You don’t have to grunt, groan, and strain to stay fit. Studies show that a more balanced approach to exercise is a smarter way to train. What does it mean to exercise smart? It’s moving efficiently and effectively to maximize physical and mental benefits while minimizing risk of injury. [...]
The most important aspect of surgery isn’t what’s new, but what’s best for the patient, particularly when it comes to joint replacement surgery. While robotic techniques are emerging, research and experience has shown that minimally invasive surgery delivers the same or better outcomes at a lower cost. For example, [...]
At times, seemingly “normal” symptoms like a stiff neck or a headache may be harbingers of more serious conditions that require medical attention. Here are a few symptoms that may signal something more serious. The Symptom: A dark purple-blue bruise The Possible Cause: While most bruises are the short-term [...]
When a patient asks if vaping is safer than smoking, I tell them that neither is safe, potentially pose health risks, and that both habits should be broken. While vapes—also called vapor cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes—have been marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, there hasn’t [...]
For many middle school and high school students, summer is the time to relax: no alarms, lazy days by the pool or at the beach, later bedtimes. But these months of relaxation can result in injury when student-athletes return to the field in September if they aren’t careful. When [...]
Those happy-to-see-you tail wags and melt-your-heart meows—pets give us so much love and joy. But that’s not all they do for us. According to studies, contact with pets: Counteracts the stress response by lowering stress hormones and heart rate. Lowers anxiety and fear levels and elevates feelings of calmness. [...]
Cathy Larson is nearly half the woman she used to be. Three years ago, she was severely overweight, suffering from terrible acid reflux and high blood pressure. She also was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which, combined with excessive weight, caused debilitating joint pain. Cathy, 57, had tried nearly every [...]
While summer is a celebrated season marked by a range of fun outdoor activities, summertime conditions can also expose people to a variety of hazards if they’re not careful. “Summer is a great time of year to enjoy an array of activities, especially if you have kids, but you [...]
Brendan O’Donnell used to be in pain every day of his life. From the moment he put his feet on the floor in the morning until he fell asleep at night, excruciating back pain affected his relationship with his wife, children, co-workers, and friends. Now 45, the Millstone resident [...]
Sunny summer weather means more time enjoying outdoor sports like tennis and golf. The repetitive motions these sports require, however, can make a day on the court or links a painful one. Stacey Gallacher, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon on staff at CentraState Medical Center, offers the following [...]
