How to Avoid ‘Tech Neck’

Smartphones and tablets are great technological achievements – they allow us to spend countless hours looking at cat videos, swiping right and recording Dennis Quaid lose his cool. Even though, the last one was staged, but hey – someone still used a smartphone to record it so my point stands. Anyway, all the good things aside, these technological wonders also have their dark sides – people feeling anxious when their battery dies, messing with our sleep patterns, as well as putting tons of strain on our relationships. Now we can add one more downside to smartphones – the so-called ‘tech neck’. More and…

The Weird Trick That Can Prevent Back Pain During Strength Training

The deadlift is an amazing exercise, specifically for shaping your glutes—our top goal after flat abs as bikini season looms. In fact, we’ve called it The One Exercise Every Woman Should Do—and that’s because it also targets your quads, hamstrings, core and lower back. But lower back issues could be the reason so many women shy away from the powerhouse move. When done with poor form, the deadlift puts too much weight on your back, which not only means your legs and butt won’t get as much love—and could lead to major back pain. The most common (pain-inducing) mistake in…

How to Avoid Lower Back Pain During Sleep

If you have ever used the phrase “I must have slept funny” to explain why you woke up with an achy back, you’re not alone. In fact, research shows one in three people experience back and neck pain after a single night’s sleep. Occasional back pain after sleeping can sometimes stem from your sleeping surface or from the position in which you sleep. Simple changes may help relieve some of the strain your back may incur while you rest. Many physicians suggest trying a new mattress if your bed is too hard or sags in the middle. Mattresses that are too stiff or…

Make Exercise Work for You

What if you could feel good, look better, and save money, all while reducing your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes? You can! Increasing your daily physical activity will do this and more. And best of all, being active for just minutes a day can add years to your life. Research has proven that we all benefit from being active, regardless of age. People who are active are less stressed, live healthier lives, and have lower medical costs. Choose your game. It’s important to enjoy what you’re doing so you won’t get bored or think of physical activity as a chore….

How Do I Protect Myself from UV rays?

People who get a lot of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays are at greater risk for skin cancer. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays, but you don’t have to avoid the sun completely. And it would be unwise to stay inside if it would keep you from being active, because physical activity is important for good health. But getting too much sun can be harmful. There are some steps you can take to limit your exposure to UV rays. Some people think about sun protection only when they spend a day at the lake, beach, or pool. But sun…

Hold the Salt: Healthier Ways to Season Food

Salt has traditionally enhanced the flavor of food, but too much salt can put you at risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, and/or stroke. You can still flavor meat, fish, and vegetables by using salt-free flavorings, spices, and herbs. Some seasonings are clearly labeled “salt-free” or “sodium-free.” But you might also consider dried or fresh herbs and spices: For beef: bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg, pepper, sage, thyme For chicken: marjoram, oregano, paprika, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme, chili powder For pork: garlic, onion, sage, pepper, oregano For lamb: curry powder, garlic, rosemary, mint For veal: bay leaf, curry powder, ginger, marjoram, oregano For fish: curry powder,…

Is It Allergies or a Cold?

Do you get the sniffles around the same time every year? While it may be a common cold, you could be suffering from seasonal allergies. Either can cause coughing, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose. Allergies usually come with itchy eyes, but not fever or the general aches and pains you might get when you have a bad cold. Common colds are caused by viruses, while seasonal allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to things you’re allergic to. Knowing the difference will make it easier to find relief. If you suspect seasonal allergies, try to avoid triggers such…

If You Have Low Back Pain, Stand Up

Most of us have experienced some sort of back pain at one point or another. Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is one of the most common reasons for missed work. Most cases of back pain are mechanical, and not caused by serious conditions. In these cases, temporary relief of symptoms is often given by over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, but is not a permanent solution to the problem. Understanding the cause of the problem can help us find a solution. Modern conveniences have allowed us to become more sedentary. This is a major contributor of the expanding…

Are Your Jeans to Blame for Your Back Pain?

You tend to blame back pain on habits like poor posture, overly aggressive workouts, or an awkward sleeping position. But your clothes may also be to blame, says Kenneth Hansraj, M.D., chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine. Specifically, outfits that are too tight, too stiff, or too constricting can limit your range of motion, which causes more stress and strain to fall on your back, neck, and shoulders, increasing your risk of pain and injury. He says top offenders are skinny jeans, pencil skirts, and compression clothing or shapewear. but don’t worry, you don’t need…

Dear Stress, Let’s Break Up

Stress is what you feel when you have too much to handle. You may have too much work to do, or you may be having trouble with children or a spouse. If stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can affect your health. Where do you hold your stress? We all “hold” stress in different ways. Some people hold stress in their minds. They may worry so much about a problem that they can’t think clearly. If you hold stress in your body, it can affect your back. You may begin to tense your back muscles, which can trigger low…