Essential Tips For Joint Pain

A joint is where two or more bones meet, helping to create a range of movement that makes us mobile, agile, and able. Some joints can provide us with wide movement possibilities, such as in the shoulders and hips, others provide us with limited movement, such in the vertebrae, and others still with little movement at all, such as in the skull.  No matter what the natural range of movement is, all joints work together to help us feel free and easy as we move through life.  When joints are impaired we feel frustrated and stymied, which often affects our state of mind.

A Bit About Joints

What holds the joints together are tendons, which attach muscles to the bones along with ligaments, which stabilize the joints by helping to link the bones to each other.  Bones are generally coated with a slickish cartilage that helps reduce friction as well as fluids that help to lubricate the entire joint structure.  When a joint is injured, the cartilage hardens and begins to deteriorate, causing swelling and pain in the surface of the area if the condition is not treated properly.  When swelling occurs, the muscles are then impinged, creating less movement between the bones in the area of injury.

Whether it is due to constant and repetitive movement, injury, overuse, or the aging process, joint pain can be debilitating and disheartening.  When the joints are not functioning properly, tiny sacs called bursae are also affected.  Bursae are located in  between the joints in order to prevent  bones from rubbing together and also to cushion joints against shock.  If an injured joint is not taken care of, the cartilage and bursae become damaged, consequently affecting neural passageways and causing greater discomfort during movement. 

Dancers, gymnasts, weight trainers, and athletes often suffer from injuries to weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and feet.  Tennis players are especially susceptible to shoulder joint injury from improper placement when swinging the racket. This  excessive friction on the tendons located in the rotator cuff (a group of four muscles that surround the shoulder joint) can cause swelling leading to painful tendonitis.  Other conditions that lead to joint pain include:

·      Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

·      Sciatica

·      Chronic back pain

·      Osteoarthritis

·      Rheumatoid arthritis

·      Post traumatic injury

·      Post surgical recovery

Joint pain is not something you have to live with, as it can be treated through a number of protocols.

Heat and Massage
Applying heated bags filled with buckwheat or other small grains are an excellent way to relieve pain due to joint injury.  Putting a bag in the microwave and then placing it over the area will help prepare the joint for massage, which is best done with eucalyptus or castor oil.  Steam baths are also good ways to soothe aching joints, especially before a massage.

Exercise

Careful and slow exercise helps to fortify muscles surrounding the joints while also strengthening the bones, controlling weight, and toning the body.  Exercise also contributes to a sense of well-being.  People who do not exercise regularly generally have weak supporting muscles, which can lead to stress on the joints which can ultimately cause injury.

If you suffer from a joint injury go very slowly and examine any limitations regarding your range of movement. Respectfully observe these limitations without trying to push through them.  Be patient.  Hatha yoga classes or remedial yoga is a good way to gently move the body in order to strengthen the areas around the joints.  If you feel sharp pain at any time, this is a clue for you to move more modestly.  Always wear warm clothing when you exercise and make sure you warm up thoroughly before going on to stronger movements.  Warming up in toasty clothing helps to relax and prepare the joints and muscles. You can also apply hot packs to the area before and after exercise for added warmth.  Slow, controlled movement of the joints helps improve the circulation of blood in the area, which is important for healing.  Exercise also helps to remove the toxins and wastes that can accumulate in injured areas.

Somatic Movement

Trust your body as you move as it has its own wisdom regarding the healing process. One very effective way to help heal injuries is by allowing  innate movements to occur.  Listen closely to your body by closing your eyes and slowing down the breath until you feel that you are breathing deeply and rhythmically.  Inhale slowly though the nose counting to four, hold the breath for four counts and then exhale slowly from the mouth for six counts, hold for two and repeat until you feel calm and relaxed.  Dissolving tension in this way allows the body to do its own somatic healing.  You may find that your body will begin to move on its own without the interference of the mind. As it does, it will seek out movement to help bring itself back to health and freedom from pain. Do this as often as needed until it becomes a regular practice that you can rely on not only to help with joint pain, but also to help relieve stress and to get you more in touch with each part of your body.

