A holistic look at the causes of our aches and pains…

People seeking relief from aches and pains often are not aware of how imbalance in their posture and gait (walk) contributes to pain and fatigue. At the same time, more people are seeking ways to exercise that reduce stress and improves balance without damaging the body.

Stress includes both physical problems from improper exercise, traumatic injury, sprains, strains or simply degradation due to the aging process; as well as anxiety, worry and tension that manifests in physical symptoms. This can lead to improper gait, a condition that makes exercise and even simple movements inefficient, and increases risks for further injury.

One of the many ways mental stress can lead to physical symptoms is through what is called neurological switching, also known as general adaptation syndrome. When faced with a perceived threat, the body responds automatically with a surge of adrenalin, increased heartbeat and breathing. People who deal with stress over long periods of time may get stuck in this fight or flight mechanism without even knowing it. This can lead to problems with gait and posture which can compound other symptoms.

When the human body is healthy, there is a systematic rhythm to a person’s gait. The opposing arm swings naturally forward when a step is taken by either the right or left foot. This involuntary movement is controlled by an autonomic nervous system with the entire body operating as a unified muscle mass in a tension/relaxation cycle.

When normal gait is interrupted by stress, the autonomic nervous system causes the body to develop involuntary movement patterns during walking. This results in an asynchronous gait, which produces torquing of one side of the body vis-à-vis the opposing side.

Greatly accelerated wear and tear on the body and poor posture, the result of involuntary compensation for pain or stress, is manifested in unequal muscle length and tensile strength throughout the muscular skeletal system. The abnormal torquing, and the multiple compensations a person substitutes for her/his normal rhythmic gait, adversely affects joints, spinal flexibility and overall health. Even easy exercises and movements can be exhausting. But when we correct gait problems, patients see immediate results.

To help patients correct improper gait, I developed the Chi Rope, a set of exercise handles that combine sound, weight, magnetism and vibration to enhance the body’s homeostasis (balance). The system can be used with or without an interconnected jump rope for walking, jumping rope or in conjunction with a daily regimen of movements. Patients use them while doing Pilates, yoga and running.

Most people are looking for relief from specific symptoms when they visit a chiropractor. In functional health, we look for global, holistic methods to address the underlying cause of patients' symptoms. It is a whole new way of looking at health.

Correcting improper gait is a key to restoring homeostasis – balance and proper movement. By bringing the body back into balance, it can better handle stress and function properly with increased energy, vitality and efficiency.

Dr. John's Tips for Safe Exercise

Pilates and Yoga are among safer exercises. Neither one will correct gait problems, but they both involve controlled movement and resistance that does not tend to tear up the body like weight training or running.

Don't over-train. Many people work out too often and too hard and don't allow their bodies to recover. Before starting a new exercise routine, take your pulse for seven days every morning to determine your resting (baseline) pulse. If, after starting a new exercise routine, you find your morning pulse is five beats above your baseline pulse, take the day off. That's a sign you are overtraining.

Be aware of symptoms of imbalance. Abnormal aches, problems sleeping, mood changes and craving sweets are all signs that may indicate problems with gait and balance. To learn more, visit Dr. Lombardozzi's website at www.ChiRope.com.

About the Author: Dr. John L. Lombardozzi is an expert in functional health and inventor of The Chi Rope, a patented exercise device to help improve balance and energy and correct uneven gait associated with pain, stress and fatigue. A lifelong athlete and inventor, Dr. Lombardozzi studied yoga, Pilates and martial arts while building custom motorcycles. Following a back injury, he became a chiropractic physician specializing in kinesiology and biomechanical movement. Dr. Lombardozzi earned a degree from Life Chiropractic College and has practiced chiropractic medicine for 14 years. For more information, visit www.ChiRope.com.

Many college students feel like their brain is melting due to academic pressures and other factors. Too much stress in college can lead to poor grades. What can college school students do? Here are some tips to help students reduce stress:

Energy Booster Products

Caffeine energy drinks are popular with college students – they help them stay awake for all-night study sessions. However, delaying the body's need for sleep typically results in an energy crash which increases the susceptibility to stress.

A report in the medical journal Pediatrics found that some energy drinks contain four to five times more caffeine than soda. According to the report, energy drinks often contain ingredients that can enhance the jittery effects of caffeine.

Multitasking

Multitasking is part of college students' lives. However, a study reported in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that multitasking has a negative physical effect, promoting the release of stress hormones and adrenaline. Multitasking affects a person's mental clarity; switching between tasks ultimately makes students less efficient.

