These days, there are several different options you can choose from for working on weight-loss goals. One that we recommend is the Paleo diet.  The heart of the Paleo diet is cutting out all the foods that are processed and contain harmful chemicals and dyes.  This diet is simple to follow and is great way to cut out foods that can cause inflammation in the body. 

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“Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago have discovered that patients suffering from Chronic Back Pain lose grey matter in their brain. A study of 26 long-suffering patients found that the loss amounts to about 1.3 cubic centimeters for each year of pain. The researchers estimate that this loss would correspond to about 10 to 20 years of aging. The loss is concentrated in the regions of the brain involved in emotional processing and behavioral control in the thalamus, which relays sensory information to the cortex (the part of the brain that is your consciousness). The researchers earlier reported people with chronic pain perform poorly in emotional decision making tasks”. – New Scientist, November 27, 2004

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One of the most effective tools for treating injuries of the spine (including herniated or bulging discs) is spinal decompression therapy.

Spinal Decompression is an FDA approved therapy for the treatment of disc herniations and disc bulges.  It’s a safe alternative to spinal fusion surgery and has been used for years to help chronic pain sufferers find relief.  The therapy itself is relatively painless and consists of a patient lying face-up on a therapy table with their torso and pelvis wrapped and attached to a mechanical pulley. 

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Most Physical Medicine Doctors would agree that an internal component of a healthy spine is spinal stabilization exercises and stretches.  However, spinal stabilization will not be achieved if the exercise has faulty movement patterns. Among the best spinal exercises for stability and strength are Pilates and yoga.

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As we swing into spring, the promise of longer days and lighter coats can get us in a freeing frenzy. But before we can get a chance to revel in the sunlight, the “stings” of spring are ready to pounce in a variety of forms.

From ticks to bees, flowers and trees we need to prepare ourselves to stave off the potentially harmful aspects to the warmer weather. With just a few precautionary measures, we can continue to enjoy the sunlight with little to no interruption. It just takes a little preparation.

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Spring has finally sprung and brought plenty of produce with it! In the winter months, we can get our hands on a lot of fruits and veggies but they are generally imported from another country, taking the word “fresh” off their labels.

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Many Americans are plagued with back problems, in fact, 80% of us in our adult lifetime will at some point or another suffer it.  One of the causes can be where we lay our heads for rest and rejuvenation at night… the culprit? Our Mattresses!

Ergonomic principles or understanding how to lift and move our bodies correctly to avoid strain and injury plus a healthy diet all play an important role in our health, but there is one thing that nothing can take the place of: THE VALUE OF A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP.

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What is Osteoarthritis? Well, the best place to begin is a simple definition: Osteoarthritis is a breakdown of cartilage in one or more joints and that is what can lead to the inflammation. Osteoarthritis isn’t an inflammatory disease but one of the symptoms is joint inflammation, because of cartilage breakdown. Normally, osteoarthritis develops slowly. You’ll start to feel a bit feel sore or stiff.  In general, women tend to develop symptoms earlier than men, however, since osteoarthritis is simply the breaking down of cartilage, through years of wear and tear many people will eventually feel the effects of this.  Often, you will hear of women taking Calcium supplements, this is due to bone loss and hormonal changes found with Menopause. The pain and discomfort can be ignored for a while and then you realize it cannot be ignored and you need to do something.

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It is generally accepted that stretching is important, however, did you know there are different kinds of stretching? Passive stretching is when you use an outside force other than your own muscle to move a joint or limb beyond its active range of motion, to put your body into a position that you couldn’t do by yourself (like leaning into a wall). This is the most common form of stretching used.

Active stretching eliminates an outside force and It involves actively using your own muscles to achieve range of motion; as the antagonist (opposite) muscle contracts, the agonist (target) muscle groups lengthen and relax. This is a safe, effective, and recommended method of stretching.

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You may not think about your feet that often, way down there at the ends of your legs, but they’re an essential part of almost everything you do. Whether you are walking, running, exercising, or just standing, having feet that are comfortable and well-cared for (rather than aching or in pain) makes your healthy living experience much more enjoyable. Therefore, knowing how to care for your feet is key.

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