Runner’s Knee Pain

Runner’s Knee Pain

Runner's knee is a common problem with runners as well as individuals or athletes who require a lot of knee bending -- like walking, biking, and jumping. It usually causes aching pain around the kneecap.

Runner's knee isn't really a condition itself. It's a term for several knee problems with different causes. Runner's knee can result from:

• Overuse. Repeated bending of the knee can irritate the nerves of the kneecap. Overstretched tendons may also cause the pain of runner's knee.
• Direct trauma to the knee, like a fall or blow.
• Misalignment. If any of the bones are slightly out of their correct position -- or imbalanced -- physical stress won't be evenly distributed through your body. Certain parts of your body may bear too much weight. This can cause pain and damage to the joints. Sometimes, the kneecap itself is slightly out of position.
• Problems with the feet. Runner's knee can result from flat feet, also called fallen arches or overpronation. This is a condition in which the impact of a step causes the arches of your foot to collapse, stretching the muscles and tendons.
• Weak thigh muscles.

Runner's knee is also called patellofemoral pain syndrome.

What Does Runner's Knee Feel Like?

Symptoms of runner's knee are:

• Pain behind or around the kneecap, especially where the thighbone and the kneecap meet
• Pain when you bend the knee -- when walking, squatting, kneeling, running, or even sitting
• Pain that's worse when walking downstairs or downhill
• Swelling
• Popping or grinding sensations in the knee

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has been successful in helping clients relieve runner’s knee pain because of musculoskeletal imbalances naturally without surgery or pain pills. By building and stretching the muscles the imbalances go away as well as the pain.  Give Fitworks Corrective Therapy a call today to get a free posture evaluation and discover what is causing you pain.

Resources: WebMD

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

The Truth About Back Pain

The Truth About Back Pain

It might be a sharp stab. It might be a dull ache. Sooner or later, eight out of 10 of us will have back pain. Back pain is common -- and so are back pain myths.

Myth: Always Sit Up Straight

Okay, slouching is bad for your back. But sitting up too straight and still for long periods can also be a strain on the back. If you sit a lot, try this a few times a day: Lean back in your chair with your feet on the floor and a slight curve in your back. Even better: Try standing for part of the day, while on the phone or while reading work materials.

Myth: Don't Lift Heavy Objects

It's not necessarily how much you lift, it's how you lift. Of course you shouldn't lift anything that might be too heavy for you. When you lift, squat close to the object with your back straight and head up. Stand, using your legs to lift the load. Do not twist or bend your body while lifting or you may hurt your back.

Myth: Bed Rest Is the Best Cure

Yes, resting can help an acute injury or strain that causes back pain. But it's a myth that you should stay in bed. A day or two in bed can make your back pain worse.

Myth: Pain Is Caused by Injury

Disc degeneration, injuries, diseases, inherited conditions and even muskeletol imbalances can cause back pain.

Fact: More Pounds, More Pain

Staying fit helps prevent back pain. Back pain is most common among people who are out of shape, especially weekend warriors who engage in vigorous activity after sitting around all week. And as you might guess, obesity stresses the back.

Myth: Skinny Means Pain-Free

Anyone can get back pain. In fact, people who are too thin, such as those suffering from anorexia, an eating disorder, may suffer bone loss resulting in fractured or crushed vertebrae.

Myth: Exercise Is Bad for Back Pain

A big myth. Regular exercise prevents back pain. And for people suffering an acute injury resulting in lower back pain, doctors may recommend an exercise program that begins with gentle exercises and gradually increases in intensity. Once the acute pain subsides, an exercise regimen may help prevent future recurrence of back pain.

Myth: Firmer Mattresses Are Better

A Spanish study of people with longstanding, non-specific back pain showed that those who slept on a medium-firm mattress -- rated 5.6 on a 10-point hard-to-soft scale -- had less back pain and disability than those who slept on a firm mattress (2.3 on the scale) mattress. However, depending on their sleep habits and the cause of their back pain, different people may need different mattresses.

Fact:  Corrective Therapy

Fitworks Correct Therapy is a natural, risk-free solution to back pain. The Fitworks technique is not just a pain management program, it's a pain elimination program, designed to improve posture, increase flexibility and loosen muscle tissue, resulting in overall superior health. Even the severest of muscular or skeletal problems can have immediate relief, such as: bulging or herniated disc; neck, back, hip, knee, or ankle pain; scoliosis; kyphosis; lordosis  These painful conditions and more can be treated and have relief within weeks of training therapy, rather than with pain medications, body braces and surgery. After working with hundreds of patients, Fitworks continues to be a safe, effective and long-lasting solution to neck, back, joint and muscle pain across the spectrum.

Information gathered from http://www.medicinenet.com

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

FitworksCorrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

Eight Good Reasons to Have Good Posture

  

Eight Good Reason to Have Good Posture

1. Helps your muscles and joints.  Good posture keeps bones and joints in correct alignment so your muscles are used correctly, decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in degenerative arthritis and joint pain. It also reduces stress on ligaments holding the spine.
2. Healthy spine. Not maintaining good posture and adequate back support can add strain to muscles and put stress on the spine. Overtime the stress of poor posture can change the anatomical characteristics of that spine, leading to the possibility of constricted blood vessels and nerves.
3. Makes you look slimmer and younger. When you have good posture you will instantly take off 3-5 lbs in your appearance. It will also make you look slimmer, younger and your clothes will look better.
4. Your voice will sound better. If you maintain good posture when you speak, and are careful not to let your chest “collapse” in when you exhale, your diaphragm will open making your voice sound better.
5. Portrays a better, more confident image. Good posture will boot self-confidence. Try this: take a deep break and stand straight. You will feel better and feel more confident.
6. Breathing becomes easier and deeper. Try this: sit down and bend over and try to breathe in. Notice how it’s harder to breathe. This is an example of how our muscles and tendons get over restricted and cause a lessening of depth and ease in breathing.
7. Improves circulation and digestion. Good posture increases lung capacity, aiding oxygen transport and nutrition around the body.
8. Changes your frame of mind. Posture also affects your frame of mind and your frame of mind can affect your posture. So, when you are well, felling happy and on top of things, posture tends to be upright and open. In contrast, people who are depressed and in chronic pain often sit or stand slumped. 

