It’s environmentally friendly, good for your physical health, and a bonus for your emotional well-being. Riding a bicycle as a primary means of transportation is increasingly common in some urban areas in the United States, and especially throughout Europe. However, if you observe many cyclists in certain areas, you may notice they are interrupting their […]
Health
Too Hot To Handle or Too Cold To Hold?
If I had a penny for every time I heard people ask or argue about whether heat or cold should be applied to an injury, you’d think I was a water fountain — or the informal “gum tree” tribute to Lincoln in D.C. Well, I’m about to end my tenure as a would-be collector of […]
Obesity & Orthopedic Surgery: Cumbersome Combination
As the next year with its fresh batch of New Year’s Resolutions looms large, so does America’s obesity epidemic with more than one of every 3 American adults tipping the scales into the “obese” category. If heightened risks for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes aren’t enough to motivate you to shed those extra pounds, perhaps […]
The Truth About Self-Esteem
It seems like anyone who exhibits symptoms of frustration, despair, or self-consciousness is labeled as having low self-esteem. They may be told to love themselves, or we may try to convince them of their worth. Especially during adolescence, when egocentrism naturally guides their behavior, teens need to be presented with their Creator’s view. As with […]
Flexibility, Rolling Pins & Your ITB
The majority of the injuries that occur for runners or other athletes involved in non-contact sports are directly related to flexibility and strength — or, rather, lack thereof. Unfortunately, none are actually avoidable by rolling the side of your leg up and down a foam roller after your workout. As a general rule, men’s hamstrings, […]
When the Finger Gives You Grief
For those who work with their hands and fingers on a daily basis, finger trauma can be a frustrating and debilitating problem. Many Americans rely more on their fingers than on their knees, hips, or other joints, for their livelihood. For the 80% of Americans who live on a month-to-month basis, the threat of losing […]
Are Your Shoulder Blades Crooked?
The next time you’re working out at the gym or hanging out at the beach, take a subtle visual survey of other people’s resting shoulder blade positions, from behind. A careful examination will reveal that most people’s scapulae are all but even. Often, one shoulder blade sits higher than the other or one is further […]
Sleeping Off Shoulder Surgery Recovery Time
Shoulder surgeries are increasingly common in the United States. From labral repairs to acromioplasties, rotator cuff repairs to shoulder replacement surgeries, countless shoulder surgeries are performed on American patients every day. While the type of surgery performed certainly helps determine the type of rehabilitation recommended, a common complaint spans the gamut of shoulder surgery patients: […]
Endurance Training You Shouldn’t Neglect
From diminished mobility and stability to musculoskeletal diseases and conditions, weak stabilizers contribute to many problems. Strong rotators and stabilizers are key to joint health and stability, but the kinds of exercises that help contribute to such strength are far from popular. For stability and overall core health, such exercises are important. With most jobs […]
Elderly? Increase Safety Around Your Home and Improve Your Health
As we age, it’s no secret that we need to start paying more careful attention to our health. Our bodies and minds can deteriorate quickly if we aren’t vigilant in how we keep ourselves healthy and safe. If you live with an elderly person or if you yourself are elderly, then it’s important that you […]
The Skinny on Teen Obesity
The balance beam seems to be all-too-narrow when it comes to teens and their bodies. Fall off on one side, and you’re too thin, but lean to far the other way, and you’re headed toward teen obesity; both extremes can result from or lead to an unhealthy obsession with food and body image. The results […]
Learning How To Avoid Lower Back Pain
Have you suffered a lower back injury? If so, I’m sure you wish you’d followed conventional wisdom, such as lifting with your knees and not your back. While you can’t go back in time and change how you did things before the injury, you can help your back to heal – and prevent further injuries […]
Head Trauma and the Prices Paid
Would you know if you had a concussion? If left untreated, what would be the result? Often, internal injuries like head trauma that lack external signs of problems can be ignored or downplayed. In contrast, we tend to give far more attention toward scraped knees and protruding broken bones because the damage is obvious. Scraped […]
Shoulder Dislocation: The ABCs
Shoulder dislocation injuries can occur as a result of a wide variety of situations. Generally caused by a jarring motion when the shoulder is in a less-than-ideal position, shoulder dislocation often occurs due to collisions during contact sports, automobile accidents, or falls. People who are hyper-flexible can actually be more prone to dislocation, since the […]
3 Ways To Avoid Back and Neck Pain at Your Desk Job
Are you confused about why you’re experiencing back or neck pain, when you have a white-collar job? Whether you work from a home office or a cubical in a high rise, your desk job may be to blame. The main culprits are sitting for extended periods of time and needing to strain in order to […]