How Sugar Affects the Brain

June 30, 2014 by ActionPT

Have you ever wondered why sugar gives you that warm fuzzy feeling? Do you crave sweet treats? Nicole Avena explains how sugar affects the brain and why it should be enjoyed in moderation in this TED-Ed Original lesson.

Sugar on scoop on wooden board with sugar cubes

Eating sugar activates a rewards system and releases dopamine in your body giving you a warm fuzzy feeling. In this video Nicole explains how our brains have evolved to notice new and special tastes to determine if food has gone bad and to create a desire to eat a variety of foods with an array of nutrition. Sugar however sparks a rewarding feeling every time you eat it making it very addictive and over activates your rewards system making it bad if you too much.

Click here to view this informative TED-Ed Original lesson.

Posted in Health & Nutrition · Tagged carbohydrate, dopamine levels, nutrition, sugar, sweets · Comments Off

Chronic Neck Pain

June 23, 2014 by ActionPT

A recent study reveals that an effective exercise regimen and its components regarding frequency, intensity, time and type (FITT) will improve Chronic Neck Pain.

Woman touching her painful neck.

Chronic Neck Pain (CNP) is treated by many therapists with exercise therapy, but what delivers the best results? According to a recent study published by Elsevier Inc. / American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, the objective was to identify the most effective components in an active exercise physiotherapy treatment intervention for CNP based on the frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) exercise method.

The study revealed that education and exercise training has the most beneficial effect on reducing pain and improving function and quality of life in patients with CNP. It was also noted that targeting deep neck flexors through strength training has positive effects on quality of life when combined with endurance and aerobic training. Progress was seen in patients that performed 30-60 minutes exercise sessions at least three times per week for 6-12 weeks.

Click here to view the article posted on www.anatomy-physiotherapy.com’s web site.

Posted in Body Parts, Industry News, Modalities, Pain Management, Spine · Tagged cervical spine, Chronic neck pain, disorders, exercise, Frequency, intervention, Neck pain, Physical therapy modalities, rehabilitation, Type of exercise · Comments Off

Are you doing the perfect pull-up?

June 16, 2014 by ActionPT

Using proper technique for all exercises will help you prevent injury and get more out of the movement. Here’s a few tips from coreperformance.com about how to perform a perfect pull-up.

The Perfect Pull Up

Have you ever wondered if you are doing a pull-up properly? The pull-up is one of the best upper body exercises and provides you with the greatest benefits to your back and upper body. It’s functional, versatile, and easy to throw into a circuit. That’s not to say it’s easy to do right. Pull ups are one of the hardest exercises you can do, well if you do it right.

Here are a few key points to perfecting the pull-up.

• Hang loose.

• Get a grip.

• Stay still.

• Focus.

• Stay tight.

• Keep control.

Click here to read the full article, “Q&A: The Perfect Pull-Up”

Posted in Body Parts, Shoulder, Strength Training · Tagged biceps, exercise, pull-up, shoulder, upper body · Comments Off

Let’s Explore: Barefoot Running

June 9, 2014 by ActionPT

Barefoot running, also known as minimalism running, is simply running without shoes or running in thin-soled shoes. The most common justifications for barefoot running are that it is the “natural” way of running, prevents injury, makes you run faster, and it strengthens the muscles of your feet.

Man running on beach

Are these claims supported by evidence? A new article featured on moveforwardpt.com explores each of these ideas: natural running, preventing injury, running faster, and muscle strength.

Conclusion: Barefoot/minimalist running is a popular topic of discussion that is, in reality, not very prevalent among runners. There is little data to support its use as a training tool or treatment for injury and continued studies on the potential risks and benefits of this technique will be proven over time.

Click here to read the full article Barefoot and Minimalist Running: What Do We Know?

Posted in Industry News, News, Sports Performance · Tagged barefoot running, exercise, running · Comments Off

Get a Massage. It’s Good For You!

May 28, 2014 by ActionPT

There are lots of benefits of massage therapy. It can help pain management for cancer, insomnia, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, post-operative recovery and will help heal the heart.

Woman getting a massage

Many Americans suffer from high blood pressure and massage therapy can help you maintain optimal vascular health.

Long-term studies have shown that a consistent massage program can decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure; decrease salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels; and lower sources for depression, anxiety and hostility.

