Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is one of the top three causes of disability. These statistics might seem daunting, but this is one disease you don't...
Imitrex, or sumatriptan, is a medicine often prescribed for treating migraines. It comes in an oral tablet and a nasal spray. According to Drugs.com, it is thought to work by narrowing the blood vessels around the brain. It is taken during a...
Your spine is made up of vertebra, which are bone cushioned by discs that are in-between. Your spine has three sections: the lumbar or lower back spine, the cervical or neck spine and the thoracic or middle back spine. When the discs between the...
Upper cross syndrome describes a compromise in the musculoskeletal system characterized by tight chest, neck and shoulder muscles, primarily in the front of your body. Weakness occurs in your upper back and posterior neck muscles. Stretching your...
Nerves for the arm exit the lower vertebrae in the neck between two muscles on each side called the scalenes. From there, the nerves and blood vessels pass under the clavicle -- or collar bone -- and pass along the ribs toward the shoulder. These...
Indomethacin (brand name: Indocin) is a medication used to manage the pain from such medical conditions as gout, arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the pelvis and hips) and bursitis. According to Drugs.com, it is a nonsteroidal...
Arginine, an amino acid found in meat and other animal products, and sometimes taken in supplement form, stimulates blood flow. Improved blood flow may alleviate some types of neck pain, but no published evidence supports this use of arginine....
Blocked arteries, or atherosclerosis, occur over time as the fat and cholesterol from the foods you eat pack together along the walls of your arteries. If you have blocked arteries, you are at a higher risk for certain diseases, including heart...
Clogged arteries, or atherosclerosis, result in the most prevalent cause of death in Americans over the age of 45, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although heredity can increase your risk of developing blocked arteries, too...
Tendonitis is an inflammatory condition that can affect the tendons of the body in response to overload. Overload can occur through repetitive or sustained loading that overcomes the tissue or by adverse postures and positions that strain the...
Numerous conditions can cause left-sided arm pain. According to MayoClinic.com, arm pain, including left arm pain, is usually caused by an accident or a fall. However, certain medical conditions can cause arm pain, too. Some kinds of arm pain are...
Yaz birth control pills are different than most other birth control pills because they contain drospirenone as an active ingredient. Drospirenone can help prevent pregnancy, but it also may raise the levels of potassium in the body for some women....
The most common issue with regards to a posture problems involving the shoulders is called protracted shoulder girdle. This is where a person's shoulders are pulled forward due to tight chest muscles and weak upper back muscles. Slumping your...
Rehabilitating a back injury not only heals pain but also prevents future injuries. Rehab creates a balance of strength and flexibility while teaching safe ways to move and sit. Posture is critical for recovery. Also, exercises to strengthen the...
Kyphosis can be caused by many conditions. It can be present at birth, and affect children and adolescents. In an elderly woman, it is usually caused by a degenerative disease such as arthritis of the spine or osteoporosis. Your thoracic spine is...
Upper body strength and endurance are necessary to enhance your athletic performance, as well as to safely and easily perform your everyday activities. You must maintain correct posture to develop your muscles in proper alignment. Exercising with...
The Perfect Pushup -- a pair of rotating pushup handles -- performs three basic functions. It keeps your wrists in neutral position throughout the exercise, allows you to incorporate a punch-like twisting movement into your pushups, and elevates...
Push-ups aren't just safe for women and girls, they're highly beneficial. Women might be intimidated by the popular misconception that they lack upper-body strength. But even if you're a woman with weak upper-body muscles, you can still develop...
A forward posture normally presents with a rounded upper back and forward head carry. Commonly called hyperkyphosis, this postural abnormality is usually the result of tight chest, shoulder and abdominal muscles combined with weak and...
Postural kyphosis is a significant rounding forward of your shoulders caused by a muscular imbalance in your upper body. If you spend too much time training your pectoral muscles or if they are too tight, your shoulders will pull forward. The...
The breasts are mainly composed of fat, glands and ducts. Underneath the breasts is where pectoral muscle is found. By doing breast exercises, this muscle is built, and the breasts obtain a perkier, lifted look. This in turn can boost...
Correct posture will help prevent injuries to your entire body. When you are standing, your ears should be directly over your shoulders, your chin must be parallel to the floor and your knee caps facing forward. Paul Chek of the Corrective...
In any standard-model gym, barbells and dumbbells are the be-all and end-all of the free weights section. Yet most lifters seem to favor one over the other. The fact of the matter is that any well-rounded training program should include both and...
Poor posture, or slouching, is generally characterized by a slightly hunched back and rounded shoulders. It is common in many people, especially those who have sedentary jobs, such as office workers. Poor posture is generally caused by tight chest...
Stooped posture, also known as kyphosis or hunchback, can interferewith daily living, causing pain and muscular weakness. Rounding of the upper back, caved shoulders and leaning forward while standing are all features of stooped posture....
The bench press is an effective exercise for training the chest, shoulders and triceps muscles, and it is one of the three lifts in powerlifting competition. Whether you compete in powerlifting or just want to improve your bench press for personal...
Poor posture is the primary source and the most overlooked factor of many muscular, skeletal, and neural pains and discomforts in the body. When your body is in optimal alignment, your joints, muscles and tissues get an equal amount of force...
If you want to learn how to do body weight shoulder exercises, the push-up is a simple classic that you probably already know. While push ups need little explanation, it is important to remember to keep your abs and buttocks tight, forming your...
As strong as gymnasts are, you might be surprised to know that they avoid working out with weights. Most weight exercises focus on a particular muscle or movement, which can result in muscular development inappropriate for a gymnast's needs. This...