The report also showed students took far longer to solve complicated math problems when they had to switch to other tasks – they were up to 40 percent slower. It becomes a vicious cycle where people often work hard at multitasking, which results in taking longer to get things done, which then increases their stress. They end up feeling harried and compelled to do more multitasking. It's better to focus on one thing at a time.

Sleep

A good night's sleeps helps students deal with stress much easier. Most college students need 7-8 hours of sleep per night. J. David Forbes, MD, a physician specializing in stress management, said, "Winging it on not much sleep has a profound effect on how we experience stressors of the day."

Yoga for College Students

Yoga includes a mixture of exercises, meditation, and breathing. Practicing yoga is a great way for college students to reduce stress. Yoga counteracts the effects of stress in several ways, including by positively altering the biochemical responses of the body. Practicing yoga helps students sleep better and helps them avoid stress-induced eating.

According to studies, yoga practitioners learn more and improve their memory and grades. Yoga is an excellent alternative to the action packed, adrenalin rush video games many college students enjoy playing.

Exercise

Physical activities, such as aerobic exercises and jogging, help to use up the excess energy produced by stress. Stressed out college students need, at a minimum, 30 minutes of exercise every day. According to the prestigious Mayo Clinic, practically any type of exercise from aerobics to weightlifting can relieve stress.

Transcendental Meditation (TM)

While practicing transcendental meditation, the brain functions with significantly greater coherence and the body gains deep rest. The state of restful alertness produced by transcendental meditation relieves stress and fatigue.

David Haaga, Ph.D., professor of Psychology at American University in Washington D.C., said, "The Transcendental Meditation Program, a widely-used standardized program to reduce stress, showed significant decreases in blood pressure and improved mental health in young adults at risk for hypertension."

Reducing stress leads to a happier more fulfilling college life, so college students would be wise to pay attention.

Brian Jenkins is a member of the BrainTrack.com writing team. He writes about careers in athletic training, among other career topics.

We look at the clock and then do the quick math: If I fall asleep now – right now – I’ll get 4 hours and 36 minutes of sleep … I’ll get 3 hours and 51 minutes … I’ll get …

The obsession over sleep comes from the modern world’s inability to cue our bodies and minds for rest. Most households have at least one television on at all times, add-in the glowing and buzzing rectangles of our cell phones, computers and iPads and we are on sensory overload.

The main problem is that each of these devices emit a blue light which tells out body that it is still daytime and that slows the production of melatonin, the naturally occurring hormone generated to help sustain our circadian rhythm and create and maintain sleep.

1. The one-hour cutoff. Give yourself one hour before bedtime without the use of any electronic devices. Reading puts us to sleep because it makes our brain work while we are creating the hormones necessary for sleep (a Kindle will work here).

The worst thing you can do is bring a computer or iPad into bed with you, which tells your body that the bed has little connection with healthy sleep. If you need a distraction from your thoughts, then look into listening to an hour of NPR podcasts from your iPod – nothing puts us to sleep quicker than Ira Glass!

2. Waking up is okay. The conventional wisdom is that 8-hours of slumber constitutes a sleep cycle, How crazy is that? We need to sleep for exactly 1/3 of our life to create the perfect day.

The truth is that humans have always survived on biphasic sleep pattern – two distinct sleeping times: night sleep and morning sleep. Night sleep meant we could enjoy a deep REM sleep, then awake to get some water, use the facilities and even enjoy the clarity of the 4 AM hour.

Then we head back to bed for a morning sleep which is a less-intense REM cycle leaving us with about 7 – 8 hours of total time spent in and around our bed. However, that’s been construed to make us believe that we should be conked out for 8 straight hours, hence the obsession with Ambien and other sleep medications.

Waking up in the middle of the night is not a problem – it’s completely natural.

3. Desperate times call for Melatonin. We can use a nudge every so often. There is a big meeting and we’ve been stressed and the kids are screaming.

Whatever the issue, we could use some NATURAL help a few times a month. Melatonin is a hormone created naturally in the body, but you can also buy it in the vitamin sections of the health food store. Melatonin gets us to sleep faster and puts us into our biphasic sleep cycle.

Modern technology has helped us get to sleep in one important way. Those with a smart phone can download Sleep Cycle and other apps that can gauge the amount of time we are asleep, how deep we sleep and even what the noises are that wake us up in the middle of the night. For those serious about their sleep and wanting quality hours, not just quantity, these technical gadgets could really help.

