Some people learn best by reading how to complete a task. Others learn best by observing somebody else do it first. For others, listening is the best way for them to pick up on information. When it comes to rehabilitation and exercise, there’s now a resource designed to suit all types of learners.

Wellness Professionals – the leader in joint pain relief, has comprised a video library of rehabilitation exercises specific to the most common musculoskeletal injuries. It was designed to be useful for people with any learning style. The videos allow you to watch the exercise being done, listen to a description of how to perform it with correct technique, and also gives written instructions for you to be able to follow through on your own.

I invite you to check out the video library and share your thoughts, experience, and feedback here.

Omega 3 fatty acids are all over the news…they are touted to boost intelligence, decrease risk of colon cancer, aid in weight loss, prevent asthma, promote heart health, and reduce pain and inflammation for people living with arthritis.

Omega 3 oils are found in certain fish (such as salmon), ground flax, and can also be taken in supplement form. The body does not produce omega 3 fatty acids, and many peoples diets lack natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids. A nutritional supplement may be worthwhile for individuals with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis; studies have found that omega 3s help reduce inflammation, stiffness, and joint tenderness, and can help lower the amount of pain medication needed to manage an individual’s symptoms.

There are also studies of people with osteoporosis that suggest that consuming adequate amounts of omega 3s helps to reduce bone loss by increasing calcium levels in the body and calcium deposited in the bones. More calcium in the bones and a lower rate of bone loss can only help to reduce osteoporosis related back pain, stress fractures of the spine, and the risk for fall related fractures.

So if you think you’ve tried everything for your arthritis-related pain, think again. Talk with your health care provider to see if fish oil supplements may be right for you. Consider meeting with a nutritionist to evaluate your diet. You may be surprised at how changing what you consume can change how you feel.

To learn more about the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids visit:

• Omega 3 Information
• Omega 3 Studies

As consumers gravitate towards natural and alternative forms of care for various health conditions, there are more and more dietary supplements being produced. It’s not always easy to know if the claims on supplements have been scientifically proven, but I highly recommend you learn as much as you can prior to starting any new treatment regimen.

If you suffer from arthritis, you may have heard about supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. If you are unsure whether a supplement is right for you, you should first consult with your health care provider. You may also be interested in a new report from the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dietary Supplements for Osteoarthritis. It reviews some of the results of clinical trials on the effectiveness and safety of supplements including glucosamine, chondroitin, SAMe, MSM, ginger, turmeric, and devil’s claw. This is a research based article, with lots of footnotes, but the authors (three PharmDs) make clinical recommendations for each which are easy to understand. It also provides a chart listing potential drug interactions.

So if you’re thinking about starting on glucosamine or chondroitin or another supplement for osteoarthritis, here’s a great resource for you.

If you are in any way thinking that your diet may be contributing to your health problems, this book by Michael Pollan is for you. It provides intriguing discussion about the problems with certain foods, how knowledge of nutrition has changed the way people consume food and nutrients, and what types of food we should be eating (in this author’s opinion).

His basic recommendation based upon his research is, as he states in the first sentence of the book, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

An easy-to-read, informative, thought provoking book. Makes you really ponder what it is you’re putting in your mouth.

If you are newly diagnosed with arthritis or have been living with arthritis for many years, the book, “Arthritis: Your comprehensive guide to pain management, medication, diet, exercise, surgery, and physical therapies,” by Howard Bird is an excellent resource. As the title suggests, the book presents a vast amount of information about various types of arthritis and treatments that may be beneficial, and does so in an easy to read, user friendly way.

I particularly like this book as it covers nutrition and dietary recommendations (including vitamins, supplements, how to balance meals) as well as information about exercise, ergonomics, and weight management. There is also a section that discusses the benefits of alternative treatments, including Rolfing, Reiki, and the Feldenkreis method.

So if you’re interested in learning more about what you can do to ease the pain of arthritis, I highly recommend checking this book out from your local library.

My great Aunt Sophie led a very healthy, active life well into her 90s. She lived in the south and I remember her strong drawl, the way she pinched my cheeks when she said hello, and the fact that she used to have a spoonful of cod liver oil every day. That seemed so unappealing in my youth, but I think she was really ahead of her time.

Many recent studies have looked at the benefits of fish oil supplements, particularly those containing omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. There have been published findings of omega 3 supplements contributing to decreased joint pain, decreased morning stiffness, and a reduction in the need for anti-inflammatory drugs for individuals with arthritis and disc problems in the neck and back. 1,2

In addition to promoting healthy joints, omega 3s have also been credited with reducing cholesterol as well as improving circulation, immune function, and depression. It is important, however, that people with blood clotting disorders and heart arrhythmias do not take omega 3 supplements unless recommended by a physician.

So if the thought of drinking cod liver oil like my Aunt Sophie did isn’t your taste, there are fish oil supplements available. You can also find food sources of omega 3s in certain fish (salmon, tuna, and sardines), soy, flax seeds, and nuts.