Supplements for Joint Pain

There are several potent supplements that you can take to help diminish wear and tear on your joints, ligaments, and cartilage.  
Calcium helps build strong bones and healthy joints, especially when combined with magnesium, which assists in its absorption. 

 Chondroitin is a long chain of sugars that are naturally found in the joints and connective tissues, helping them to stay resilient. Chondroitin blocks the enzymes that can destroy cartilage. 

 Glucosamine is a “synergistic” amino acid that comes from hydrolyzed collagen, a primary protein naturally found in connective tissues and cartilage that repairs damage and ensures flexibility. 

 MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) helps to keep the ligaments in healthy condition and is usually found in combination with other joint-building compounds. 
Omega 3, 6, and 9 helps prevent and reduce joint inflammation. The Omegas are made of long chains of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids that help reduce inflammation as well as  boost the immune system, regulate blood pressure, lower insulin sensitivity, and more.  You can buy Omega 3, 6, and 9 in gel cap form, or get your daily dose from  flax seed or borage oil.  Put the oil on your salads or add it to any smoothie to get the best results.

Selenium helps reduces inflammation in the joints while serving as an antioxidant, helping to eradicate free radicals that compromise the immune system. 
Vitamins E and C   heal and help repair muscles, ligaments, and cartilage. They also help to reduce bruising while contributing to overall health.


 Note:  Before embarking on a supplement protocol, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider.  Always buy organic formulas as they are easier to absorb.

Foods for Joint Health

One of the most important things you can do for the health and repair of your joints is to eat intelligently.  This means buying fresh organic fruits and vegetables and avoiding foods that can irritate injured areas. 

Foods to avoid when suffering from joint injury include:

·      Red meat

·      Too much protein

·      Hot and spicy foods

·      Deep fried foods

·      Fast foods

·      Sugar

·      Soft drinks

Foods that help repair and heal joints:

·      Fresh fruits contain abundant vitamin C and more…

·      Apricots

·      Avocados

·      Blueberries

·      Cantaloupe

·      Dates

·      Grapefruit

·      Papaya

·      Peaches

·      Pineapple

·      Broccoli, kale, and spinach contain large quantities of vitamin C and E

·      Salmon, brazil nuts, brown rice, and oatmeal are high in selenium

·      Beans

·      Lentils

·      Whole grain bread and cereal

·      Sunflower seeds

·      Tofu

·      Garlic

·      Fish contains the Omega 3 oils, especially oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines

·      Fenugreek

Remember that when it comes to joint pain, listen to your body.  Move slowly and lovingly, eat healthfully, and have patience.  

Proform Ab Glider Reviews: Does The "Hasselbeck" Ab Machine Work?

Anyone who watches television late at night knows there are lots of ab workout machines out there. There's a reason for that: they sell really, really well... despite the fact that many, if not most, are basically rip-offs. Well now there’s a new ab machine taking the world by storm: the Proform Ab Glider. It’s quickly become one of the hottest abdominal exercise products on the market and, understandably, lots of people are asking for reviews and opinions for the “as seen on TV” workout gadget.

Here’s one comment left last week by a reader named Olivia B:

"Hi I was hoping you could help me. I just saw the infomercial for the new Elisabeth Hasselbeck Ab Glider machine. It looks like a great product. What's your opinion? Do you have any reviews on it yet? Please help. I don’t want to waste my money again. Thanks!”

Well Olivia, we’ve got some good news for you and anyone else looking for genuine, unbiased Ab Glider reviews: we got our hands on one! In fact my partners-in-crime (aka fitness blogging buddies) and I have been using it for the past 2 weeks. The thing certainly isn't hard to find: it's currently being sold by QVC, Walmart, Sears, Best Buy, Amazon, and several online and offline fitness stores. At the time we bought ours the best Ab Glider deal was being offered on Amazon.com, which has become a great place to order discount fitness and cardio equipment!

So far we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Proform product (the lovely Mrs. Hasselbeck is just the spokesperson/heavily-paid-promotor) . The well-built machine really does provide a very nice at-home ab workout and even a decent cardio workout option. But it’s not perfect and there are a few “negatives” which we’ll cover below...

