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...
Poor posture is often the origin of neck problems. Functional poor posture caused by strength imbalances can elicit muscle tension headaches, muscle strain, muscle fatigue, weakness and upper extremity symptoms. Stretching the tight muscles,...
Yoga is not just an exercise for general relaxation and physical exercise; yoga postures have therapeutic applications as well. The thyroid is one of the many areas of the body you can focus on by practicing specific yoga postures, or asanas. The...
Poor back posture is often the underlying cause of chronic back pain, fatigue and muscle strain. Poor posture, over time, can even affect the position of your vital organs and how they function, according to the American Physical Therapy...
Slouching affects more than the way you look -- it can have negative effects on your health, some of which are long term. You must practice good posture in every aspect of your daily life, from when you sit at your desk at work or school to when...
Your posture not only affects the way you look but also can impact many aspects of your health. Poor posture is often a matter of habit, and it is unfortunately an easy habit to develop, especially in jobs that involve sitting at a desk for up to...
Your posture is what provides your body with the stability needed to maintain muscle, bone and spinal alignment. Practicing bad posture includes habits such as slumping forward, rounding your shoulders, or rounding your upper back. These posture...
Accidents, injuries and falls can all throw your body out of alignment and negatively affect your posture. Being overweight affects your posture, as well as sleeping on the wrong type of mattress, wearing uncomfortable shoes, long commutes, and...
Although sitting puts more pressure on your back than standing does, it's easy to get in the habit of poor sitting posture. Unfortunately, slouching in a chair or on the sofa for too long can put strain on the muscles and ligaments in your back as...
Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. Although the majority of cases do not have a serious underlying cause, back pain is one of the top three reasons for visiting a medical doctor or other health professional, according...
Among the many benefits of good posture is the fact that is simply makes you look better. Posture affects the skeletal alignment of your body and is a factor attributing to your health and fitness levels. Good posture allows movement without...
Skeletal structure, alignment and posture contribute to overall health and fitness. Proper skeletal alignment and posture places less strain on your body. Poor posture, whether structural or habitual, decreases joint flexibility and increases...
A lower back injury can be caused by a variety of situations from falling, twisting, lifting something incorrectly or prolonged postural problems. In any cause, exercising is important for your overall health, but you must take your lower back...
Exercises on a Swiss ball make core exercises more effective because of the instability that the ball creates. When you exercise on a ball, you must use your muscles to maintain your exercise form. The stronger your muscles are, especially the...
While there are high numbers of women who would like to have larger breasts, there are many larger-chested women wondering how to gain a smaller chest. Having a large bust can contribute to major postural problems, back and chest aches and...
If you are one of the many people who sit at a desk and work on a computer all day, you probably experience some sort of back, neck, arm or wrist pain or tension. Postural problems usually are the cause of most of these conditions and can be easy...
In general, just wearing flat shoes will not throw your hips out of place. Your foot’s natural position is flat, and keeping your foot flat is more likely to keep your hips aligned properly. In fact, you are more likely to throw your hips...
Encouraging your child to maintain good posture can be a challenge, but it pays big dividends. Good posture can not only help your child appear more confident, comfortable and alert, but can help prevent fatigue, carpal tunnel syndrome and...
A broken leg will cause postural problems throughout your body if it does not heal properly. A partial or complete break in your tibia or fibula will affect your knee, ankle and foot joints. The muscles of your thighs insert just below your knees...
Your body is composed of bones and muscles that work together and in opposition to help you stand, sit and perform other activities. The alignment of these muscles and bones is important. When they are out of alignment, pain and immobility can...
Ergonomics refers to office work and its health related risks, primarily musculoskeletal disorders. Risk factor include prolonged sitting at a desk or computer use, prolonged incorrect, awkward postures, prolonged exertions of the hands and...
As private studios, health clubs, community centers and corporate centers add Pilates mat classes to their group exercise schedules, the demand for qualified instructors increases. Qualified, to most group exercise directors, usually means...
The upper hamstrings, sometimes referred to as the glute-hamstring tie in, is one of the more important muscular junctions in the body. This is where some of the most powerful movements the body creates are generated. This is also a place where...
Many Americans spend a majority of their day working at a computer without much thought about posture and how it might affect their lives. People who sit at a computer tend to hunch over with the head hanging forward, the shoulders rolled forward...
The hip flexor or iliopsoas muscle connects from the lower spine to the femur, and its principle function is to lift the knee up in activities such as stair climbing or sprinting. Hip flexors can become inflamed and sore due to numerous causes...
Zumba is a combination of low impact aerobics and dance. It is a Latin-inspired, continuous movement class consisting of salsa and meringue dance moves set to motivating music. When combined with proper nutrition, the workouts help improve aerobic...
The way in which you lose weight may contribute to unintended and unwanted changes in physical appearance. Weight loss resulting in diminished health and fitness levels may lead to decreased height.
High arches can result from congenital abnormality, neurological disorders, and trauma. Stretching and exercising the muscles of the foot, strengthening the ankles and improving motor neuron recruitment in the toes, will help the condition....
If you have a hip that audibly pops during exercise, you likely have snapping hip syndrome, which is caused by imbalances in muscle tension that result in tendons snapping over bony protrusions. The most common muscles involved are the tensor...
Pinched nerves usually occur in the neck, but can lead to pain and muscle spasms throughout the upper back and arm. Learn how to treat a pinched nerve in the neck and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the sacrum, at the base of the spine, and the ilium of the pelvis, which are joined by ligaments. It is a strong, weight bearing synovial joint with irregular elevations and depressions that produce...
