Posts Tagged ‘ball’

Safeguard Joints that are Prone to Injury

Many of us take joint health for granted. The strange thing is that you can injure a joint and not even know it. Injury can take place by simply overusing a particular joint or wearing the wrong type of footwear. But once an injury has taken place, it can lead to a gradual degeneration of that joint. The cartilage can begin to tear and bone rubs against bone causing pain and inflammation of surrounding tissues. Joint pain can often manifest after the age of forty and after that the need for joint pain relief can grow more intense. By caring for your joints now, you could avoid pain later.

Which joints require the most care or joint support? Let’s take a look at 10 joints that are most prone to injury.

Joint Support for Elbows: Injuries to the elbow joint can occur when playing sports like mountain climbing, racquet sports, baseball, or any sport that involves a throwing or swinging action like golf and volleyball. Elbow injury could also be caused by an occupation that involves repetitive use of the elbow joint.

Joint Support for Ankles: The ankles bear the largest weight. Injuries to the ankle usually occur when we step on uneven surfaces and twist the ankle. Vigorous physical activity such as jumping, landing on a hard or uneven surface can also cause injury to the ankle joint. Joint pain relief becomes vital since it can limit our mobility.

Joint Support for Knees: The knee joint is a weight-bearing joint. Common knee injuries can be due to a blow to the knee by a fall, a sudden stop while running or a twist of the knee, or overuse. Pain can gradually increases with age.

Joint Support for Back joints: Historically the lower back usually incurs more wear and tear. The back bears the weight of the body, but also bears extra stress when we lift heavy objects. Laborers and athletes who do weight training are more susceptible to back aches. Injury can also occur due to poor posture or being overweight. Joint pain relief may be found by massage therapy. Injuries to the back can be difficult to rehabilitate and are more likely to recur.

Joint Support for Shoulders: Being a ball and socket joint, the shoulder joint is flexible and affords wide range of motion. Pain here can arise due to poor posture, wear and tear, overuse, aging, sports such as baseball or tennis, even repetitive household chores that affect the shoulders. Many have found joint pain relief by adopting a proper posture or giving adequate recovery time between sports events.

Joint Support for Neck: A pain in the neck can be due to contact sports, lifting heavy objects or a jerking movement of the neck. It can also be due to poor posture or sitting at your desk for extended periods without stretch breaks. Stretch exercises for the neck can help bring joint pain relief.

Joint Support for Wrist: The most common injury to the wrist is linked to joint impact due to a fall or an accident. The wrist can also suffer injury due to poor positioning of the wrist on a keyboard for prolonged periods. Repetitive use in daily activities can also trigger wrist pain.

Joint Support for Fingers: Wear and tear occurs more easily and shows itself gradually. Simple tasks become difficult such as paring an apple, knitting, or opening the lids of a jar. Joint pain relief may be found by increasing circulation and regular exercise.

Joint Support for Hips: The hips are weight-bearing joints. The cartilage can begin to wear and tear faster especially for those involved in sports like golf, skiing, track, soccer or football. Professional dancers are also prone to hip pain as are those who over-exercise. Many find joint pain relief through low impact exercises.

Joint Support for Toes: Injury here is more common among people who play on artificial turf.. People who wear footwear that does not give support to the forefront joints are also prone to toe injury.

Some of you reading this may think the damage is already done, what can I do? There aren’t any ways to bring back time but fortunately there have been scientific breakthroughs that can help restore joint health to some extent.

Joint health supplements such as GoFlex contain a list of scientifically supported ingredients—both natural and herbal—that can help to nutritionally support the healthy functions of your joint. GoFlex also comes with a topical, fast-acting cream which contains Food and Drug Administration-approved ingredient for pain, capsicum. Ingredients for joint support include glucosamine sulfate, MSM, hyal joint, Interhealth collagen type II, boswellin, white willow bark, grape seed extract and more.

GoFlex is a scientifically-based, physician-approved joint health supplement containing herbal and natural nutrients that specifically support vital joint functions for maintaining mobility and flexibility. GoFlex includes a joint health supplement and joint pain relief cream containing an Food and Drug Association-approved ingredient for fast-acting joint pain relief.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/safeguard-joints-that-are-prone-to-injury-1382136.html

Improve Core Strength and Abs with Fitness Ball Training

The main reason that a fitness ball is great for all kinds of exercise is their instability. Whenever you are sitting or balancing on the ball, you are constantly adjusting your muscles just to keep from falling off. Overall, some of the best benefits of using a fitness ball include:

- Easy to use
- Increases endurance, strength and flexibility
- Improves functional body movement
- Tones muscle
- Improves balance, alignment and posture
- Can easily target your lower back and abs

By adding some fitness ball exercises to your routine, you can take advantage of the unique qualities of the ball. By having to constantly manage your balance, you are forced to put more effort into each exercise. These exercises can strengthen core muscles and help to define your abs.

Leg Raises

A very basic route for use with a fitness ball. Lie down with your stomach on the ball, and alternately raise your arms and legs. First lift your left arm straight in front of you, while simultaneously lifting your right leg behind you. Then switch.

This exercise helps work your core muscles as you manage your balance during the moves. It may seem very simple, but you’ll be surprised at the challenge.

Hip Extension

For this exercise, lay down on the floor, lying on your back. Put your feet up on the ball, keeping your knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Keep your feet on the ball and lift your hips while keeping your shoulders and upper back on the floor. Your pelvis should be in line with your knees, and your belly button sucked in slightly. This is great for developing your abs and strengthening your core.

Pelvis Tilt

Add this to your regular abs workout and you have that 6-pack in no time. Of course, no exercise will do that alone. You’ll have to lose those extra pounds so your newly toned abs can be seen.

With your feet flat on the floor, rest your waist and back on your fitness ball. Lift your pelvis and hips a few inches, then lower back onto the ball. Make sure you use your abs for this movement and not just your legs.

Abdominals and Obliques

You’ll work both your abs and obliques with this exercise. Lie back on the ball with your feet on the floor, and knees at a 90 degree angle. Cross your arms over your chest. Tighten your abs as you curl your upper body forwards. Each time you curl up, twist to the right and then to the left.

These are just a few examples of how a fitness ball can add variety to your workout and help work your core muscles.

Douglas Robson is the editor of My-Healthy-Lifestyle-Choices.com, your guide to a fit and healthy life. Find more information about the best core fitness training at his site.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/improve-core-strength-and-abs-with-fitness-ball-training-1486243.html