For more information about omega 3 fatty acids, visit the University of Maryland Medical Center’s site:

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1 Goldberg, et. al. A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain. 2007 May;129(1-2):210-23.
2 Maroon, et. al. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain.
Surg Neurol. 2006 Apr;65(4):326-31.

I’m not a person that’s big into cars, but I do try to keep up with my oil changes, basic maintenance, and interior/exterior cleaning, though with 2 kids, it’s not always crumb free. In a lot of ways, you can compare your own body to a car in terms of its make-up and how you care for it. So let’s start with this…what kind of car do you have?
Some people have the body of a Porsche and others an old Buick. Maybe your body is sleek, stylish, and fast. Or maybe it’s more of a clunker, has some dents, and you are trying to run it into the ground until you buy your next vehicle. Unfortunately we can’t replace our bodies (although certain parts, like knees or organs can be transplanted). And unlike cars, we don’t get the advantage of a 5 year, 50,000 mile warranty. So in order to make the most of our body, we need to take care of it properly.

What does your car need to run…gas of course. So you have choices of brand and quality, and in general the hinger the quality and cleaner the fuel, the better your car will run. Your body needs food for fuel too, and again you have choices. More natural and less processed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are better for you and help to keep your body strong and healthy. Fast foods that are highly processed and high in salt and fat make the body more sluggish and can contribute to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. So how do you choose? Certainly with rising gas prices, it can be hard to fill up with Super all the time. And unfortunately, healthier foods tend to be more expensive and take more time to prepare, so can be less convenient in our fast paced world. Its about finding a balance and as often as possible filling yourself up with the best fuel you can, and supplementing with a multi-vitamin if necessary.

To make sure your car runs well, you have to drive it (or at least start it) every day. In the same way, your body needs to be moved and exercised daily. Park it on the couch too long, and it’s achy and creaky when you get up. A regular walking, strengthening and stretching program can help keep the body running well and with less chance for injury, aches, and pains.

Every time you get into your car, you probably consider your safety: buckling up, driving at a safe speed, and following the traffic laws to prevent an accident. In the same way, you need to respect your body in the things you do so you don’t cause damage. For example, you need to be careful when lifting and moving heavy objects, avoid repetitive strain, and not operate vehicles or machinery when under the influence of medications or alcohol.

And what about keeping your car clean? Do you hand wash and vacuum it, take it to the car wash, or even get it detailed to keep it looking new? In addition to basic hygiene, keeping the mind and body clear of stress and toxins helps you to feel your best and look your best. Emotional stress whether due to financial, relationship, or work issues can take a toll mentally and can also contribute to physical pain. Taking time for yourself and finding ways to cope effectively with any stressors in your life is an important part of caring for yourself and staying healthy.

When your car has a problem or isn’t running well, you may try to fix it yourself, bring it to that handy friend or relative who’s great with cars, or go to your local mechanic or dealership. Just as different people care for and manage their cars in unique ways, various health providers may be able to help you when your body needs attention. Perhaps your primary doctor, a chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, nutritionist or any number of professionals may be able to help provide maintenance and repair to your body and mind when you need it. Just like you want to feel safe and comfortable with the person repairing your car, it’s important to research who may be able to help with your physical problems.

So think about it…do you take better care of your car or do you take as good or better care of yourself? Which is more important? Maybe it’s time to take a nice slow, Sunday drive and think about it.

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, wellness is defined as: ” the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal”

So chances are if you’re reading this, in some way you are seeking to learn about or achieve a state of good health. Or perhaps you are a wellness provider, browsing perspectives and thoughts on the topic. I used to think of wellness as simply being fit, with healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. A good check-up really. I’ve come to appreciate it a lot more over as I’ve learned, read, and worked with people over the years.

About 7 or 8 years ago, my uncle gave me a book, Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, by Dr. Andrew Weil. I was in my twenties, healthy, and thought it an odd choice for me. When I started reading it, I was intrigued by the focus on the body/mind connection. It went beyond my ideas of wellness by providing recommendations for specific dietary changes, vitamin supplements, stress reduction techniques, and lifestyle changes, in addition to exercise. He describes in a practical, easy to understand way about the body’s ability to heal and how what you put into your body will help or hinder the natural processes that promote health and healing.

In re-reading sections recently I continue to find value in his words and see how ahead of the time he was. He predicted that trans-fats would likely be banned from food products and we’re seeing that happen with packages labeled “no trans fats” and fast food chains cooking in oils that don’t contain trans fats.

If you are trying to make changes to achieve a better state of health, I highly recommend this book. The eight week program allows for gradual modifications to your current habits. If you’re pressed for time, each chapter starts with a list of steps to follow so you could quickly read and incorporate them, (such as eat broccoli twice this week, walk for 10 minutes 5 days this week, take a vitamin C supplement, bring fresh cut flowers into your home) and then he goes on to explain the rationale behind each recommendation so you can understand the benefits of what you’re doing. True stories from his clients are included which adds a real, engaging perspective.