My name is Jamie Turner and when I turned 22, I started to form a horrible case of acne. I used every cleanser and lotion I could find and I even asked my physician for a topical steroid cream to clear up the zits on my face. After six months of treatment, my physician completed a blood test that concluded that a hormone imbalance was causing my acne. I started on therapy to control the amount of estrogen my body produced. The therapy along with a good diet and exercise regimen helped to clear up my acne. I am sharing my story, because acne is not just a condition that affects teenagers. It can affect adults at any age, and it can cause a great deal of embarrassment. Don't let your acne go untreated. Read my blog instead and learn about both natural and medical treatments that can help you.
A startling number of Americans experience back pain. Approximately 31 million Americans suffer from lower back pain, and back pain sends more patients to the doctor's office than any other condition, save upper-respiratory infections.
If you have recently suffered a herniated disc, or want to take steps now to reduce your chances of suffering from this back disorder, consider strengthening your "core muscles." Your physical therapist can introduce you to some great exercises, and ensure that you are executing them properly. Not convinced? Here are some basics about herniated discs and what core strengthening can do for you.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Your spine consists of individual vertebrae stretching from your neck to your tailbone. Between each of your vertebrae, shock-absorbing spinal discs serve as shock-absorbing cushions that protect your back and allow you to move flexibly and without pain. Unfortunately, these spinal discs do not stay in their soft cushion state forever; over time, they lose their fluid and less effectively protect your spine from wear-and-tear and trauma, leaving you more vulnerable to injury and pain. Furthermore, spinal discs commonly herniate and leak this fluid into the spinal column, causing extreme pain, limited range of motion, and even nerve damage.
Reducing Your Risk of Suffering From a Herniated Disc
Even though herniated discs are common, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of suffering from such a painful condition. Excess body weight, improper lifting, sedentary habits, and repetitive movements can all exacerbate your chances of suffering from a herniated disc. You can proactively lower your risk by losing weight, getting active, and being more conscientious about your form when you lift or move things.
You can also reduce your risk of suffering from a herniated disc by strengthening your core. This is especially true if your herniated disc resulted from intense athletic activity.
The "Core" Secret to a Protected Spinal Column
A strong core can result in remarkable improvements in spinal protection. Your core muscles are located in your abdominals, back, pelvic region, and hips. By strengthening these core muscles, you not only give your spine the support it desperately needs, but also give your other muscle groups more stability to perform the tasks that they do. To strengthen your core muscles, you need to do more than just regular, routine sit-ups, which target only your front abdominal muscles. Sit-ups will strengthen those muscles, for sure, but ignoring your other core muscles will leave them underdeveloped and your spine still vulnerable.
So, how can you make sure that you are properly strengthening your core? There are many approaches, so the best thing to do is find an activity or regimen that you enjoy (and stick with!). Regardless of whether you are consulting a physical therapist (like those at Staten Island Physical Therapy PC) for an already-herniated disc or for preventative measures, your therapist can help you determine what approach is best for you and your lifestyle. Popular, effective options include yoga, pilates, and even strength training. Ask your physical therapist to show you how to properly execute the exercises that you choose; if you are doing them wrong, at best these exercises will be ineffective, and at worst, you can injure yourself.
Share19 June 2015
