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Maximium Benefit - Minimal Effort

Keith J Cronin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:02:00 GMT

Too often people look at exercise and diet as "complicated." It is anything but complicated, nevertheless, this is how the combination of media, government, anyone selling a vitamin, or perhaps the greatest things in "ab blasting" technology makes things confusing. Everyone in the game is just trying to make a dollar, pass a bill, or write something interesting so blaming them is just a waste of time. Besides, it works to affect people's habits, opinions, and general direction when it comes to exercise and diet. So, let's make this a little simpler.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF EFFORT?

If the world of exercise and diet are a struggle, consider this previous statement. If you are having trouble getting off the couch to exercise do you honestly believe that all of the sudden you will workout 5x a week, 2 hours a day, not to mention remove all processed foods and shop only at organic markets with you hemp sewn bags? The answer is no. So, again, what is the maximum benefit for the least amount of effort. This is where the Exercise Economist comes in.

Consider walking everyday for 30 minutes adding a salad to every dinner. This is very minimal effort.....walking and eating something green. Not complicated, not terribly strenuous, add a bunch of salad dressing and you will never know there is something healthy down there.

What is the benefit? A LOT! Will this make you lose 10 pounds a month, get ripped arms, or change the way your boss looks at you....probably not. But here is what it will do. Walking 30 minutes a day reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Not having all of those conditions would be a GIANT BENEFIT! Furthermore, the antioxidants and general nutrients in a salad with spinach, carrots, tomatoes, etc. also reduces the risk of these same conditions. Very little effort, a lot of benefit.

Absolutely, to get the ripped arms and flat tummy a lot more will have to be done but honestly, if you are not willing to go for a walk and eat a salad, two very easy things to accomplish on a daily basis, then those other goals are just a dream.

Also, being healthy saves a lot of money that would have been spent on health care. Who doesn't like having more money?

So, in closing, make it simple. Don't look at exercise and diet like it is ancient rock scratchings in a cave. If you don't know where to start, try a walk and salad....maybe pet a puppy (drops the stress level). Give it a try.

Advice for Parents with Athletes in Physical Therapy

Keith J Cronin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:43:00 GMT

Physical therapy is scary enough knowing someone is going to "hurt you" to make "you better." As a parent, that goes double for not knowing how your child is going to get back to being healthy. For any parent curious about physical therapy, this article on Advice for Parents with Athletes in Physical Therapy should help.

The Young Heal Fast - Good and Bad?

Keith J Cronin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Being young has its advantages, particularly when it comes to healing up bad injuries. Unfortunately this knowledge pushes young athletes to push too hard, supported by parents and coaches wanting them to succeed. This is somewhat of a mixed blessing and should be looked at closer. Check out this article to learn more.

No Pain, No Gain - Bad Advice for Athletes

Keith J Cronin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:36:00 GMT

The concept of "pushing through the pain" often has reprecussions for any injured athlete. Consider this article No Pain, No Gain - Bad Advice for Athletes and understand how being reasonable in regards to sports is ultimately the right long term decision

Rehabilitation for a Torn Hamstring

Keith J Cronin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:29:00 GMT

Want to know more about treating a torn hamstring? Check out this article to learn how you can reduce your time in rehab and get back to what you want to do.

Advice for Parents with Young Athletes

Keith J Cronin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:48:00 GMT

The most important thing a parent with a young athlete can do: show up. This is a critical component of a child's development, knowing mom and dad are there to support. Check out this article: Being A Great Parent to A Young Athlete

Exercise Entrepreneur

Keith J Cronin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:03:00 GMT

Very exciting! You are about to embark on a new business of taking care of yourself. Now....what to do? Right now you can only handle so many things at once so you chose exercise. Unlike the real world of entrepreneurs you lack a few things:

1. You Don't Like to Exercise
2. You are Really Out of Shape
3. You have No Clue what You are Doing

Okay, all very reasonable thoughts but you are committed to taking better care of yourself. Let's start with the basis. Like any new business, you have to have the following:

1. Purpose - What am I doing? Why am I doing it? How will I benefit?
2. A System - Am I going to exercise 2x a day or 3x a week or 8 times a month? What kinds of exercises should I be doing? Who should I talk to?
3. Learn Some Basics - Where do I start? What does cardiovascular mean? Repetitions vs. sets...what is the difference?
4. Start Doing! - The only real way to get on the right pat is to start moving in that direction!

