Our revolutionary therapeutic and exercise training device the Core Laser was recently a featured news story on Physical Therapy Products Online. To read the full article you can visit PT Products Online.
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Archive for November, 2011
Thanksgiving Day Healthy Tips
- Eat a good breakfast. It isn’t helpful to skip breakfast in an effort to save your calories for later. Your body would much prefer a consistent supply of fuel and you’re far more likely to overeat if you’re too hungry by the time the turkey hits the table.
- Snack on raw veggies. Avoid fat and calorie rich pre-meal snacks and munch on raw veg1gies instead.
- Roast the turkey. Deep fat frying a turkey has gained some popularity in recent years, but roasting is by far the better option if you’re working toward improved health and fitness.
- Cut out the casseroles. Green bean casserole, scalloped corn, sweet potato pie … These traditional casseroles add quite a bit of extra fat and carbs to what was originally a rather harmless and nutrient rich food. Consider steamed green beans instead of the casserole, and lean more on cinnamon and pecans than butter and brown sugar when you’re preparing sweet potatoes or yams.
- Drink Water. If you drink water with your meal you’ll eat less and improve your digestion. Definitely avoid sugary juices and sodas, and consider a nice cup of hot tea instead of pie immediately after the big meal.
- Eat several smaller meals. There’s no need to feel restricted by a single plate dinner when you know you’ll be eating again in 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Store some of your left-overs in serving sized packaging for quick re-heating and you’ll have all of the mashed potatoes and gravy you can stand after a few consecutive meals.
- Limit alcohol. If beer, wine or whiskey are a part of your celebration, be careful not to consume too much. Alcohol of every kind has plenty of empty calories and promotes fat storage too. Make sure you have water available to quench your thirst and you’ll drink less of any alcoholic beverage.
- Wait for dessert. Wait a few hours before having dessert, and when you do, count it as a carb serving and make sure you’re getting some protein in to complete your meal. A piece of pumpkin pie doesn’t have to be a diet disaster, but if you eat it when you’re already full it won’t taste as good anyway.
- Go for a walk or toss a football. It might be tempting to flop on the couch to watch football on TV or to watch others play sports outside, but it will be better for your belly if you get out there and enjoy a little activity too. Go for a walk, toss a football, or participate in some other perspiration inducing activity and you’ll feel much better a few hours later than you will otherwise.
Article Source: Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping
Andrew Coster Named VP of Development for Laser Gym
Andrew Coster has recently been named Vice President of Product Development for Laser Gym, according to CEO and founder Rick Jeffrey. The news was officially announced in the business section of NOOZHAWK Santa Barbara on 11/15/2011.
Read the full press release here in the business section of NOOZHAWK
How the Brain Controls Body Movement (Video)
A neuroscientist and engineer, Daniel Wolpert studies how the brain controls the body. In this video he starts from a surprising premise: the brain evolved, not to think or feel, but to control movement. In this entertaining, data-rich talk he gives us a glimpse into how the brain creates the grace and agility of human motion.
Stretching Alleviates Low Back Pain (Study)
A new U.S. based study reports that intensive stretching and weekly yoga classes can help to alleviate lower back pain. The study found that people who have chronic back pain experienced an alleviation in pain and improved movement when engaging in intensive stretching exercises and weekly yoga classes. Each year, Americans spend over $50 billion on low back pain. It is one of the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading reason for doctors visits.
This clinical study was lead by Dr. Karen J. Sherman of the Health Research Institute with a team of researchers. The study was conducted on approximately 228 adults all of whom suffered from moderate low back pain for at least 3 months. Participants in this study were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Two of the groups received 12 weekly/ 75-minute classes of either yoga (92 participants) or stretching exercises led by a licensed PT (91 participants). Those taking yoga or stretching were asked to practice at home each non-class day for at least 20 minutes. The remaining 45 volunteers received a self-care book that described the causes of back pain and suggested exercise and lifestyle changes to reduce pain. The study results were reported in the October 24, 2011, advance online edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
The study found that after 3 months, the outcomes for the yoga group were better than those in the self-care group and continued to be better even at 6 months. The effectiveness of stretching was similar to yoga at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Compared to the self-care group, more yoga and stretching participants reduced their medication use for back pain. Those taking yoga or stretching classes also had better back functioning and were significantly more likely to rate their back pain as better or completely gone at all follow-up times. This study also found the similar effectiveness of the 2 exercise-based approaches suggests that the benefits of yoga for back pain may have less to do with the mental component than with the physical aspects of muscle stretching and strengthening.
“Our results suggest that both yoga and stretching can be good, safe options for people who are willing to try physical activity to relieve their moderate low back pain” Sherman says.
Article Source: National Institutes of Health
2011 Seattle Private Practice Section
Laser Gym will be attending the Private Practice Section (PPS) annual conference in Seattle this week (Nov. 2 – 5). We will be both attending the conference and exhibiting (booth #410) demonstrating our Core Laser. The Core Laser system uses Direct Visual Feedback Training to guide patients through a unique set of therapeutic exercises designed to simultaneously increase flexibility, range of motion and functional mobility in the lower back, abdominals and hips, while strengthening key core stabilizing muscles (the transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidi & pelvic floor muscles).
This conference focuses on physical therapists in business and physical therapists interested in learning about business in health care. With 25 educational sessions geared specifically to physical therapists in private practice this should be a great conference for Laser Gym to network and show case their therapeutic device the Core Laser.
For more information about this conference and a map of the exhibit hall click here.