Healthy Living: Why Walking Is Good For You

Walking is widely recommended by health and fitness gurus for its numerous health benefits. Today, there are several physical activities you can engage yourself in but walking is one of the best of them all. This is because; walking is not complicated, requires minimal or no equipment to perform, it is low impact, can be done by anybody at any time and above all, typically has little or no injuries. Unlike other forms of exercises walking is ideal for people from all "walks" of life and requires no training whatsoever to perform. The following are some of the numerous benefits of walking and why medical Science emphasizes that it is good for your health:

Reduces the risk of heart diseases

Studies show that walking on a regular basis can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases which includes heart problems as well as stroke. Walking lowers bad cholesterol levels in the body while at the same time increasing the HDL cholesterol levels in the body. Increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels help in keeping blood pressure under control.

Helps in maintaining a healthy weight

Medical science points out that for you to lose weight, it is important that you burn more calories than you eat on a daily basis. Walking is one of the easiest ways of burning calories. This is attributed to the fact that when you walk, each and every movable part of your body is involved. This means that each muscle responsible for the movement of these parts is beneficially exercised in the process.

Helps in preventing dementia

From an orthopedic’s point of view, a huge percentage of the elderly population suffers from dementia simply because of reduced brain activity. Being active has a positive effect on the brain function and helps it to be alert. This reduces dementia. Therefore, in order to help reduce the risk of dementia, it is advisable to take a walk on a daily basis.

Enhances bone health

Walking stimulates and strengthens the bones. This, in turn, increases the bone density and boasts their development and reduces injuries associated with unhealthy bone formation or development especially in women. On top of that, walking also helps in maintaining healthy joints and prevents the risk of contracting arthritis as well as sports injuries.

Helps in toning your arms, bum, tummy, and legs

A simple walk can immensely improve and strengthen your legs, shape your calves, hamstrings, quads, and also helps lift your rear muscles (glutes). Additionally, when you maintain a good posture while walking, it can also help tone your abs and shape your waist as well. Therefore, it is important to take a walk on a regular basis.

Improves balance and coordination

Walking helps in improving general body balance and coordination of all parts of the body. When you walk, almost each and every part of your body is involved in the activity. This makes it easy to improve coordination and also allows you to help develop better balance for many parts of your body. It is little wonder that individuals recovering from any form of the ailment are often encouraged to take simple walks as a form of exercise.

If you thought walking is not important to your health, rethink again. For you to stay fit and maintain a healthy body, you are advised to walk on a regular basis (with your doctor permitting). However, to ensure that you turn your walk into an exercise activity, it is important to maintain a good posture and also include a few purposeful movements.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

Health and Wellness Tips

It is hard not to strive for a healthy lifestyle with all the health and wellness campaigns constantly around us. The health and wellness benefits are undeniable, as they help to improve our overall body functions.

There are many wellness programs that one can adopt or join to help keep them on the right path of good health (and happiness). Such programs reduce elevated health risks, improve productivity, build and sustain morale and improve the body’s immune system.  The health and wellness programs are aimed at improving the physical and mental health. This can be done through;

Health and wellness for physical health

Dozens of articles and online resources on health and wellness emphasize on keeping fit and avoiding unhealthy lifestyles. In order to achieve this, one has to endure and persevere regular exercises and controlled dietary choices, and in some cases restrictions by doctors for a healthy living. It may not be easy to maintain such conditions. It can take a toll on your body, and at some point may seem impossible to keep up with. However, with the support of family and friends, one can easily achieve great health. Try to develop and stick to a routine. This, alone, can help move an occasional healthy effort into a daily habit. 

Apart from healthy eating and exercising, avoiding drugs and substance abuse also leads to the greater wellness of the body. Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and consumption of other toxic drugs can easily lead to failure of some vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.  Keeping away from such bad lifestyle influences will help increase your physical health and wellness.

Health and wellness for mental health

In order to maintain mental health, one has to avoid and effectively manage stress. Stress is not only destructive mentally and emotionally but also physically. There are those who seem to strive in stress, while the rest of us mere mortals are hindered by it. Stress can lead to the decline of both mental and physical health. A stressful person may incur mood swings, and may not enjoy life to its fullest. To achieve wellness for mental health, one has to avoid stressful situations and jobs that are beyond the stress limit. Daily exercise, proper eating, and meditation can be great stress-relievers. 

Another way to achieve mental health is to unplug from technology every once in awhile. People are spending too many hours on social media, playing video games and watching movies that they barely have time to let their brains relax. Unplugging from such activities and reconnecting with nature, friends, and family is good for your mental health. It will improve your social skills to associate with those close to you and meet new people.

Proper and Sufficient Sleep is also a good way to ensure health and wellness. It helps us regenerate lost energy during the day and also helps manage stress. Sleeping for few hours will affect your overall mental health, decreasing the wellness of the body. Get enough sleep for a healthy life.

Health and wellness should not be taken for granted as not maintaining it can lead to a chain of health issues. One can improve their health physically and mentally through the above tips for overall wellness.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

What You Should Know About Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a field that provides athletes and active people so many health benefits and treatment all over the world. The fitness industry is becoming more a growing part of society, as are their related injuries. Even with major advancements in equipment and attire, such as athletic shoes, there are many people getting injured while engaging in sports. Often times, they look to sports medicine to help get them quickly on the mend.

This health care field focuses on assisting individuals enhance their athletic performances, recuperate from injuries and avert future injuries. Medical professionals in this field do not only treat athletes, but also anyone else suffering from sports or activity-related injuries.

Sports medicine doctors are orthopedic surgeons or non-surgical key care experts who specialize in musculoskeletal injuries, diabetes and hypertension in athletes and active but non-athletic individuals. Below are some important factors regarding sports medicine.

Which experts are in in this field?

Sport medicine specialists have specialization in sports science and Exercise. Experts in this field are as follows:

*Physical Therapists

*Medical doctors and surgeons

*Physical Therapists Assistants

*Massage Therapists

*Athletic Trainers

Function of Sports Medicine Experts

These specialists and physicians undergo training for a given period. They are trained to deal with injuries related to sports and exercises. These experts specialize on the diagnosis and treatment of the injuries which can occur when a person is engaging in sports or is exercising. Generally, sports medicine professionals usually deal with different kinds of orthopedic cases.

What is Sports Medicine Services Inclusive of?

The main reason why people seek sports medicine services is to get back to their best health so as to do their everyday activities or favorite sport. Sports Medicine generally deals with conditioning, biomechanics, cortisone, synvisc, injury prevention, platelet rich plasma (PRP), hyaline, viscol supplementation, injury management and rehabilitation.

Who can benefit from sports medicine?

Irrespective of the name, Sports medicine is not restricted to the serious athlete only. This field deals with any kind of physical activity, which might or might not be originating from sports. The injuries might be as a result of sudden collision, overuse, and over-extension, over-exertion of muscles of the joints which might be as a result of exercising or any other active physical activity.  This field can treat all types of musculoskeletal injuries.

With sports medicine, athlete or any other person who has suffered the conditions listed above, can still have the hopes of competing in sports again. However, prevention of injuries is one of the best ways one can use to preserve their sports career or active lifestyle. Sports medicine can help all of us stay in the game, or return to it more quickly should we sustain a sports injury.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.