One of the biggest lessons to learn starting your new exercise lifestyle is BE REASONABLE....IT TAKES TIME!!! Just like anyone who starts a new business, there are dreams that within a few months you will be making money hand over fist, working less than your previous job, and looking for islands to retire to in 5 years. It does not work that way! Developing a new exercise regiment from scratch is difficult to say the least and benefits won't show up for a few months. Immediately, you will have more energy and positive attitude but things such as weight loss, cardiovascular benefits, reduced stress on joints, strength, and inches off around the waste take time. Remember keep focused on your purpose, the system, and what you have learned along the way. The is no exercise/fitness lottery where all of the sudden you run like a gazelle, look like a supermodel, and have the lungs of a whale. Learn your new exercise business well and although that retirement may not be on an island, you will be around happy and healthy to enjoy it.

401K Health

Keith J Cronin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:09:00 GMT

Every few months some financial firm will send you a statement telling you how much is in your 401K account. Now, if you are like many Americans, you put a portion of your paycheck towards a company sponsored fund that is suppose to "protect your future." So mindlessly, you just go along with an say to yourself "They are the experts, they know what they are doing, I will be fine." You kept spending money like it was going out of style because the 401k was going to take care of you. Completely hands off, never have to worry about it. And then, if you are like the millions affected in the past year, all of the sudden you are told you can't retire because someone did something to interest rates that affected home loans and consequently your 401K is half its value and you have been layed off. What happened?

Now lets look at you and your health. Everyday there are many factors that can affect your overall health encompassing exercise, diet, stress, pollutants in the air, genetics, and the list can go on forever. Like the 401K example, would you turn over your well being completely to someone else? Would you just assume because you look good on paper that you would never check you cholesterol, get annual exams, exercise 3-4 times a week, or eat a healthy diet? If someone just told you that "you are fine, you don't have to do anything" would you trust it?

I wouldn't because simply: there is no one invested more in your health than you. Picture what happened to those people who didn't watch their investments.....they can't retire and face a reality of working to the last day. Would you put yourself, your family, and your friends at risk because you don't want to take the time to learn more about how you can better your health? That would be crazy. Consider the following:

1. Its a marathon...not a race - Every January new resolutions are made and for the most part, over before Valentine's Day. Paying attention to your overall health is more like investing than your could ever imagine. Having a steady pace of exercise, check ups, good diet, lowering stress in your life, spending time with loved ones, and gaining self satisfaction from your endeavors will ensure that your IconoMe will stay strong. Always putting off the basic components of a healthy lifestyle is not different than buying a car with money you don't have. You convince yourself "I will pay it off eventually" but with your health there is no eventual...it is every day.

2. Its not rocket science - Honestly, I have no idea how the entire economic system works....it is too big! Japan sells some tuna to China and now my blue jeans cost $5 more. I will never understand that world but I do know a lot about myself because I am 100% invested in me. Taking the time to learn the basics is not hard and asking questions when you are talking to a health care professional will go a long way. Educate yourself on how to stay healthy and that power will last for years to come.

3. Its more than just about you - I have spent a lot of time talking about the "I" and "Me" but in reality we are not islands. We have families, friends, coworkers, and loved ones that depend on our efforts, time, and consideration to help them in their journey. Ignoring your own health affects everyone around you. Eating junk food for 30 years and sitting on the couch can result in Diabetes, costing considerable money, pain, and distress to you that ripples to everyone else around you. Being moody because your foot hurts may upset your spouse while not being able to play baseball with your children is an emotional connection that they will never develop with you. Furthermore, being sick all the time because of self-inflicted poor health can lead to many doctor visits, costing considerable amounts of money and time, even at times affecting your job which others may depend on. Your IconoMe reaches far and wide, no different that the world we are currently weathering.

We you sit down and think about your own health, ask yourself three questions:

"What do I want out of this life?"
"Who is going to be with me?"
"How am I going to be around to enjoy it?"

Start investing in your health....the dividends are limitless.

