The Case Files: CrossFit-Induced Carotid Artery Dissection

By Fox, Alex MD; King, Andrew MD   CrossFit has become a workout phenomenon with more than 5,500 gyms and millions of staunch followers. Developed by Greg Glassman, CrossFit defines itself as “that which optimizes fitness, constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity.” The craze has been embraced by fitness enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike.   These intense workouts can be dangerous for those with less experience who do not have trainers to help ease them into the routine. A 2005 New York Times article, “Getting Fit, Even If It Kills You,” criticized CrossFit for placing emphasis on speed and weight hoisted instead of technique. (Dec. 22, 2005; http://nyti.ms/1mOt86Z.) The article later quoted Wayne Winnick, a sports medicine specialist, as saying, “There's no way inexperienced people doing this are not going to hurt themselves.” Mr. Glassman backs up the risk by stating, “It can kill you. … I've always been completely honest about that.” Our patient was a 33-year-old man with a past medical history of migraine headaches and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, who presented with a left temporal headache and neck tightness for one month. The headache began suddenly during an intense CrossFit regimen. He was doing heavy lifting at the time of acute onset, and was exerting himself more than his normal limits. He developed severe, throbbing pain in the left side of his head that was accompanied by neck tightness, whi...
Source: The Case Files - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: research