Bicycling is not only fun, but also a low-impact way to reduce health risks. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. What better way to exercise that is cheap and good for the environment?[1] Cycling on a regular basis stimulates and improves heart, lungs, and circulation, helping […]
Anybody who’s ever weeded a row of turnips, planted petunias, or mowed a thriving lawn knows that gardening can be hard work. That hard work pays off in more ways than having the best roses on the block or a tasty salad. Gardening in its various forms has a multitude of benefits: Increase hand strength, […]
The shoulder can move in all sorts of ways. Unfortunately, this sets the shoulder up for tears and injuries. Did you know, roughly one in four people age 60+ have tears in their rotator cuffs?1 People of all ages can tear the rotator cuff, but most tears are non-painful. However, some tears can be debilitating. […]
According to research at UCLA, changes in a section of the brain that is critical for memory are associated with sitting too much.[1] The study involved people ages 45 to 75. An MRI of each person provided a look at the region of the brain involved with the formation of new memories. The study did […]
As people get older, it is possible to notice more pain or stiffness in the hands and wrist. This does not necessarily mean to stop doing things needing or enjoyable to do. Now, there are more options available to help ease joint pain, strengthen hands, and continue doing things that before were taken for granted. […]
The shoulder joint joins three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). The shoulders are the most movable joints in the body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable […]
Loss of muscle mass is part of aging, but we can slow and even reverse it. Age-related muscle loss, also called sarcopenia, is a natural part of the aging process. Less muscle means there is more weakness and less mobility. Both of these factors can increase the risk of falls and fractures. Losing muscle mass […]
Sciatica is a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. It controls muscles in the back of the knee and lower leg and provides feeling to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. When people have sciatica, they have […]
Has a muscle cramp woken you up in the middle of the night? Or have you been stopped in your tracks by a spasm the size of a golf ball in your calf? Muscle cramps, or “charley horses,” occur when one or more of the muscles in the leg tighten involuntarily. Usually, the muscle relaxes […]
For many, it makes common sense to not move a recently injured neck. In this case, the common sense may be wrong. It’s better to let a physical therapist evaluate an injury and determine the right time to introduce motion. The answer is often, “right away.” In one research study, Mark Rosenfeld, RPT and colleagues […]