The Exercise Economist - Introduction

Keith J Cronin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:56:00 GMT

INTRODUCTION

This category offers a different perspective on how exercise, fitness, and general good health play into the whole economic climate. Unless you have been living under a rock that past 2 years, you have noticed how a few industries have caused the complete collapse of US and worldwide economy. Banks lending more than they had to people who couldn't afford homes led to over 10% unemployement. How did that happen? I have an idea but I am not an economist so I don't have the answer there. The Exercise Economist offers the reader an opportunity to see how exercise plays into their overall well-being and how ignoring it can destroy your IconoMe = self economy. This section will explore how ignoring certain industries within our own lives can cause create this similar domino affect. If you can't learn to take care of yourself and maximize your own potential, you will never be able to share those accomplishments to benefit those that you love. Learn and enjoy!

Keith J. Cronin
"The Exercise Economist"

The Best Recommendation for Coaches with Injured Athletes

Keith J Cronin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:34:00 GMT

Coaching young athletes can be very challenging. Learning new motor skills, developing a complete understanding of the sport, teamwork, and performing under pressure are just a few of lessons taught by coaches to young athletes. Combining these intentions with adolescent distractions, hormones, and constant interruptions during practice make the process of learning difficult at times. Now, combine all these variables with one child that is hurt and you have a recipe for distraction. What is a coach to do? How do you determine when a child is good to get back on the field? The parents are putting pressure on you because they want their child to play so what do you do?

The most important a coach can do is establishing communication. Communicating with the athlete, parent, and doctor, trainer, or physical therapist is where the progress begins. Lack of communication lends to sending a child back on the field too early or delays in the rehabilitation process. As a therapist, I establish a very clear line of communication between the athlete and their parents. This same methodology can be used by a coach to ensure that the right decisions are made with the right information. As a coach, ask yourself the following questions:

· What is the injury? How bad is it? What did the doctor say?

· What is the normal process for getting back in the game with this particular injury?

· Who is the athlete? Are they driven? Are they likely to do their rehabilitation properly or skip steps because they are impatient or bored?

· To what degree does the injury affect performance? Can a child with a sprained ankle still pitch a baseball? Does tendonitis mean no throwing or just monitor?

This simple method of asking who, what, when, where, and why when it comes to injured athletes will ensure that a coach can establish an excellent communication that supports a positive environment for maintaining athlete’s sporting interesting while allowing healing. Consider the following example:

“A child sprains his ankle while playing soccer. After going to the doctor, the child is revealed to have a high ankle sprain. The child returns to the next practice and the coach asks the athlete and the child says he has an ankle sprain. The coach, remembering from his days of injuries, thinks that in a week or so the child should be ready to return to practicing.”

This example highlights a very important component of communicating properly to understand the injury. The difference between an ankle sprain and a high ankle sprain is considerable in the healing process. While the common ankle sprain can heal up in a week or two for a young athlete, a high ankle sprain may take as much as two months. As a coach, be sure to ask the parents and the athlete, and if possible, ask for any information that the doctor wrote down. With the right information at hand, you don’t have to be a medical practitioner to look up online reasonable guidelines for to address a particular injury. The most important part is establishing good communication so the right decision is made with the most complete information.

Understanding Your New Hardware

Keith J Cronin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:42:00 GMT

As you get older, it is no surprise that parts of the body start to wear down some. The body is very resilient to healing itself on a daily basis but sometimes the system gets pushed past the “point of no return.” Fortunately, the world of medicine has created replacement parts for knees, shoulder, hips, and ankles (as well as other body parts) that allow full function minus the pain…..well, at least down the line.

If you are considering, are rehabilitating, or have had a joint replacement in the past there are a few things you should know in respects to you new hardware. As a therapist, I know the rehabilitation process hurts and seems like it will never end but keep in mind, a few decades ago a person with damaged knees would be in a wheelchair instead of up and walking. So, now that you are past the fact you are thankful for all that is modern medicine, here are the real facts:

1. It’s Mean Upfront – This is surgery….major surgery. The surgeon breaks open your joints, saws out the bad parts, and hammers/screws in the new ones. The physicality to simply put in the replacement is so great that many physicians stop doing them around 60 years old. The body part is going to swell up and send off every pain signal available in its arsenal. The outstanding benefit that you are to have is the parts currently damaged will heal and the parts that wouldn’t heal are gone.

2. Rehabilitation Takes a Bit – Going through rehabilitation to get the joint moving as soon as possible is the best bet. The joint will have a tendency to scar down and restrict overall motion. Most important things to consider: Reduce the swelling and Improve the motion. Take care of those two things and the rest will take care of itself.

3. Cold and Wet – You will become a human barometer. When it rains or is very cold the joint will hurt. This achy soreness can go on for the rest of your life so please don’t be shocked if hurricane season or winter brings your new body part some grief.

