Author:Vancouver Health Coach

July 6, 2011 In Fitness, Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight, Supplements By Vancouver Health Coach

Does Total Calories Lead to Muscle Growth? Or Is It About Protein?

The concept of taking massive amounts of protein to gain muscle and weight has been going on for years.  There are arguments for and against the total amount of protein you would need.  On one end, there is the argument that large amounts of protein will help build muscle.  On the other end, there is the argument that it is all about the total amount of calories.  Both arguments make sense.  But to understand the arguments, one first has to understand where protein is coming from. All proteins are composed of something called amino acids, which are your basic building blocks...

June 22, 2011 In Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Homeopathic Travel Vaccines

Many people in the alternative health world are now seeking out alternatives to conventional vaccines. Homeopathy offers a safe, effective alternative to conventional vaccination. Homeopathic vaccines have been used for hundreds of years to prevent epidemic disease, and a number of studies prove their effectiveness. Cuba Uses Homeopathic Vaccines to Protect 2.3 million people from Leptospirosis In 2007, a homeopathic vaccine was administered to 2.3 million people in 3 provinces of Cuba to protect against Leptospirosis. A significant decrease in disease incidence was observed in the intervention region, whereas no such decrease in disease incidence was noticed in non-intervention regions (regions where...

June 20, 2011 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Backbending Safely Through Your Yoga Practice

Backbending is a natural range of motion for the spine. Over time the spine gets a lot more forward bending flection from everyday activities. It is important to balance all the daily forward bending with a few backbends. Backbending yoga postures can help counteract pressure from the spine. When doing these back bends safely you can experience a sense of freedom. Practicing back bends also involves an element of courage; it is not always easy at first. A few beginner backbending yoga poses to start with are Ustrasana (camel pose) and Bhujangasana (cobra pose) it is important to be cautious when...

May 27, 2011 In Fitness, News, Running, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Treating Running Injuries With Prolotherapy

With the sun coming out and Spring in bloom, training season is already in full force as runners gear up for this summer’s races.  Sports injuries can get in the way of training and set back an athlete’s progress. Typical treatments for running injuries involve rest, ice, compression and elevation.  The RICE protocol is effective for alleviating acute inflammation, but it does not correct chronic joint dysfunction nor does it repair damaged connective tissue and cartilage. Many athletes are choosing prolotherapy as a treatment for their sports-related injuries.  Prolotherapy is a non-surgical treatment that repairs weakened, stretched and torn ligaments and tendons,...

May 9, 2011 In Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Debunking the “Big and Bulky” Strength Training Myth

The majority of my clientele involves women of all ages and fitness levels. The number one gripe I get from all of my female clients is, “I don’t want to lift weights (or heavy weights) because I don’t want to get all big and bulky.” I then have to sit them down and explain the importance of muscle, what it does for the joints, how it makes you look etc. It is odd to hear this coming from a male. On top of sitting my female clients down and explaining the facts to them, I first build that relationship. A...

May 2, 2011 In Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Knee Pain: What Could Be Wrong and How to Treat it

If you suffer from chronic knee pain or knee joint instability, this practical guide can help you understand what structures may be injured, and how your condition can be treated. Your first visit will involve a discussion of your current and past medical history, as well as an orthopedic exam of the injured area and any surrounding areas that may be contributing.  For example, knee pain may be related to a problem within the ankle or the arch of the foot, so both areas are always looked at. When the knee is assessed, I will examine the location of the pain, when...

April 16, 2011 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Can Yogurt Help Alleviate Pain Associated with IBS?

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness month, and nutritional and medical experts are working to raise the public's knowledge on how to diagnose and treat this digestive disorder, which affects approximately 45 million people. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. While no medical cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been discovered, a diet that reduces pain from inflammation and bloating can be an important management technique for IBS sufferers. IBS is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders, with as many as one in five Americans suffering from its symptoms, which include chronic abdominal pain,...

April 15, 2011 In Fitness, News, Running, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

IT Band Syndrome: Solutions for Lateral Knee Pain

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (or IT Band Syndrome for short) is a common overuse issue that is related to lateral (outside) knee pain.  The pain often felt is a sharp pain located slightly above the knee joint and along the outside of it.  This will occur with long distance runners more than sprinters.  It is also common with military recruits, soccer players, skiers, cyclists, tennis players and adolescents going through a growth spurt. Without getting too scientific, the following is a breakdown of what is happening. When you repeatedly flex and extend your knee (think running or cycling), your IT Band will...

April 8, 2011 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Video, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

No Gym? No Problem: Paper Plate Circuit Training

The gym can be an intimidating place. Large muscular guys with tank tops on are slamming weights around and grunting. Some females are dressed like they are about to go out to the club right after the gym. For the novice fitness enthusiast, it can be tough to workout in an environment where you may feel like you are getting judged just because of your physique. All gyms aren’t like that but I am pretty sure your gym has that one guy or girl that either yells and slams weights or gets all dolled up. If being in the gym...

April 4, 2011 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

Core Stability: Basework & Supine Bridging (Part One)

In order to hold your pelvis, lumbar spine and hips in a neutral position a strong upper and lower core (trunk) is fundamental. The muscles of the trunk act as stabilizers for the upper and lower extremities and pelvis. The trunk muscles help transfer energy from the legs through the core (trunk) to the upper body and arms. This is important for people of all ages especially in rotational or asymmetric sports and activities. The core (trunk) muscles form the stable support base for the body. The lower core consists of  four main muscles: ‘the inner unit’ (1) - the transversus...