Your muscles typically contract and release as you move them. However, when a muscle spasm occurs, it is due to a muscle contraction that occurs when your muscle tightens without your brain telling it to. Typically, a solution for muscle spasms is...
Although there is much overlap between the fields of massage therapy and physical therapy, current Western practice of each provides a complement to the other rather than duplication of services. Massage therapy encompasses the techniques of...
Investing in a personal trainer is one of the best ways to learn how to properly execute exercises, stay motivated and quickly reach fitness goals. Your first personal training session will be an introduction to your own fitness program that you...
Yoga helps loosen tight, contracted muscles, making it the ideal counterpart to repetitive cardio and weight training. There are a variety of reasons to make yoga a fixture in your exercise regimen. A weekly mind and body workout relieves tension,...
Calcium is an important mineral in many of the body's functions and processes. According to the NIH's Office of Nutritional Supplements, it is the most abundant mineral in the body, stored mostly in your bones and teeth. Hypocalcemia, a condition...
Massage is one of the oldest forms of medicine and has been used by sportsmen since before the days of the ancient Greek Olympics. There are a variety of styles of massage but, according to massage expert Mel Cash, author of "Sport & Remedial...
Chronic pain can stem from a number of factors, including traumatic injury and disease. There are treatments and therapies available, such as exercise and heat physiotherapy. Understanding what these two therapies can do for you will help you make...
One out of ever three workers reports high levels of workplace stress, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Workplace stress contributes to depression, aggression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and other health problems. Regular...
Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary spasms or contractions in one or more of your muscles, according to MedLine Plus. Muscle cramps are very common and can be very painful. Once you pinpoint the cause of your cramps, there are some steps you can...
Glucose is main source of energy for the body's various metabolic processes. This sugar comes from the carbohydrate-rich foods we eat like rice, milk, fruit, bread and sweets. The levels of glucose in the bloodstream vary depending on the foods...
Body aches and pains, especially those that are persistent, can interfere with daily functions. It is important to identify the underlying cause of the pain. Visiting a doctor or specialist who is qualified to examine the parts of the body causing...
Feeling your hamstrings cramp during the middle of a workout can be distracting at best and debilitating at worst. While most cramps disappear quickly, a severe cramp can put a stop to your workout. Taking preventive steps can stop most types of...
An effective bikini body weight loss program establishes lifelong healthy eating habits and daily exercise, according to "Bikini Bootcamp." A well-balanced eating plan fuels and nourishes your body with fiber, lean proteins, healthy fats and...
A sore neck is a common complaint of adults. Sore neck muscles can be the result of an accident, sports injury or poor posture. Some patients may experience a sore neck for a few hours while others may be coping with it for a few days. Timely...
Most of the muscles in your body are under voluntary control: When your brain signals your arm or leg to move, it moves. However, when you experience a muscle cramp, your muscle contracts on its own without any signals from you. Muscle cramps like...
Tight muscles can cause pain and discomfort not only in the affected muscle, but also in the surrounding structures. Muscle tightness may be caused by fatigue or injury, illness, or hormonal changes such as with the menstrual cycle. Muscle...
Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician and father of Western medicine, advocated massage therapy for its natural healing benefits. Massage promotes circulation, soothes and stimulates the nervous system, and aids with the repair of muscles and...
Much like the engine of a sports car, the muscles of the human body consume fuel, produce heat and expel unwanted byproducts to operate at their maximum potential. Just as an automobile engine overheats when driven too hard for too long, the...
Weight training is a strenuous activity that uses existing muscle to maximum capacity to enhance the development of additional muscle tissue, notes John Berardi, Ph.D., expert in exercise biology and nutritional biochemistry. Bodywork, also...