Sleep tight!

Tim Foley is a fitness and relationship blogger who regularly comments on primal living trends and
dating sites.


Many people suffer from anxiety. Some people suffer from anxiety for a long time without realizing why they’re suffering from it.

Several factors contribute to a person developing anxiety. Research has broken down the potential causes into three main segments, viz., brain chemistry, heredity, and life experiences.

Anxiety wastes a person’s time and energy, while weakening that person both mentally and physically. Overcoming anxiety helps improve your health dramatically and allows you to enjoy life more fully.

The Many Causes Of Anxiety

Anxiety can be a result of a mental condition, a physical condition, side effects from medication, or even a combination of different factors. Panic disorder can cause anxiety, displaying symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath. Generalized anxiety disorder and phobic or stress disorders cause anxiety in some people. Additionally, stresses that rise due to work issues, personal relationships or financial issues can cause anxiety. Emotional trauma such as losing a loved one is known to cause anxiety, and so can a serious medical illness. Other than this, anxiety can be a side effect of prescription medication, or of narcotic drug abuse. It could be symptomatic of an event such as a heart attack, a heat stroke, or even hypoglycemia.

Overcoming Anxiety Through Medication

People who display symptoms of anxiety disorders are sometimes prescribed medications to help calm the mind. These medications work by altering the chemicals of the brain. Most anxiety symptoms are relieved due to medication, and this has led doctors to believe that brain chemistry in some people triggers anxiety disorders. However, medication cannot be long-term solution for anxiety problems; a person can become dependent on these medications. Doctors advise natural calming techniques and positive thinking to combat anxiety disorders.

Overcoming Anxiety Naturally

Here are a few tips to overcome anxiety naturally.

Think Positive: Negative feelings and emotions add strength to your anxiety. Detaching yourself from situations and people that cause you anxiety is a good way to combat anxiety symptoms. Wake up with a positive thought and tally all the good things that happen throughout the day. Tell yourself that life is good and that each day is going to bring only good things to your door. Self-motivating talks and appreciating yourself for all your positives will help you control your anxiety.

Keep Busy: Keep yourself busy so that you don’t get the time to brood unnecessarily. An idle mind is indeed a devil’s workshop.

Set Goals: Knowing a set path for your day, a month or a year will help calm your anxiety. Set goals and work towards them without taking too many breaks. Doing this will direct your thoughts and feelings away from constant worry and anxiety, and will turn you towards positive action.

Share Your Thoughts: Talk about your anxieties to someone you know and trust. Discussing your troubles objectively will help to alleviate anxiety symptoms. It will also help put your anxieties within the right perspective, helping you get rid of them. However, make sure that whoever you talk to is able to objectively help you with your anxieties, instead of fuelling them further. It’s best to talk to a qualified therapist who’ll help you reduce your anxieties over time.

Exercise: Exercise fills you with positive hormones and makes you feel good. It’s a good way to keep from letting your fears overwhelm you. Try any exercise with which you’re comfortable; you can walk, or swim, try a sport or do aerobics, as long as you feel happy doing it. Don’t select an exercise that’s difficult to perform, which might cause further anxieties.

Laugh Heartily: Laughter is the best medicine for all ails. Find any reason to laugh; watch comedy shows, talk to funny friends, and visit the circus. Do whatever it takes to liven up your days. Laughter, just like exercise, floods your body with positive hormones, which keep anxiety at bay.

Be Selective: Stay away from people and things that make you more anxious. If watching the news on TV makes you anxious, switch off your TV. Surround yourself with only those aspects that calm you and make you happy. This way, you can selectively choose happiness over anxiety and lead a better life.

John runs an online nursing uniform store offering a wide range of lab coats, nursing scrubs and medical uniforms.

Introduction

While it is realistic to consider that stress will always be a part and parcel of our lives, and drugs might only combat the problem to a limited extent, there are several ways by which one can actually rid themselves of stress – which is turning out to be the number one killer these days and causing all sorts of issues.

Think of the environment being a source of stress… that over a period takes its toll on a person that finally results in the person breaking down either mentally or physically.

And this is why people need to get away from these unavoidable sources of stress (if only for a while) to find their center again and come back to the daily grind that seems to be more and more torturous unless one takes a break.

Taking a Vacation

But who doesn't love a vacation? I didn't need to tell you that… now did I? However, the place that you choose to go to for a vacation will often reveal what the person is looking for.

In the case of a romantic getaway, there are often quiet spots that one can drive to, especially to spend those long weekends as if to replenish oneself.

