Blog Feed: Azhar Physical Therapy

Rotator Cuff Injury

Published on 2012-01-18 08:04:00

Your rotator cuff is made up of the muscles and tendons in your shoulder. These muscles and tendons connect your upper arm bone (humerus) with your shoulder blade. They also help hold the ball of your upper arm bone firmly in your shoulder socket. Rotator cuff injuries are fairly common. Causes include poor posture, falling, lifting and repetitive overhead arm activities such as: throwing a baseball, reaching up repetitively to work or placing items on shelves above your head. The injury is [..]

Muscle Gain at 40

Published on 2012-01-11 14:44:00

The two primary hormones responsible for muscle gain are Testosterone and Growth Hormone. Healthy males and females reach peak testosterone and growth hormone levels at age 20-25, steadily decrease to 50% by age 40 and level off to 25% of peak levels by age 50. Obviously, higher levels of these hormones with the correct resistance training and nutritional protocol significantly improve your chances of gaining muscle. Empirical evidence shows that the most muscle mass a 25-year-old "average" mal [..]

Grassfed Beef - healthier than grainfed beef?

Published on 2011-12-02 14:44:00

Beef from cows that feed on grass instead of grain in feedlots is healthier because it contains twice as much beta-carotene, has more vitamin E, and is lower in calories and saturated fat. Grass-fed animals are also known to be the richest source of one of the most potent cancer fighters - Conjugated Linoleic Acid, or CLA - a "good fat." Recent research shows that grazing animals have from 3-5 times more CLA than animals fattened on grain in a feedlot, and studies published by the journal “ [..]

Our TherFit eStore is now open...

Published on 2011-10-09 14:46:00

We have partnered with TherFit.com to help our patients and customers find products for all their health and fitness needs through an eStore effortlessly. There will be over 300,000 products on the site available with a quick search feature. Prices are competitive but most importantly you dont have to go all over to search for what you need. It's now all in one place! By providing an "eSTORE" link on our website navigation bar and a button to our TherFit eStore on our clinic homepage we hope tha [..]

I have Type 2 Diabetes, can I still exercise?

Published on 2011-09-27 10:41:00

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, most likely you have a high blood glucose level, and either a low, normal, or high insulin level at the same time. High blood glucose levels can either cause insulin resistance that amplifies insulin production, or in some cases, overwork the beta cells that produce insulin resulting in decreased insulin production. Because high levels of circulating glucose cause Type 2 Diabetes, exercise is the preferred means to counteract this condition since it lowers circulati [..]

Increments & Decrements

Published on 2011-09-17 18:46:00

Increments Progress is not made in leaps. It is the accrual of many small increments. If you decide not to workout today it may seem like it doesn’t matter but that small piece and other such missing pieces may never let you make any significant growth. Decrements It is also true that you don’t spring backwards in leaps either. Retreats too are the accumulation of many decrements. If you decide to stop at the doughnut shop on the way home for just a doughnut, it may seem harmless at the time [..]

Resistance Training & Hypertension

Published on 2011-08-23 13:59:00

Although it’s true that blood pressure increases “during” Resistance training, it' noteworthy that blood pressure tends to decrease at rest in the long-term with an appropriate resistance training program. This long-term adaptation occurs due to a reduction of chronically elevated plasma catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine), causing a reduced basal tone of the sympathetic nervous system. This leads to reduced arteriolar tone and decreased total peripheral resistance by a resetti [..]

Pursuit of Happiness

Published on 2011-08-22 12:26:00

So you want to be happy? Or maybe just “happier”! Maybe you want to stop smoking, exercise more, lose weight, or eat healthier. I know I’d like to improve in some areas of my life, like exercise more regularly and eat healthier. Statistically speaking, every year, 30 percent of the people in The United States make a single resolution, the other 70 percent make three or more. Increasing exercise is the most common, made by 37 percent. Decreasing the consumption of unhealthy food is at 13 p [..]

