Mechanics of the spine Most instances of low back pain is mechanical in nature, meaning there is some sort of disruption in the way the components of the back fit together and move. The spine consists of a column of bones (vertebrae) that are held together by muscles, tendons (that
What is “me” time? There are various definitions of “me” time, for instance: “Time spent relaxing on one’s own as opposed to working or doing things for others, seen as an opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy.” (Oxford Dictionary.) “Time to do what you want to do.” (Cambridge Dictionary.)
Recent research has cast some doubt on the popular belief that the left side of the brain is dominant in logical people, while the right side is dominant in creative people. A comprehensive and highly scientific study done at the University of Utah utilized brains scans of more than 1
Within our bodies lurks a silent, active and extremely dangerous assassin called Inner fat. It goes under a number of aliases – Abdominal fat, or Active fat, or Visceral fat, as it is known in medical circles. Visceral fat is quite bulky and hides out of reach, deep inside the
Many people rely on prescription sleeping medication to be able to fall asleep and to have a good night’s rest. These sleeping medications, usually sleeping tablets, are referred to as sedative hypnotics in the medical profession, and are not designed for long-term use. There are three main categories of sedative-hypnotics:
Healthy sleeping habits and a good night’s sleep (at least seven hours) allow the body time to do important physiological maintenance. During the initial phase of light sleep, the vast amount of information received that day is erased, and only the memories of importance are kept. Then one goes into
What is strength training? Regular physical activity is essential for good health and includes walking and other activities that get the heart rate up. The value of strength training as a key component of overall health and fitness is often overlooked, especially once you reach your 50’s or beyond. It
Interval training is a form of exercise where the pace of the training is purposely speeded up and slowed down at regular intervals. Burst of fast-paced walking can gradually be introduced to your walking routine. Walk as fast as you can at a pace you can maintain for a short
A good bout of laughter can be highly infectious. There are lots of truth in the saying “laughter is the best medicine”. Various chemical reactions take place in the body when you are having a good laugh, and the scientific study of the psychological, physiological and neurological effects of laughter
Smoking causes about 30% of all cancer deaths in the USA, and 1 in 4 in the UK. A study done in South Africa warns that for those who started smoking in their teens, there is a 50% chance of dying of a smoking related disease by the age of
