Relaxing With the Colors of Fall

It's Labor Day (September 1st, 2008) and the air is changing.

The muggies are now history (at least here in Canada) and the kids are back in school.

It's time to start thinking of Fall and the turning of leaves. (don't you love the Fall colors)

So just to get you thinking Fall here is a video for you. Make yourself a nice hot cup of Tea, watch, relax, enjoy and just get in the mood.



Smiles :o)

Gary

Heavenly, Moist, Even Heat...Wow!!! "edenPURE"

First, I have to tell you that we just ordered six of these little gems for six of my friends! One of those friends who has a number of health issues bought one last spring and liked it so much that She wanted another. I had her demonstrate the heater to my other friends and all five made the decision to buy on the spot.

It will be interesting to see how they all like their new heaters I will post reports as things progress.

The order went in today for the six new heaters.

Click Here for a lesson in the heater economics.....video

Smiles :o)

Gary


Now for Sam's article.

Before I tell you what's not to like about the Edenpure quartz infrared heater, I'd like to spend a minute telling you what I do like, and how it works.

How the EdenPure Works

At the heart of these infrared heaters are the quartz bulbs. Similar to incandescent lamps, quartz bulbs are formed by enclosing a tungsten resistance wire within a high purity quartz sheath. They provide even, non drying floor to ceiling heat and, according to the manufacturer, reduce positive ions in the atmosphere responsible for many respiratory problems. The bulbs are rated to last 5,000-7,000 hours and cost around $15 each to replace.

The EdenPure/SunTwin heaters are offered in 3 sizes: 500, 1,000, and 1,500 watt and the unit model numbers coincide with the heat output in watts. So a Suntwin 1500 Elite produces 1,500 watts. The heaters are thermostatically controlled, equipped with a circuit breaker, and have a 1 year warranty.

What I Do Like About the EdenPure Quartz Infrared Heater

It has a cool to the touch exterior and, unlike some other heaters, doesn't have glowing red wires or an exposed fan. This is a big plus if you have kids and/or pets.

Despite the complaints some consumers have with it, I haven't found one that is health or safety related.

What's Not to Like

The #1 complaint of consumers who have actually purchased the heater comes down to this: Too little heat for too much money. Putting aside the cost factor for a moment, I'll address the "too little heat" complaint first.

Too Little Heat

The results you get from a 1,500 watt heater, EdenPure or otherwise, depends on how it's being used. Bear in mind, a 1,500 watt heater is the equivalent of only 5,000 Btus. This is minuscule compared to a typical 65,000 btu oil or gas fired furnace.

If you're depending on a 1,500 watt heater as your only heat source, it will heat only 150 - 200 square feet depending on how well your home is insulated, obstructions to the flow of heat, such as walls, and the outside temperature.

Here's the basic "rule of thumb" formula for calculating space heater capacity:
Watts/10 = heated space in square feet. Or: 1,500/10 = 150.

However, if you use a space heater to supplement your existing heating system by turning back the thermostat and letting the space heater pick up the slack, you could increase the effective heating range of a 1,500 watt heater to 600 square feet.

Too Much Money

I chalk this up to what I call the "furniture factor." You can either buy a space heater that looks like a space heater, or one that complements your decor and doubles as an end table.

An even better example of the "furniture factor" is the electric fireplace. No matter which electric fireplace you look at, they all have the same 1,500 watt heater. Yet, depending on the design of the mantel piece, you could easily spend 2 or 3 times more on an electric fireplace than an EdenPure quartz infrared heater.

The difference is this: Most people who buy an electric fireplace are looking for furniture, but everyone who buys an EdenPure portable heater is looking for heat.

Need help picking out the best space heater for your home? Visit Sam's Guide to Small Space Heaters

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Streubel

I love to hear..."Man you look good!"

I just love to hear those words "Man you look good!" don't you?

I also love to exercise every day...Not a lot, just enough to push the edge of the envelope, GENTLY.

I think it's great fun to manage my bodies food intake. (healthy foods, calorie counting/ shifting and all that.

I just love to research these topics and post great articles on this blog.

If your interests are running along the same lines then why not subscribe to my blog with Google Reader (read the first posts in the archive to see how)

And, why not leave a comment to let me know what it is that you need to know. Who knows it might be Body Therapy, Groin injury exercises, rolfing or anything else that would be interesting and related like Quartz Heaters by "edenPURE". (post coming soon)

This is how we learn by helping each other. Even if you are a newbie or an old hand at research and development.

