Why Walking Is Good For Your Health

Walking is the easiest and the best form of exercise that most anyone can engage in as far as health and wellness is concerned. Walking is not complicated, is natural, and requires minimal or no equipment to perform. It is low impact, can be done by anybody at any time and above all usually causes little or no injuries.  The following are some of the numerous benefits of walking and why 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.

Lowers type 2 diabetes

According to a study conducted by the British Medical Journal, walking on a daily basis can help prevent type 2 diabetes. On top of that, walking can also reduce the risk of contracting asthma and also some cancers. Among the cancers that walking may help prevent or reduce includes cancer of the colon, womb and breast cancer. It may be high time you took your evening strolls very seriously.

Helps in maintaining a healthy weight

In order 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 exercised in the process. The energy used in the movement of these body parts is derived from burning of body fat stored in the fatty cells, and hence the loss of weight. 

Helps in preventing dementia

A recent study showed that a huge percentage of the elderly population suffers from dementia simply because of the reduced brain activity. Being active has a positive effect on the brain function and helps it to be alert. This reduces dementia. So, be smart by reducing the risk of dementia with a daily walk.

If you thought walking is not important to your health, rethink again. From the above health benefits of walking it is clear to suggest that taking a walk on a daily basis is important to your general health. Therefore, if your goal is to stay fit and maintain a healthy body, take a stroll around the neighborhood or at your local mall - at least once a day. A bit of fresh air might do you some good, as well.

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.

Alleviate Back Pain

Almost every individual suffers from back pain at some point or another in their lives. No matter the duration, dealing with this pain is not easy. Back pain may be caused by an accident, lifting of heavy loads, spending lots of hours seating down, or poor sleeping position just to mention but a few. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to manage or deal with this problem. The following are tips on how to alleviate back pain:

1. Have a good night’s sleep

Sleep problems and disturbances are common among individuals suffering from back pain. A good night’s sleep helps in repairing strained back muscles as well as soothe inflamed joints. However, to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep you need to first get a good bed. Then, try or experiment different sleeping positions. It is important to emphasize that poor sleeping position is one of the leading causes of back pain.

2. Exercise

Exercise and stretching can be helpful in dealing with a backache. Simple or basic exercises like walking and jogging are very helpful when it comes to alleviating back pain. Such exercises help in getting your body in a neutral upright position that helps in alleviating back pain. However, you should avoid strenuous activities or exercises that can strain the back muscles that may lead to back pain.

3. Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight provides many disadvantages including back pain. Losing weight, especially if you have chronic back pain, is one of the best ways to alleviate the pain. Having excess weight pulling on your back for a full day strains the back muscles leading to a backache. Therefore, if you are overweight seek medical advice on how to get your weight under control. Your back will thank you.

4. Maintain a good posture

A backache may be caused by a long workout session at the gym, but the real cause of the pain may have been building up for a long period of time. Due to the buildup, a simple strain to the back muscles may cause pain. Therefore in order to help ensure that you do not strain these muscles, it is advisable to always maintain a good posture when walking, sitting or even sleeping.

5. Physiotherapy

Physical therapy can actually help relieve backache. A regular massage from an experienced specialist can help in relaxing the back muscles. It is important to point out that strained and stiff back muscles are the reason why people experience back problems. Perhaps, a regularly scheduled massage may be an effective (and relaxing) way to help alleviate back pain.

Back pain can prevent you from enjoying life and carrying out your daily activities. These are but a few methods one could employ to live a healthy life without agonizing back pain.

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.

Medical Breakthrough: How Hanging Upside Down Improves Flexibility

Medical research has found that hanging upside down also known as inversion therapy (prescribed by a licensed medical professional) can significantly improve your health and fitness levels. Inversion tables have been developed to help people with this new health and fitness treatment. However, to ensure that you benefit from the inversion therapy, it is important for you to use the right equipment for the right purpose and consult your doctor before starting. Most people think that hanging upside down is meant for those people with chronic back pain, but this therapy has other benefits as can be seen below:

Use of gravity

Hanging upside down or inversion therapy uses gravity to gently bring into line, adjust and provide traction to the spine. This healthy traction decompresses the vertebral column, and thus creating space for the discs while at the same time straightening and balancing the spinal column. When the muscles of the vertebrae are lengthened and strengthened, your upper, as well as lower body, become more flexible. This can aide in more easily partaking is higher energy activities..

Eases strains caused by compression

As we walk and carry out our daily chores, the spine and back muscles tend to be strained in the process. On top of that, the spinal column also experiences compression from carrying the upper body. This compression causes rigidity on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spine. But when you hang upside down you allow the muscles to stretch, relax and also decompress the vertebrae. Safely hanging upside down offers the simplest way to ease strains and pressure caused by compression and also helps to lift the weight off the superimposed parts of the body.

Helps in preventing muscle stiffness and sports injuries

By hanging upside down, you reduce stiffness in a number of body parts, which include the arms, shoulders, back legs and torso. This creates a feeling of release as the pressure on these body parts is freed. It is because of this fact that hanging upside down may be helpful in improving certain conditions, such as herniated discs, lumbar osteoarthritis, inclinatory skeletal defects, sciatica, and paralytic scoliosis just to mention but a few.

The spine is a very important part of the body, and when it is in good health our entire body benefits. Inversion therapy enhances the health of the spine and as such, promotes better health for the whole body. Therefore, not only does hanging upside down improve flexibility, but it also improves overall strength, boosts the immunity and helps to promote emotional well-being. So, if you thought that inversion therapy is only for chronic back pain, it is a high time you thought again and considered hanging upside down on a regular basis. Hang-10.

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.