Author: admin

If there’s a trendy phrase that has made its way through gym culture of late, it has to be talk of “working your core.” It also has to be the leader for misunderstood phrases. Where’s “my core?” To some, “working your core” translates to countless hours of crunches and sit-ups until you’ve got six-pack abs that would make even the most committed bodybuilder jealous. According to experts, though, your core is much more than just your abdominal muscles, and it’s more important than a cosmetic ideal to be achieved. In fact, the core muscle group includes all of your torso…

Depression is a serious mood disorder likely rooted in a combination of factors: Genetics, chemical imbalances in the brain and stress. It’s more serious than feeling “blue” for a day or two; symptoms can last from weeks to years and can contribute to other serious illnesses, including heart disease and stroke, according to the National Institute on Mental Health. Depression looks a little different in everyone, but, in general, most people experience some combination of these symptoms: Feeling sad or empty Sleeping too much or not at all Eating too much or not at all Feeling hopeless, anxious or irritable…

The knee is the largest joint in the body, and the joint most likely to be affected by arthritis. Arthritis is the breakdown of articular cartilage. Once the cartilage is injured, it begins to peel away from the bone. Many things can injure cartilage and predispose it to arthritis. In most cases, however, it is due to an injury. The bulk of arthritis is osteoarthritis, affecting approximately 70 percent of adults. It is commonly referred to as “wear and tear arthritis.” Osteoarthritis can be treated early, preventing or delaying progression. In the knee, most arthritis comes from damage by direct…

Broken hips can be a debilitating ““ and dangerous ““ injury. When a person breaks a hip and loses mobility, she is at risk for additional complications, like pneumonia. Since these complications are potentially fatal, it is important to quickly repair the hip fracture and restore the person to good health and an active lifestyle. The anatomy of a hip fracture       The procedure to repair a broken (fractured) hip is called hip hemiarthroplasty. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint; the top of the upper leg bone, or femur, has a ball at its top.   That ball…

Approximately 200,000 Americans age 65 years or older are hospitalized each year due to hip fractures, and 95 percent of those happen because of falls. Unfortunately, it’s a trend that may increase as our population ages. So, here are the answers to seven common questions about hip fractures: What actually breaks in a hip fracture? The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. One type of fracture, called a subcapital fracture, happens in the neck of the femur bone, which is right below the ball. A second type of hip fracture occurs in the bend of the femur, which we call an…

It’s a beautiful, cool fall day  and your son and his friends decide to play a pickup game of basketball down at the park. After two hours of playing, you come limping home. Your hamstring is tight and sore. “I think it’s cramping up,” you say. You might think it makes sense to put heat on it to loosen up the cramping to make it feel better. WAIT! It is better to ice an injury than to risk using heat and making it worse. What happens when I get injured? When an athlete is injured, the body’s response is inflammation.…

As the athletic trainer at Holy Cross High School, I see just how important proper weight-training form is. Incorrect technique can lead to muscle strains, sprains or even fractures and other injuries, which can cause major setbacks. Always consult with a strength and conditioning coach, athletic trainer or someone familiar with proper technique. They can observe your form and work to correct it if necessary. Keep these tips in mind in your weight-training program to help you avoid injury. Warm up and stretch before your workout This ensures your muscles are loose and ready to work. If you start lifting…

As an athletic trainer for Covington Catholic High School, I see lots of bumps, bruises and injuries that can be painful. The golden rule in the world of sports medicine is to use pain as a guide. This rule applies to patients doing rehab in the sports medicine clinic, and to athletes who play a contact sport. Is it pain or simply soreness? It can be difficult to differentiate between pain and soreness. Symmetrical or bilateral soreness after strenuous lifting or new activities is often typical. Pain experienced because of one specific movement, or a gradual increase in pain…

As the athletic trainer at Conner High School, I’m often asked if it’s necessary to cool down after a workout or game. Although there is controversy about whether warming up and cooling down can prevent injuries, allowing time for proper warmup and cool-down will not hurt your body or your performance. Proper warmup and cool-down after any type of exercise are not only beneficial, but can improve your athletic performance. How to warm up Athletes need to take warming up and stretching seriously before any sporting event. Some research suggests using dynamic stretches before activity. Your warmup should be sport-specific…

The terms “sports drink” and “energy drink” are commonly used interchangeably; however, they are significantly different products. As an athletic trainer for St. Elizabeth Sports Medicine, parents and athletes are often unsure of the difference and which drink is recommended for performance. Energy drinks are marketed as quick-energy beverages with their primary ingredients being high levels of carbohydrates and caffeine. They are considered a food supplement and are not regulated by the FDA. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns of the potential health risks associated with energy drinks due to the stimulants they contain. The use of these products is…