Having trouble getting a restful night’s sleep? Try focused breathing before bed. “Any type of breathing that emphasizes the exhale is relaxing and calming, especially at night to settle the body and mind,” says Beth Ando-Brenman, MPT, yoga instructor and community health educator at CentraState. She recommends the 4-4-8 breath: [...]
Sharon Crawford of Freehold never had any trouble with her A1C levels, a simple blood sugar test to check for prediabetes and diabetes. But after gaining some weight during the pandemic and about with COVID-19, she was alarmed to learn her A1C reached 6.2 – indicating prediabetes. “Diabetes runs in [...]
Many people love a warm or hot shower, while others say a cold shower has certain health benefits. Here’s what the research says, according to CentraState physical therapist Marcus C. Ward, PT, DPT. A COLD SHOWER is good for recovery after an intense activity. It has a cooling effect [...]
In some cases, yes, according to CentraState cardiologist Mitul Patel, MD. The body’s normal response to cold temperatures is to make sure it can keep the core warm. To do this, the body vasoconstricts (squeezes or clamps down on) the blood vessels farthest from the heart and core to save [...]
In today's fast-paced world, digital devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. But the urge to check smartphones and social media can become compulsive, impacting sleep, relationships and your health. If you’ve noticed these effects – or if you feel unhappy, irritable, frustrated, lonely or insecure [...]
In the quest to shed extra pounds, many people have turned to a practice that’s increasing in popularity: intermittent fasting. This pattern of eating between designated hours not only aids in weight loss, but it also can offer additional health benefits. “Intermittent fasting gives your body recovery time at [...]
Why does your ankle become swollen if you twist it? It’s part of your body’s natural response to an injury. Your immune system sends out inflammatory cells to help heal tissue or fight infection. But if your body sends out these cells without a typical cause, you may have [...]
Four days before his wedding to Melissa Cooper, Kevin McKenzie, 32, completed a workout. A few days later, his muscles felt sore and stiff, making it difficult to walk. He used a massage gun on his sore muscles to ease the pain. When he saw blood in his urine [...]
Pickleball has become America’s fastest growing sport – probably because it has physical and social benefits and can be played at any age or skill level. But injuries sometimes happen, particularly in people over age 60. About 60% of pickleball injuries are sprains, strains and fractures. If you’ve joined [...]
Summer’s warmth and light lure us to get up, out, and move. Because weight-bearing exercise can trigger bone growth, additional activity in the summer is just one of several reasons the season is a great time to improve your bone health, according to CentraState rheumatologist Sawsan Najmey, MD. “People [...]
