News

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 13, 2011 In Fitness, News, Running, Spotlight By Natasha Linton

Treadmill vs. Pavement Running

Running outside is fun and a nice change from the treadmill but requires that we be aware of our surroundings. Some of the benefits of running outdoors are; you can run anywhere, enjoy the scenery, get fresh air, and it’s generally more challenging as you expend more calories. Some prefer to run indoors while others prefer to run outdoors. Some pick where to run based on what’s more fun to them or what they have access to. There are specific differences between running on a treadmill and running out on the pavement. Here are some of the differences...

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...

April 1, 2011 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Rich Ralph

Nutritional Tip: Drink Lemon Water in the Morning

This is a simple tip with huge effects! Squeeze the juice of a quarter of an organic lemon into a glass of water. You may need to start with less lemon and work up to a quarter if you find it too sour in the beginning. Try drinking this immediately upon waking, about 20 minutes before you eat anything. Simple enough for you? The lemon water has various benefits to your health. First, this will stimulate hydrochloric acid production which will allow you to digest your food better. Second, your metabolism receives a nice kick-start from the lemon-water which will set...

March 28, 2011 In Ask The Expert: Health & Fitness Advice, Fitness, News, Running, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Ask The Expert: How to Avoid Running Cramps

Ask The Expert is a health & fitness advice column. If you have a question for one of our Fitness Goop experts, please email [email protected]. This question was asked by Lori from Vancouver B.C, Canada. I am wanting to know why I get stitches in the side of my stomach when I go for a run. I have tried to keep running through the cramping, but they continue. A friend mentioned that it may be related to the way I am breathing while I run, if this is so, how should I be breathing to help eliminate these uncomfortable sensations?” Spring...