There are a lot of factors that can cause tight hamstrings but one thing is certain. If you develop tight hamstrings you’re likely to develop other issues as well. Lifestyles involving a lot of sitting naturally cause tight hamstrings by keeping your legs at a constant right angle for prolonged periods of time. Other things like overworking, without stretching can cause tight short muscles in your hamstrings resulting in a multitude of other problems. Why are tight hamstrings bad? Tight hamstrings can lead to lower back pain, bad posture, imbalances of muscles, and knee pain. If your hamstrings aren’t flexible enough they will be more susceptible to injury. Once your hammies are tight, other muscle groups will follow resulting in stiff joints and posture problems. For instance, tight hamstrings can lead to tight hip flexors, glutes, and lower back muscles resulting in a posterior pelvic tilt. In addition to tightness, pain, and being prone to injury, tight muscles have reduced performance. Muscles that are tight have reduced blood flow which results in a decrease in capacity of performance. How can you tell if you have tight hamstrings? There are some tests that a chiropractor or physical therapist can perform to identify if you have tight hamstrings. The most well...
Learn More
Aside from avoiding damage to your joints your diet is the number one contributor to your joint health. Joint health can be affected positively by nutrients that help repair damage and promote strong, flexible joints. On the flip side, food can also damage your joints by causing inflammation or by depriving your body of much-needed nutrients. A low inflammation diet combined with nutrient-rich foods is the best combination for healthy joints. If you’re looking for meal ideas, which foods are best for joint health, or which vitamins & nutrients contribute most to joint health and lower inflammation, we got you covered. What Should You Eat? Less processed is usually better. Eating whole foods helps you avoid trans fats and other additives that can cause inflammation. Fried foods and charred meat can also negatively contribute to inflammation. There isn’t a single superfood that will cure all your joint pain. Rather, a well-balanced diet filled with food that causes minimal inflammation is the way to go. Anthocyanins Cherries and other rich colored berries contain a flavonoid called Anthocyanins. This flavonoid has several health benefits including reducing inflammation. Some foods that have been found to contain high amounts of anthocyanins include most richly colored berries, acai, kidney beans, pomegranates, red onions, grapes,...
Learn More
Ice and snow are a real possibility in Portland every winter. While it may not be consistent, snow can come out of nowhere and catch us off guard. Combine that with our lack of experience in such conditions and it becomes even more important. Be prepared with a strong core to avoid injury. Whether your shoveling snow or hitting the slopes your core is key to staying healthy. Signs You Need To Strengthen Your Core Weak core muscles can cause back pain, as well as increased risk of injury. The following are some common signs that you have a weak core that’s in need of strengthening. Lower back pain – The first sign of weak core muscles is lower back pain. Low back pain can be caused by other issues such as pre-existing injury, but it’s the first sign of a weak core. Poor posture – If practicing good posture is tiring, chances are you have a weak core. Slouching when you sit isn’t just a habit. If sitting up straight causes your lower back and abdominal muscles to get tired, you probably have a weak core. Bad balance – Most of your balance while standing comes from your feet, hips, and core. Testing your balance could help you...
Learn More