Life after Physical Therapy

Published on 2011-06-22 10:23:00

We know that physical therapy can be a long, hard road and it takes willpower to keep at it. Staying consistent with your appointments can be hard at times and you might feel like celebrating when it’s all over; but what comes after you’re done w

Importance of a Warm-up

Published on 2011-06-21 10:14:00

Have you ever wondered about the real physiological benefits of a warm-up and what exactly happens when you go through it? Well, as you start to exercise your body needs to make a number of quick adjustments. The three most profound changes that occu

Herniated Disc Management

Published on 2011-06-17 11:55:00

Surgery isn't usually considered unless you develop severe pain or nerve damage that gets steadily worse. If you have loss of bladder or bowel control, you may need surgery right away. Surgery to remove a ruptured disc is done through a very sm

Herniated Disc Management

Published on 2011-06-17 11:55:00

Surgery isn't usually considered unless you develop severe pain or nerve damage that gets steadily worse. Prior to any surgery, there are some basic actions you could perform right away that will help reduce pain, manage symptoms, and provide y

Do you know when to use ice and when to use heat on an injury?

Published on 2011-06-15 10:41:00

Most people know to apply ice to an acute injury but aren't so sure when to use heat. There are two basic types of injuries: acute and chronic. Acute Injuries are sudden, sharp, traumatic injuries that occur immediately (or within hours) and cause p

Do you know when to use ice and when to use heat on an injury?

Published on 2011-06-15 10:41:00

Most people know to apply ice to an acute injury but aren't so sure when to use heat. There are two basic types of injuries: acute and chronic. Acute Injuries are sudden, sharp, traumatic injuries that occur immediately (or within hours) and cause p

I’m trying to lose fat, when can I eat before I workout?

Published on 2011-06-13 11:40:00

If you are not insulin resistant (Normal) and trying to lose body fat, you should not eat for about an hour before exercising, allowing for even the slightest insulin elevation to plateau and you can expect great results (see graph above). On the ot

Prevent Back Pain

Published on 2011-06-10 11:40:00

Four out of five adults will experience significant low back pain sometime during their life. Work-related back injuries are the nation's number one occupational hazard, but you could suffer back pain from activities at home and at play, too. Are yo

Prevent Back Pain

Published on 2011-06-10 11:40:00

Four out of five adults will experience significant low back pain sometime during their life. Work-related back injuries are the nation's number one occupational hazard, but you could suffer back pain from activities at home and at play, too. Are yo

Be Unreasonable

Published on 2011-06-08 10:57:00

We live in a time when the only prediction that holds true is that no prediction will hold true. Is this a paradox? Not if you have innovative thinking. This knowledge could give you an inherent advantage if you aren’t afraid of change and tr

Be Unreasonable

Published on 2011-06-08 10:57:00

We live in a time when the only prediction that holds true is that no prediction will hold true. Is this a paradox? Not if you have innovative thinking. This knowledge could give you an inherent advantage if you aren’t afraid of change and tr

What can a personal trainer do for me that I can’t do myself?

Published on 2011-06-07 11:40:00

The cartoon above is humorous but in all reality a good personal trainer is an educator who provides well-informed answers to your fitness questions. A skillful trainer chooses safe and effective exercises for you based on your age, gender, level of

What can a personal trainer do for me that I can’t do myself?

Published on 2011-06-07 11:40:00

The cartoon above is humorous but in all reality a good personal trainer is an educator who provides well-informed answers to your fitness questions. A skillful trainer chooses safe and effective exercises for you based on your age, gender, level of

Tips to Prevent Neck Pain

Published on 2011-05-31 11:40:00

The most common causes of neck pain are the result of bad habits or poor ergonomics. Here are just a few of the most common reasons. Take a look at them and make an effort to correct them. Your neck will thank you! Center your monitor. People

Tips to Prevent Neck Pain

Published on 2011-05-31 11:40:00

The most common causes of neck pain are the result of bad habits or poor ergonomics. Here are just a few of the most common reasons. Take a look at them and make an effort to correct them. Your neck will thank you! Center your monitor. People