And then there are the party spots that folks often visit for loads of excitement and perhaps to bring out the party animal in you. Most of the folks who do this generally belong to the younger crowd whereas for those who still believe that they are young at heart, it's still not too bad to visit as long as you can take the noise and brisk activity involved.

A Vacation in Ecuador – Another  option, perhaps?

Traveling to South America often can give you a blend of both types – a quiet or a celebratory type of vacation, and often leading the person to choose who much of either is enough.

Most travelers consider Ecuador to be one of the most beautiful places in South America that one can visit, and which has twice the number spots that one can visit in such a small country. And the reason for this is because it is considered to be one of seventeen megadiverse countries, according to Conservation International, and with the Galapagos Ecuador islands being the birthplace of Darwin's "Theory of Human Evolution", it is also considered as a World Heritage Site according to UNESCO.

And there's no doubt from these facts that Ecuador is a land of vast natural wealth, and perhaps, it is one of the reasons why tourism is given such prominence in the coutry by both the government and the people who hail from the ecuador culture.

Popular Vacation Spots in Ecuador

And so if you are interested in visiting Ecuador, here is a list of popular spots that one can work with, and then move on to the more arcane spots with the help of the general public:

1) Colonial cities such as Quito and Cuenca

2) Otavalo and the Cotopaxi Volcano in the Andes Mountains and the Highlands

3) The tropical rainforest in Eastern Ecuador

4) Tropical Beaches such as Atacames, Manta and Salinas

5) And the must-see of them all, whether you are a marine biologist or not, Galapagos Islands.

In Closing

And get ready for the ride of your life…

Caravaning camping is an excellent way to spend any vacation or even long weekend. Grabbing a gang of friends, getting out the city, and comfortably enjoying the outdoors is the way to go. But as a health and fitness buff, it can be easy to put your body on the backburner. Junk food snacking during long car rides, all those hours sitting, hot dogs roasting over the fire for dinner — you might have to put in some extra workouts when you're back.

But caravan camping does not have to wreck your routine. Follow this checklist for simple, easy ways to stay fit and healthy on your next trip.

• Pack healthy road snacks: Forget Cheetos or candy bars. Bring plenty of healthy snacks to stay eating right. Trail mix is a staple, and fruits like apples and bananas hold up well without refrigeration and are easy to eat while on the go. Health bars are OK, but have a lot of calories and protein that will be hard to burn off with limited activity.
• Bring small exercise toys: Do quick activities in the car, like being a hand-gripper to squeeze and work your forearms. It'll also relieve stress, like cabin fever.
• Do something physical during breaks: A quick set of jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches, anything to get your blood flowing and burn off some quick calories. If you're really ambitious (and it's safe to do so), go for a jog along your route and ask your crew to pick you up a mile or two down the road.
• Plan lots of activities for when you get there: When you actually arrive at the campsite, maximize your physical activities while you're there. Go for long hikes that will make you break a sweat and give your lower body a tough workout. Canoeing or rowing is excellent for upper body, particularly chest. Bring a frisbee or a football to toss up, and grab your friends for a game. Enjoy the outdoors by taking advantage of its opportunities for physical activity.
• Go climb trees: For a total body workout with a little adventure that harkens back to childhood, find sturdy trees at your campsite and climb them. You might get a good view, your friends will get a kick out of it, and it will really work your core, arms, and lower body.
• Prepare healthier meals: Camping staples like burgers and hot dogs just are not that good for you. Pasta is a better option, as is chicken (with a touch of barbecue sauce if you can't live without it). For vegetables, you can always bring some in a refrigerated container, but those may not keep for long. Don't worry about it; just be conscious not to sabotage the rest of your diet by eating junk food or fatty meats.
• Don't drink too much: Caravaning camping often leads to letting off some steam with good friends. Drinks will be had, and more drinks, and more drinks. Alcohol is chock-full of empty calories, and will leave you feeling sluggish for the next day's activities. Have a beer or two or three, but leave it at that. You'll have fun telling your friends about their exploits from the night before too.

Edward Stern is a guest blogger for An Apple A Day and a writer on online nursing classes for the Guide to Health Education.

We all feel stressed out at times, so wouldn't it be great if we could release that tension through the simple and entertaining act of playing video games? Well, researchers out of McGill University have produced a series of stress relief games specifically designed for just that purpose.

MindHabits lets you preview a collection of the scientifically proven techniques and games for free.

