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Tag - Back Pain

Off on the Right Foot: Tips for New Runners

Many people are unsure if running is the right exercise for them, and more often than not, the answer is yes.  Running is an excellent exercise that has been proven to increase your quality of life, energy level, and health.  However, running can cause certain health issues and injuries if you approach it unprepared as a first-timer. The first step to being a good runner is being an informed one! Just Run Most believe that running further and longer is…

Avoiding Injury While Lifting Heavy Objects

Although we’d love if it were the case, there’s no way to live your daily life while avoiding any potential strain on your back. Be it at work, at home, or anywhere in between, sometimes you have to lift heavy objects. And yes, your back plays a large role in stabilizing your body when doing so. But by understanding how your body’s positioning affects your biomechanics when lifting, you can reduce your risk of a back strain or a more…

Use Your Brain–Vary Your Terrain!

The treadmill: It’s a godsend for serious runners who want to get their workout in even when the weather is bad. There’s no wind resistance, you can adjust the grade of your “terrain,” ease the impact on your joints--or in some gyms, even watch TV! But of course, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Running exclusively on a treadmill--or any other type of terrain, for that matter--can prevent you from achieving the well-rounded workout…

Celebrating an Honor and Looking Ahead

Pittsburgh is rapidly becoming a hotbed for the biomedical sciences and innovation--there’s a reason why some of the world’s most novel medical solutions come out of Western PA and that the President continues to make Pittsburgh a stop on his nationwide tech tours. Pittsburgh is packed with great science and business minds--and that’s just one reason we're thrilled that our CEO and founder, Kelly Collier, has been named the 2014 Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Western Pennsylvania Small…

In Recovery, Compression Makes an Impression

One of the distinguishing characteristics of our posture-training shirt is the way it hugs the user’s body. While many traditional spine braces are made of hard components that force your body into the “ideal” posture, ActivAided comfortably, naturally trains your body into better posture--equipped with scapular correction straps, an abdominal engagement system, and a lumbar stabilization belt, the shirt gently activates your core, relieves pressure on the spine, and encourages good posture. And that’s one of the ways ActivAided differs from traditional back…

How Do I Rest After Working Out?

If you've ever seen a personal trainer or done any rudimentary research on an effective exercise routine, you know that rest and recovery are a crucial part of getting--and staying--in shape. However, this idea of "rest" takes many forms. Shortening workouts, trying different exercises, and even skipping your workout altogether are all options that can provide you with some recovery benefit. And even if you choose to take a full rest day, you can optimize your body's recovery with proper…

Do I Need Physical Therapy?

You don’t need to be in your golden years or be recovering from a serious injury in order to benefit from physical therapy. In fact, physical therapists are trained to treat most common chronic issues, including the normal aging process and general wear and tear that your body experiences over the years. Although many patients are in physical therapy for knee, hip, and spine issues, there are a range of other ailments that can be treated by a licensed physical…

Reduce Aches and Pains with a Proper Bike Fit

One of the primary reasons people turn to cycling is because it’s relatively low-impact, compared to other forms of exercise like running or weight lifting. Low-impact exercises like cycling can reduce joint damage, help you lose weight, and improve your cardiovascular health--but without a properly sized and adjusted bicycle, you may miss out on these important benefits. Whether you’re a competitive triathlete or just enjoy the occasional weekend ride, a properly fitted bike can also help you improve your pedaling…

Getting Your Posture to “Work” for You

If you’re reading this at work, take a moment to check in with your body. How is your back positioned? Is your computer screen in your natural field of view? Is your chair at an optimal height? When was the last time you got up? If you work at a desk for 40 hours a week, like many Americans, awareness of your body’s ergonomics and posture can help prevent big back problems down the road. When we move around, the…

Improve Posture by Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Just like a car’s tires are the only part of the vehicle that touch the road, your feet provide support for your entire body. So, when the feet do not provide optimal support for the rest of the body, the back often bears the brunt. Studies published in Orthopedic Physical Assessment indicate that 80 percent of people may experience foot problems at some point in their lives, although they might not even notice it--and about the same percentage will experience noticeable…

Recover After Workouts with Water, Protein, Carbs

We’ve all been there. You finish a tough, satisfying workout and that familiar feeling hits: Hunger. When you complete a strenuous workout, your body is craving three things: Water (to replace all the water you lost through perspiration), carbohydrates (to replace all the energy you just burned), and protein (to repair your muscle tissue). Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, LDN, a certified sports dietetics and nutrition consultant for the Chicago Cubs, recommends that you eat a snack of about 200…