Water, Electrolytes, Carbs & Cramps

Published on 2011-05-27 12:15:00

Athletes need to consume fluids before, during and after exercise because dehydration of more than 2% body weight can cause exertional heat illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke. WaterApproximately 73 percent of our lean body ma

Water, Electrolytes, Carbs & Cramps

Published on 2011-05-27 12:15:00

Athletes need to consume fluids before, during and after exercise because dehydration of more than 2% body weight can cause exertional heat illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke. WaterApproximately 73 percent of our lean body ma

Survival of the Most Responsive

Published on 2011-05-26 12:15:00

Charles Darwin is often misquoted as saying evolution is the survival of the fittest. Not quite true. He actually said ‘It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to

Survival of the Most Responsive

Published on 2011-05-26 12:15:00

Charles Darwin is often misquoted as saying evolution is the survival of the fittest. Not quite true. He actually said ‘It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to

Is there anything special I should eat after my workout?

Published on 2010-11-09 09:10:00

In addition to catecholamine increase, exercise stimulates the production of cortisol to boost the breakdown of fuels within the body. These high levels of cortisol not only decompose stored fuels, but also begin muscle breakdown once the stores of g

Is there anything special I should eat after my workout?

Published on 2010-11-09 09:10:00

In addition to catecholamine increase, exercise stimulates the production of cortisol to boost the breakdown of fuels within the body. These high levels of cortisol not only decompose stored fuels, but also begin muscle breakdown once the stores of g

Is my "BMI" reliable or should I get my "Percent Body Fat" checked?

Published on 2010-11-03 10:32:00

Let me start by saying that at 5'9" and 185 lbs, I am "Overweight" bordering on "Obese" according to the BMI (Body Mass Index) Index and yet I am around 13% body fat which is "athletic" or "Fit" on the American Council on Exercise Percent Bodyfat Ind

What’s the best time to workout?

Published on 2010-11-02 11:40:00

While convenience ultimately prevails and you may be better off working out whenever your schedule allows, here are some things to consider. The average person is about 25% hypoglycemic upon awakening. This could be good or bad. Good because th

How soon after my exercise session should I eat?

Published on 2010-11-01 12:55:00

Exercise causes an increase in catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine), allowing you to function at a higher level of output. In addition to physiologic stimulation, catecholamines and other hormones allow you to start using stored fuels lik

I exercise a lot and hydration is very confusing, can you help me?

Published on 2010-10-27 12:52:00

This is a broad subject and by no means is this answer the most comprehensive. For the sake of simplicity, lets look at hydration in context to four different situations:Basic hydration that is life-sustaining Pre-exercise hydration Exercise hydratio

I’m trying to lose fat, when can I eat before I workout?

Published on 2010-10-26 10:12:00

If you are not insulin resistant (Normal) and trying to lose body fat, you should not eat for about an hour before exercising, allowing for even the slightest insulin elevation to plateau and you can expect great results (see graph above). On the ot

The Power Of Attitude

Published on 2010-10-25 15:52:00

Attitude is everything. It’s how we view the world. Our attitude affects how we act and feel in everyday life. Optimistic people have a positive expectancy that helps to achieve the goal at hand. It’s with this can-do attitude t

Understand & Avoid Muscle Cramps

Published on 2010-10-21 16:09:00

You’ve probably experienced a muscle cramp sometime, and it probably happened while you were exercising. Or it may even have occurred while sitting, walking, or just sleeping. You felt a sudden contraction of one or more muscles that resulted in in

Low Back Pain? Consumer Reports Survey Supports PT as an Effective Treatment.

Published on 2010-10-19 11:31:00

Physical therapy ranks among the top treatment choices of the Consumer Reports readers with back pain, according to a new Consumer Reports survey of more than 14,000 Americans who experience the condition. About 80 percent of U.S. adults have

When Choosing Health Care, Know What You’ll Owe

Published on 2010-10-18 12:04:00

Article summarized from “The New York Times, Health Section”, written by Walecia Conrad, published July 9th 2010. QUICK quiz: What’s the difference between co-pay and co-insurance Many companies are considering increasing co-insurance paymen