Severe back pain can often deter patients from exercising as lifting weights, running, and even walking can become increasingly difficult when experiencing back pain. However, swimming is often a safe and pain-free way to get in exercise without putting pressure on your back and joints. The buoyancy of the water eliminates the stress that is usually absorbed by our joints during exercise, allowing you to remain active while simultaneously providing pain relief. And, you actually build muscle faster in water than on land due to water’s viscosity—water is 12 times as resistant as air. If you choose to swim to …
Summer has arrived on the East Coast, and after a long, cold winter, there is nothing New Yorkers are looking forward to more than soaking up the sun. However, as the temperatures rise, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to stay safe in the summer heat. Whether you’re training for a marathon, playing a game of basketball, or even just walking through the park, exercising in the summer months puts added stress on our bodies and increases the likelihood of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, so I’ve put together a few tips to help you stay cool and safe …
Last month, The New York Times ran a very interesting article in the Science section, written by a woman living with scoliosis. In “Hope for an S-Shaped Back,” Rachel Rabkin Peachman shares her journey of living with scoliosis. Peachman was diagnosed as a child and her condition’s progression was slowed through bracing, which helped allow her to avoid surgery with a 45-degree curve as a young adult. Over time, however, her curve continued to progress, and at 38 years old she is now living with the pain of a 55-degree upper curve and 33-degree lower curve. In hopes of avoiding …
David Kirsch is a fitness expert, wellness guru, and celebrity trainer, who was kind enough to share his best motivational tips for getting a beach body! Check out his website here, and be sure to follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Memorial Day is just a few days away. When thinking about writing a blog to help prepare my clients as well as any exercise enthusiast, I felt that one of the elements often missing is focusing on motivation. Look, the reality is that without motivation, the best exercise plan and nutrition regimen will not succeed. Here, I will talk …
Going for a run is a great way to get exercise, especially during the warmer months when the weather allows more frequent outings. I see many patients who are eager to get back to running after fully recovering from surgery. Because running is a repetitive action that can cause stress, I like to remind them that proper running technique is key to avoid unnecessary pain and injuries. Whether you are just a beginner or a full-fledged marathoner, these basic tips will help improve your form and avoid injuries. Getting the right shoes is the first step in running with great …
Practicing good posture is integral to proper spine alignment and can help strengthen core muscles. We all know how important it is to sit tall, but it’s so easy to get a little too comfortable and sink down into a slouch. I’ve found that as soon as I start talking about posture, I immediately see my patients start sitting up straighter and practice their best posture skills. I can bet that many of you who are reading this are starting to sit a little straighter than you did before! Here are five simple tips to improve your posture, and maintaining …
Scoliosis is a somewhat common condition that affects approximately 6 million Americans or 2-3% of the general population. Many people are familiar with back braces that sometimes accompany the treatment of scoliosis. However, from varying degrees of spinal curvature to different treatment options, there’s more to it than just back braces – and I’m sharing a brief guide to understanding what scoliosis is, who it affects, and how it is treated. What is scoliosis? Scoliosis, simply put, is an abnormal curvature of the spine. While a normal spine forms a straight line from the neck to the buttocks, spines with …
There is a lot of talk about how dependence on technology and a more sedentary lifestyle affects the health of children and adolescents. Much of the conversation revolves around obesity and its effects on cardiovascular health. However, a new study from the British Chiropractic Association is looking at how this affects back and spine health in still-growing teens. The study surveyed 460 parents with kids aged 11- 16 and found that 40 percent had experienced back or neck pain. Nearly a quarter of parents reported that their children spent between 2 to 4 hours each day watching television or using …
For years, car accidents were the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injuries in the United States. However, using data from 2007 to 2009, the study found that falls made up 41.5% of traumatic injuries, surpassing car accidents at 35.5%. The study also found that the rate for spinal cord injuries decreased for the 18-64 age group, but increased for those over 65 years old. The research also yielded the conclusion that the average age of adults with a spinal cord injury is 51, a 10-year increase in age from a study of data from 2000 to 2005, and that …
Injuries are common in all sports, and this is especially true in professional baseball, where players engage in repetitive movements on the field for 162 games each season. Back injuries can be detrimental for baseball players, often affecting an athlete’s swing or pitch. As this season kicks off, serious injuries and long-term recoveries are keeping a number of players off the field. Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold is still recovering after undergoing a cervical fusion surgery in July. He is now in physical therapy and remains on the disabled list until he is fully recovered. Texas Rangers pitcher Matt …
