Health blog Category: wellness
Setting Fitness Goals in the New Year
A new decade, a new set of goals to achieve. At LSTC, we’re all about helping people reach their physical goals. In fact, some of the goals we helped people reach last year were:
- Back to golfing
- Picking up a baby without pain
- Back to running
- Completing triathlons and the like…
- Sleeping comfortably
- Doing necessary household chores without wincing
- Managing concussions and getting students back to school and sports
- Dancing again without pain
- Taking trips out of the country pain free
- And so much more…
So what are your goals for the new year?
Read full blog7 Common Questions About Physical Therapy
Out of All the Questions We Receive, This One is the Most Common… “What is physical therapy?”
The use of exercise, manual therapy and different techniques to improve movement patterns, increase function and decrease pain to overall improve quality of life.
“Do I need imaging before coming to PT? MRI? Xray?”
No you do not need imaging before coming to PT. At the initial evaluation will do specific testing to determine a diagnosis.
Read full blogWays to Keep Moving if You Work From Home
Working from home can be hard to have a work life balance or even have the power to step away from the computer since that is your life now. If this sounds like you, don’t panic! There are solutions to help you get moving and have a better relationship with your new reality of working from home.
Walk it out
Now that you are at home all the time, chances are your step count is significantly lower than it was when you were in the office.
Read full blogIt’s Time to Start Eating Healthy Again
There are many parts to eating healthy, but one important part of healthy eating involves portion control. “How much am I eating?” you ask. “What is the best way to measure portion sizes?”
When food scales or measuring cups aren’t handy, you can still estimate your portions using these easy tips below to know exactly how much food you’re eating.
3 Ounces of Meat = Deck of Playing Cards
Medium Apple = Tennis Ball
1 oz of Cheese = 4 Stacked Dice
½ Cup of Ice Cream = Tennis Ball
1 Cup of Mashed Potatoes or Broccoli = Your Fist
1 Teaspoon of Peanut Butter = Tip of Your Thumb
1 Ounce of Nuts or Small Candies = One Handful
*If you’re cutting calories, remember to eat healthy and nutritious food to keep you full.*
*For a list of the food groups and recommended daily servings, please visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/.*
If you have any questions about nutrition or portion control, call Loudoun Sports Therapy Center at 703-450-4300 to speak with our expert staff members.
Read full blogWater VS. Sports Drink Debate
You’ve been exercising for an hour and a half, your muscles are weak, your shirt is drenched, you’ve recently noticed a minor headache and you’re beyond thirsty. Do you reach for your water bottle filled with water or do you grab a bottle of one of those flavorful sports drinks?
The water versus sports drinks debate has been a topic of discussion for many years. There are a multitude of opinions because there are different circumstances in which one choice trumps the other.
No Movement, No Energy
Do you sometimes feel sluggish, tired, achy, sore or have low energy? Most of these problems can be caused by lack of movement. If you sit still for long hours in your car, at your job, or at home watching TV, you are hurting your body over time.
Without frequent movement, your muscles waste away, joints become stiff, and normal chemical processes in your body change. Your circulation and lymphatic systems slow down causing a backup of toxic wastes, such as cholesterol, that are normally produced and excreted by your body.
Poor Posture Isn’t Worth the Neck Pain
Most of us, spend a large part of our day staring at small screens. Whether it is our cell phone, tablet or computer, these tiny screens play a giant role in our poor posture and neck pains. It is easy to get lost in the digital world and lose focus on how we are sitting or positioning ourselves while at work or playing on our gadgets. Over time, we can end up hurting the tiny postural muscles and structures in our neck that help us to hold our head up high.
Read full blogFive Signs Your Body Isn’t Functioning Properly
The human body is a marvel of biology and genetics. It is capable of accomplishing tasks ranging from building massive structures to running a marathon. When it’s working at peak efficiency, few animals on Earth can compete with the grace and power of the human body. Unfortunately, there are times when everything just doesn’t come together.
If you feel like your body isn’t functioning optimally, here are 5 signs to look for:
Excess Fatigue
When it comes to ensuring that your body is functioning optimally, few things are as important as receiving adequate rest.
Read full blogFive Myths About Exercising and Aging
Five Myths About Exercising and Aging
There are several myths about exercising and aging. Unfortunately, many people believe there are increased risks involved with physical activity and the aging population. Some think they are too old to participate in community activities or exercise classes. This is simply not true! Read the five myths below to dispel any misunderstanding about safely exercising as we age.
- Myth: There is no point in exercising.