How vitamin D can improve muscle strength

How vitamin D can improve muscle strength

"One of the most important vitamins for your health is vitamin D. It allows the body to absorb calcium and phosphate from your diet, which are essential for the development of healthy bones. However, we have found that increased levels of active vitamin D in the bloodstream can also be associated with improved muscle function in healthy people."

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New study reveals how high-mileage running makes muscles and tendons more efficient

New study reveals how high-mileage running makes muscles and tendons more efficient

"Running burns more calories than any other mainstream exercise. But despite the fact that running has been proven to reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, there has been a lot of debate around whether our bodies truly can adapt to running long distances, such as marathons. It is known that the heart and lungs can become stronger and more efficient to help propel you forward – but what about your muscles and tendons? Can they adapt to make the very act of running more efficient, too?

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Ouch! The drugs don’t work for back pain, but here’s what does

Ouch! The drugs don’t work for back pain, but here’s what does

"Opioids such as oxycodone should also be avoided for back pain, since they have shown to increase the chances of having serious side effects, including misuse, overdose and dependency. In Australia, about 20% of people who see a GP for back pain are prescribed an opioid painkiller, but recent research has shown it provides minimal benefit for people with back pain."

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The Integration of Current Research into Massage Therapy

The Integration of Current Research into Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy has exploded into mainstream healthcare, it is now a recognized treatment option for a wide range of injuries. This means the profession is moving into new formal settings, these changes to the profession have led to a need to adapt to an evidence based model of care. This does not require us to reinvent the wheel, we can look to the evidence-based medicine model and adapt it to our profession.

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Sporting injuries are on the up and up – here’s what can be done about it

Sporting injuries are on the up and up – here’s what can be done about it

"Movement screens such as the “functional movement screen” or “landing error scoring system” are an integral part of medical support within sport. They comprise a range of exercises that allow coaches and medics to assess how individuals move in a variety of ways common to the sport they take part in. The proviso for their use is that they help to identify individuals at risk of injury."

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The role of massage in scar management

The role of massage in scar management

Massage therapy is simple to carry out, economical, and has very few side effects, so it is worth investigating the effects of massage therapy on post-surgical scaring. Research is still in its infancy but there is evidence to suggest that in addition to managing pain and discomfort, massage therapy may augment post-surgical healing.

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