Shin Splints and Stress Fractures is an article that examines the cause of what is quite a common ailment for many physically active individuals. Traction Periosteitis, or more commonly Shin Splints, limit activity performance in millions of people. This article examines the possible causes of both shin splints as well as stress fractures. The article will also discuss possible prevention and treatment plans.

The statistics surrounding Low Back Pain (LBP) are staggering. At any given time, 31 million Americans experience some level LBP. Experts estimate that at some point in their lives, 80% of the American population will experience LBP ranging from acute discomfort to chronic disability.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb and is a common problem among many exercisers. The issues are often associated with musculo - skeletal deficiencies and repeated use injury response. One of the side effects of PFPS is quadriceps inhibition as a result of swelling in the knee joint.

Certainly the more physically active a person is the greater their risk for injury. It may seem counter intuitive but the facts are a healthy body requires movement, and movement by its nature places greater stress on the body presenting in both positive and (sometimes) negative outcomes.

The vast majority of American adults have experienced acute low back pain at some point in time, and a notable percentage of them suffer from varied levels of chronic pain. In fact, nearly 90% of adults acknowledge spine pain to their primary physician – most commonly radiating through the lumbar spine area. In response, many visit the local chiropractor for relief but an adjustment may not be what the doctor ordered. Low back pain can be caused by numerous factors ranging from significant pathologies like spinal impingement, to a cancerous tumor, to mechanical issues including congenitally-derived scoliosis. More commonly though low back pain is associated with mechanical issues derived from both hypo and hyperkinetic induced postural deviations. Hypokinetic disease is a fancy way of saying sedentary; individuals that do not move enough will likely be fat and have seated posture issues including weak and shortened hip extensors. Watching television promotes a posterior pelvic tilt and flexed knees, which creates pelvic instability. To the contrary, the chronic exercise enthusiast that has run 10 marathons may stand at the starting line with arched hips, denoting the tight hip flexors (psoas major, iliacus and rectus femoris) common of lower cross syndrome.

Many clients will possess postural distortions or imbalances which greatly impede their ability to safely and effectively engage in a comprehensive exercise program. Postural imbalances can impair joint function and stability, compromise coordination between bodily segments, increase energy demands during completion of any given task, reduce force transfer through the kinetic chain, and increase the overall risk for injury (among other negative effects). In some cases the distortions impede neural signaling which impacts proper activation causing movement compensations which lead to injuries.

Plantar fasciitis is a relatively common overuse issue responsible for inferior foot pain among runners. The condition occurs due to repetitive microtrauma and undue stress placed upon the plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of the foot and supports its natural arch.

With spring in the air, golfers are dusting off the clubs to head back to the links. And just like any activity cessation to participation, too much too fast is often a misguided issue. Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylosis, is an overusesyndrome caused by repetitive and forceful wrist flexion and pronation– as seen during a golf swing. High-volume overhead throwing (e.g., baseball players) will also increase risk for the issue. As its name indicates, it is associated with significant inflammation of the medial epicondyle of the humerus within the elbow (located on the inside aspect of the joint). A slow onset of pain and tenderness during activity will generally be experienced over the origin of the wrist flexor muscle group; most commonly in the trailing or dominant elbow. This pain may radiate down the forearm along the full course of the muscle group. Essentially, repetitive microtrauma to the respective tendons creates an inflammatory response that can send pain signals down the entire arm.

Good posture reflects more than an alert appearance or standing up straight to look one’s best; rather it is integral to long-term joint health and human performance. The body is structurally designed similar to non-organic machines. Joints provide for movable parts where bones, specialized connective tissue and muscle can synergize desirable actions. The position of joints determines the structural alignment and subsequent efficiency during static and dynamic conditions. When joints do not align well, due to muscle imbalances, tightness or a general lack of effort in postural control, the risk of developing health issues increases. Making sure to understand the factors that affect joint health including maintaining appropriate bodily positions when sitting or training in the gym can prevent pain and injuries.

The profound effect of exercise on the normal functioning of the immune system is by no means novel. Exercise and immune regulation are intimately tied, since exertional physical activity causes stress. When the activity reaches a stress level that can lead to adaptations, the physiological response sets off changes in immune regulation. Blood cells, hormones and cellular chemicals adjust to manage the internal situation and over time can reduce the risk of chronic metabolic and cardiorespiratory diseases. Hard exercise, particularly in excessive doses can suppressed the body’s immune system and increase susceptibility to infections, whereas chronic moderate-intensity exercise is immune-beneficial. Even a single bout of exercise will evoke a dynamic, positive response in hormones and blood cells

There exist three pillars of health – diet, physical activity and sleep. The latter is not only an essential function for humans, but also has the greatest acute effects on daily living. Missing just one day of sleep can dislodge homeostasis in several systems of the body. Poor sleep quality has a negative impact in different areas related to mental and physical health and can be a contributing factor to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and psycho-emotional distress - among other adverse consequences.

The hamstring muscle group is comprised of three separate muscles that function for global movement and stabilization. They include the biceps femoris (short and long heads), semimembranosus and semitendinosus. These muscles attach to the lower part of the pelvis, and the bottom of the tibia and fibula just below the knee joint. The action of the hamstring muscles is to flex the knee and extend the hip. Due to the dual action, there exists proximal and distal characteristics that are important to understand for proper strengthening and muscle balance.

T he alignment of joints is based on balance in the musculature and connective tissue features across an articulation. It can be defined as a relative equality of muscle length or strength between an agonist and antagonist muscle or group - and this balance is necessary for normal movement and function. It can be disrupted by a number of factors including how you sit, the use of technology, your standing posture, and the activities you engage in routinely. As we age these factors compound over time which affects our posture. In the upper body the most common developmental situation affecting posture is referred to as upper cross syndrome or UCS.