Stretch of the Week: Forward Fold IT Band Stretch
Stretch of the week: Forward Fold IT Band Stretch. This stretch is simple but very effective. You won’t need anything for this stretch.
The only contradiction for this stretch would be if you have low back pain. Be conscious of how your body feels and please don’t overly push yourself in the stretch.
Adjusting Your Bicycle to Alleviate Pain
Due to the repetitive nature of cycling, cyclists are at a higher risk for repetitive stress injuries. Some of these injuries may be caused by an improperly adjusted bicycle. When a bicycle is not ideally adjusted to fit you, you will experience higher levels of stress in certain areas of the body. This will eventually lead to tissue injury and pain. Think of it this way: if you were to use your finger to push on one small area of your skin 10 times, your body is able to adapt to that stress and there is no injury. If you were to push on that same area of your skin 1,000 times, you end up with a bruise, which indicates tissue injury. (more…)
Minimalist Shoes vs. Maximalist Shoes
What’s the best shoe to wear when running? Minimalist shoes, maximalist shoes, or your current running shoe? Here are some things to consider.. (more…)
iPad Wrist: DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis in the 21st Century
Another night browsing the web on my iPad – Another night of wrist pain. I look down to see my hand cocked in some nightmarish position that couldn’t have possibly existed before five or six years ago. Yikes! I am a Certified Hand Therapist. I know better. (more…)
Limited Hip Mobility and Core Weakness: Causes of Lower Back Pain in Golfers
With the golf season now in full swing, many golfers may be experiencing some aches and pains from the first several rounds of the course. Low back pain is a specifically common aliment among golfers. Low back pain can be caused by numerous factors, but two areas of deficit are common culprits to low back pain among golfers. (more…)
High Heels: Great for Fashion, Bad for Your Body
Every lady loves the way her legs look in a killer pair of high heels. But what most women don’t know is that habitual use of those great shoes can have severe effects on joint health. High heels change foot posture, which then in turn changes the alignment of the entire lower body and the direction of the pull of gravity in relationship to those joints, thus stresses muscles in an abnormal fashion. (more…)
10 Tips and Tools for Gardening with Arthritis or Other Physical Limitations
Gardening has a multitude of health benefits. Since most people find enjoyment in gardening, they do it regularly without any coaxing or aiding in cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. One’s immunity is also boosted as skin soaks in vitamin D from the sun and healthy bacteria and microbes from the soil. Gardens are full of a variety of textures, smells, sights, and sounds which have been known to reduce stress and promote relaxation as it stimulates the brain and aids in better mental health. Lastly, we cannot forget nutrition and all the amazing vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are provided to us when we consume all the fresh produce we harvest. It’s no wonder that gardening appeals to the young, the old, and everyone in between. (more…)
Pre-Round Golf Stretches to Enhance Mobility
Golf season is finally approaching, which means it is time to dust off the clubs, break out the plaid pants and warm up your muscles. Properly swinging a golf club requires precise muscle coordination and sequencing of movement across numerous joints within the body, specifically the back. During the back-swing and follow-through, rotation of the trunk is required to effectively position the club for consistently accurate golf shots. This trunk rotation is facilitated by movement through the spine, specifically the thoracic spine.