The Good

The Ab Glider is definitely a unique piece of exercise equipment. Unlike most ab machines it gets you up off the ground and allows you to work your abdominal muscles in multiple planes of motion. That's big! There’s a twisting circular motion -- called “circular burn” by the Proform guys -- and a crunching/knee raise motion -- called “arc crunch” by those marketing whizes. Both motions closely mimic traditional abdominal exercise movements, like hanging leg/knee raises and ab twists, and can be combined in several interesting ways.

Being able to work your abs, obliques, and various other core muscles in 3 dimensions, smoothly, gives the Ab Glider a BIG advantage over most other ab machines. Anytime you can move your body through space in multiple directions you’re able to get more bang for the buck. In other words, you get more fat-burning, muscle-toning benefits in less time. (This is one reason why so many bodyweight exercises -- like pull-ups and dips -- are so incredibly effective.)

Proform says that the Ab Glider provides a fast, fun, unique workout that allows the user to engage more muscle tissue and even get an effective cardiovascular workout. Surprisingly we agree with them!

95% of the time when ab gadgets are marketed as “cardio” machines it’s pretty much bullcrap. Most ab-focused products are simply too uncomfortable or difficult to use long enough to get any real cardio conditioning benefits. But in the case of the Ab Glider we’ve found that it's smooth and comfortable enough to use for the 10-20 minutes necessary to get a good heart-pumping, sweat-producing cardio/aerobic workout.

But like I said above, this isn't a perfect product and certain people should definitely avoid it...

The Bad

There are a few negatives associated with the Proform Ab Glider that we need to point out. First off, the thing is heavy. You’re gonna need some upper and lower body strength if you want to move it around a lot. It’s very solidly constructed out of high-gauge steel which is great in terms of safety and durability, not so great in terms of portability.

The biggest Ab Glider “con” is probably the way the arm handles are designed. Once again you’re going to need a decent amount of upper body strength to use the machine properly. Holding onto the handles while swinging and twisting your body around requires some serious chest, shoulder, and arm strength. Someone who’s very out-of-shape, who has a weak upper body, or who has any shoulder problems isn’t going to be able to use the Ab Glider very effectively.

Other online reviewers we’ve seen also talk about the handlebar problem quite a bit. The problem, as usual, is that the Ab Glider infomercial makes it look really easy to use. And it is... if you’re a strong, fit fitness model or Elisabeth Hasselbeck (who surely has her own $1000/session personal trainer!). But the thing simply isn’t as easy-to-use as the marketing guys make it look and you should be aware of that before you buy.

Personally I have a strong feeling that Proform will eventually come out with an “Ab Glider 2” (or, more likely, an “Ab Glider Pro”) that features padded arms rests like the ones on the popular Ab Coaster. The Ab Coaster is another great "gliding" abdominal machine but, in some ways, the Ab Glider is superior due to its multiple planes of motion. More comfortable and supportive handles and arm rests would make the Ab Glide almost perfect in our opinion!

The final negative we found using the machine is this: it’s not for very short people. My 5 foot tall assistant tried it and she found it more than a little difficult to use. She had to fully extend her arms during the “bottom” portion of the swinging arc motion, putting her in a very awkward-feeling position. Again, future versions of the Ab Glider will probably be more adjustable, especially since their primary target market is women!

The Bottom Line

The Proform Ab Glider is a nice piece of home exercise equipment that provides a unique and very effective ab/core workout as well as a decent cardio training option. It's better than 95% of the ab workout gadgets we've tested in the past. But it is relatively heavy and requires a good amount of upper-body strength to use properly. Very weak people should increase their arm, shoulder, and chest strength before buying. Also, very short people should realize that it's not very adjustable and that they may have a difficult time using it!

Overall we give the Ab Glider 4 out of 5 stars.

Click here to buy your own Proform Ab Glider and read more customer reviews!

Do you have a review of the Proform Ab Glider? Please leave your own useful reviews as well as any questions or comments in the area below. Thanks!

