Athletes
Sports Spine Specialist Chiropractic Team: Athletes strive to achieve their body’s maximum performance by participating in numerous training regimens consisting of strenuous exercises and physical activity and ensuring they meet all of their body’s nutritional requirements. Through proper fitness and nutrition, many individuals can condition themselves to excel in their specific sport. Our training programs are designed for athletes that look to gain a competitive edge in their sport.
We provide sport-specific services to help increase an athlete’s performance through mobility, strength, and endurance. Occasionally, however, the excess workouts can lead many to suffer injuries or develop underlying conditions. Dr. Alex Jimenez’s chronicle of articles for athletes displays in detail the many forms of complications affecting these professionals while focusing on the possible solutions and treatments to follow to achieve overall well-being.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Fitness, Health, Wellness
When the going gets tough, yoga. That’s our mantra this spring—and this flow is proof that deep breaths and a little movement can work wonders on your energy levels. It’s led by Tiffany Cruikshank, founder of Yoga Medicine and an expert in the restorative power of yoga. The sequence is meant to wake you up, and help you find your center; so you finish your practice calmer than before, but also invigorated. The routine will also help you feel more connected to your body, as you challenge your muscles and build stamina.
While yoga doesn’t raise your heart rate quite like high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, it does come with its own set of stellar health benefits. Regular yoga sessions can help to reduce migraines, improve sleep quality, and even boost your sex life, thanks to poses that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles (and in turn make your orgasms bigger and better).
RELATED: 3 Yoga Poses to Relieve Stress and Anxiety
Of course yoga has the power to change your body for the better too. The ancient practice can lead to longer, leaner muscles, since it stretches your limbs while building strength simultaneously.
Want to get it on the action? Watch the video to follow along as Cruikshank guides you through a yoga flow that will recharge your batteries stat. It’s perfect for vinyasa novices as well as longtime yogis. Whether you do this routine first thing in the morning, or right in the middle of your afternoon slump, it will leave you feeling healthier and happier, guaranteed. And if you just can’t get enough of Tiffany, visit YogaGlo for more of her classes.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Fitness, Health, Wellness
This article originally appeared on DailyBurn.com.
Resistance training and cardio exercise can indeed co-exist. In fact, blending them together creates the ideal time-saving gym session. All you have to do is make a few intensity-amplifying tweaks to your existing strength workout and it can drive up your heart rate, burn more calories and improve your cardiovascular health, says New York City-based trainer Laura Miranda, DPT, CSCS, exercise physiologist. Get started on getting more from your workout by following these six strategies that marry weights and cardio. You just might find you’re having more fun, too.
RELATED: 6 Killer Cardio Workouts That Don’t Involve Running
6 Tips for Turning Up the Cardio on Your Strength Workout
1. Vary your rest.
The first way to spike your heart rate while strength training: Perform each move back to back with as little rest as possible — that is, while still maintaining good form. Miranda prefers a ladder approach to accomplish this goal. After the first round of resistance exercises, rest for 20 seconds. On the second set, rest for 15 seconds; and the third, pause for a 10-second break. As your body gets less and less time to recover, it taxes your aerobic system, she explains. Keep in mind, because you can’t lift at max weight with this many sets, it’s a good goal for fat loss, rather than strictly strength gains.
RELATED: 12 Brilliant Meal Prep Ideas to Save Time
2. Hold weights in both hands.
Rather than putting all your effort into single-arm movements for exercises like curls, rows or extensions, pick up two dumbbells or kettlebells. Then, go to town. Doing upper-body bilateral movements — like bicep curls with both hands moving at the same time — increases your heart rate more than when focusing on one arm at a time, according to a 2017 study in The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research.
RELATED: 5 Sports-Inspired Drills That Totally Count as Cardio
3. Pepper in plyometrics.
Explosive movements — think squat jumps and jumping lunges — are super effective and efficient for cranking up your cardio, while still building muscle. To maximize the payoff of these powerful moves, perform at least 15 reps of each exercise. This can keep your heart rate elevated for up to 50 minutes post-exercise, according to one study.
Miranda also recommends combining plyos with a strength and coordination move to lessen some of the jarring impact on your body. For example: Do a dumbbell lateral lunge, followed by a bear crawl, then end with broad jumps. Take a brief rest before cycling through those three exercises again.
