Almost everyone has been told to sit up straight, stop slouching, or quit looking down at their phone. The moment someone mentions it, we snap into what we imagine is good posture: head up, shoulders back, stomach tight. A few minutes later we drift right back. It turns out that much of what we believe…
Arthritis of the neck, known medically as cervical spondylosis, is a form of osteoarthritis affecting the bones, discs, and joints of the neck. Over the years, the discs lose height and water content, cartilage wears, and the body may form bony growths called osteophytes. It is extremely common with age, and many people have it…
Flexibility is easy to ignore until it is gone. Most of us spend long hours sitting and hunched over screens, which gradually leaves the hips, shoulders, and back stiff. Good flexibility and mobility make everyday movement easier, support better form when you exercise, and help you move comfortably as you age. Stretching reliably improves range…
Most of us learned to prepare for exercise by reaching down to touch our toes and holding a few stretches. It turns out that what you do before activity, and the type of movement you choose, can either help or hurt your performance. A good warm-up is about getting your body ready to move, not…
Stretching is a valuable part of staying mobile and preventing injury, but done carelessly it can occasionally cause problems rather than solve them. If you are new to stretching, or returning to a muscle group you have not worked in a while, a little care up front goes a long way. Here are six practical…
Stretching is one of the simplest things you can do for your body, yet there is a lot of confusion about when, how, and even whether it helps. This is a plain-language guide to what stretching does, the main types, and how to use it sensibly. What Stretching Actually Does Stretching is mainly about maintaining…
Neck pain can feel alarming. The neck sits close to the head and houses important nerves, so when it hurts, the body can feel like it is shutting down. The reassuring reality is that most neck pain does not have a serious cause. With neck pain, the bark is usually worse than the bite. This…
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor, yet many people end up frustrated, bouncing between providers or being told simply to live with it. Knowing who to see, and when, can make the difference between a quick recovery and months of unnecessary discomfort. The reassuring news is that most…
Urinary incontinence is the unintentional loss of bladder control, ranging from a small leak when you cough or sneeze to a sudden, overwhelming urge that is hard to control. It is very common, especially in women and with age, and although many people feel embarrassed to bring it up, it is a medical problem with…
For many people living with pain, chiropractic care, massage, physical therapy, acupuncture and medication are all possible avenues toward a better quality of life. Looking at the scientific literature, though, strength training has some of the strongest clinical evidence supporting its use in managing pain. Strength training tends to conjure images of bulging muscles and…
