Just Do It!

Yesterday, I had some free time in the afternoon.  It was a magnificient summer day in Manhattan; the robin's egg blue sky and low humidity just made me wish I were somewhere on a golf course, by a lake or stream, or anywhere other than the city.  I had already done the P90X Plyometrics workout in the morning, so I had playtime at my disposal.  I dumped my work clothes and got into my shorts, t shirt and sneakers.  Mountain bike and me was all I needed.  I took a rapid but easy pace up the beautiful West Side Highway bike path and stopped off at 97th St to sit on a bench and just take in the sailboats, waterfowl and atmosphere of the park.  I could have gone up over the GW Bridge, but the objective was to go for a leisurely bike ride and enjoy the afternoon.  Sitting on the bench allowed me some mental detox time; the physical exercise was just a nice stretch of the legs.  At the end of the afternoon, I felt refreshed and so happy that I was able to just 'go out and play' on a nice day.  Even though I didn't get out of the Big Apple, the river view, the park and the silent solitude was like a mini vacation.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have time to get out and play, then just do it!  Do it because you physically can participate in the activity and because you never know what tomorrow will bring.  We hear everyday so many stories about people becoming victims of terrible accidents, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural or man-made disasters that we should do all we can to make today the best it can be.  So, don't say to yourself "I'll do it tomorrow" when it comes to play (save that for cleaning the house or the garage), go out there today and JUST DO IT!

Want To Improve Your Golf Game?

Golf is a sport of repetitive motion, concentration and precision. Pain or limited range of motion can be detrimental to one’s game. The golfers I treat in my practice typically present with muscle strains, spasms, limited range of motion in the upper torso and lower back, and usually experience chronic pain. Lateral and medial malleolus tendonitis (golfer’s elbow), rotator cuff tears, iliopsoas pain, tight IT bands, and wrist pain are just a few of the most common ailments. Traditional Chinese Medicine can be quite effective to prevent injury while training and resolve acute and chronic conditions.

Acupuncture increases the blood flow throughout the body.  This, in turn, increases cellular nutrition. What this means in plain English: new muscle fibres can grow, lymphatic drainage can function properly and the synovial fluid can flow freely through the joint capsules. This will increase range of motion, resolve tightness and strain, eliminate pain and scar tissue.  Your stroke will be freer, faster, stronger and much more precise.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If your par isn’t what it should be, or you’d like to improve that swing…come in for an orthopedic evaluation and I will develop a program to improve your game!!

Poison Ivy and Some Remedies

After trying seemingly every natural product out there to treat my poison ivy rash, and not being able to get to Chinatown to have a 'soak' cooked up for myself (given my busy schedule here at the office), I have had the typical patient experience of this nasty plant's poison.  I always preach that the right medicine for the right pathology; that's why I work closely with several surgeons and allotpathic specialists.  An S.O.S. call to my internist was key here.  My dear doctor squeezed me in as his last patient of the day, and together, we had some good laughs over my latest adventure.  A few steroid pills and seriously strong topical creme and one day later, I'm like a new person.  No itchy skin, no burning and the fluid has drained from the dermal layer of my skin.  The redness is still there, but no symptoms.  The prednisone is pretty evil stuff (can give you palpitations, insomnia, bloating), but for 2 days, I'll bite the bullet and get this rash over with at last.  I think I'll take my doctor's advice and be a good patient....I'll take this weekend off from the hedges and hit some golf balls instead!  Doctor heal thyself...

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: ....special thanks to all my friends in Wurtsboro for their kindness, compassion and healthy tips to make MY experience with poison ivy more bearable.  A very special thank you to Connie, who, when giving me natural rememdies, reminded me that I really should be checking for ticks....I'll talk about that next time, 'cause I had nothing else to worry about for the moment.  For all you urbanites out there dashing out to the countryside for some fresh air, fun and relaxation....just remember, it's a jungle out there!  Know before you go and be prepared for everything!