The internet is fast becoming the tool of choice to find info on almost any need you might have on any given day.

Don't be shy set up your Google Reader subscription so you get every post as it is posted. Tell me what it is you need to know, "that burning question"... I can help you do the research so that we (the readers) can all benefit by sharing....Thanks

Remember "The more that we share means the more that we care!"

Smiles :o)

Gary

How to Lose Weight Quickly by Calorie Counting

A great way to lose weight quickly and more importantly keep it off is to calorie count. On top of a daily exercise routine and eating a diet that is low in saturated fat.

The great thing about calorie counting is that any body can do it. Male or Female, New York or London you can even adopt it to losing weight quickly or over a longer period of time. Its totally up to you, how much weight you want to lose and by when you want to lose it.

Calorie counting is great because you are not restricted in what you eat as long as you exercise to burn off those extra calories. If you look at it like your energy input must be greater than your food input. Try and keep to the average calorie intake and exercise as consistently as possible.

By calorie counting it makes you more aware of the foods you are eating each and every day. You will get better at knowing what foods equal to in terms of calories. Sometimes this can be an eye opener as you will be surprised how many calories are in various foods. Some will be higher than you expected, some will be lower. It's a learning process which helps people understand more about the food they eat.

Just remember that females require approximately 2000 calories a day and males require 2500 calories. These figures are the suggested daily recommendations and people should eat this as a minimum. Also take into consideration your body type and muscle density and adjust accordingly.

Check out our website for more hints and tips on dieting and calorie shifting. Click the link below for loads of information on dieting and exercising. What ever your looking for its and Health and Fitness - Your Guide Health and Fitness - Your Guide Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Elcocks

Counting Calories Frustrating You? Try Calorie Shifting

- by Joey Atlas, Author of Amazon Bestseller - ‘Fatness to Fitness’

—————————————————————————————————————

If Counting Calories is Frustrating You? You May Want to Try Calorie Shifting

I originally wrote this article for my ‘members only’ site, BestFitnessAdvice.com - and its a strategy that has helped a handful of people make some serious improvements in their health and body - primarily from body fat reduction.

Several weeks ago I sent out a free PDF success story that was submitted to me from, Lisa, one of our members. She mentioned the impact that calorie shifting had on her success when combined with the Leg, Butt, Hip and Thigh program, with changing her body and life - and we got a ton of emails asking more about the ‘calorie shifting’ concept.

—————Lisa Before Calorie Shifting - - Lisa After Calorie Shifting

So here it is. Enjoy it - use it - and please share your results with us…

The challenge of eating a nutrient dense, low calorie diet that promotes healthy weight and optimal fitness - while at the same time trying to keep daily caloric intake at appropriate levels for one’s goals (usually fat/weight loss) can be one the most difficult juggling acts to master. In working with many clients with various daily habits and patterns - I’ve realized that a good number of people can benefit from “shifting their calories” instead of just counting calories to accomplish healthy nutrition and weight management.

Depending on the time you wake up in the morning - starting your day with breakfast may not be the ideal way to kick off the fulfillment of your daily nutritional needs. Now, I know this goes against traditional advice, but read on to fully understand this approach as it applies to counting calories.

I’ve worked with clients in the past who have tried to eat breakfast (in many forms and variations) first thing in the morning, and they would find that doing this made them hungrier the rest of the day and it usually led to increased daily caloric intake - enough to cause long term weight gain.

There are some people who wake up relatively early and start the day with breakfast and continue to eat relatively well throughout the day. Often, these types of people, although eating healthy foods, are taking in too many calories in the span of a whole day and either have trouble losing weight or continue to gain weight.

Now, for the caloric shifting part. We will talk about meal shifting (instead of calorie shifting) to keep matters simple - but understand, a meal is made up of calories.

A simple strategy for those who find that keeping a lid on daily caloric intake is a challenge - is to push back the time that the first meal is eaten. Lets call this meal breakfast, even though some people may find it strange to call a meal eaten at 10:30 or 11 am, breakfast.

So, instead of eating your normal breakfast at 6:30 or 8 am, you don’t skip it, you just push it back a few hours - toward your normal lunch time. In effect, you are moving, most likely, 300 - 500 (maybe more) calories and taking them in at a later time, maybe 3 or 4 hours later than normal.

Here is what happens to most people who I coach with this method. They find they are not starving for a big lunch (which also gets pushed back a few hours - to about 2pm (give or take 30 minutes). Additionally, they are not ravenous by dinner time, when most people self destruct and do so until bedtime, by snacking after dinner.

