How to Talk Positively to Your Kids About Exercise
All kids need exercise. Stacks of scientific research through the years support the myriad ways exercise helps young bodies and minds as they develop and grow. It’s important, then, for parents to encourage their children to be active and develop healthful habits as they grow and develop. During such conversations, however, setting a positive tone is paramount. Learning the values of good fitness and nutrition should be a confidence-building exercise for kids and adolescents. Don’t […]
New Exercise Guidelines Stress Movement as Medicine
According to new fitness guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in late 2018, 80 percent of U.S. adults and kids aren’t getting all the exercise they need for optimal health. It goes without saying then, says Seattle physical therapist Erik Norwood, that people of all ages need to put more […]
Holidays an Ideal Time for Lifting Techniques Refresher
Digging out boxes of holiday decorations, hauling packages to and from the car, hiding gifts away on the higher shelves at the back of your closet … the Holiday Season certainly requires its fair share of bending, lifting and reaching. This, coupled with the cooler weather, makes December the ideal time for a refresher on […]
Strength Training Critical for Active, Independent Aging
To the 43 million Americans who have low bone density, putting them at high risk of osteoporosis, Seattle physical therapist Erik Norwood has an important message: exercise is good medicine. But not just any exercise – weight-bearing, muscle-strengthening exercise. “As people get older, bone density certainly becomes an issue for many people, which can lead to unexpected falls, broken bones […]
Pools offer both fitness, relief for older adults
While drinking plenty of water is critical to life, health and healing, simply submerging your body in water (i.e., a pool) opens up opportunities for relief and fitness for those who otherwise may have difficulty exercising. This is especially important for aging adults and those with chronic conditions, said Seattle physical therapist Erik Norwood. “When our bodies are submerged in water, […]
Walking a ‘gait-way’ to back pain relief
Are you experiencing tightness or discomfort in your lower-back? Try taking a walk, suggests Seattle physical therapist Erik Norwood. According to Norwood, owner of Renew Physical Therapy in Seattle, studies have shown walking to be effective in preventing, alleviating and even treating pain in the spine, a condition that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will affect eight of […]
Lower-back pain? Check the hips
It’s well established that about eight in 10 people in the U.S. will experience back pain at some point in their lives. And while the causes of such pain often vary, Seattle physical therapist Erik Norwood says increasingly, in a world that accommodates a more sedentary lifestyle, the blame for low-back pain can often be […]