A recent study of the relation of physical activity to brain health revealed that regular exercise may decrease the risk of dementia, a disease causing memory loss. It found that older people had an almost 40% lower risk of dementia when they exercised regularly during the week for 30 minutes compared to those who were less active. Even after researchers examined factors that can affect memory and thinking ability, such as age, history of stroke, and diabetes, the benefits of physical activity on brain health was still evident. The majority of people studied were suffering from a form of dementia known as vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is related to inadequate blood flow in the brain. Since exercise increases blood flow throughout the body, this connection was undeniable. Maintaining brain health as you age can only be another benefit to add to the overwhelming health advantages of regular physical activity. Now, not only are you feeling happier, healthier and reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke, but you may also be decreasing your risk of dementia, especially the kind of dementia that is related to blood circulation.
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Falling can be painful, but for many, the real pain is not the initial impact, but the resulting injuries such as broken hips and fractured wrists that require physiotherapy. The Arthritis Foundation highlights 8 steps you can take to prevent future slips and falls.
Having good posture is one of the best ways to prevent back pain and spinal issues. These 5 steps can be taken to improve your posture at home:
Be aware of your poor habits that have caused incorrect posture while you work to fix it. Imagine you have a book resting on your head or string tied to the top of your head while sitting, driving or walking and you will see a difference in your posture in the long run. Visit a physiotherapist to get an assessment on your posture, receive a treatment plan and recommendations on products designed to improve posture. Applying heat or ice to sore muscle aches is an effective and inexpensive self-treatment option. However, there has always been the confusion of which to use.
Following an acute injury (less than 48 hours onset) use the RICE acronym: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Both heat and ice should only be applied for 10-15 minutes at a time. Do not use heat over an open wound, over areas of decreases sensitivity, where circulation is impaired, over tumors, and for acute injuries. Do not use ice over an open wound, if you have hypersensitivity, Peripheral Vascular Disease or Raynaud’s disease. Whenever you are uncertain about which to apply, consult this chart. |