Wellness

Do You Suffer From Sciatica? Try Massage Therapy

back-pain-1014Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a painful condition in which one or both sides of the sciatic nerve is compressed. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body, stretching from the lower back and splitting into two at the pelvis, with one nerve going down each leg. It’s responsible for sending and receiving electrical impulses from the brain, essentially telling the muscles in the legs and feet when to contract.

There are several different factors known to play a role in the formation of sciatica, including weight gain, spinal disc herniation, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy, and trauma to the spine or surrounding tissue. Normally, the sciatic nerve remains unconstrained, but there are certain conditions, diseases and injuries that will compress the nerve, resulting in sciatica. continue reading »

5 Powerful Health Effects of Olive Oil

Derived from the fatty liquid of pressed olives, olive is a versatile substance that’s loaded in nutritional value. Just a single tablespoon has 10 grams of monosaturated fat, 1.4 grams of polysaturated fat, vitamin E, and other other key nutrients. While most people consume it for its delicious flavor and smooth characteristics, olive oil has surprising health benefits when consumed on a regular basis.

#1) Protects Against Heart Disease

Consumption of olive oil on a regular basis may lower your risk of heart disease. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 600,000 people die each year from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death among men and women. Olive oil, however, can reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering levels of LDL (the bad kind). cholesterol while raising levels of HDL cholesterol (the good kind). continue reading »

5 Reasons Why You Should Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

bragg-acv-01I know what you’re probably thinking: why on earth would I want to drink vinegar? After all, its strong odor can turn your stomach before you even place the stuff to your mouth. Well, apple cider vinegar is a powerful ingredient with some surprising benefits. So if you’re willing to get past the smell, you’ll find this beverage to be a powerful health drink.

#1) Prescribed By Hippocrates

Hippocrates, who many consider to be one of the leading pioneers of western medicine, often prescribed apple cider vinegar to his patients to treat a broad range of ailments, including fever, nausea, insomnia and vomiting. Patients were shocked to discover the healing and rejuvenating effects this natural substance offered. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” said Hippocrates. continue reading »

Beat Work Stress: 6 Tips To Feel Better and Work Better

relaxed-worker-082614The workplace is one of the top sources of stress in the average person’s life. According to a 2009 study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), a staggering 69% of employees in the U.S. say work is a “significant source of stress,” and 41% say they are tense throughout the workday. If you constantly feel stressed at work, try some of the following tips to create a more tranquil and relaxing work environment. continue reading »

Juicing vs Blending: The Great Health Debate

smoothies-juices-01Adults who need 2,000 daily calories to maintain a healthy weight should eat 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables per day (a total of nine servings). According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, only 14% of adults consume the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables (source). That’s a shockingly low number that should serve as a wake-up call to people everywhere.

If you struggle to achieve to consume the recommended amount of vegetables and fruit, you should consider investing in a blender or juicer. Juicing and blending are both excellent ways to include more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. Now for the million dollar question: which method is better for your health? continue reading »