Whiplash is a type of injury that involves a rapid forward/backward or sideways movement of the neck, usually associated with motor vehicle collisions, but can also occur with diving or other accidents. Whiplash can affect different neck tissues or structures; therefore the severity of symptoms will vary considerably from one person to the next.  Whiplash is common in the US. Annual costs associated with whiplash are 100 billion dollars, and it has its own disease label: Whiplash Associate...

Have unclear and overcomplicated nutrition labels ever left you feeling misled and confused in a grocery store? If so, you are not alone. When it comes to food and packaging companies, it seems like they will do anything to make their products appear healthy and appealing. However, at the end of the day, it is important for us to be choosing the right foods to be purchasing and subsequently putting into our bodies.  One question that seems to linger among buyers is the difference between w...

It is becoming increasingly evident that Americans are not getting enough quality sleep. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that this is true for approximately 1 in 3 people in the US. In fact, sleep impairment is now considered a public health problem. We often think of the short-term impact of inadequate sleep, which for example can affect mental health, leading to poor concentration and general irritability. However, often poorly understood is the affect of short and longer-term sleep ...

For those interested in weight loss (or even weight gain), the term “metabolism” seems to be thrown around quite a bit. “I can’t lose weight, I have a slow metabolism” or “I can’t gain weight, I have a fast metabolism.” Although there is an undeniable genetic component to it, there are several others controllable and uncontrollable factors that can influence your metabolic speed. Metabolism, in its simplest of terms, is defined as “the proce...

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: the Solution or the Problem?  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) are among the most commonly prescribed medications, with over 30 BILLION doses taken by Americans each year. These medications are taken to reduce pain and inflammation associated with a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, muscle or tendon injuries, headaches, and spine pain. NSAID’s are generally considered safe when taken as directed, however ther...