Roughly 11 to 15 percent of the adult population suffers from the type of heel pain known as plantar fasciitis, also known as plantar heel pain (PHP) or fasciopathy. Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the thick fascia tissues of the heels. It's a common running injury and usually triggered due to overuse of…
Painkilling drugs can do wonders for patients that need them, but they also can be extremely addictive and potentially lead to serious side effects. Even acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, affects us in ways we’re only now starting to fully understand — it makes people less empathetic — which makes it more important than…
Relieving tight muscles and trigger points can make a big difference in reducing joint stress and improving your overall quality of life. That's why you should consider active release technique (ART). It can help turn on muscles that have been turned off due to injury and eliminate muscular pain. Active release technique is a type…
Perhaps most well-known as the salty snack of choice found in nearly every baseball player's pocket, the benefits of sunflower seeds extend way beyond their irresistible flavor and satisfyingly crunchy texture. In fact, sunflower seeds are jam-packed with a wealth of important nutrients and have been associated with a multitude of health benefits, ranging from…
Both supination and pronation are terms used to describe the rolling motion of the heels and feet during the body's gait cycle, which takes place as we run or walk. Supination describes the rolling outward motion of the foot, therefore oversupinators don't roll their feet inward enough. Excess supination is also called "underpronation" — since…
Ever notice how the calf muscle seems to get little attention? Rarely do group fitness classes dedicate blocks of time to calves and calf exercises like they do for ab workouts or butt workouts. While the calf muscle often goes unnoticed as an important muscle, it's more important than you think … and ideally it's part…
One of the major draws for people who take up running to keep in shape is how little is needed. There’s no fancy equipment or expensive memberships to worry about — just lace up your sneakers, throw open the front door and hit the road. While the runner’s high is fantastic, you might start to…
A heel spur is caused by the displacement of calcium on the bone that forms on the underside of the heel. It may be one small bony protrusion or a collection of tiny, irregularly shaped growths on the bone of the heel, which is called the calcaneum. Heel spurs are sometimes painful — described as…
[caption id="attachment_172109" align="aligncenter" width="800"] foot step on massage ball to relieve Plantar fasciitis or heel pain. woman with red pedicure massaging trigger points on her foot[/caption] Pronation deviations that occur at the feet and ankles — called overpronation or underpronation (also known as supination) — are some of the most common underlying postural problems that adults…
Whether you’re an athlete with a daily high demand placed on your body or recovering from an injury or illness, deep tissue massage likely has some benefits to offer you. Massages have been utilized for thousands of years throughout the world to lower both physical and psychological stress. And today, research continues to show that…
