Every December, as we finish the last of the leftover turkey, patients begin to talk about the holiday season and gift shopping. This conversation invariably leads to suggestions for gift ideas related to health, exercise and fitness. The suggestions below offer a wide variety of fitness related gifts, some expensive and frivolous and others reasonably […]
Everyone knows a competitive athlete, not only Olympic or professional, but high school, college, or weekend warrior, who seems to enjoy taking their bodies to the maximum level in order to improve performance. Billions of dollars are spent each year to buy the best equipment, travel to the best facility, eat the best food and […]
Frequently, patients ask for a home exercise program that is quick and easy. For some, they want to do some exercises before or after work to gain or maintain muscle tone, but don’t have time to join a gym. For others who are retired, they want to do some simple exercises to help them maintain independence […]
The summer is a great time to be outdoors in NEPA as so many activities are available such as: biking, hiking, running, walking, swimming, boating, golfing, and playing tennis to name a few. It is also a wonderful opportunity to discover your inner child, mix it up and try something new! Below are four new […]
Recently, a patient, Pat McKenna, editor of The Times-Tribune, came to my office with a partial tear and strain to one of his hamstring muscles. He stated that he has always had hamstring tightness and has walked backward as a warm-up exercise to prevent injury. I found the concept of backward walking, (also called retrowalking) […]
Winter in NEPA can be the perfect opportunity to try something new. For example, for those who enjoy running or walking you can continue to do so in the winter, with a few adjustments. Equipment, such as treaded sneakers, allows you to run or walk in the snow. Snow shoes are a great way to […]
Every year, well-intended family members purchase expensive exercise equipment as Christmas gifts for loved ones with the hope of encouraging exercise and fitness for the New Year. I applaud the attempt to encourage wellness because the value of regular exercise is well known. However, a high percentage of these products serve as clothes hangers and […]
Last year’s Steamtown Marathon saw the influence of the new “barefoot running” fad, with R. J. Stiltenpole of Scranton Running Co. as one runner who sported the barefoot look and plans to do so again in October 2011. He, like many other “barefoot runners,” sported minimalist shoes to prevent cuts and blisters from the pavement. […]
On June 18, the Second Annual Lackawanna River Heritage Association’s Explorer Bike Tour and Festival will take place at Mellow Park in Peckville, PA. Good luck to all of the riders from our area. Biking is a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors of NEPA. It offers many health benefits and can serve as […]
In 2009, compression socks burst onto the running scene when people witnessed Paula Radcliffe, one of the top female marathon runners, wearing what appeared to be knee-high socks as she ran the Boston Marathon and other major events. In fact, so many people took notice that the sock she wore, 2XU Compression Racing Socks, became the 2009 Product of the Year! Today, the company offers two socks: one worn while running to improve performance, and the other worn after prolonged activities to reduce exercise-induced muscle soreness.