RELATED: 3 Plyometric Moves That Turn Up the Burn
4. Lighten your load.
In a traditional strength workout, you’d pick up a weight heavy enough that you could only do a few reps for up to 45 seconds, says Miranda. But to hit the sweet spot where lifting turns more aerobic, opt for lighter weights that allow you to perform a set for one to two minutes. You might even drop the weight altogether and work for longer periods (i.e. go from a weighted squat to simply bodyweight squats). Or, grab a set of five- to eight-pound weights and perform a move like dumbbell uppercuts for one minute. Trust us, it will burn.
RELATED: 3 Quick HIIT Workouts for Beginners
5. Try a two-fer.
Why do a squat or a bicep curl or an overhead press when you can be super efficient and do all three at once? Compound movements like this one require you to use more muscle groups, which gives you a greater metabolic boost, says Miranda. Even better, these multi-move exercises test your coordination. Some others to add to your exercise repertoire: a push-up with row, reverse lunge with triceps extensions, curtsy lunge with bicep curl or a glute bridge with chest press.
RELATED: 3 Exercises to Sculpt Your Entire Body
6. Go beyond everyday exercises.
No doubt you’ve done a burpee or 10. After all, they’re used in many workouts because they’re an efficient way to get your heart rate up between strength sets. “When you choose movements that your body is not used to doing — like getting on and off the floor, as you do for a burpee — it enhances the difficulty of your workout,” says Miranda. (Typically, we’re used to simply sitting, standing and walking.) A burpee requires you to use all major muscle groups at once, which is probably why research shows this move is nearly as good as bicycle sprints in terms of gaining cardiovascular benefits.
Another similar way to enhance the cardio challenge: Do moves that work your body in different planes of motion, says Miranda. For instance, a forward lunge, followed by a side lunge, then wrap it up with a backward lunge. “Our bodies are not used to moving in those sequences,” she says. Wood chops or 180 squat jumps will also do the trick. So not only will you feel your muscles getting fatigue, but you’ll breath heavy while you’re at it. A single workout for strength and cardio…you’re welcome.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Athletes, Chronic Back Pain
Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Alex Jimenez examines Tiger Woods’ and his latest back surgery.
We have a look at Tiger Woods’ extensive history of injuries during his career. USA TODAY Sports
Tiger Woods Won�t Be Back For Some Time
Woods, that has made just three starts in a couple of years, likely won�t play again this year after he’d his back surgery that is fourth in Texas. The latest procedure alleviated pain in his back and leg, Woods announced on his web site Thursday.
That I’m confident this will relieve my back spasms and pain, and The operation went well,� Woods said in a statement. When fixed, �, I anticipate playing with my kids getting back to a normal life, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I’ve been fighting so long.�
Woods, who also has had four surgeries on his left knee, first had surgery on his back and then had two procedures in the autumn of 2015.
According to his statement, a disc in Woods back seriously narrowed because of causing sciatica, the three surgeries and severe back and leg pain. During the recent operation, the damaged disc was removed and the collapsed disc space was elevated to levels that were regular. The goal is to relieve the pressure on the nerve, the statement said. The procedure was performed by Dr. Richard Guyer of the Centre for Disc Replacement at the Texas Back Institute.
A Look At Tiger Woods’ Injury History
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About playing on Champions Tour, Tiger Woods jokes around
Woods, 41, last played in February, where he shot a birdie-free 77 in the very first round before removing. Where he missed the cut his only other start was in the Farmers Insurance Open the week prior.
His only appearance on the golf course in 2016 arrived at the Hero World Challenge in December. While he finished 15th in the 17-man field, he tied for the tournament lead in birdies (24), seemed healthy and upbeat.
Before beginning therapy, he will be resting for several weeks. The recovery interval is usually about half a year. That would mean Woods, a winner of 14 major tournaments and 79 PGA Tour titles, won�t play in any of the four majors for a second straight year. He is now rated No. 788 in the world.
Woods is in good spirits after the surgery, said his agent, Mark Steinberg.
USA TODAY Sports, he believes somewhat that the large weight was lifted off his shoulders,� Steinberg told. �The three previous operations were somewhat temporary repairs. But it got to the point where the pain was more common and this latest surgery was something he had to do.�
Steinberg said Woods decided to take a conservative approach along with his back previously three years with his difficulties. That alternative wasn�t accessible this time.
