Category: Uncategorized
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Short Muscles vs. Stiff Muscles vs. Tight Muscles
“Should I stretch more?” – In the world of orthopedics, the answer given to this question is usually a resounding “YES”… but the answer is not that simple. From Physicians and Physical Therapists all the way to Coaches and Personal Trainers – the consensus is that stretching should be part of your regular health routine…but…
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Does Weakness Cause Pain?
I LOVE strength. I actually have the word tattooed on me! I also love solving complex puzzles…and instant gratification. (Don’t we all??). I’ve worked within the Strength, Conditioning and Rehab realm for over two decades and have been taught and mentored by some of the best in the world. It’s time to address an EXTREMELY…
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Anxiety – Body, Mind – or BOTH?
Heart palpitations. Stomach sinks. Palms get sweaty and cold. Thoughts become erratic, racing and filled with doom. Anxiety is an extremely common condition affecting more than 3 million new people each year. While the most common treatments involve medication (chemical) and/or counseling (mental/social), these methods can’t address the physical aspects of this condition. Clients that…
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Impacts of COVID related stress on the muscle system
Now that I have talked about effects on all the other systems of the body, I will focus on how stress affects the muscles. The initial response to flight or fight mode is all the larger muscles in the legs like hamstrings, quads prepare you to run away. The upper body muscles like biceps, triceps…
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Shoulder Pain: “Why does it hurt so much?”
There exists a lack of association between findings on MRIs and pain. In other words, what is seen and reported from an MRI may have all or nothing to do with the pain you are experiencing. There is plenty of evidence that people who have no pain will have positive findings on an MRI. Much…
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Sleeplessness from quarantine??? Here is why!
We are going through an unprecedented time and in addition to so many other adverse effects, COVID is causing sleepless nights. The effects of stress on mental and physical health are getting worse. The acute phase of stress leads to a reduction in sleep, vigilance and an adrenaline rush in the system to prepare you…
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Is it COVID or fear of COVID challenging the immune system?
People with underlying conditions or immune compromised patients are severely affected by COVID. Can fear of getting COVID suppress your immune system making you prone to illness? Initial phases of stress begins to slow the immune system. As the stress continues immune deficiency sets in, which makes you more prone to infection – like sore…
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Does stress affect your breathing???
Have you ever felt like you are unable to take a deep breath when you are anxious, frightened or angry? With heightened stress, the diaphragm shuts down and you start using all the accessory muscles in your chest and neck… and the breathing becomes fast and very shallow. When the stress continues longer, it creates…
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Endocrine Response to Stress
The Endocrine system causes changes at the tissue level as well as changes in the brain due to the fight or flight mode initiated by stress. The changes at the tissue level include fatigue, sensitivity, soreness, tiredness and sluggishness – which leads to deconditioning. Changes at the brain level can be serious, like short term…
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Sympathetic response to stress
Stress (fear, panic, anxiety) leads to activating the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). When you are in that mode the brain secretes hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) to keep you wide awake – your pupils dilate, heart rate increases, blood is diverted to areas in need of extra blood and oxygen and you become hyper…