A Secret Weapon for Optimum Health
As we strive to become healthier people in order to improve the quality of life that we enjoy, it is always useful to find secret weapons along the way.
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Fiber Optic Technology and Surgery
As we discuss regularly on the Onto Orthopedics blog, technology is continuing to develop at an incredible rate. The benefits that this brings to patients are fantastic, far-reaching and not to be ignored!
Ultrasonography and Orthopedic Diagnosis
Ultrasonography is the practice of being able to visualise areas inside the body by using ultrasonic pulses. This is of course great for various medical purposes, such as those that fall into the category of orthopedics.
Tennis Elbow Diagnosis and Treatment
The medical term for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. This is a condition that will initially present as pain in the lateral part of the elbow. This is usually characterised as a sharp pain and will impact the patients quality of life as it can affect even the simplest of tasks. Not only will the patient struggle with pain, but they can also experience a weakened grip which also makes simple tasks more difficult. Tennis elbow is a very common orthopedic problem that healthcare professionals will treat regularly.
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Should You Give Kale a Go?
By now you have more than likely heard the hype surrounding kale as an amazingly nutritious food. Many foodies and nutrition gurus have even gone as far as to label kale as a superfood!
Which Foods Work for Weight Loss?
Excess calories from food and drink can be one of the biggest obstacles in a weight loss mission. Some people assume that just because they are exercising regularly, that they can eat whatever they want and still reach their fitness goals. This is sadly not the case for the majority of people and a fairly strict diet will usually have to be adhered to if you have ambitious body aims. Losing weight has to be a combination of a healthy diet and frequent physical activity. One without the other will be a slow and often unsuccessful process.
Healing a Broken Ankle
If you have ever been unfortunate enough to break your ankle then you will know that orthopedic doctors also refer to this injury as an ankle fracture. Either one or more of the bones in the ankle joint will be broken, and the amount of broken bones will determine how difficult it is to resume normal tasks.
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Yoga and Stress
If you have been following our blog for a while then you will know that we are enthusiastic about promoting yoga as a great way to protect the body and relax the mind. If you are stressed out mentally then this stress can soon manifest as physical problems in your body. Regular yoga practice has been shown to relieve stress and promote a sense of calm. Not only can it help with stress but it also works to lower blood pressure, alleviate pain and can also boost feelings of happiness as it helps to combat depression and anxiety.
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What Does it Take to Be an Orthopedic Surgeon?
The training involved with becoming an orthopedic surgeon is quite extensive and it will take many years before a new surgeon is ready to practice medicine and operate. Not only does embarking upon this career require a lengthy period of training, but it also requires that the person in question has a strong desire to help other people heal. This passion to bring relief, return function and eradicate pain from the lives of those afflicted with health issues has to be the main driver behind this career choice. Anyone who enters for any other reason will soon burn out and realise that this is not the career path for them!
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Why Build Muscle?
You probably hear a lot of people talking about going to the gym, staying fit and wanting to build muscle. However, what you might not hear quite so frequently is why these people want to do these things.
It goes without saying that people want to get healthy in order to increase their longevity and improve their quality of life. But, do you know the wide range of other reasons why people might want to build muscle? Apart from the obvious reason of wanting to be stronger and to look good, there are several additional reasons why building muscle is a great idea.
The type of muscle we are talking about in this context is known as skeletal muscle. And, when it comes to skeletal muscle, the more you have of it the better! This is the muscle that is connected to the skeleton and enables your body parts to move.
The Functions of Skeletal Muscle
This kind of muscle is metabolically active, which means the more you have, the more calories you are going to burn during each day. When you work to build skeletal muscle you will also be fortifying your tendons, ligaments and bones, which in turn will help to protect you from injury. Working on this kind of muscle will also help to give you the body shape that you want, which is great for your self-confidence. Click here for tips on keeping your muscle healthy.
In addition to protecting you and helping you to burn calories, skeletal muscle can also improve your posture. It provides you with the strength you need to do so and can also help to relieve symptoms for those who suffer with chronic pain. However, it is always worth checking with your healthcare professional before you embark upon any type of exercise regime. They will be able to advise you as to what the best exercises for you to do are in order to reach your fitness goals.
Finally, the more skeletal muscle you have in your body, the more insulin receptor sites you will have. More of these sites mean that your body can stay slim with more ease as the process of minimizing fat becomes easier.
Isometric Vs Isotonic Exercise
Isometric exercise, also known as isometrics, is a particular type of strength training. This variety of exercise is defined as movements that do not change the length of the muscle or the angle of the joint during contraction. It is instead the amount of force that varies.
With isotonic exercise, on the other hand, the tension experienced during the movement is consistent, but the muscle will contract, and therefore change in length.
Depending on what your exercise aims are, you may want to employ either of these methods to build muscle. Isometric exercises are best for building bulk in a short amount of time. Whereas isotonic exercise is best for increasing your strength in a sustainable way. When you develop your strength with isotonic exercise you may not see physical results as quickly as with isometric exercise, but these gains will certainly come if you stick to a regular routine.
Conditions for Muscle Growth
Muscle growth is only able to take place when muscle protein synthesis occurs in excess of the amount of muscle protein breakdown. Optimum nutrition plays a huge role in this process. When muscle tissue is broken down as a result of exercise, the muscle protein synthesis reaction will usually last between 24 and 48 hours. During this time it is essential that certain nutritional guidelines are adhered to if muscle growth is to take place.
Amino acids should be present in the body as they will boost the process of muscle protein synthesis. Carbohydrates should also be present as they are responsible for delivering glycogen the the relevant muscles. Furthermore, the presence of hormones in the body, such as HGH and testosterone, also have important roles to play within the muscle building process.
Fitness Results
While you are on your weight-lifting journey for bigger muscles you should bear a few things in mind. First of all, lifting heavy weights does not instantly grant you big muscles. You have to commit to developing your ability to lift slowly. In fact, performing more reps with lighter weights will often yield the best results if you are trying to bulk up. You should also remember that lifting weights will not always give you the muscle tone and definition that you are seeking. This is because genetics and your diet also play a pivotal role in this.
Remember, building muscle is a long process and you have to have the patience and the dedication to reach your goals. Do not be disheartened if you don not see results in a short space of time - keep at it and you will soon be on your way to a healthier, happier body!
References
1) http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/9-reasons-muscle-is-good-and-you-should-get-some
2) http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/build-muscle-better-health
3) https://jonbarron.org/article/how-build-muscle