by John W. Mitchell This time of the year I find there is an inverse relationship between the hours of daylight and my enthusiasm for exercise. The shortest day of the year – the Winter Solstice - occurs…
by David Throop If you’re like most people, you know you should probably get up off the couch and get some exercise. You may even have some specific fitness goals in mind and are eager to get started.…
by John W. Mitchell A few years ago my personal physician enrolled his entire practice in a national study to measure the effects of patient behavior modification as a form of preventative medicine. He was an older doctor…
Understanding the Spine The lumbar spine is designed as a series of cushioning and gaskets. A lot of people incorrectly refer to the disc as a shock absorber, and sometimes they’ll call it a jelly donut, but that’s…
by Virginia Cunningham When you were younger, it might have been fun to play outside in the crisp cold air, especially if it was a Saturday afternoon and a game of touch football. The cold breeze was refreshing,…
It seems everyone has a different view of fat. In case this is not yours, let me just say, fat is not the enemy! Yes, your body can make its own fat, but dietary fat is essential for…
The Kinetic Chain: What is it? No surprise, our bodies are complex systems. What we sometimes forget, though, is that everything is interconnected. So when one part is not working optimally, it throws off ten others. Remember singing…
You’re not alone. An approximate 80% of the population will have back pain at one time or another. In America, over 26 million suffer from frequent back pain. It can range from soreness that will go away in…
In a physiological sense, posture is the relationship among the skeleton, muscles, and other tissues of the body as it is held upright against gravity. It is as important to good health as proper nutrition, exercise, and a…
Looking for an easy to adopt, whole body workout? Look no further than the stability ball. Inexpensive, lightweight, and easily incorporated into any routine, the stability ball has become a fitness staple. Whether doing targeted exercises, or just…
We use our back for pretty much everything. Even simple activities usually require some effort on its part, and even simple activities can cause a problem. The most common back problems are muscle pulls and strains. Although quite…
