BACK to School – Back to Backpacks   Although there are perhaps more important concerns with our kids returning to school this year, it may be refreshing to be addressing a topic like backpacks! After all, we want our children to be healthy today and into the future. How your kids wear backpacks, and what they put into them, can make a difference in long-term spine health.   The following offer general guidance on proper backpack use: The top of the backpack should not be ...

The Symphony of Movement This past week, after months of virtual recruiting, I finally had the chance to attend a tournament and watch basketball in person. I couldn’t help but admire the symphony-like production that is required to successfully run one of these tournaments. The players, coaches, parents, college coaches, referees, tournament directors, and everyone behind the scenes had to be in coordination to keep the almost 200 teams and countless games running smoothly. Within that...

Staying Hydrated This Summer Water is required for essentially every single metabolic process in our bodies. Without it, we simply cannot function.  Unfortunately, our thirst mechanism isn’t always the best indicator of when we should reach for our water bottles. So the question then becomes, how do I know when to drink water…and how much water should I be drinking? The standard that I find to be most accurate is to consume between .5-1 ounce(s) of water per pound of ou...

Unwinding Your Activity Nice weather calls for busier bodies. As important as it is for us to get out and enjoy the activities of our choosing, it is equally as important to unwind and restore our bodies before and/ or after these activities. Below are a few simple static movements that will help you do so: 1.) Prone Airplane: lay on your stomach with your arms out to the side in a letter “L” position and your forehead resting on the floor. If you have yoga blocks or books, elevat...

The Benefits of Swimming  Swimming is not only a fun summertime activity, but it is also a great way to get into shape. When rhythmically moving your body in a water environment, you improve your cardiorespiratory system, strengthen your muscles and increases your overall endurance. As an added bonus, the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on the joints, especially important for aging joints. Exercising in the water can also help you to control your weight. Swimming for 30 minutes will ...