So, a result of this meal shifting is a reduction in ‘overactive appetite’ - not a bad reduction, but a healthy reduction - one that is very helpful in preventing one from over-stuffing the stomach and going beyond their daily caloric needs, day after day after day. (This is how people ’slowly’ gain a lot of weight over the span of several years.)

Lets back up a little - if dinner time food raids are a challenge, then this meal shifting can help you reduce that eating urge after work and put you in a better position to control the volume of food you put on your plate and the number of calories you put in your body.

So, ‘the calorie shift’ is also helpful for people who snack every few hours once they do start eating. By delaying when you start eating in the morning - you also delay the snack intervals you enjoy - and in effect you may reduce your total daily snacks to 2 or 3 instead of 5 or 6 (including your after dinner snack). When all is said and done, by days end you will have taken in less calories than you would have, had you started with an early breakfast.

Common ’side effects’ of this strategy are increased energy, less bloating and stomach discomfort, better sleep patterns and a few others. Hmm - I wonder why?

There are several factors inside of this calorie based fat-loss strategy to be aware of. The types of foods you choose, the volume of foods you choose and the realization that you need less calories than you think you do to function optimally on a day to day basis.

I also realize that this may go against the “You’ll shut down your metabolism, by starving yourself!” crowd. But believe me, this is far from starving yourself, very far. I tell you this firsthand, because it’s how I’ve helped many people take control of their, nutrition, body weight and fitness - and it’s how I manage my own daily nutrition and my metabolism keeps burning right along.

Now, I would like for you to help me circulate this article via social media - so I can share more of these with you in the future. See the ‘Share This’ button below? Click it and you’ll see several easy ways to help me circulate this article. Digg and StumbleUpon are 2 of the easiest, and they are free to join (actually all of them are free) - just click on the link to each and the rest is simple - takes about 90 seconds…

Comments or questions? Just post them below…

Your Trainer,

ShareThis

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Hiding your unattractive problem areas?

Meet Lisa

Can you relate to any of this…

There are so many women… women of all ages, who are desperately unhappy with the unattractive condition of her body. Out of sheer embarrassment she tries to hide her problem areas and trouble spots (sometimes her whole body) behind big, baggy clothing.

She depressingly avoids social situations, like the beach or poolside gatherings, that require exposing parts of her body that make her feel extremely self conscious, as if others are staring at her in disgust…

She bitterly hates clothes shopping because of the pain and humiliation which comes from not being able to buy the latest sexy fashions - but rather has to settle for frumpy, ugly outfits that can cover all the fat layers inside and hide the nasty flab & horrible cellulite…

Her relationships are affected - especially with her man and the intimacy they share - her sex life basically withers away - and if “it” happens - she will only make love in the dark to avoid being ’seen’…

Her self confidence and self esteem slowly wear away until her personality and spirit are almost smothered into non-existence…

She becomes obsessed with how bad she looks and her prevailing thoughts and actions become focused on her anger, frustration and self disappointment…

She might make an effort, sometimes repeated failed efforts, at getting on ’some kind of program’ or trying some phony ’solution in a bottle’ - but after being led astray, swindled or fleeced, she’s just so confused as to what’s legitimate and what’s pure trash…

She’s wasted hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars out of desperation, on scam diet products, misleading beauty treatments and ineffective fitness programs in the past - only to become even more disgusted with her physical appearance - when none of those things did what they promised…

She fears for her future and how much worse her body and her life will get with each passing day as she gets older and older. Will her man ever find her attractive? If she has a man - will he look elsewhere? Or even worse… will he leave her for someone else?

If some of this sounds like you, don’t worry - because it’s simply not your fault… and most importantly - You can fix all of this, and I mean ALL of it…

But it won’t be “Overnight” or with a “Miracle Pill”… If you wanna be lied to and bamboozled - sorry it’s not gonna to happen here - there are plenty of other people willing to screw you over - that’s just not my style - I was raised a bit differently…

Click Here to read and learn more

Maybe Aquatic Therapy is Where You Want To Be....

Article by Richard_Chandler

With summer fast approaching and the weather beginning to warm up, more and more people are turning to the pool as the ideal location for their fitness and physical therapy routine. Whether you are getting in shape, maintaining a toned body, or doing physical therapy exercises to recover from an injury, the pool can be the source of all of your exercise needs when you have the right aquatic therapy and aquatic exercise equipment.

