Dear Dr. Messerly: Should I stretch before exercise? To stretch or not to stretch? That is the new controversial question in the athletic world. Actually, athletes and healthcare providers alike believe that stretching does provide benefits. The real questions that we need to ask are, “Which stretches should I do?” and “When should I do them?” There … To stretch or not to stretch?
The fact that you are asking the question is a great start. There are many ways you can offer support to someone who is in constant and chronic pain. First, understand that chronic pain is not just a symptom. Chronic pain can be debilitating and life-changing. Until recently, pain was considered an indication of an … How can I support a family member who suffers from chronic pain?
There’s a reason we adopted the phrase “a pain in the neck” to describe something annoying. There’s nothing quite so irritating as neck pain. Just think about it. How many times do you turn your head, look down at your desk, or look up at your computer screen. When your neck hurts, it limits your … Work and school can mean pain for your neck
It’s coming. By tomorrow, we may have 9 to 12 inches of snow to move. If you shovel snow the “good old fashioned way,” it’s a great workout. You can burn nearly 400 calories an hour. However, shoveling snow incorrectly could be one of the main reasons 80 percent of Americans suffer from back pain. … 10 Tips for Safe Shoveling
Acute pain starts suddenly. It’s the type of pain you feel when you are injured or have surgery. It can be treated with a short-term prescription for medication and usually lasts for a few weeks or months as healing takes place. Chronic pain can last for months or years, well beyond the normal healing time … What’s the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Your healthcare provider knows that sports medicine specialists are experts in body mechanics and movement. They know how the body should move, what tendons and ligaments are involved, and most importantly, if you are not moving properly, they can determine the reason why and provide you with a solution. You don’t have to be an … I’m not an athlete, why did my provider refer me to a sports medicine specialist?
Your hamstrings are not the strongest muscles in your legs, but they play a major role in your ability to move. As a result, hamstring injuries have sidelined more than one professional athlete for an entire season. So, what are hamstrings? Your hamstrings are actually a group of three muscles located on the back of … Keep your hamstrings strong for pain-free movement
Heel pain is a common complaint. The question is, “What’s causing it?” Is it plantar fasciitis? A bone spur? Ill-fitting shoes? An overuse injury? You could experience heel pain due to any of those reasons. Planter Fasciitis One of the most common sources of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of … What causes heel pain?
Your appointment will be similar to meeting with any other orthopaedic specialist. During your exam, your provider will ask you questions about your condition. When did you first notice discomfort or pain? Did the pain happen suddenly or did it gradually progress? What types of movements do you do most at work and home? Did … What should I expect at my first sports medicine appointment?
Ergonomic correctness … it’s a matter of mechanics. Not those who work on your cars or household appliances, but the function of your body in the spaces where you live, work, and move each day. Merriam Webster defines ergonomics as “an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people … Are you ergonomically correct?