Fat Burning Recipes Do Exist

I know I’ve said it many times here; I am definitely a results oriented “dieter.” If I was going to follow a good weight loss plan I needed great fat burning recipes. I tried to figure out where I went wrong in my past fat loss adventures. I mean I’ve been on this roller coaster on and off for a very long time. I was about twelve the first time I went to the big WW. That didn’t go well at all. I could list all the diets I’ve tried and failed with over the twenty years since then.

fat burning recipes

How to lose belly fat fast in 30 days guaranteed. Tidy Tummy

How to Eliminate Stubborn Beer Belly Fat Fast. A Hollywood secret

If you carry a lot of fat in your abdominal area then your health risks are fat greater than someone who as the same amount of body fat in another part of their body. The main reason for this is that belly fat is directly linked to heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.



Belly fat is metabolically active and therefore raises the risk of colon cancer. It affects certain hormones that in turn affect cell growth. Women are most at risk and if you are female your excess belly fat can give you a 48% greater chance of developing colon cancer. Although the number is lower for men, the risk of developing heart disease is greater for men with too much belly fat.

• Helps You Lose Weight
• Helps to reduce belly fat
• Helps Increase Fat Oxidation
• Helps Fight Fatigue
• Helps Increase Energy
• Powerful Antioxidant Support
• Significant increase in metabolism

"The Acai berry is another Amazonian superfood which has found its way into western health foods shops.

The berry’s nutritious properties make it a natural health food, and its ability to support weight loss has made it popular in the mainstream." ~ USA Today



Personal Trainers everywhere recommend the benefits of taking supplements to their clients.



Not only does it help jump start a weight loss program, but the additional benefits from detoxifying your body can help increase your energy to help you better master your exercise program and get in the best shape of your life!



Selling Healthcare Products is a Recession-Proof Business. An aging population whose health is declining is going to purchase healthcare products and services —recession or no recession. And, with more health related products and services available than ever before, this is a business that is sure to thrive.



Business slow?. Let us advertise your biz on over 2000 communities every week; myfavvio@gmail.com

How to Spot a Fitness Fraud

"Turn your body into a super fat-burning furnace!"
"Washboard abs in just 5 minutes a day!"
"Exciting new development!"
"Research proven!"
If It Sounds To Good Too Be True, It Probably Is.
How many times have you heard this? Yet, ads and infomercials can be so seductive, you really want to believe the wild claims they promise, so you may be tempted to suspend good judgement and buy into the fantasy. Substandard and fraudulent products hurt more than just your wallet. When a product doesn’t do what it claims to do, you’ll feel let down. This can lower your self-confidence and can even lead you to believe that your fitness goals will never be achieved. This article will help you to identify fitness frauds and give you tips and resourses on so you’ll be able to make better decisions when buying fitness products.
Buyers Beware ChecklistQuackery is not easily detected. Use this checklist before purchasing a product advertised in a mail-order catalog or on TV.

	Is the product supported entirely by testimonials?
	Is there any controlled, randomized scientific evidence supporting the sales claims?
	Do the experts associated with the program have the proper credentials?
	Is the person selling the product believable?
	Does the promotion use any pseudomedical jargon?
	Does the promotion boast a secret formula or answer?
	Do the claims seem miraculous or far-fetched?
	Is the product appealing to your vanity?
	Does the suggested use of the product seem out of keeping with the desired outcome (e.g., "just three minutes a day toward slimmer thighs")?
	Does the fine print contain any disclaimers?
	Does the offer include additional free prizes?

(Buyers Beware Checklist from "Consumerism and Quackery", IDEA Magazine, May 1998 by Len Kravitz, PhD.)