�This just isn’t a temporary repair,� Steinberg said. � his physicians proposed him that this is the top path to a healthy, energetic lifestyle. He and his children were playing but he was in so much pain.
�Now he �ll possess a healthy life without pain.�
One, Steinberg said, that can include playing golf.
�Entirely,� Steinberg said. �He desires to get out (on the PGA Tour) again.�
Woods� last public appearance ahead of the operation was Tuesday in Hollister, Missouri, where he pronounced he�s designing his first public golf course. The course will probably be called Payne’s Valley in honor of Missouri native Payne Stewart. Woods is a partner on the project with CEO Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops founder.
Tiger Woods Stories
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by Dr Alex Jimenez | Fitness, Physical Rehabilitation, PUSH-as-Rx
Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Alexander Jimenez and PUSH as Rx Owner/Exercise Physiologist Daniel Alvarado discuss calisthenics or (gymnastic exercises to achieve bodily fitness and grace of movement.)
You�re not far off when thinking of calisthenics, in case you possess a mental picture of the military performing jumping jacks to cadence. The truth is , though, that calisthenics exercises are rooted much deeper in history, dating back all the way to ancient Greece. (More on that later.)
As it pertains to your own personal history, you likely first experienced work outs that were calisthenics in elementary school physical education class in the type of sit-ups, push ups, jumping jacks and other bodyweight exercises. Calisthenics, when performed actually help individuals serves at the same time as an aerobic type of exercise and gain muscle. Talk�about a timesaver.
Talking of that, with individuals�s time-crunched schedules, fitness plans seem to be largely focused on the best way to get the benefits of exercise in the least quantity of time. (That�s appropriate, one-minute workouts really are a thing.) Packing plenty of exercise, including plenty of bodyweight training, into a brief amount of time, is becoming fairly popular, as with PUSH-as-Rx �, CrossFit and programs like P90X�.
What I’d like to stress is that, as previously mentioned, this kind of workout is nothing new, although these workouts all attribute calisthenics to some amount. Actually, the American College of Sports Medicine reports that workplace wellness plans included calisthenics into worker breaks as far back as the 1960s. The purpose? To develop employees� mental and physical fitness. Sadly, the majority of our corporate structure today does not allow for extended time off in the centre of the day or week.
What Exactly Are Calisthenics Workouts?
Simply put, the calisthenics definition is utilizing your bodyweight and gravity to do exercises (some of which are quite extreme) using good form. What�s wonderful is the fact that it could include various actions such as for instance gymnastics and does not require a gym membership, Pilates squats, lunges for great legs, crunches, walking, just to name a number of calisthenics work out thoughts and jumping.
A common term for calisthenics today is bodyweight training. Irrespective of what you call it, this sort of training could possibly be the core of an exercise plan or utilized in conjunction with other training programs, including cardio workouts, HIIT workouts (including my Burst training), marathon or triathlon training, weight training or all sorts of other exercise. Mixing it up is a great strategy to ensure that you happen to be working your muscles all and provides a more healthy approach to fitness.
Varieties Of Calisthenics Work Outs
There are lots of types of calisthenics work outs; push-ups and pull ups are most common. Pushups are one of my personal favorite calisthenics exercises due to the fact that they build strength in numerous regions of the body and can be done everywhere. Without lifting one weight it’s possible for you to attain great muscle growth.
Performing push-ups, for example, strengthens the muscles in your chest, shoulders and triceps while also strengthening your core. You could add variety by doing push ups or including a clap between each one. Among my favorites is the spiderman pushup, which works the obliques by bringing the knee up towards the arm as you lower into the push up.
Pull-ups are excellent for working your back and biceps. The most famous design is with the palms facing forwards; however, the chin up, palms facing towards you, is a great challenge, too. While you can do these using a pull-up bar in the gym, you can also perform them having a sturdy tree branch or find a bar in a nearby park. There are several options readily available for installation in doorways of your home, too.
A different type of calisthenics workout is the abdominal work out. For many, having a six-pack is the supreme target. While having a six pack may be wonderful, it�s about losing stomach fat for an overall more healthy body extremely more.
There are various ab exercises which you can do to contract the muscles and work towards strengthening them. The push ups mentioned previously can help do this if you focus on contracting the muscles while performing the push-up. There are lots of exercises that are amazing for the stomach area stomach exercises, like the board, and hip lifts � all of which joined with integrated into your routine or may be achieved with your body weight, making these kinds of exercises great for a calisthenics work out on their very own.