As someone who has been a competitive swimmer and played water polo for years, I am completely familiar with the numerous benefits of aquatic exercise and aquatic physical therapy. Arthritis sufferers and those recovering from injuries will find that the pool serves as an ideal location for low impact exercise with just the right amount of resistance. Swimming is also an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise that not only gives you a full body workout, but also improves your posture by stretching your back. A variety of products are available that allow virtually anyone to not enjoy the pool, but to take advantage of the benefits of aquatic exercise and aquatic therapy.

ExerSwim Portable Swim Current Generator

Often referred to as an "endless pool", the ExerSwim Portable Swim Current Generator enables you to enjoy the cardiovascular benefits of swimming no matter how small or oddly shaped your pool is. Easy to set up and completely safe to use, the ExerSwim gives you a fully adjustable, deep current to swim against that is virtually free of turbulence. By using the ExerSwim Portable Swim Current Generator, you eliminate the need to interrupt your workout by doing turns, making your swimming pool into an endless pool. The ExerSwim can provide speeds of up to 7 miles per hour with its patented propeller drive and includes a low voltage battery with charger.

SwiMP3 V2 Waterproof MP3 Player

For many, swimming a lot of laps in a pool can be boring and monotonous. With the SwiMP3 V2 Waterproof MP3 Player, you can enjoy all of your favorite music underwater while you get a great workout. Unlike other waterproof MP3 players that use ear plugs which can distort your music, the SwiMP3 V2 uses bone conduction technology which transmits the sound waves through your jawbone, giving you crystal clear sound quality. Now you can get more from your swimming workout by setting the pace of your swim to the rhythm of your music. The SwiMP3 V2 works with both Macs and PCs and easily attaches to your goggle strap.

INCLINE Aquatic Underwater Treadmill by Aquabilt

Every time you take a step on land, you put three to seven times the weight of your body on your joints. For those who suffer from arthritis, have had a recent knee or hip replacement, or are recovering from an injury, that added weight and pressure can be unbearable. The INCLINE Aquatic Underwater Treadmill allows you to do a treadmill walking workout underwater, letting the water's natural buoyancy lift the weight off your joints. The double sided treadmill requires no outside power source and features two levels of resistance. The speed of the underwater treadmill is decided by the user. Athletes looking for a low impact workout and physical therapists seeking an alternative method for treating their patients will enjoy the INCLINE Aquatic Underwater Treadmill.

AQx Aquatic Training Shoes

The AQx Aquatic Training Shoes are designed for walking and running underwater. Designed with a series of hydrodynamic fins to increase resistance, the AQx sports water shoes protect your feet from the bottom of the pool while improving traction. They feature a cushioned insole for improved arch support, comfort, and stability. Aqx Aquatic Training Shoes are ideal for those looking for an alternative to walking in the hot sun or a cost effective form of effective low impact exercise.

AquaJogger Active Water Exercise Belt

Because of the low impact characteristics of aquatic exercise and aquatic therapy, working out in the water seems ideal for those with lower back problems. The AquaJogger provides the crucial lower back support you need in the water while suspending the body at an ideal depth for aquatic exercise. It demands use of your core muscles to allow you to maintain a vertical position, strengthening and conditioning them as you tone your legs with a variety of exercises. The AquaJogger's resilient closed-cell foam will not absorb water while the easy to use buckle insures a secure fit.

AquaFins Aquatic Exercise Kit

The AquaFins Aquatic Exercise Kit allows you to get the most out of an underwater workout. The four predator fins are comfortably attached to your wrists or ankles and feature a unique hydrofoil design that provides lift and stability for optimal performance. The exercises featured in the AquaFins guide were designed by physical therapists and are ideal for those recovering from hip replacements and most orthopedic injuries. Each set includes a mesh carrying case for added convenience.

Aquatrend Water Workout Station

Aquatic exercise is a great way to burn calories, increase strength, and improve flexibility without unnecessary strain on your joints. The Aquatrend Water Workout Station is a fitness machine that mounts to the side of your swimming pool and gives you a full body workout. Whether it is your arms, legs, abs, or shoulders you wish to focus on, the multiple configurations of the Aquatrend Water Workout Station offer an assortment of exercises. The increased resistance of water eliminates the need for weights. Each Aquatrend Water Workout Station includes a list of aquatic exercises to get you started.

AquaTrek Wheelchair

More and more physical therapists are exploring the use of aquatic therapy with their patients, but what happens when the patient is confined to a wheelchair? Since therapists' pools are typically designed with ramps, the obvious solution is the AquaTrek Wheelchair. Uniquely designed to be completely submerged underwater, the AquaTrek Wheelchair features a furniture-grade PVC frame with stainless steel fasteners and a stainless steel axle. Unlike most wheelchairs for designed for aquatic therapy, this one does not completely fill with water when submerged.

