By Esther Entin, MD and Charlotte LoBuono The human shoulder is mechanically complex. It is made up of four joints and three bones, as well as numerous ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The bone at the top of the joint, the acromian, develops from the fusion of four bones during adolescence. When this normal fusion process is interrupted, a
read more »Athletes and Concussion
Neil Wagner The brain tsunamis that concussions set in motion can change the structure of athletes’ brains. Athletes — from football players to equestrians to cyclists — get concussions. They aren’t the only ones, of course, but for people who put their bodies on the line daily, the odds of sustaining a brain injury are
read more »Smartphone Pinky: Fact or Fiction?
Texting, tweeting, emailing – these days, smartphones have become part of our lives, and practically everyone has a one in their purse, pocket, or hand. But could the constant use of your smartphone be changing the way your hand looks? Despite claims of people suffering from “smartphone pinky,” experts in the field of hand surgery
read more »Enzyme Injections for Treatment of Dupuytren’s Contracture
For those who suffer from Dupuytren’s contracture, there is a non-invasive treatment option that you may not know about – collagenase injections with Xiaflex®. Instead of having surgery, an injection of collagenase – a type of enzyme that breaks down abnormal collagen, the tissue that causes the contracture – can provide long-lasting improvement. Dupuytren’s contracture,
read more »Yoga’s Benefits Go Straight to the Heart
By Neil Wagner As popular as it has become, yoga still doesn’t get the respect it deserves. It is a serious exercise regimen and every bit as good for the heart as other forms of exercise, according to a recent analysis. And because yoga is a lot less boring than riding a stationary bike, it may even
read more »Cellular Therapy: Promising Alternative Treatment for Pain and Arthritis
The history of regenerative medicine goes back to 1981 when British researcher Martin Evans identified stem cells in mice at the University of Cambridge (now Cardiff University). Cellular therapy has recently had a major breakthrough within the medical field, and orthopedics in particular, because of the potential for these stem cells to cure arthritis pain
read more »Massage Beats Conventional Treatments for Lower Back Pain
By Neil Wagner Massage is currently seen as a complementary or alternative treatment for back pain. It’s not used as a standard treatment. A recent one-year study suggests that maybe it should be. Ten weeks into the study, participants who had received massage were experiencing considerably less back pain than the other participants were. The study
read more »Running Keeps the Cellular Engines Purring
By Neil Wagner Running can help keep you young. That’s the conclusion of a study that looked at the effects of running on people over 65. It’s not that walking doesn’t have health benefits. Its physical benefits include helping to fend off heart disease, diabetes and weight gain. Walking also provides mental benefits such as helping
read more »Tablet Computers’ Ergonomic Issues
By Neil Wagner Love your iPad? Take care how you use it. As convenient as iPads and other tablet computers are, they can cause physical problems because people often peer down at them in their laps. Viewing a computer screen is less stressful on the body when users are seated looking straight at the screen, not
read more »Brain Impact of Football Hits Seen in Even High School Players
By Charlotte LoBuono When the body of 22-year-old Ohio State football player Kosta Karageorge was found in a trash dumpster after he had been missing for four days, the high risk of brain injury among football players hit the news again. His family has blamed his disappearance and possible suicide on his history of concussions. Most
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