Text Neck – What Looking Down at your Cellphone Does to your Posture

Posted on by Eric O'Connell

A large portion of my practice involves treating patients for a condition called “upper-crossed syndrome.” This involves muscles of the neck and shoulders becoming tight and/or weak, resulting in a sort of slumped posture. Typically, this develops over a period of 10 or more years. More recently, another similar condition is becoming prevalent; “Text Neck.”

Text Neck is a novel term to describe how people look while constantly using their mobile devices, (forward rolled shoulders, a hunch at the base of the neck, and head tilted forward about 45 degrees). But it’s more than how people look; it sums up the cause of why these people end up with neck and shoulder pain.

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Stretching: How One Stretch Can Make Your Life Fuller

Posted on by Eric O'Connell

During this time of the year, it seems everywhere you look people are out, running, cycling, skating, playing tennis, or swimming. Some are in great physical condition and might be training for something specific, while others are simply enjoying the outdoors. In either case, these people have discovered the benefits of movement. 

Many recent studies have shown that active people lead fuller lives. They have more stamina, resist illness, and stay trim. They have more self-confidence, are less depressed, and often, even late in life, are still working energetically on new projects. Additionally, active people tend to have less pain.

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Happy Healthy Holidays!

Posted on by Eric O'Connell

Happy Healthy Holidays!

Happy Healthy Holidays

The holiday season is about family and food – and all too often, adding a few extra pounds to our waistlines. Although the holiday season is chock full of delicious dishes and treats, we’d all like to avoid the extra calories and added pounds that can come with the seasonal food. I’ll be the first to admit that I indulge in a few to many Christmas cookies and holiday beverages. However, being conscious of these decisions and having a game plan for proper diet and exercise, I am able to maintain my weight and fitness throughout the holiday season.

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A Tennis Ball and a Tube Sock

Posted on by Eric O'Connell

Tennis Ball Massage

A Tennis Ball and a Tube Sock
By James Howard, LMT

Life can be a pain in the back sometimes, am I right? Specifically, you might feel the pain right between your shoulder blades. You know the area, don’t you? Yeah, it’s that spot that you can’t seem to reach with your hands, no matter how much you contort.

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What’s worse than Ebola?

Posted on by Eric O'Connell

Ebola Strain

Ebola is a one of the scariest diseases in existence. Just mentioning the name is enough to cause goose bumps on even the most macho man. Rightfully so, Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is downright gruesome with a case fatality rate as high as 90%. Part of the mystique of Ebola is that no one is sure where it can be found, there are no vaccinations, and we are uncertain about how humans are infected in the first place. What we are sure about is the number of deaths attributed to the recent outbreak of Ebola; as of October 25, 2014 the total is approximately 5,078. Fortunately, through modern sanitation and medical interventions, along with modern disease control procedures, we are unlikely to ever become infected. There are however other conditions that need to be addressed as they too are seriously impacting our lives and in MUCH larger numbers.

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