Now, I gave you some realizations about have a total joint replacement. Here is the overwhelming benefit that through all the time, money, pain, and aggravation: you have the opportunity to keep moving. Being limited to the point where you never leave the house because of knee pain is a far worse consequence that a little achiness when the weather turns bad. Physical pain is real but the emotional pain from being incapacitated by constant joint pain, isolation, and depression is far worse. So in respects to joint replacement, keep that mind focused on a future of getting your life back and most importantly keep moving.

What Every Parent Should Know About Youth Baseball (Part 3)

Keith J Cronin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:22:00 GMT

Baseball culture will continue with the pace of “sports proliferation” and as parents it is important to draw the line. The following tips will ensure that you are doing the best for your child to make the most of baseball, but all sports in general:

· Each year make sure there are 3 consecutive months where there is no throwing. This is a guideline supported by Dr. James Andrews and followers of his work. This ensures that each child’s arm takes the appropriate time to heal and prepare for another season of competition.

· Switching sports on a regular basis not only develops a better athlete but reduces the risk of particular injuries. Even though playing basketball instead of training for baseball increases risk of sprained ankles, it significantly reduces the future risk of damage to the rotator cuff

· Make sure all strengthening and conditioning drills are appropriate. Talk to your pediatrician what elements are appropriate for growing bodies.

· If you child can point a finger to the pain, such as a tendon, ligament, or joint that is very specific, pay attention! Sore muscles happen with every sport but complaints of elbow joint pain on a regular basis needs to be addressed immediately.

· Ensure that you child is also going on vacations, participating in other school activities, and having a life out of sports. Obsession with athletics, particularly one sport, can lead to drop out before high school and a life-long hatred of the sport.

What Every Parent Should Know About Youth Baseball (Part 2)

Keith J Cronin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:25:00 GMT

Why does baseball allow such a culture to exist? Consider the following:

· Lots of Games - Major League baseball plays 162 games a year. This number of games is considered an acceptable standard of play for adults for young athletes it is way too much. In respects to baseball, our culture has determined that “if more is good, the great than that must be better.”

· Training, Training, Training – The idea of conditioning for baseball was a scarce thought just 20 years ago. Young baseball players today are hitting the gym, drinking protein shakes, and participating in workouts more appropriate for a NFL linebacker….and they are 9 years old! Our cultural push to preparation has created a future of broken bodies, leading to broken dreams.

· Can Play for a Long Time - Baseball is a slow sport with moments of intense movement but rarely completely exhausts the athlete. The physicality of football, basketball, soccer, and even hockey will eventually completely exhaust the young athlete, sometimes forcing time to rest. Baseball players can take hundreds of explosive swings and throws before reaching exhaustion, all along damaging body parts to irreparable levels.

· Bringing the Game Indoors – In years past, when the weather got cold the baseball season ended. Recent pushes for indoor facilities, batting cages, pitching lessons, and use of warehouses for full team practices has allowed the athlete to throw year round.

· Obsession with the Now – I played baseball in little league, high school, and college and to this day I can never remember the intensity of parents and coaches today at such young levels. Dreams of being the best, scholarships, and big league contracts drive many parents, athletes, and coaches to only think in the now. A 6^th grade weekend championship game is important but driving young athletes into the ground to get there is sacrificing the future.

What Every Parent Should Know About Youth Baseball (Part I)

Keith J Cronin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:14:00 GMT

Any parent with a young athlete in baseball would be hard pressed to miss all the warnings these days with youth baseball. The following is a list of things that have become main stream in the past decade to make a real difference:

· Little League has instituted pitching rules that limit the number of pitches per game and time in between starts on the mound

· Greater awareness that breaking pitches, such as curveball and sliders, are not good for a developing shoulder and elbow

· Use of safety equipment, such as helmets, that have reduced the number of concussions and other head injuries considerably

These pushes by the parent, association, and medical communities have made a great difference but the question remains: Why do injuries continue to rise in youth baseball? The answer is not what “we are doing” to reduce the problem but more what “we are becoming” in our sports culture. Years ago, young athletes would play a variety of sports, go on vacations with the family, and have times termed the “offseason.” Nowadays, it is not unusual to see a 10 year old playing 100+ baseball games in the summer, cramming in $60 personal training sessions 2x a week, hitting a pitching lessons 3x a week, and then sprinkle in some conditioning a practice during the dead time.