PAL 1000 Portable Aquatic Pool Lift

So what happens you do not have a ramp going into your pool? Virtually maintenance free and designed corrosion proof materials, the PAL 1000 Portable Aquatic Pool Lift offers a safe and easy for therapists to get their patients in and out of the pool. It requires no permanent installation so it can be set up anywhere along the pool deck and the stored when not in use thanks to the locking wheels. The waterproof hand control allows the PAL 1000 Pool Lift to be operated by the user or an attendant. The pool lift is powered by a rechargeable battery and a mechanical actuator that can lift patients up to 300 pounds. An optional stability vest, spine board attachment, and armrests are also available.

Spa-N-A-Box Portable Spa

When someone has sore muscles or joints, they often think of how nice it would be to have a spa. With the Spa-N-A-Box Portable Spa, you can enjoy relaxing water jets on your pool deck, under an awning, or even indoors. It takes very little time to set up and requires no tools, plumbing, or wiring. The portable spa includes a thermal insulated cover, its own filtration system, and attractive rigid sidewalls that make a great addition to any home. At just over six feet in diameter, the Spa in a Box Portable Spa can be placed virtually anywhere.

Regardless of your level of fitness or the type of physical limitations you have to deal with, aquatic exercise and aquatic therapy can provide an assortment of health benefits, including relief from arthritis pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and low impact exercise. With summer just around the corner, it's time to take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy exercising in the water.

Richard Chandler researches innovative new healthcare devices, medical supplies, mobility aids, and interesting consumer products. For more information on Aquatic Exercise Equipment, Aquatic Therapy Devices, or other fitness and physical therapy products, please visit http://www.activeforever.com or visit the Medical Supplies Blog at http://www.medicalsuppliesblog.com. To hear about more product solutions for a variety of conditions as well as discounts and weekly specials, sign up for our free eNewsletter "Discovery Digest" at http://www.activeforever.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chandler

Will You Need an Exercise Mat.... What Kind?

Shopping for exercise mats is not easy because there are so many options from which to choose. For example, there are mats for pilates, yoga, weightlifting, stretching and more. So which one is right for you?

Keep in mind that in addition to making workouts easier, exercise mats also make the process more comfortable. As a result, completing the various exercises becomes more enjoyable, thereby more effective. Each of the various exercise mats are made from different material and of different quality. You really want to buy an exercise mat that (a) fits your body well (b) provides ample support required by your body's pressure points during workout and (c) can be carried easily.

Generally, exercise mats are thin. While it might not seem like they would provide any support, if made from quality material, they do. Typically, exercise mats come in a number of choices to include classic, deluxe, cotton and chemical free, and others. When buying, you will have a choice of synthetic materials such as PVC or latex, as well as organic materials. However, some of the more popular types of exercise mats are a perfect blend of natural rubber and jute.

Since most people use exercise mats barefoot, it is important to choose the material that feels good when stepped on. If you are using a more comfortable exercise mat, you will be able to perform your exercises with the best posture possible. With this, you will get better workout results faster because you will be exercising more effectively.

Another consideration when shopping for exercise mats has to do with perspiration. Caution, because there are definitely some mats that become slippery which could result in you injuring yourself. Choosing the right exercise mat will eliminate this problem. You most definitely want to take all of the necessary steps to make your workouts as safe as possible. Most high quality exercise mats are designed and made with body movements in mind.

Therefore, whether you are a serious yoga or Pilate's instructor or someone who recently joined the local gym, it is important to choose exercise mats carefully. Essentially, keeping in mind your height and weight will help you select the right size. Then, make sure you buy the best quality mat you can afford, which will cut down on slippage while lasting you for years. Finally, if you have an interest in helping the environment, you can choose organic and go green.

For more expert information on exercising, including shopping for exercise mats, visit us at http://exercise-expert.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brooks_Donner

Do You Need a Physical Therapist?

If you play sports or other physical activities, then you know that injuries come with the territory. Depending on the type of injury and the extent of your injury, you may need physical therapy. Physical therapy is the process of rehabilitation and recovery from your injury or physical ailment. Physical therapy works on recovery of your musculoskeletal system. Massage therapy is used as part of the recovery process. Some of the more advanced therapy clinics are starting to use massage chair recliners as part of their arsenal of tools to help people recover from their injuries.