If you or someone you know is looking for natural ways to help lower blood pressure, please contact our office today to set up an appointment with Cece our Certified Massage & Zen Muscular Therapist. (808) 246-0144

Click here to read Why Massages Really Do Keep You Healthy: A Cardiologist Explains

Posted in Action PT News, Health & Nutrition, Industry News, News, Pain Management · Tagged depression, high blood pressure, massage, massage therapy, pain management, therapy, vascular health · Comments Off

Paleo Diet & White Rice

May 19, 2014 by ActionPT

So you thought white rice was bad for you. Plus you are on the Paleo diet, so you’ve been avoiding this Hawaiian pantry staple. Well think again. According to the Paleo Leap’s new article All About Rice it may not be as bad as you think.

Bowl of white rice with chopsticks

This interesting and informative article breaks down the basics of carbs and Paleo diet and examines the differences between brown and white rice. It isn’t saying whether adding white rice to your diet is what you should do, but rather lays down the facts to see if it is right for you.

Click here to read All About Rice on Paleo Leap’s website and to learn more about the Paleo Diet.

Posted in Health & Nutrition, Industry News, News · Tagged health, nutrition, Paleo Diet, rice · Comments Off

Arthritis is a ‘Significant’ Factor in Falling Injuries

May 12, 2014 by ActionPT

Adults with arthritis are injured in falls at a rate 2.5 times higher than for those without the disease, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The findings, published in the CDC’s May 2 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, showed that in almost all cases, rates of falls and falls injuries were “significantly higher” among adults 45 years and older with arthritis than those without.

Posted in Industry News, Injury Prevention, News, Sports Performance · Tagged aging, arthritis, balance, CDC, Injury · Comments Off

Is Your Produce Clean or Pesticide-Laden?

May 5, 2014 by ActionPT

Every fruit and vegetable you buy comes with a dose of poisonous chemicals, unless you are eating organic. But not all produce suffers from the same level of toxicity.

Thankfully the Environmental Working Group just released its annual list of the 15 cleanest and the 12 most pesticide-laden fruit and vegetables to help you decide what to put in your body.

The Dirty Dozen

The Environmental Working Group found these 12 pieces of produce to be most toxic:

1. Apples

2. Strawberries

3. Grapes

4. Celery

5. Peaches

6. Spinach

7. Sweet Bell Peppers

8. Nectarins – Imported

9. Cucumbers

10. Cherry Tomatoes

11. Snap Peas – Imported

12. Potatoes

The Clean Fifteen

The EWG found that the produce listed below are the least likely to hold pesticides residues, and have tested low for total pesticide concentration:

1. Avocados

2. Sweet corn

3. Pineapples

4. Cabbage

5. Frozen sweet peas

6. Onions

7. Asparagus

8. Mangoes

9. Papayas

10. Kiwis

11. Eggplant

12. Grapefruit

13. Cantaloupe

14. Cauliflower

15. Sweet potatoes

Click Here to Read the Full Article on Natural Society’s Web Site.

Posted in Health & Nutrition, Industry News, News · Tagged food, fruit, nutrition, vegetable · Comments Off

Want Younger Looking Skin?

April 28, 2014 by ActionPT

We all know how important it is to exercise regularly, but new research has revealed that exercise will keep skin looking and feeling younger & it can also reverse skin aging. It’s not too late to start.

Image of woman's fit stomach as she is lifting weight.

As we age, our skin begins to thin and starts to give a more saggier and translucent appearance. We can’t stop this change from happening, but you can make your skin look younger by working out twice a week.

Check out this interesting article featured in the New York Times that discusses this surprising new research.

Click here to read the New York Time’s article Younger Skin Through Exercise.

Posted in Industry News, News · Tagged fitness, look better, research, skin, youth · Comments Off

Coffee, Is It Good or Bad?

April 21, 2014 by ActionPT

Check out this great article by Robert T. Gonzalez about the 10 Reasons Coffee is Both the Best and the Worst Beverage Ever Invented.

Cup of coffee with coffee beans.

Do you represent the over 50% of Americans that drink coffee on a daily basis? We’ll let you decide if this compelling list of pros and cons will change your coffee drinking habit. I know what side I’m picking. What about you?

10) Pro: Coffee + pain medication = extra pain relief

9) Con: Just kidding — because coffee is also linked to headaches. Sort of. Probably.

8) Con: Those who French-press need to watch their cholesterol

7) Pro: Cancer isn’t fond of coffee

6) Con: Ulcers

5) Con: Coffee — not so good for the babies

4) Pro: Coffee likely has a preventive effect against type 2 diabetes

3) Pro: Same goes for cognitive disorders

2) Toss-up : It makes you have to poop

1) Toss up: Drink coffee, see ghosts?

Click here to read 10 Reasons Coffee is Both the Best and the Worst Beverage Ever Invented.

Posted in Health & Nutrition, News, Pain Management · Tagged cancer, coffee, cognitive disorders, headaches, pain management, pain relief, ulcers · Comments Off

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