Sciatica is a term used to describe pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from the lower back down through the hip and into the leg due to irritation of the sciatic nerve. It forms from several nerve roots in the lumbar and sacral spine and travels through the pelvis, deep in the hip, down the …
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Mar 19
Drop Neck Syndrome Prevetion: Scapular Protraction and Retraction
“Drop Neck” is a condition where the neck muscles are too weak to hold the head upright. It is also known as Dropped Head Syndrome (DHS). This causes the head to tilt forward and downward. “Drop Neck” is caused by weakness in the neck extensor muscles. This can result from sedentary lifestyle habits, overuse or …
Mar 15
Exercise Tip of the Month: Incline Eccentric Push-Ups
Push-ups are one of the foundational bodyweight exercises we incorporate in nearly every training program in our personal training clients’ exercise prescriptions. One variation we would like to highlight this week is the incline eccentric push-up. To execute this movement properly, place your hands on an inclined surface and “screw” your hands into the surface …
Mar 13
Exercise is Medicine for Knee Arthritis
Arthritis is a degenerative joint condition in which the smooth cartilage that normally cushions the ends of the joints gradually wears down. Healthy cartilage allows joints to glide smoothly and distribute forces during everyday movements. Previous joint injuries, the repercussions of a life of manual labor in one’s career and lifestyle, or advancing age contribute …
Mar 09
Deep Intrinsic Core and Hip Muscles
“Engage your core” is a term we often hear to avoid back injury during strenuous activity. It should go without saying that bracing one’s core is beneficial when lifting a wine box off the ground, carrying it thirty meters, rotating it to place it on a shelf, and lifting it to a shelf of varying …
Feb 27
Finger, Wrist, and Elbow Strength
After finishing a set of dynamic stretches, Nestor, one of our personal training clients, mentioned, “The inner part of my elbow is flared up. I think I have a case of tennis elbow from going crazy on the drums last night. I’d like to take it easy on a few of the more rigorous strength …
Feb 19
Why Strong Knees and Ankles Matter More Than You Think
The knee and ankle are commonly overlooked contributors to mobility, strength, balance, and coordination. Walking, climbing stairs, hiking a trail, or participating in recreational athletic physical activities such as tennis, golf, or pickleball all depend on the seamless relationship between these two joints. When they move well together, life feels fluid. When they do not, …
Feb 18
Fitness Trends: Wearable Fitness Technology
Wearable fitness technology has quietly changed how we think about health, shifting it from something we occasionally do to something we check throughout the day. With the rise of devices like Fitbits, Apple Watches, and WHOOP bands, everyday behaviors such as how many steps we take, how well we sleep, and even how stressed we …
Feb 17
Coach Paul’s Featured Exercise of the Month: Supine Hip Extension
In one of my undergrad classes at Sacramento State University, which emphasized injury prevention, our professor said something that has always stuck with me: glutes & hamstrings. He emphasized that strengthening these two muscle groups is critical to maintaining a strong, pain-free body and reducing the risk of injury. A simple yet effective bodyweight exercise …
Feb 12
Investing in Fitness and Daily Actions
Consistency can be defined as “the way in which a substance holds together” or “conformity in the application of something, typically that which is necessary for the sake of logic, accuracy, or fairness.” Adhering to specific actions that reinforce health and well-being supports goals for a fulfilling and enjoyable livelihood. Daily actions such as setting …