If you start a physical therapy program, then you will be assigned a physical therapist. The therapist is a trained professional to help restore your strength, motion and activity. The therapist understands the mechanics of your body and will help design a treatment program for you. You will learn specific stretches, exercises and other specialized techniques to help your body recover. You may also use specific equipment that can address particular issues. Massage therapy has become an important tool in the recovery arsenal and many clinics are making use of massage chair recliners.

Your therapist is trained in different surgeries, treatments and rehabilitation techniques and goals. The therapist will design a recovery treatment targeting the areas of your body that needs greater flexibility or strength. If you are recovering from surgery, then the therapist will be knowledgeable about different surgical procedures. The therapist will help in setting goals as you work through the initial limitations of your physique. Some of the important physical therapy tools are stretching, exercises and massage therapy.

Stretching is important to help regain lost flexibility. The muscles may be tight, the joints stiff and you may have scar tissue. These reduce your range of motion and decrease flexibility. Stretching helps to elongate the muscles. This helps to stretch the muscles helping their elasticity. A frequent and continuous regimen of daily stretching helps to speed recovery. Your therapist will design a stretching routine which will help focus on restoring the range of motion.

Exercises are important to help rebuild strength. When we have an injury, we tend to protect that area. Protecting that area is usually to isolate and immobilize it. In other words, we tend not to use the injured area. This helps to prevent further injury, but at the expense of strength and conditioning. To help rebuild the body, exercises help to build up strength, endurance and agility. Physical therapy clinics have a wide array of exercise equipment from treadmills, stationary bikes, weights and more. These help you focus building up a particular set of muscles.

Massage therapy is important to assist the total healing process. The muscle tissue breaks down and its fibers become shorter. This makes the muscles tighter. Massage therapy starts where stretching leaves off. Massage therapy helps to penetrate deeper into the muscle tissue to help elongate and invigorate the muscles. This helps the healing process by restoring flexibility throughout the muscle and scar tissue. Massage is given either by a massage therapist or a massage chair. Massage chairs come with a variety of therapeutic massages, heat therapies and even traction. These not only provide effective therapy but also help you to relax and clear your mind.

Whether you are a professional tennis player or a beginner skier, injuries can happen to anyone. If you do find yourself in physical therapy, work on setting goals to recover. Find yourself an excellent physical therapy clinic. Make sure they have qualified people, proper exercise equipment and massage therapy. And if you need massage therapy, make sure a massage chair is part of your recovery plans.

James is an accomplished massage therapist and understands human healing. Your health is your most important asset. Protect it with the Best Massage Chair for your holistic health. Research massage chair recliner brands from Panasonic, Omega and Sanyo. Peruse Massage Chair Reviews Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Knolan

Seven Simple Steps to Back Pain Prevention

Who is watching your back?

Seven steps to back pain prevention

Well the stats say that more than four out of every five people will at some point in their lives suffer from some degree of back pain. This condition in the United States can cause 300 million days per year of restricted activity or an average of one day per year for every man, woman and child in the entire country.

It can also cost the US economy nearly 150 billion dollars in medical treatments and lost productivity.

You may ask, "What can I do to help prevent back pain from taking away my active lifestyle and costing me hundreds and even thousands of dollars in medical costs?"

Well the pain in our back is not necessarily the sign of serious injury. So to prevent and relive aches from common causes here are seven things that you can do.

1. Get up and move around (every half hour or so) Don't get so focused on your work that you forget to get up. This moving about will stimulate your blood circulation which in turn will nurture back tissues. Use a timer (egg) to remind yourself to take a stretch break and move around a bit.

2. Watch your posture. When you sit maintain a natural curve in your lower back. to get the idea you can use a sponge roll or a rolled hand towel in the small of your back to help in training your body how to sit. Use a proper chair and avoid the use of overstuffed, sagging chairs.

3. Get your sleep. Check out your mattress for firmness. When you are lying on your side you want your spine to be straight. Try sleeping with a pillow between your knees (or under them if you are lying on your back) If you wake in the morning and you're comfortable, the mattress that you are sleeping on would appear to be just fine.

4. Exercise. A well-supported back depends on strong muscles in your midsection. By doing a few simple exercises on a regular basis you can tone your abdominal, side and back muscles. Simply set aside a few minutes in your day for your regular exercise routine and just do it.

5. De-Stress. Stress doesn't create back pain but it can magnify it. Try some relaxation techniques such as message or progressive muscle relaxation. My favorite is simply sitting passively in my favorite chair while listening to my selection of quiet time music. Don't forget to have that cup of tea.

