Here's a great article I found on ACL tear prevention. Physical therapy can play a positive role in athletic performance after an injury as well as preventing them from happening. It was an amazing year for America's Olympians & it's always nice to hear from them how PT plays a roll in helping them. http://tinyurl.com/ccc6agy

Foam Roller Techniques for Runners Presentation

Brendan Sullivan, PT, CSCS & Abby Gillard, DPT, CSCS will be speaking at Fleet Feet Albany this Wedsnesday January 11th at 6:30 p.m. on Foam Roller Techniques for Runners. Call (518) 459-3338 to RSVP.

http://www.fleetfeetalbany.com/

"Be Exceptional, Not Acceptable"

Javier Martinez makes his professional debut in boxing this Friday night at the Crown Plaza in downtown Albany. Empire Health & Wellness Center is a proud sponsor for Javier as he ascends from the amateur ranks on his personal journey. For Javy its more than just a boxing match but rather an opportunity to inspire everyone to do better in life. Whether its fitness, faith, family or friends; Javy believes all of us have a purpose and should live every day to the fullest. Good luck Javy!

For more information on the event go to http://www.arespromotions.com

-Brendan Sullivan, PT, CSCS

Zumba!

Zumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s. Zumba involves dance and aerobic elements. Unlike a typical dance class where counts are used, Zumba involves following the music with repetitive movements. Zumba's choreography incorporates hip-hop, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts and some Bollywood and belly dance moves. Some traditional moves incorporate squats and lunges.

Today, there are an estimated 4 million Zumba enthusiasts and 25,000 instructors in 40 countries, according to co-founder & CEO Hoberto Perlman. And Zumba executives continue to feed the frenzy. The brand also offers music and choreography; a clothing line; Zumba Gold classes, geared to seniors; Zumba Toning, a sculpting class using weighted sticks that sound like maracas; and ZumbAtomic, a program for kids aged 5 to 12. Barring any doctor's limitations, says Perlman, Zumba is safe for a range of ages and fitness levels because the steps can be modified so that it's very low-impact. And all you need are a good pair of dance shoes or cross-trainers.

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/zumba-fun-is-secret-ingredient-of-latin-dance-workout

And for more information on healthy living, or to schedule a consultation for physical therapy, feel free to contact us at 518-690-4406 or visit our website at www.empirehwc.com or email us at ehwc@nycap.rr.com.

Thermogenic Effect of Food

When you eat food, your body does more than just add calories, it also burns them. The act of digestion takes energy and therefore burn calories, which is also known as the "thermogenic effect of food." This effect accounts for five to 10 percent of your metabolic rate, so you want to make sure to eat the right foods that stimulate the most thermogenic effect. Protein has the most thermogenic effect of all nutrients. A whopping 30 percent of the calories from protein are used during digestion! So if you eat 100 calories of protein, 30 calories will be burned through digestion leaving you with a net 70 calories. The fiber and complex carbs in vegetables will also force your body to do some extra work.

A study supported by the National Institute of Health recently found that adding cayenne pepper to a meal can actually increase the amount of calories burned by 10%. It is believed that this effect was caused by increasing the body systems responsible for energy expenditure. The results of the study indicate that the effect is more pronounced for individuals who do not regularly ingest spicey foods. Though the effect was small the researchers indicate that it could be a component helpful in moderating one's diet.

And for more information on healthy living, or to schedule a consultation for physical therapy, feel free to contact us at 518-690-4406 or visit our website at www.empirehwc.com or email us at ehwc@nycap.rr.com.

Live Longer, Live Well, Eat Fiber!

A recent study by researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, MD discovered that there is a reduced risk for many diseases associated with death from eating a diet high in fiber. The conditions studied included infectious, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The findings were made after data was collected from nearly 400,000 men and women who took part in a study by the National Institute of Health - AARP and health study. More specifics on the study can be found here regarding intake of fiber. http://dietandhealth.cancer.gov

Our recommendations is to seek out the consultation of your physician for the dosages that are appropriate based on your overall health condition. Fiber rich foods can include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, almonds and oat bran.

And for more information on healthy living, or to schedule a consultation for physical therapy, feel free to contact us at 518-690-4406 or visit our website at www.empirehwc.com or email us at ehwc@nycap.rr.com.

The Health Benefits of Cocoa

Cocoa, used throughout history as a folk medicine, may actually have significant health benefits, according to a new study by Harvard researchers. Analysis by researchers at Harvard Medical School reviewed 21 studies with 2,575 participants shows that cocoa consumption is associated with decreased blood pressure, improvement in cholesterol levels and improved blood vessel health.

In addition to these benefits, consumption of flavonoid-rich cocoa decreased “bad” LDL cholesterol among people under age 50 and increased good HDL cholesterol. Flavonoid-rich cocoa consumption also was linked to reductions in risk factors for diabetes -- a major risk factor itself for cardiovascular disease. Finally, resistance to the hormone insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar, favorably dropped among people who consumed flavonoid-rich cocoa, compared to people in comparison groups.

Further, consumption of flavonoid-rich cocoa did not change triglyceride levels of study participants or make them obese. Triglycerides are a type of blood fat that have been linked to coronary artery disease when levels are elevated above normal.

Up until now the prior studies analyzed were short-term research projects using primarily sugar-free, dark chocolate.The Harvard researchers say more research is needed to determine the risk-benefit effect on the heart health of eating commercially available chocolate. Future research will look at the dosage necessary to reduce heart attacks and strokes.

http://naturalhealthezine.com/health-benefits-of-cocoa

And for more information on healthy living, or to schedule a consultation for physical therapy, feel free to contact us at 518-690-4406 or visit our website at www.empirehwc.com or email us at ehwc@nycap.rr.com.

Brendan Sullivan, PT, CSCS