Online Buying TipsYou need to have confidence in the company and product you’re buying online. Does the company have your best interests at heart? If in doubt, search for clues as to their reliability. Do they have a phone number? You may want to call to check them out further. Ask a question by e-mail and see how long they take to respond. Ask the company for independent research that substantiates their claims and promises. You can check out the company on the Better Business Bureau’s Business Report page. Their page states "The Better Business Bureau collects and reports information to help prospective buyers make informed decisions in dealing with business and charitable organizations."
If In Doubt, Ask An ExpertThe media is quick to announce the latest health/fitness discovery, regardless of the source. Unfortunately, this new claim may later be retracted when proper studies are made. But quacks will use (and misuse) questionable data to convince you to buy their product. What should you believe? If you don’t have the time to sort through information dispensed from reputable sources, you should ask an expert. A certified fitness instructor should be able to separate fact from fiction.
Your Tax Dollars At Work
The Federal Trade Commission says that "consumers waste billions of dollars on unproven, fraudulently marketed, and sometimes useless health care products and treatments." They advise all workout "wannabes" to exercise good judgment when evaluating advertising claims for fitness products. Be sure to check out these two articles by the FTC:
The Muscle Hustle: Test Your Exercise I.Q.
Pump Fiction: Tips for Buying Exercise Equipment
Avoid the lure of fitness-product charlatans and increase your skills at making educated buying decisions. Try not to buy the hype and stick to "if it sounds to good too be true, it probably is."

How to lose belly fat fast for women in Five easy Ways

How to Eliminate Stubborn Beer Belly Fat Fast

• Helps You Lose Weight
• Helps to reduce belly fat
• Helps Increase Fat Oxidation
• Helps Fight Fatigue
• Helps Increase Energy
• Powerful Antioxidant Support

"The Acai berry is another Amazonian superfood which has found its way into western health foods shops. The berry’s nutritious properties make it a natural health food, and its ability to support weight loss has made it popular in the mainstream." ~ USA Today



Personal Trainers everywhere recommend the benefits of taking supplements to their clients.



Not only does it help jump start a weight loss program, but the additional benefits from detoxifying your body can help increase your energy to help you better master your exercise program and get in the best shape of your life!



Selling Healthcare Products is a Recession-Proof Business. An aging population whose health is declining is going to purchase healthcare products and services —recession or no recession. And, with more health related products and services available than ever before, this is a business that is sure to thrive.



Business slow?. Let us advertise your biz on over 2000 communities every week; myfavvio@gmail.com

BEST WAYS HOW TO LOSE BELLY FAT FAST GET FLAT TUMMY

How to Eliminate Stubborn Beer Belly Fat Fast

• Helps You Lose Weight
• Helps to reduce belly fat
• Helps Increase Fat Oxidation
• Helps Fight Fatigue
• Helps Increase Energy
• Powerful Antioxidant Support

"The Acai berry is another Amazonian superfood which has found its way into western health foods shops. The berry’s nutritious properties make it a natural health food, and its ability to support weight loss has made it popular in the mainstream." ~ USA Today



Personal Trainers everywhere recommend the benefits of taking supplements to their clients.



Not only does it help jump start a weight loss program, but the additional benefits from detoxifying your body can help increase your energy to help you better master your exercise program and get in the best shape of your life!



Selling Healthcare Products is a Recession-Proof Business. An aging population whose health is declining is going to purchase healthcare products and services —recession or no recession. And, with more health related products and services available than ever before, this is a business that is sure to thrive.



Business slow?. Let us advertise your biz on over 2000 communities every week; myfavvio@gmail.com

HOW TO LOSE BELLY FAT and get FLAT ABS FAST

How to Eliminate Stubborn Beer Belly Fat Fast

• Helps You Lose Weight
• Helps to reduce belly fat
• Helps Increase Fat Oxidation
• Helps Fight Fatigue
• Helps Increase Energy
• Powerful Antioxidant Support

"The Acai berry is another Amazonian superfood which has found its way into western health foods shops. The berry’s nutritious properties make it a natural health food, and its ability to support weight loss has made it popular in the mainstream." ~ USA Today



Personal Trainers everywhere recommend the benefits of taking supplements to their clients.



Not only does it help jump start a weight loss program, but the additional benefits from detoxifying your body can help increase your energy to help you better master your exercise program and get in the best shape of your life!



Selling Healthcare Products is a Recession-Proof Business. An aging population whose health is declining is going to purchase healthcare products and services —recession or no recession. And, with more health related products and services available than ever before, this is a business that is sure to thrive.



Business slow?. Let us advertise your biz on over 2000 communities every week; myfavvio@gmail.com