Wow It is Cold Out....Got to Keep Running!

Keith J Cronin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:57:00 GMT

I am sure there is a large collection of people out there that rain, sleet, or snow will be out running. So, if you are one of those people here are a few tips to keep you out running and not limping into therapy:

1. Lots of Water - It seems hard to believe but you lose a considerable amount of water while breathing in cold weather. Your lungs have to add moisture to the air entering you lungs, sucking it away from your body. Just because you aren't sweating as much make sure that the water consumption does not go down.

2. Check Those Shoes - Slicker conditions mean worn down shoes are more problematic. Check the bottoms of your running sneakers: if the tread is gone, consider it a late christmas gift to yourself and get another pair. Slipping and falling will definetly ruin your rountine more than the drive to the mall and $60 investment.

3. Warm It Up - Cold muscles and cold weather equal big problems. Start off your runs a little slower than in warmer weather. This gives your body a chance to pump warm blood to all the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to return them to their proper elasticity. You certainly don't have to do one hour of stretching and light jogging before hand but maybe coasting the first 5-10 minutes would be a good idea.

4. Stay Dry - Water takes heat away from the body 20x faster than air alone. This little fact means if you get too sweaty and are exposed to the elements your body will chill really fast. Layers is the best idea with wick-away clothing that does not collect moisture. Costs a little more but skipping your next run because of freezing your tail off will ruin your routine.

Happy New Year!

Keith J Cronin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:09:00 GMT

This time of year offers opportunity for reflection of the past, enjoyment of the moment, and a vision for the coming year. To all a Happy New Year!

Treading on Thin Ice

Keith J Cronin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:33:00 GMT

If anyone lives in a place that is cold and you got some black ice glazing the ground, the risk of falling increases dramatically. We all have heard of accidents with cars but broken wrists, hips, and forearms are frequent ER visits during this time of year. Here are a few thing to know to make sure you don't start racking up dollars on your insurance deductibles next year:

1. Start with the Balance - Widening your base of support when walking over ice decreases your risk of falling. Furthermore, doing the same by shortening you step will help. In some cases you may still fall if over ice but it will increase the amount of time you have to react, thus, preventing seriously bodily crashes resulting in broken bones.

2. Pay Attention - Just because it doesn't look like ice is over concrete and ash fault surfaces doesn't mean it isn't there. Make sure that if you go out in the dark pay attention and slow down. Also, during the day areas that have a light amount of snow over it can give you a little more friction to work with but don't think that going out for your usual run isn't without risk.

3. Take a Look At Your Shoes - We all have that pair of shoes we wear everyday (probably more than we should) that wears down to have the gripping equivalent of glass. I am not saying go out and buy a pair of snow shoes to get the mail but be aware of what is on your feet. If you have instances of slipping occasionally when conditions are good you might think twice about those worn out shoes. Hiking and snow boots are a better bet......and you finally get to use them so break them out!

Message to Both Ends of the New Year Resolution.....Be Reasonable

Keith J Cronin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:39:00 GMT

I realize everyone that is a workout fanatic or concerned about putting on a few pounds because of egg nog, mass quantities of desserts, and being too cold for an after lunch run feel this time of year is an "obstacle" to staying fit. There are also those of you that see the new year coming as fresh start, buy some new workout clothes, get a gym membership, and maybe hire a personal trainer. Here is a simple piece of advice for both ends of the spectrum,....BE REASONABLE!

This part is for my workout crazy people, yes you....the person who feels guilty about looking at pumpkin pie or trims every bit of flavor off a piece of pork because you worry that cellulite will jump out and strangle all your weight loss success. That is absolutely nuts! If you are a person who has been committed for years to staying active and healthy a few parties where you splurge will do you no harm. In fact, heavily stressing out about food could even affect your psychological well being, elevating levels of long lasting cortisol increasing chances of holding onto winter weight. CALM DOWN....DON'T RUN FOR THE TREADMILL! Enjoy this time of year and the fact that you are physically, psychologically, and emotionally addicted to exercise, therefore ensuring that next year will be another good one.

