I was introduced to the “box breathing” (or “square breathing”) technique years ago while in graduate school at the University of Miami. Every time I teach someone in the clinic about this self-calming strategy, it also helps me – even if I do it only for a minute. I’m a big advocate of meditation andContinue Reading »
If you are scheduled to undergo knee replacement surgery, your surgeon has three procedures from which to choose. An artificial knee can be held in place, or fixed, using a cemented, noncemented or hybrid procedure. Your surgeon will decide which procedure is best for you. The cemented procedure In this procedure, a grout-like material isContinue Reading »
The average adult gets one to six colds every year, with symptoms lasting a week to 10 days. Should you let these colds interrupt your exercise routine? Probably not, as long as you pay attention to what your body tells you. Above the Neck Symptoms In other words, if your only symptoms are a runnyContinue Reading »
The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that osteoporosis is a major health threat for 55% of people 50 years of age or older. Ten million people—80% of them women—have osteoporosis, and almost 34 million people have low bone mass and are at an increased risk to develop the disease. With one in two women and oneContinue Reading »
The plantar fascia is a ligament full of fibers that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. When the tears are located at the end of the ligament attached to the calcaneous, or heel bone, what you feel is plantar fasciitis or heel pain—a burning, aching or sticking sensation.Continue Reading »
If you have dislocated your shoulder,choosing the best mode of treatment to get you moving and free from pain as quickly as possible can be a real challenge. One kind of shoulder dislocation, multidirectional shoulder instability, tends to occur in younger adults and may need surgery, along with physical therapy, to provide relief. Care shouldContinue Reading »
While some Americans are able to exercise outdoors almost year round, most of us must move our workouts indoors for at least a few months. Transitioning in some sports or activities is easier—or at least more obvious—than in others. Ocean swimming, for instance, is a little difficult to replicate indoors, but if you play tennisContinue Reading »
The debate over whether weight machines or free weights better help a person achieve fitness is not new. Recently, the trend has been away from weight machines and toward free weights, so it is worth revisiting the benefits and drawbacks of both. Weight machines have several advantages. For one thing, they are easy for theContinue Reading »
If you are about to have your hip replaced, you will need to begin a rehabilitation program very soon after the procedure is completed. The type of rehabilitation will vary with the surgical technique used to attach the metal prosthesis to the femur. This artificial ball and stem can be affixed either with bony cementContinue Reading »
My friend told me about his new car and how he had a great lumbar support that can be adjusted to fit his back. Many vehicles offer this feature but they are often used incorrectly, whether incorporated into the seat or a portable. Tips for fitting your lumbar roll: Make sure it feels good and does not increase lowContinue Reading »