Cardio is excellent because it supplies an opportunity to burn off calories, for burning fat. Running and cycling are great cardio workouts, but you can select exercises that could easily be incorporated right into a daily routine wherever you’re, for example high jumps or conventional jumping jacks.
Jumping jacks are great because they get the heart pumping � not only offering fat-burning benefits, but keeps the heart healthy. The entire body motion combined with bound provides an excellent total cardio to the body. If you’re unable to bound at this time or demand to work up to it, you can do a low impact variation by stretching one leg at time as the arms go overhead in the traditional jumping jack sort.
Most bootcamp workouts provide calisthenics-specific exercises and may be found at your local health club or you can do one in your family room. Blast training may be ideal for this which is just another kind of calisthenics workout.
I have a burst training workout for beginners right on my website. The majority of the Burstfit workouts offer astounding strength advantages from muscle toning to cardio and also a mix of the two and don’t use any gear. They are also helpful for the beginner and also the advanced supplying adjustments for several exercises.
6 Top Benefits Of A Calisthenics Workout
1. You Can Do Calisthenics Anywhere
This type of training may be performed anywhere because calisthenics could be done using just your bodyweight. Just what a beautiful thing. (Read between the lines: No explanations!) You can do an entire routine in the privacy of your home, in the fitness center or in a closeby park. I done short work outs in the airport.
There are numerous ways to execute calisthenics exercises at different levels. By way of example, a push up can be performed on the knees for newcomers. Over time, you can work as much as the toes and eventually add in side knee tucks or claps. The choices are many and will build muscle and stamina.
2. Calisthenics Can Help Provide Improved�Coordination
The Journal of Sports Rehabilitation published a study investigating how calisthenics and Pilates impact a person�s coordination. The participants comprised healthy females ages 25 to 50. The results indicated that calisthenic exercises were more likely to improve coordination after 3 and 6 months of training compared to Pilates. Pilates is amazing, but you may gain more from calisthenics, when you�re looking to increase coordination -kind exercises.
3. You Gain All-Over Muscle Tone
Calisthenics offers the capability to build amazing muscle tone and also you can pretty much take it as far as you want. Ever notice how some men in the gym appear to own a little back and legs, although arms, enormous chest and shoulders? This could happen when using special weights which are targeting particular muscles; nonetheless, using your own bodyweight can permit you to focus on total body tone and specific muscle tissues in once.
Typically, when lifting your personal body weight, it demands focus and involvement of many more muscles to ensure proper form. That means that all of those muscles are getting work which will lead to a more evenly distributed physique.
4. Provides�Support For Fitness Goals�& Other Sports
Calisthenics-type exercises really are a safe option since it puts less strain on the muscles and joints of the body. It really is recognized as a �natural� type of training because you might be utilizing your own bodyweight to do the exercises. That is not an injury-free guarantee, but with suitable form and gradual increase in strength, it could undoubtedly give a safer alternative for a fruitful workout.
Calisthenics work outs are perfect for adding strength without adding bulk. This really is often needed to be efficient at other sports along with helping prevent harm. To be able to be more efficient at running while minimizing the risk of harm endurance runners commonly must reinforce the hips. A study analyzed athletes by increasing their strength training but decreasing their total volume of training. The group that raised their strength training resulted in improved performance through improved muscle growth.
Another study found that results enhanced by enhancing endurance as a result of improved neuromuscular efficiency. This occurs when the nervous system uses while stabilizing the body in all three planes of motion, the right muscles reduce or to produce force.
The National Academy of Sports Medicine shares that resistance training, in this situation utilizing your own body weight, can improve running economy a significant component for endurance athletes such as for instance Ironman sportsmen and ultra trail runners, without additional mass.
5. It�s Perfect For Beginners�To Advanced
Calisthenics is perfect for anyone starting a physical fitness plan or someone who’s improved, but wants a more shredded physique. A beginner can begin a good application that can supply amazing gains, particularly if consistent; yet, make sure to choose a program which offers adjustments so that you could have alternatives which are right for you personally and at your degree, by starting slow. Starting at a too-advanced degree gets you at an increased risk of harm.