6. delegate the lifting. Lifting is where we can injure our backs so think twice about doing it. We may think we are still twenty but our backs have endured those extra years and now if you over lift or do repetitive lifting you can exceed the endurance of your back muscles. So simply think before you do it and let a younger back do the heavy lifting.

7. Don't twist and lift. Our backs hate it when we twist and lift so remember to turn your entire body and don't overextend your reach. If you are at your desk simply turn your chair rather than twisting your spine.

So there you have seven simple tips that we all can do to keep our backs healthy and strong.

Put these on your fridge or anywhere else that will remind you every day to watch your back.

Don't we all appreciate it when someone is watching our backs.

For more on maintaining a healthy body visit Physical Therapy Exercises

Smiles :o)

Gary

Boy do I have a stiff neck!

Welcome

Since I have been spending a lot of time on the computer this month I have been getting pain and stiffness in the neck area.

I thought that this holistic exercise therapy looked interesting and that I would give it a try.

The Neck Twist is an effective stiff neck exercise that relieves pain by loosening and stretching the neck muscles and tendons and stimulating the nerves in the cervical vertebrae. This particular stiff neck exercise can be done standing or sitting. Check with your health professional first though if you have a history of neck problems or you haven't exercised for some time. Also included below are two highly effective acupressure points for relieving and preventing stiff neck and associated headaches.

Check it out here.

Till next post

Smiles :0)

Gary

An Introduction to Rolfing

Welcome

There are many therapies that are used today to assist our bodies to regain and maintain the abilities that we once had.

One of these therapies is called Rolfing.

You may be quite familiar with this therapy but in case you are not here is a video entitled "An Introduction to Rolfing".



If this topic is something that you would like to know more about then just post a comment and we can follow up with additional information in future posts.

I would like to thank Jim for suggesting Rolfing as a topic to look into.

Till our next post may we be a healthier me.

Smiles :o)

Gary

Interesting Post...Food for Thought

Here is a post that popped up in my Google Reader today that I thought that we all might find interesting and provides food for thought.

Titled Physical Therapy Exercise: the most effective

When most people hear the word rehabilitation these days they think of drug rehabilitation, because we are so used to seeing people around the world getting addicted to drugs and going into rehab. However, the actual definition of rehab refers to a program that is used to help a person recover from some sort of an injury or an illness.

Physical therapy exercise is critical to get the person back onto their feet  literally  and help them get back to living life as they once did. There are quite a few different options when it comes to physical therapy exercise, different exercises that focus on specific areas of the body.

Best Physical Therapy Exercise

When it comes to the best physical therapy exercise, there are a few exercises in particular which are extremely effective and which you will want to learn more about.

Balance exercises are very helpful, and doing a simple leg stance is a great way to get started. The single leg stance is a great exercise to help you improve balance. All you need to do in order to perform this exercise is stand behind a chair, hold onto the chair back with both hands, and then slowly lift one leg off the ground.

You want to maintain your balance standing on one leg for 5 seconds, and then return to starting position and repeat 5 times. Perform with the opposite leg.

Another exercise you should try is for the groin. A groin stretch occurs when the muscles of the inner thighs are stretched beyond their normal length, and this results in tears within the muscle that causes pain and inflammation.

To perform the seated stretch you want to sit with your knees and bent and feet together in a criss-cross fashion. Gently press the tops of the knees down towards the floor with your elbows, and then stop when a slight stretch is felt. Make sure that you stop here and do not keep pushing, otherwise you can end up seriously injuring yourself. Then hold this for about ten seconds and repeat five times.

Exercising daily plays a crucial role in the process of healing and recovering from injury or disease, and this is the goal of physical therapy exercise. Stretching and strengthening your muscles and joints is critical if you want to get better, and so all the exercises mentioned here will be very helpful to you in terms of your recovery.

Click here to visit the blog.

Till next post,

smiles :o)

Gary

For the Beginner...

If you are a newbie don't distress.

Let's start at the beginning.

There was a time in every exercisers life when they didn't know where to begin. If you are at that stage, we will provide you with the help and information you need to take that first step.

So to get started click here

Have a GREAT! day...

talk soon,

smiles :o)

Gary

Warm-Ups...

Ok so Welcome Back

Let's begin with the most logical step to all exercises, the warm-up.

