Why Should You Use a Foam Roller?

This is one of the many questions we get asked during our rehab time with patients. Many people do not know what a foam roller is and how it will even help them. They think it is just another one of our torture devices we use on people.

Self-myofascial release is a fancy term for self-massage to release muscle tightness or trigger points. This is something you can do at home without having to come into the office. This method can be performed with a foam roller, lacrosse ball, Theracane, or your own hands. By applying pressure to specific points on your body you are able to aid in the recovery of muscles and assist in returning them to normal function. Normal function means your muscles are elastic, healthy, and ready to perform at a moment’s notice.

This can have a wide range of benefits for the everyday gym-goer or someone who who works out at home. Benefits of using the foam roller will be increased blood flow throughout the body,...

Chia seeds are a magical food that need their time in the spot light!  I’ve been using chia in my protein shakes for awhile now, knowing they were a super food, but never knowing ALL the benefits they possess.

Chia seeds originated in Mexico where they were viewed with such admiration they were even used as currency.  The Aztecs used chia to sustain their energy while running long distances or during battle.  They would say a spoonful would give them enough endurance for 24 hours.  This all makes sense since In the Mayan language, chia means “strength”.

Chia seeds are filled with everything from Omega 3’s, protein, fiber , vitamins, minerals AND antioxidants.  Due to their content, they have a vast array of health benefits.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

• Digestive Health – Due to the high amount of fiber alone, chia seeds will help with digestion.  The appropriate amount of fiber will help with regular bowel...

What are these knots in my back and neck?? Are these normal? How do I get rid of them? This is a very popular question that we get asked here in the office at North Shore Pro-Active Health. Before we answer the question above let us talk about how muscle fibers work. Within skeletal muscle there are three types of fiber. Type one (I), type two A (IIa) and type two B (IIb). Each fiber types has different qualities in the way they perform and how quickly they fatigue.

Types of Trigger Points

Type I fibers are also known as slow twitch fibers. They are red in color due to the presence of large volumes of myoglobin (iron-oxygen binding protein) and high numbers of Mitochondria (power house of the cell). They are very resistant to fatigue and are capable of producing repeated low-level contractions by producing large amounts of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) through an aerobic metabolic cycle. The muscles containing mainly type I fibers are often postural muscles such as...

An optimist will tell you the glass is half-full; the pessimist, half-empty; and the engineer will tell you the glass is twice the size it needs to be – Anonymous

It might be helpful if we were all engineers when it came to our food.  We are exposed to supersized and packaged foods that are often double, triple or even quadruple the size we should be eating!  It is no wonder that according to the CDC, over one-third of the adult U.S. population is obese and the obesity rate in children has tripled since 1980!

When it comes to food, we need to remember we are fueling our bodies, not just feeding them.  Most cravings are learned, meaning you aren’t born to crave sugar or fast food.  When you cut down on these items, the cravings for them will lessen.

 Let’s take a closer look on serving sizes and how to make it easier to determine how much to eat!

Health care fraud is a key driver of rising health care costs. About 3% of all health care spending — or $68 billion each year — is lost to health care fraud. There are a few types of health care fraud including:

• Medical Identity Theft. This is the misuse of a person’s medical identity to obtain health care goods, services or funds.  This can include fraudulent prescriptions, billing for services that were never provided or referring patients for unnecessary services.
• Upcoding. This is when the provider bills for a service of higher complexity than the service that was provided or documented.  For example, a supplier may bill for motorized scooters, but supply manual wheelchairs.
• Billing for Services not Furnished
• Others can be found here

Here are some things you can do to help prevent health care fraud and abuse.

• Review your health care charges. Look over your Explanation of Benefits from your insurer and receipts from your doctor...

We often get questions regarding what exactly is an athletic trainer, and how they differ from a personal trainer or a physical therapist.  We have two Certified Athletic Trainers at our office that perform your daily rehab exercises including, but not limited to manual therapy, graston therapy and exercises.  Below we have broken down information regarding an Athletic Trainer vs. a Personal Trainer.

ATHLETIC TRAINER

An athletic trainer is an expert at recognizing, treating and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. ATs meets qualifications set by the Board of Certification, Inc., and adhere to the requirements of a state licensing board. ATs practice under the direction of a physician and are members of a health care profession recognized by the American Medical Association.

Requirements:

• Must obtain, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in athletic training
• Must pass a comprehensive exam to earn the ATC credential
• Must keep their knowledge and skills current by...

When most people think of meditation they think of praying or religion.  Mediation in fact is a form of alternative medicine that teaches you to focus your attention.  There are many different types of meditation, and most started from Eastern religious or spiritual traditions.  They have been used by numerous cultures throughout the world for thousands of years.

Some forms instruct you (the practitioner) to be mindful of feelings, thoughts and sensations.  In addition, you are to be extremely nonjudgmental.  This is the only way you achieve a state of physical relaxation and balance.

Regardless of the type of meditation, most have the following four things in common:

• Quiet Location.  You want to have limited distractions, in a quiet place.
• Comfortable posture.  Each type if meditation is different, but you can be sitting, laying down, standing, etc.
• Focus of attention. You may focus on an object, breathing, or a mantra.  Regardless you...

Of all work related injuries, Carpal Tunnel is by far the most expensive! A Carpal Tunnel patient will lose approximately $30,000 when combining time away from work and medical bills. Carpal Tunnel is most common in women, and frequently found in manufacturing, sewing, fishing and cleaning industries. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is compression or entrapment of the median nerve within the wrist. It can occur due to injury, repetitive use of the wrist and hand, arthritis and even diabetes and hypothyroidism. Any condition that increases inflammation of the body or joints can cause carpal tunnel symptoms. 

Symptoms can vary for every person, but the most common being tingling, numbness, burning and/or itching in the palm, thumb or fingers. Pending on how severe, carpal tunnel may cause a weakened grip or atrophy in the muscles of the thumb.

It is important if you think you have carpal tunnel you get properly diagnosed. Your doctor or chiropractor should fully...

Non-invasive body sculpting or contouring as it is often called is gaining heavy traction in the marketplace. There are multiple options from cold laser to freezing the fat to radio waves. We’ve done our best to scour the internet to get you details on some current options. This list highlights the top contenders but we recommend that you still research what is best for you. It’s always recommended to complete a complimentary consultation so that you can determine the best treatment for your specific needs and goals. You should always be assessed by a physician to see if you are a candidate for any body sculpting procedure. 

When researching body sculpting options we found it best to compare pricing, side effects and results. Being from a conservative background, side effects and possible complications are rated very highly in my book. We’ve had personal encounters with individuals with irreversible damage to their body from certain techniques...

Arthritis is a very common diagnosis these days and the most important thing to remember is it’s not a death sentence.  I think people are very scared of the term arthritis, when it can be a very manageable condition.  By definition, arthritis means joint inflammation.  It refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that cause joint swelling and pain.

Some cases of arthritis can be helped by your chiropractor or massage therapist. Maintaining proper motion of a joint can prevent the damage caused by abnormal wear and tear.  Other cases of arthritis can be improved with diet changes and the addition of supplements.  Let us discuss a few types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

This is the most common form and results from excessive wear and tear.  Most often OA affects the large weight-bearing joints of the body such as hips, knees and spine.  Repetitive stress, obesity and trauma can increase your risk for...