the hill. This allows the athlete to gain muscle memory for the activity.

Research also shows that visualizing an activity alone improves performance comparable, at times, to physical practice. Visualization with some physical reps should yield the most improvement.

So, if the Arizona Cardinals would like their sixth round pick, quarterback-Ryan Lindley, to get enough reps, what if they had him working with a mental trainer going over the reps in his mind?*

Actually, this would be good for all the players to practice.

To learn techniques for sports performance, self-confidence, mental training, PNPR™, non-invasive pain management, concussion symptom management (CSM) contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, elite sports performance expert, mental trainer, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com (type relief4u2 in search bar).  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

*Arizona Republic, "Rookies pass early test-Finding time" by Kent Somers, 5/14/12 <http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/Sports/2012-05-14-PNI0514spt-CardinalsPNIBrd_ST_U.htm>

A newspaper article* noted that Arizona Cardinal defensive players, Jamell Fleming out of Oklahoma in the third round and Justin Bethel out of Presbyterian in the sixth round performed as defensive coordinator Horton expected.

What if both players were expected to perform the same? There is research indicating that students (athletes) perform to the level that they expected to perform. A "self-fulfilling prophecy" can develop, even if it is wrong.

To learn techniques for sports performance, self-confidence, mental training, PNPR™, non-invasive pain management, concussion symptom management (CSM) contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, elite sports performance expert, mental trainer, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com (type relief4u2 in search bar).  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

*Arizona Republic, May 14, 2012, "Rookies pass early test," by Kent Somers <http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/Sports/2012-05-14-PNI0514spt-CardinalsPNIBrd_ST_U.htm>

Proper injury management must include the mental, psychological aspects of the injury. This will allow the athlete to heal completely and more quickly. The athlete needs to feel wanted and remain a part of the team.

Omar Bolden, Denver Broncos rookie talks about his (ACL-left knee) and his friends' injury management.*

"I've seen many of my friends go through the same injury (ACL) and distance themselves from everything, from football and friends."

To learn techniques for sports performance, self-confidence, mental training, PNPR™, non-invasive pain management, concussion symptom management (CSM) contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com (type relief4u2 in search bar).  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

*Arizona Republic, "Bolden touts optimistic vision while trying to make Broncos" by AP <http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/Sports/2012-05-14-PNI0514spt-nflnbPNIBrd_ST_U.htm>

D-Backs Ryan Roberts talks about his slump*.

"I was worrying about results and pressing...All that negative thought process just buries you...I quit worrying...and the results came."

Worry is an emotion and emotions are very much tied to an athlete's performance. Time needs to be allotted for mental and emotional training. Correct thinking just like physical training. 3-5 minutes before and after practice would be a good start.

So what do you do in these 3-5 minutes? How do you utilize this time? A good mental trainer could design a program for your team or individual players.

Tip: If the players did nothing else but repeat "I am becoming more and more self-confident, each day and each way," for these 3-5 minutes, the team and each individual would see a positive change.

To learn techniques for sports performance, self-confidence, mental training, PNPR™, non-invasive pain management, concussion symptom management (CSM) contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, elite sports performance expert, mental trainer, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com (type relief4u2 in search bar).  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

*Pitch and catch with...Ryan Roberts by Bob Young, Arizona Republic, 5/11/12.

Upton stated* that the biggest thing he has learned since he was a rookie is in his mental approach. "I wish I had known to relax and play the game...You're competing against other people's words sometimes. The older you get the more you realize that those words don't matter..."

This begs the question, Why wasn't he taught the mental game in high school, college or the minors? Was he afforded the opportunity to learn these skills and refused or wasn't the opportunity presented? There are bench coaches, pitching coaches, managers and more. Why aren't there mental training coaches? Oh! There are some, but how many are there and how are they utilized?

To learn techniques for Sports Performance, Self-Confidence, Mental Training, PNPR™, Non-Invasive Pain Management, Concussion Symptom Management contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, elite sports performance expert, mental trainer, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com (type relief4u2 in search bar).  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.

*Arizona Republic by Nick Piecoro, "Great Expectations," Friday, May 4, 2012, p. C4.

D-Backs Head Coach Gibson discussed Craig Breslow's pitching: On Wednesday, he entered and escaped a two-on, none-out jam in the eighth inning. "I think he's getting arm strength and he's getting locked in with his mechanics..."*

Nothing against Coach Gibson or other MLB coaches, but you very seldom hear them talk, in depth, about the mental side of pitching. Why is that? There is evidence indicating that improper thinking changes the mechanics. So, wouldn't it make sense to work on both?

To learn techniques for Sports Performance, Self-Confidence, Mental Training, PNPR™, Non-Invasive Pain Management, Concussion Symptom Management contact: Dr. Raymond J. Petras, elite sports performance expert, mental trainer, PNPR™ developer and non-invasive pain/injury management expert.  View his website <www.reliefforyou.com> and YouTube.com , type relief4u2 in search bar for more information.  To email him <drpetras@reliefforyou.com> or go to his contact page at: <www.reliefforyou.com/page3.html >. Follow him on Twitter @relief4u2.


*D-Backs Notes: Arizona Republic, Friday, May 4, 2012, "Breslow shining."