Tips from the Professionals...

Winter Workout Blues

Photo by Jamie Netzer

It is that time of year again when we do all we can to prepare for the intense holiday bustle while battling the elements and often times damaging our bodies in the process. In a losing effort against the clock we are typically guilty of performing physically difficult tasks such as shoveling snow, moving heavy boxes, setting up awkward trees and decorating the house beyond even the Grandchildren’s wildest dreams. And all needed to be done yesterday!

Tennis and Golfers Elbow II

If you are experiencing dull achiness or sharp pain on either side of your elbow which limits your ability to use your arm you may have tendonitis or bursitis. Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis and medial epicondylitis, are two extremely common overuse injuries of the elbow.

Tennis and Golfers Elbow

Although you may have never handled a tennis racquet or a golf club, you may very well have suffered from a dull achiness or a sharp pain on either side of your elbow which limits your ability in using your arm. Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis and medial epicondylitis, are only two of extremely common overuse injuries of the elbow.

Coping with Physical Stress

With the stresses of daily life progressively increasing each day, it is no wonder that we are finding stress growing difficult to manage. Although we are readily equipped with the ability to deal with normal stresses of the day we are sometimes encountered by a stressful situation that is overwhelming. An occurrence that can better be characterized as creating distress.

Spring cleaning and your aching body

It seems like only last week we were engaged in the tasks of autumn, picking up leaves and preparing our yards for the long winter ahead. Regardless of how well you may have done in the fall, and no matter how many hours you may have logged in that yard, yep, you’re going to do it all over again. Spring clean-up! Uhg!

Tips For Injury Prevention While Snow Shoveling

It happens every winter in the Northeast, snowfalls, usually leaving heavy piles of snow and ice to clear from sidewalks and driveways. The extremely cold and fluffy start to 2009 has confirmed weather expert predictions of a colder than normal winter with heavier snowfalls. Physical Therapists and medical experts alike are concerned about reducing the number of injuries that may occur from shoveling snow.

Sciatica

Millions of people suffer from low back pain each day. Most are between the ages of 30 and 50, and many endure not only back pain, but also severe pain or numbness running into one or both legs. The result: loss of activity, inability to work and inability to participate in the activities we enjoy most. It is estimated that some 80 to 90% of Americans will suffer from back pain during their lifetime, about 50% of which will have more than one episode. Often times, you will hear the name “Sciatica” associated with this pain, and rightly so.

Speaking off the Rotator Cuff

You have completed your spring clean up, started the weekly mowing, and if you are luckier than the rest of us, you may have even returned to the bowling lanes, the tennis courts, the golf course or even the gym. You just now realize that the small tenderness, the miniscule but sharp pinch or even the slight weakness you felt while lifting the leaf bags just hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s worse…much worse and ibuprofen just isn’t touching it. You may have injured your rotator cuff.

The Fall Clean-up Workout

With so many enjoyable aspects of the change in the season, raking leaves and picking up the yard never seem to be acceptable and enjoyable fall tasks. However, there is more to autumn than apple cider, football games, and clean fresh air. Fall clean-up is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the crisp fresh air while getting in a great workout at the same time.

The Stress of Neck Pain

Probably the most common complaint among adults at some point in their lives is the complaint of tightness or pain in the neck. While such a condition obviously has many causes, there are a number of modifications or stretches you can do to minimize or eliminate your pain.

Physical Preparation for Decoration

Photo by Stephanie Wallace

With Thanksgiving less than 2 weeks away, the time crunch for Holiday decorating both inside and out is officially on. As you may have hopes and aspirations of early preparations, the fact remains that there is a lot of work to do. Not to mention heavy lifting, repeated overhead reaching and lots of bending.

Hiking

The next several weeks are expected to be some of the most beautiful here in the north country as we transition into the Adirondack autumn season. Accompanying cool nights are crisp mornings giving way to clear days just perfect for a hike on some of the areas finest local trails. Whether you prefer the shorter and quicker day hike, or a weekend long trek there are a few hurdles you must contend with other than rocky trails, extensive root systems or even steep climbs.

Hard Core Strength

Over the past 10 to 15 years, ‘core stability’ has become synonymous with abdominal strength. The fact of the matter is that the abdominal muscles are given too much credit when it comes to real core strength. The abdominals posses a limited and specific action. Actually, the ‘core’ consists of several muscles that run the length of the trunk and torso stabilizing the spine, pelvis and shoulders. When engaged, they provide a stable foundation for both arm and leg functional mobility allowing us to generate powerful movements through our extremities. Core strengthening exercises are an important part of overall fitness training that, except for the occasional sit up or crunch, are often neglected.

Posturing for Good Posture

Poor posture is habitual. If you or your child demonstrates bad posture, it is highly likely that poor habits have manufactured it. We’re typically born with ‘normal’ curves in our spine that naturally place us in “good posture.” That natural curve is negatively impacted over time due to static posturing and the fact that we and our children spend more and more time seated in a chair, learning in the classroom, working at the computer, watching television, doing homework or playing video games. It is only a matter of time before gravity begins pulling us forward creating a protruding head, flattened neck, rounded shoulders and slouched lower back.

Backpack Safety

With the beginning of another school year less than a month away comes the all important decision of which backpack to buy. School children today have the tremendous benefits of an astounding variety of classes and curriculum, but for some, this may come with the price of physical pain.

Aging and Exercise

Exercise and promotion of physical activity are extremely important in the self preservation of each and every individual’s health especially as one enters into the ‘elderly’ population. Promotion of your personal health via exercise not only prevents physical deterioration, but mental and emotional as well. Whether you are entering into ‘senior’ status, or you are a care-giver, establishment of a daily routine that includes moderate physical activity is vital.

Running From Achilles Tendonitis

By July we have exhausted the myriad of excuses as to why we haven’t fully returned to our summer activities and sports. It’s at this point that we believe it’s necessary to simply throw ourselves back into the swing of things by pounding the pavement with running, hiking the steep mountain trails, or just returning to a more aggressive and lengthened aerobic walk. Invariable what seemingly happens out of nowhere is heel pain, sometimes severe heel pain.

Tennis and Golfers Elbow II

If you are experiencing dull achiness or sharp pain on either side of your elbow which limits your ability to use your arm you may have tendonitis or bursitis. Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis and medial epicondylitis, are two extremely common overuse injuries of the elbow.