Call today for a free posture analysis. 801-703-8503

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

Bone Spurs

Bone Spurs

A bone spur is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone.

Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation. The inflammation stimulates the cells that form bone to deposit bone in this area, eventually leading to a bone spur. For example, inflammation of the ligament that surrounds a degenerating disc between the vertebrae is a common cause of bone spurs of the spine. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can lead to the formation of a bone spur at the back of the heel bone. 

Bone spurs develop in areas of inflammation or injury in nearby cartilage or tendons. Common locations for bone spurs are in the back, or sole, of the heel bone of the foot, around joints that have degenerated cartilage, and in the spine next to degenerated discs.

Bone spurs may or may not cause symptoms. Bone spurs symptoms include pain, numbness and tenderness if they are irritating adjacent tissues, such as skin, fat pads, nerves or tendons.
Heel spurs have local foot pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling. This can lead to difficulty walking due to pain at the bottom of the foot with weight-bearing. Sometimes there is accompanying inflammation of the entire bottom of the foot (plantar plantar fasciitis) when the heel spur occurs in the bottom of the heel bone. plan

Spurs in the spine can pinch adjacent nerves to cause numbness, tingling, and pain as well as weakness in the area of the body supplied by the affected nerve. 

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a solution to help prevent and relieve the symptoms of bone spurs. By building and stretching specific muscle groups, the joints line up gradually for perfect posture and function. A balanced body over time...all done naturally!  

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

FitworksCorrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com 

Dangers of Loading the Spine

Dangers of Loading the Spine

Many exercises can load the spine. Loading the spine causes the vertebrae to compress and get closer together.  You run the risk of bulging or herniated discs and wearing out wearing out the disc between each vertebra when you load your spine.  If you already have vertebrae and or disc damage you will most likely hurt more when you load your spine during exercise. It is very important to no load your spine and be safe while exercising.

You will have your back your whole life.  Protect your back and spine now so you can have a pain free life now and in the future.

Below is a list of a few things to do so you don’t load the spine and protect it when exercising:

• Don’t be on all fours, hands and knee/feet (unfortunately it limits what you can do with yoga and Pilates)
• Don’t using free weights or dumb bells
• When using cable weights make sure the weights you are pulling down on are above your head
• When using cable weights make sure the weights your are  pulling up on are below your waist
• Avoid exercises the rotate your spine

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a safe approach to exercise so you don’t load your spine and protect your back.  Every exercise we do at Fitworks Corrective Therapy is safe.  We also correct your posture so your body moves and performs the way it’s meant to move for optimal performance.  Imagine your body pain free, looking and moving perfect.  Fitworks Corrective Therapy can help you do that.

 Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

What is a Pinched Nerve?

 What is a Pinched Nerve?

The term pinched nerve describes damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. Pinched nerves come from compression, constriction, or stretching. Symptoms include one or more of the following:

• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Burning sensations
• Pain radiating outward from the injured area
• The feeling of having a foot or hand "fall asleep"

Pinched nerves can sometimes lead to other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. Such injuries may vary from minor, temporary damage to a more permanent condition if not quickly addressed.

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a solution to help relieve the symptoms of pinched nerves. By building specific muscles and stretching, the posture of the body with become perfect.  The compression and constriction on the vertebrae and joints will be removed reducing the pressure on the nerves for relief of the pinched nerves.

 Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

Hypermobile Joints

Hypermobile Joints

Hypermobility is more than just a good party trick. Hypermobility is the ability of a joint to move beyond its normal range of motion. It is common in children and decreases with age. Having a few hypermobile joints isn't unusual. In most people, joint hypermobility causes no problems and requires no treatment.  But in some people, hypermobility causes joint pain and results in a higher chance of dislocations, sprains and osteoarthritis. With hypermobility the ligaments that provide joint stability are loose and weak. This increases the risk of ligament injury or strain and can cause pain. 

People with hypermobility may experience many difficulties. For example, their joints may be easily injured, be more prone to complete dislocation due to an unstable joint and they may develop problems from muscle fatigue (as muscles must work harder to compensate for the excessive weakness in the ligaments that support the joints). Hypermobility can also lead to chronic pain. It has also been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Symptoms of hypermobility include a dull but intense pain around the knee and ankle joints and the soles of the feet. 

It is important that the individual with hypermobility remain extremely fit - even more so than the average individual - to prevent recurrent injuries. Regular exercise and corrective therapy can reduce symptoms of hypermobility, because strong muscles help to stabilise joints. These treatments can also help by stretching tight, overused muscles and ensuring the person uses joints within the ideal ranges of motion, avoiding hyperextension or hyperflexion. Low-impact exercise is usually recommended for hypermobile people as it is less likely to cause injury than high-impact exercise or contact sports.

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a unique approach to building muscles around joints to align the skeletal frame reducing risk of ligament injury or stain. By strengthening the muscles around the joints you can reduce the risk of ligament injury or strain that causes pain and problems with hypermobility. 

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com