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Tag - Back Pain

Bad Posture and Back Pain: Are They Really Linked?

Aside from flowing off the tongue nicely due to some awesome alliteration, is there any link between back pain and bad posture? The correct answer is yes. The correct answer is also no. The No Argument In general, it is hard to specifically pinpoint any cause of back pain. Even structural injuries to the spine, such as stenosis, fail to be good statistical indicators of an increased likelihood of pain. One person will experience extreme pain, while another person will be…

3 Ways to Combat Back Pain on Your Summer Road Trip

Summer is finally here! At last, it’s time to dedicate your weekends to warm, sunny days at the pool, adventures in the great outdoors, and long road trips to exciting destinations. Unfortunately, traveling to many vacation spots requires sitting in a car (or on a plane) for a bit longer than your back can handle. As we’ve discussed in the past, sitting all day is a surefire way to invite back pain into your life. Being sedentary often leads to…

5 Reasons We Love Pittsburgh Bike Share

Photo courtesy BikePGH If you’ve been out and about around the city these past few weeks, you’ve probably seen these stations popping up all over town. No, those aren’t confetti cannons -- they’re Healthy Ride stations! Healthy Ride is Pittsburgh’s new bike sharing program. With 50 stations and over 500 bikes available for short-term rental throughout the city, Pittsburgh has become one of many cities embracing this new active model of public transportation. We couldn’t be more excited about it,…

Best Workout Machines to Combat Back Pain

Back pain can make daily life debilitating. In response to the discomfort, many people try to limit physical activity or stop working out entirely. While this is an understandable approach and may be a good short-term solution, when done for too long it can actually undermine healing. Instead, try exercises that strengthen the muscles in the core and back to rehabilitate the spine and relieve back pain. For those dealing with chronic back pain, the gym may seem like a…

3 Ways to Prevent Nighttime Back Pain

Not getting enough sleep each night is enough to make you feel irritable the following morning. When your lack of sleep is due to an aching back, it can make the hours you spend out of bed even more painful. If back pain keeps you tossing and turning, you may need to make certain adjustments before heading to bed at night. Here are some ideas for preventing nighttime back pain to help you rest easy: Try Bedtime Yoga Not only…

Why Poor Posture is a Pain in the Neck

There’s a reason why “That’s a pain in the neck!” is a common phrase: Neck pain is not an unusual problem. With the many hours we spend hunched over computers in this day and age, the poor posture that frequently causes neck pain is a national health issue. According to the American Osteopathic Association, more than a quarter of Americans report being affected by neck pain. How Does Poor Posture Cause Neck Pain? Neck pain often worsens over time. This…

Avoiding Back Pain While Cycling

Everywhere you turn, people seem to be hopping onto the bicycle bandwagon. Not only are bikes a fun, eco-friendly way to travel, but cycling is also an extremely effective workout. According to the federal government, biking is one of the safest ways to get aerobic exercise. In fact, the health benefits of cycling are substantial enough to outweigh any negative effects by a factor of twenty to one. Cycling does incredible things for the body. It is associated with improving…

Don’t Let Muscle Strain Hold You Back

Muscle strain is never an easy pain to manage. This is especially true with muscle strains in the lower back. If you’ve ever heard of someone “pulling out” their back, they are most likely experiencing a strained muscle. This is not an uncommon experience -- in fact, over 80% of the population will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. Back problems are actually the most common complaint to health care professionals after headaches. The back…

Understanding the Human Spine

When people imagine the spine, they often see it as one continuous structure, when in reality, the spine is an incredibly complex grouping of intricate pieces. For people with back pain, it can be difficult to know exactly which piece is causing issues. Back pain doesn’t happen in isolation -- there is always a reason behind it. Whether you’re putting too much stress on a particular part of your back or experiencing muscle pain, it can save you both time…

Guide to the Biggest U.S. Marathons

Running a marathon is about more than just crossing the finish line. Training for a 26.2-mile run can help increase your endurance, strengthen your heart, and build muscle. The training process can also reduce stress by producing endorphins. The experience of training and completing a marathon simply can’t be beat: not only will you get in great shape, but it can also be an opportunity to support a charity, get out of your comfort zone, make friends, and inspire your…

How to Set Fitness Goals You Can Actually Achieve

With 2015 finally here, fitness enthusiasts and regular folk alike are setting resolutions and goals for the new year. And yes, starting off the year with clear goals that promote good health is a great way to foster a positive mindset and general wellness for the next 12 months and beyond. However, it can be tempting (and very common!) to "overshoot" and set goals that might not be entirely realistic. Completing three triathlons in a year might sound like a…