Coffee Break with Liz and Kate

Betcha didn’t know… the benefits to your back of losing just 10 pounds.  Studies show that losing 10 pounds cuts your risk of back pain in half, plus it helps you heal 50% faster if you’re already hurting.  One way to drop pounds – eat a bowl of soup before meals.  According to Penn State studies, “Soup fills you up and shuts off hunger pangs, yet it has very few calories per cup compared to solid … Read entire article »

Betcha didn’t know… you could relieve back pain by eating circulation-boosting grapes.  “Your back’s shock-absorbing disks depend on nearby blood vessels to bring healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is a great way to speed healing of damaged tissue,” says Dr. Sinel.  And a recent study published in the journal Vascular Pharmacology suggests just eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax blood vessels, significantly increasing blood flow to damages back tissue. Another proven … Read entire article »

Betcha didn’t know… that standing up often helps to ease the pressure on your back.  Standing up often, even if it’s just for a moment, reduces your risk of back pain by as much as 67%, according to research done at the University of Pennsylvania.  By contrast, sitting for long periods of time at your desk or even in your favorite chair puts 40% more pressure on your spine, which can eventually compress nerves and result … Read entire article »

Betcha didn’t know…you can avoid injuries and pain by clocking out by 5p.m. A University of Massachusetts study  recently found that folks who regularly work overtime have a 61% higher risk of on-the-job injuries compared with those who punch out after eight hours – and back pain is their number one problem.  “Long hours mean little relief from stress hormone overloads, which trigger chronic inflammation and tension in back muscles, doubling your risk of painful spasms,” … Read entire article »

Betcha didn’t know… this simple wake-up trick that soothes your nerves.  For most people, back pain is worse in the morning than at night.  Why?  Extra fluid seeps between your disks while you sleep, and if you twist or bend suddenly upon waking, that fluid puts pressure on the spine’s delicate nerves – almost ensuring that you’ll flinch with pain. Here’s the solution…Rise slowly and gently.  “First, move to the edge of the bed, roll onto your … Read entire article »