In terms of frequency, I’d propose 3 to 4 days per week to begin. Over time, you are able to work time periods that are longer and more exercises into your training schedule. An advanced exerciser can cultivate amazing overall body tone, muscle growth and strength by performing more extreme editions of calisthenics.
By way of example, if strength is a focus, an advanced exerciser could work towards performing one-handed push-ups. This will make an extraordinary quantity of muscle and strength development in the entire body for the reason that it requires extra focus and numerous muscles groups to conduct this exercise nicely.
6. It�s An Option Even If�You�ve Got Health Problems
Calisthenics isn�t merely for people that are already in shape. Check with your physician to find if it�s right for you if you�re living with chronic disease. But in 2016, Turkish researchers published a study revealing that calisthenics is as safe and effective as even cycling for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Full-Body Calisthenics Workout
Consider a calisthenics workout a couple of times a week, in case you are looking to get excellent muscle tone. Create a routine that you can commit to doing in the event you would like to get results and remain consistent. Listed here is a great work out that you can try.
History Of Calisthenics
Calisthenics ‘s been around for a very long�time originating from the ancient Greek words k�los, which means �beauty, � and sth�nos, meaning �strength.� It’s understood to be �qualities of inertia� and using body weight to help grow the physique.
It may have already been named after the Greek historian, Callisthenes, who was tutored by Alexander the Great. Gymnastics and physical education programs were developed in the 19th century, in particular due to the Battle of the Systems, an attempt to learn the most effective type of exercise crossing to the 1920s in the 1830s.
Afterwards, calisthenics became connected with crowd-attracting road workouts, much like choreographed performances by well-trained individuals. These routines would occur in parks, in a contest style, particularly where there are resort areas with taverns, attracting on crowds with their amazing ability to hang their bodies using a lot as well as their developed muscles of practice. These competitions regularly had judges creating even more authenticity to the craft of calisthenic fitness.
Even today, The World Calisthenics Organization (WCO) based in Los Angeles, California, has a well known competition chain called Battle of the Pubs, adding to the the increasing popularity of worldwide competitions.
Calisthenics Precautions
Like all new exercises programs, please seek advice from your physician before performing these exercises. Begin slowly and work your way into more sophisticated moves with time. If anything causes injury or unusual discomfort, or if you are feeling dizzy or dehydrated, cease immediately and consult a physician.
Closing Thoughts On Calisthenics
Calisthenics is a fantastic method to start your fitness journey (or to dive deeper to the trail you�re already on). What�s great is it is possible to take it with you wherever you go, even when traveling. You may also get the children to join you. Consider preparing a laptop of workouts you prefer available today or take a look at a few of the truly amazing work out apps. Make fitness a priority in your lifetime and results will follow, particularly when combined using a wholesome eating plan.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez | Diets, Fitness
When mid-afternoon fatigue sets in, it’s easy to reach for a cup of coffee or a sweet treat for a quick boost. Unfortunately, the energy boosting effects are short-lived and often lead to a crash later in the day.
Instead, experts say it�s best to opt for a snack that’s rich in protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates for a natural energy boost. Here are nine of the best options for energy-boosting snacks and meals that will keep you alert throughout the entire day.
Nuts. Almonds, pistachios, and other nuts contain important nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins which help convert food to energy. Pistachios have a powerful combination of protein, fiber and heart healthy monounsaturated fats, making them a great snack choice.
“Research shows that people with low magnesium levels tend to tire more quickly during exercise due to magnesium’s role in energy metabolism,” dietitian Rachel Berman says. A lack of B vitamins can cause fatigue, irritability and poor concentration. Berman suggests one serving, or about 23 nuts, to keep calories low.
Whole grains. “Thanks to fiber, whole grains help prevent the blood-sugar crashes that happen after consuming refined or simple carbohydrates,” says Berman. Whole-grain carbohydrates, like popcorn, are a great afternoon snack choice. The volume of popcorn also keeps you satisfied longer than chips or crackers. Try popping your own and adding herbs and spices, instead of butter and salt.
Nut butters. Peanut butter and almond butter can provide a great energy boost. They’re filled with health fats, protein and fiber, which help keep blood sugar levels stable. Berman says make sure you avoid brands with added sugars and stick to just a 2-tablespoon serving.
According to a study done at the University of Cambridge in England, protein also activates cells that help keep you awake. Researchers found that the cells responsible for our energy levels respond better to amino acids in proteins than in other nutrients.
