Chiropractic, Massage Therapy and Stretching:

As the 2008 Olympics have recently wrapped up, there were some amazing stories especially in swimming. While Michael Phelps drew much of the attention with his amazing performances, 41 year old Dara Torres was also an interesting participant.

At an age when most athletes have become "soccer moms," Torres earned a silver medal in swimming. In watching a special on her training, it was interesting to see how much time and money were spent on keeping her healthy.

$100,000 a year to be exact! This included her support team of personal trainers, massage therapists who also provided stretching, regular chiropractic treatments, and nutrition.

More and more athletes continue to perform at a high level at ages when most athletes have already retired. Increased knowledge in physical training and injury prevention have certainly played a large role in this phenomenon.

But aside from the hard work spent in training for their sport, recovering from all this exercise is especially important for the older athlete, whether you are a professional or recreational athlete who runs 10k's or marathons.

This support crew had a lot to do with the success of Torres, though she obviously still put in all the hard work of training. Skilled massage therapy combined with stretching can help you deal with past injuries and increase your sports performance, especially when combined with a quality resistance (strength) training program.

As a massage therapist, I've worked with a few runners and some semi-pro athletes who benefitted from skilled soft tissue therapy and stretching. Some of this has occurred while working in a chiropractic clinic and some of it occurred in the locker room before the game.

I believe strongly in the combination of chiropractic, massage therapy, and stretching when applied together. I've also met several people who are not into chiropractic care for one reason or another. For those people I would suggest finding a clinic where these services are combined by skilled professionals.

Otherwise, you can look for a massage therapist who incorporates some type of stretching and also someone who is knowledgeable in strength training. Even runners can benefit from a good resistance program that increases their core strength and reduces their risk of injury, while making them more efficient runners.

The Health Benefits of Tai Chi:

You've probably heard about how the slow, gentle movements of Tai Chi are good for your health, particularly Seniors looking to improve balance and prevent falls.

In addition to fall prevention, it can also boost your immune system and help deal with chronic pain. A recent article in the newspaper spoke of the many Chinese that start their mornings with exercising in local parks.

Many of these people practice Tai Chi while others prefer gymnastic movements and laughter to bring movement to their bodies and get their blood flowing. Movement has many benefits to your health, whether its walking, strength training, biking or a combination of these.

For a more detailed look at how Tai Chi can be beneficial to Seniors, click here.

Is the Sun Healthy For You?

We've all heard the warnings about too much Sun exposure and the threat of skin cancer, prompting you to be sure to use plenty of Sunscreen when outdoors for long periods in the Summer.

According to Dr. Al Sears, MD the Sun is actually good for you and can help prevent cancer and disease! According to Dr. Sears, lack of sufficient Sunlight can lead to depression, bone loss, and heart disease.

In a 1982 study reported in the British medical journal The Lancet, those that had the most activity outdoors had the lowest risk of developing skin cancer. Many of us have limited our outdoor activity in the last 30 years, yet the incidence of skin cancer has gone up at an unbelievable rate.

Plenty of Sun is the best way to absorb proper amounts of vitamin D. Being outdoors can increase feelings of well-being and lift up your moods. It feels good to be in the Sun. Low amounts of vitamin D can put you at increased risk of bone loss.

Dr. Sears thinks that sunscreens contain lots of toxins that can be bad for your health. He believes that skin cancer may be more related to toxins in our food supply than Sun exposure.

To read more about the positive effects of the Sun on your health, click here.