If you sit down and place your feet together then flex your toes upwards, the slight pull that you feel at the soles of your feet is a band of tissue called the plantar fascia. It connects your heel bone to your toes. When the plantar fascia is strained, it becomes weak, swollen, and irritated. […]
Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the human body. It plays an important role in providing energy and boosting our immune system. Although we have plenty of glutamine in our bloodstream, our body will only continue to produce it up until the point that we’re hit by some type of stress. In […]
Joint pain is a complex topic that covers everything from shoulder injuries to arthritis. It can be a harmless condition that resolves quickly, a joint infection, or a long-term problem like osteoarthritis. In general, any sudden onset joint pain (especially those with no obvious cause) should always be seen by a medical professional as soon […]
If you work a desk job, you are probably familiar with the aches and pains that come from sitting all day. Back pain, neck or shoulder tension, headaches, or knee issues are common conditions associated with prolonged sitting. Steven Conway, Ph.D., a chiropractor and attorney in Wisconsin, and a spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association, […]
Pitocin is the synthetic version of oxytocin. Oxytocin itself is a hormone that your body naturally produces to start contractions during labor. But you may know oxytocin by a different name-the “love” hormone. Oxytocin is the same hormone that our bodies release when we snuggle up with loved ones or bond socially. As a medication, […]
The term herniated disc sounds like a painful condition—and, unfortunately, it usually is. Our spine is made up of tiny individual bones (called vertebrae). Between each bone is a rubbery cushion (called a disc) that stops the bones from rubbing against one another. However, if one of the discs slips out of place or prolapses, […]
Your rotator cuff isn’t a single muscle. It’s actually a group of four muscles that come together as tendons to form a “cuff” around the shoulder region. The four muscles are known as the: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor. All originate from the shoulder blade. So what do you need to know about rotator […]
It’s easy to overlook the importance of good footwear. You may even think about spending a little less money on a pair of shoes for your physical activities. But think again. A poor choice in footwear can cause all sorts of problems: foot pain, back pain, achilles tendinitis, runner’s knee, and a whole host of other […]
Seconds after an injury the body’s inflammatory response will immediately start the healing process. The tissues around the site of injury are flooded with fluid and proteins to help deal with the damage, circulation to the area increases, and the injury starts to feel warm and tender. Swelling is the body’s natural reaction to an […]
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that can lead to pain, stiffness, and tenderness. It is a condition experienced by millions of Americans and is the number one leading cause of disability in the country3. As we get older, our joints experience natural wear and tear. Sometimes that wear and tear become excessive and […]
Up to 60% of the human body is water. When we exercise for even just an hour, we can lose anywhere from 0.5–2 liters of that water (depending on factors such as heat and clothing)1. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, drinking water during and after exercise is essential if you want […]
Shin splints are very common—especially in runners who increase their workout intensity or a change their running surface (like shifting from well-paved roads to asphalt). Shin splints are also known as a cumulative stress disorder. In non-fancy terms, this means that a repeated pounding and stress on the bones, muscles, and joints of the lower […]