Alright....for the people whose idea of working out is to the fridge and back. If you honestly believe that you are going to now start working out 5 days a week for 2 hours a day just because it is now January 1st, you are obviously suffering a serious case of the "delusions." Yes, you may make it a couple weeks, maybe a month but to have long lasting results the changes have to be gradual and committed. Going out and spending money on ways to stay healthy is not the answer. Changing your lifestyle to perhaps being more "fitness" or "health" centered is where it is at. You can't go from couch to beach model overnight.....I know the bottle of weight loss pills says you will lose weight but in between your ears do you have the strength to keep it off? Be reasonable, try maybe doing pushups in the morning, adding a walk or two a day, and cutting back on the soda and sweets. Find something you know you can do for 4-6 weeks and stick with it, slowly adding more exercises, hours, and money to the equation as you become more committed. The number of people with pristine basement bound gym equipment is staggering, collecting dust a you collect pounds.

Be reasonable and your fitness goals will last you well into the next New Year's Resolution. And as always stay healthy so you don't need to go to physical therapy.....you will just hear someone like me give you same speech while pushing on a painful hamstring. Blog advice is just so much easier.....

Healing: The Difference Between Adults and Young Athletes

Keith J Cronin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:41:00 GMT

Everyone is very aware that the younger you are, the faster you heal. A sprained ankle during a soccer game that would have hobbled mom and dad for a couple weeks is barely noticeable in a few days with an 8 year old. As a parent, there are a number of things you must consider why you young athlete heals so fast:

PROS

· Adolescents spend a considerable amount energy and bodily resources to build muscles, bones, and organs. This same mechanism fixes the "broken" parts with expediency.

· Younger bodies are more "elastic" meaning the various tissues throughout the body are able to bend more without braking. At very young ages, sprained ankles can commonly occur in bone avulsions (tearing away of bone from bone) because the ligaments are stronger than the surrounding bone.

· Athletes are generally more active and fit, therefore, they have improved cardiovascular systems that get more blood to heal damaged body parts.

Knowing these advantages, parents may have a tendency to push young athletes back into competition faster. The belief "they are young, they will heal" has a truth but it also has an uglier side that is often overlooked.

CONS

· While tissue is building new parts, it is developing a system that will last for the many decades to come. If this building process is severely or constantly interrupted your child's maximum development will never be achieved. Thus, one ankle will be 100% at age 18 and the other from constant sprains and playing hurt for years will be at 70%, foundationalizing a future of ankle weakness and instability.

· The "elasticity" of tissue at this age is great for reducing risk of minor injuries but can increase the risk of major injuries. Dislocated joints, such as the shoulder and hip, can occur because the muscles are not developed and the forces on them can be too great. Creating unstable joints because the body is too worn down or exasperated can lead to a future of severe arthritis and joint pain.

· This improved blood supply to various body parts is fantastic to heal but only to a point. Young athletes with Osgood Schlatter's that constantly press through the pain can create a large boney callous that builds in the irritated area. This area can create a weakened bridge for the patellar tendon an lead to a life of patellar tendonitis or patellofemoral dysfunction.

Just because children can heal faster doesn't mean they should be put back into play before they heal. Remember, given the time they will still heal much faster than adults but don't always think in the now. Getting back to the championship 8 year old soccer match is important but there are many more years of sports ahead and a child that will develop into an adult. Play in the now...look ahead to the future.... and every game will be the greatest one played.

1 Piece of Advice to Stay Out of Therapy

Keith J Cronin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:16:00 GMT

In the clinic, I hear stories about how injuries happen all the time. Some of them are instantenous, such as slipping down a flight a stairs. Nothing there one could do to prevent breaking that ankle. Or other times a combination of age, wear and tear, and bad genetics just does some people no justice. The rotator cuff, for instance, can just wear away with time for no reason, leaving you at the mercy of the surgeon. Furthermore, participating in higher risk activities, such as sports, extreme activities, or high intensity fitness exercises can also lead to possible problems. Tearing a hamstring sprinting or landing funny while rock climbing is just part of the risk.

So, after hearing all this, what is the one piece of advice that has the best chane of keeping your out of therapy: KEEP MOVING! Of all the people that end up in therapy, the majority is not the unlucky, the bad genetics, or the extreme sports, it is the people who constantly do nothing for decades on end and just fall apart. Your body has a mechanism built in that states, "Use it or lose it." That applies to all the parts of your body, from your toes to in your brain. Avoiding simple tasks such as walking on a daily basis, sitting in front of a computer screen all day, and making every effort to avoid anything physical is destroying your body everyday.

Simple advice.............take it to heart.