Each game targets a different area of your brain, but the overall goal is the same: train yourself to focus more on the positive aspects of every social interaction.

"There are many possible applications for this kind of game," said Prof. Baldwin, "from helping people cope with the social anxiety of public speaking or meeting new people, to helping athletes concentrate more on their game rather than worrying about performing poorly."

Just last week, MindHabits won Telefilm Canada's Great Canadian Video Game Competition, earning them nearly $1 million to help bring their games to the masses.

In the meantime, you can play a demo of each stress relief game here.

There's nothing more macho than a bunch of big, strong guys throwing on the gear, hitting the field, and battling it out during a grueling NFL football practice — all while listening to Mozart. Huh? What was that last part?

That's right: New York Jets coach, Eric Mangini, has Mozart blaring through the loud speakers during practice. Why?

"From different studies, they've shown — I may be a little wrong on the technical side — that Mozart's music and brain waves are similar and that it stimulates learning. They play it a lot at schools around the country, very low, underneath. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but why not give it a shot?" said Mangini.

After hearing this on ESPN, as the sportscasters mocked and laughed at the topic, I decided to do a little research myself. I found what is known as "The Mozart Effect." Some believe that listening to Mozart, or any similar Baroque music, stimulates the brain and can increase intelligence, learning, and cognitive ability.

Unfortunately, most of the claims have harsh critics who have demonstrated time and time again that the so-called "Mozart effect" is minuscule at best. One of the topics most well-known opponents is a researcher by the name of Christopher F. Chabris, who had this to say:

Chabris stated that his meta-analysis demonstrated "that any cognitive enhancement is small and does not reflect any change in IQ or reasoning ability in general, but instead derives entirely from performance on one specific type of cognitive task and has a simple neuropsychological explanation," called "enjoyment arousal." For example, he cites a study that found that "listening either to Mozart or to a passage from a Stephen King story enhanced subjects’ performance…"

My favorite part of that study is the term, "enjoyment arousal." Only a scientist could come up with a phrase like that without seeing the problem it presents to the less mature among us.

On the other hand, one of the reasonings behind the Mozart effect that actually seemed to make some sense was this:

When your body hears the even, one beat per second of Baroque music, your heart rate and pulse relax to the beat. When you are in this relaxed, but alert state, your mind is able to concentrate more easily. Music corresponds to and affects our physiological conditions. During heavy mental work, our pulse and blood pressure rises, and it's usually more difficult to concentrate in this state. The Baroque and Mozart music pieces on the Mozart Effect learning tapes and compact disks have been especially selected for their beat pattern (60 beats per minute), reduce your blood pressure and pulse rate and increases your ability to learn at the same time.

So, even though the actual "Mozart effect" seems to be a bit over-hyped, that doesn't mean classical music can't at least help relax your body and calm your mind. I know I was never a fan, because I thought it was too "old" and not "cool" enough. But, when I decided to give it a try, I was quite impressed at how the instruments and arrangements really do seem to speak without words — not to mention it makes me look smart and sophisticated.

My favorite is the "The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World…Ever!" series. There are about four or five more with similarly brilliant titles like The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe and The Most Relaxing Piano Album in the World…Ever!.

If your faith in the Mozart effect can't be swayed by it's villainous, scientific rivals, you can try the official CD here: Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 1, Strengthen the Mind

I don't normally listen to music as I work, but I'm going to test it out a little this week to see if I can tell any difference. Feel free to dust off your classical collection and join me in the experiment.

The American Cancer Society recently conducted a survey in which they asked 1,000 adults in the United States whether or not they agreed with a few different statements relating to cancer. A surprising number of Americans were largely misinformed and seemingly paranoid to a degree when it comes to cancer risks and prevention.

One of the strangest myths was: "Underwire bras can cause breast cancer." Nearly 38% of respondents either thought this was true or didn't know.

While you should definitely watch out for real warning signs and continue to get regular checkups, here is the full list of 12 cancer myths that you DON'T need to worry about: Click Here to See the Full List of 12 Common Cancer Myths Debunked.

If you've ever had a great massage, then you know how pleasurable they can be (yes, even without the happy ending, pervert!). Massages can relieve stress, soothe aching muscles, clear your mind, and take your romantic evening to the next level if you have the magic touch.

But, many people are uncomfortable switching roles and becoming the masseuse, because they feel they don't know the right techniques or where to start. It's true: A great massage takes more than just some random rubbing and patting, but this video will show you just what to do in 8 easy steps to have your "customers" coming back for more!