There are a variety of ways to warm up, ranging from an extended cardio session to almost none at all. Each has its drawbacks and merits. Do whichever one you feel comfortable with or gives you the best results. Beginning trainers should stick with the first and second types of warm-ups while advanced trainers may wish to try the third type.

To get warm-up info and more click here

Enjoy your warm-up and stay tuned as we will now be searching the net for you to bring you the very latest in Physical Therapy Exercises information as it becomes available.

I love to receive comments so please feel free to post your comments. Also if you wish to pass on any of my posts to a friend there is a send email link on every post for just that purpose.

till next post ,

Smiles :o)

Gary

How can I manage all of my RSS feeds?...

Welcome back

Well I trust that by now you have your Google Reader account set up and have subscribed to my "Physical Therapy Exercises" blog...Awesome!...

However if not then just review the videos in the previous posts and go get set up. (it only takes like ten minutes)

Now you may have done some surfing the Net and found some other blogs or news feeds that you have also subscribed to as well. So now (or at least sometime soon) you will ask How can I manage all of my RSS feeds?

I am so happy that you asked because again Ed Dale has produced a video that answers that very question.

Let's watch Ed's video to see how.



If you wish to sign up for the "Thirty Day Challenge" training then click here.

Hay you don't have to . These videos are here just to teach you to use Google Reader. (a very powerful internet tool)

Now you could continue to check back to the blog to see if there is anything new but that is so " old way" now you know a "new way" to have posts come to your Google Reader whenever one is posted.

So now it's time to start bringing to you all the latest and greatest on the topic of "Physical Therapy Exercises" and we will do just that in our next posts.

So if there is any particular type of exercise and/or application or you have a question or concern please make a comment as to what you would like to know or see.

If you would prefer to send me an email then my email address is in my profile on the Right. (just remember that emails are not private either, don't write anything that you wouldn't publish in the newspaper)

You can also follow me on Twitter

I hope you are all set up now and ready to receive new posts in your very own Google Reader.

Enjoy,

Smiles :o)

Gary

So How do I use my Google Reader?...

Welcome back

As I promised I wanted to help you learn to use Google Reader to speed up how you get information from the internet.

In the Common Craft video we learned how to turn the arrows around so that we get information coming to us rather that having to go look for it. (much more efficient)

So now lets look in on Ed Dale of Thirty Day Challenge to see a bit more about how to find the information that we wand and bring it to our computer from the World Wide Web. (there is a good reason why it is called the World Wide Web) Hugh amounts of content coming into our little computer from all around the world.

Lets watch Ed's first video on using Google Reader.



If you want to join the Thirty Day Challenge just Click Here to sign up.

Don't worry you don't have to because we will feature Ed's next video on managing your Google Reader on our very next post.

Till our next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

New info on Physical Therapy Exercises...

Goood Afternoon

If you are looking for new information on the topic of "Physical Therapy Exercises" then stay tuned as I am setting up the latest technology and taking the very latest in training on just how to search through all of the clutter on the net to bring you the very latest on the subject.

Have you got your RSS feed set up? No! Then go back to the welcome post, view the video there and then go get it set up. Then add my blogg to your reader by clicking on the orange links in the top Right of this page.

Together we will stay on top of the very latest in information, videos and podcasts just to mention three.

Till next time...Stay Tuned!...

Smiles :o)

Gary

ps If you are interested in a particular type of exercise just post me a comment. First come, first served.

Welcome to "Physical Therapy Exercises"...

Welcome...

Physical Therapy Exercises is a new Blog that for the time being is using the "Blogger" blogging platform. This is simply to do some testing and see if there is sufficient interest by persons who may be interested in this market niche to support blogging on this topic.

There are about 300 searches per day using this exact keyword phrase "Physical Therapy Exercises". There are about 35, 000 competing web pages and the estimated visitor value of this particular key word phrase is in the neighborhood of $90,000.00 a year.

The plan at this point is to put up posts that would interest the Physical Therapy Exercises niche.

These posts will contain as much free content as I can possibly find using the latest internet tools to stay on top of the very latest information on the subject of Physical Therapy Exercises.

Some posts will also contain links to websites that provide valuable resources on the topic of Physical Therapy Exercises both free and commercial.

So click the RSS orange reader button in the top Right corner to capture all of our future posts to your favorite reader, Then sit back relax and enjoy. (if you haven't yet you should set up one of the many reader services that are available on the net, one popular one is of course Google Reader)

Let's watch this video by Common Craft to learn just what RSS is.



Now go set up your own RSS Reader. (I use Google Reader)

Talk soon,

Smiles

Gary