Fish. Salmon is filled with omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that can boost energy and mood. Berman says the nutrients found in fish have also been found to improve memory and reduce depression. The healthy fats found in fish like salmon also help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, making them heart healthy choices.
Bananas. These sweet treats are a great source of fiber, B vitamins, and potassium � nutrients that promote sustained energy. Bananas make for a great pre- and post-workout snack. Berman suggests a banana with a cup of yogurt for an energizing snack with fiber and protein for sustained energy.
Kale. This leafy green contains the amino acid L-tyrosine, which is great for an energy boost. The leafy green also contains fiber and a number of antioxidants which help stabilize blood sugar, says Berman.
Oatmeal. A dish of this high-fiber, filling breakfast staple can provides lasting energy all day long. Dieticians recommend looking for breakfast foods that contain at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Options can include: oatmeal, whole-grain breads or pancakes, high-fiber breakfast cereals and quinoa.
Hummus. Made of garbanzo beans, sesame-based tahini, olive oil, and lemon, hummus is full of nutrients that contribute to high energy levels. The fiber and protein in the beans help stabilize blood sugar and boost energy. Use hummus as a veggie dip or a sandwich spread for a great snack or healthy lunch.
Greek yogurt. Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt contains twice as much protein, making it a great breakfast or snack option. “The thick, indulgent texture is the perfect canvas for a variety of toppings that can make it even more substantial,” says dietitian Kari Kooi. Add fruit, nuts, or low-calorie granola to make it even more nutritious.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Anti Aging, Seniors, Skin Health
Prices for generic topical steroids to treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are on the rise, and many seniors may pay more for generic medications than the brand-name versions, a U.S. study finds.
Researchers compared average out-of-pocket patient costs as well as spending by Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program for people 65 and older, for several commonly prescribed topical corticosteroids that have been used for decades to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin conditions.
Medicare Part D, the drug benefit program, spent $2.3 billion on topical steroids between 2011 and 2015, the study found. During that period, spending surged 227 percent while the number of prescriptions increased just 37 percent.
If doctors had prescribed the cheapest version when a variety of similarly effective options were available, Medicare could have saved $944.8 million, the researchers calculate.
Patients could have saved a lot too; seniors’ annual out-of-pocket spending for topical steroids grew from $41.4 million to $101.8 million, 146 percent, during the study period.
“Patients often have difficulty paying for their medications and many patients on Medicare are retired and on fixed incomes,” said senior study author Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, a dermatology researcher at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
“Paying extra for their medications may mean going without other medications or sometimes food,” Mostaghimi said by email.
Generics accounted for almost 98 percent of total spending on topical steroids during the study period, the researchers report in JAMA Dermatology.
In theory, generic drugs are supposed to come on the market after brand-name versions lose U.S. patent protection and help lower prices by increasing competition. The study of topical steroid costs, however, offers one look at a much more complex and confusing reality.
For the study, researchers examined costs for drugs grouped based on potency, or how much medication is blended into the ointments and creams. They sorted drugs into five classes, with one being the most potent and five being the weakest potency.
Costs grew at the slowest rate, 23 percent, for the weakest steroids, the study found. By contrast, costs rose the most, 604 percent overall, for the most potent group of steroids.
Within that group of most potent steroids, the steepest increase in average user costs was for clobetasol propionate (Temovate), which is used to treat itching and inflammation from skin issues caused by allergic reactions, eczema and psoriasis. During the study, user costs for this drug climbed by more than 605 percent.
Limitations of the study include the lack of data on certain drug manufacturer rebates that might help lower costs, the authors note. Researchers also didn’t know if doctors had certain clinical reasons for choosing specific versions of similar medicines.
Still, the study illustrates something doctors already see all the time: that these costs often take a toll on patients, said Dr. Joslyn Kirby, author of an accompanying editorial and a dermatology researcher at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
One challenge for doctors is that they can’t always see what different steroids of similar potency cost when they prescribe the drugs, because that’s not in electronic medical records, Kirby said by email.
“I ask my patients to contact me and let me know if the medication I prescribed during the appointment is too expensive when they go to the pharmacy,” Kirby added. “I need my patients to know that it’s ok to tell me that something is too expensive, because I can work with our staff to find an alternative or a solution.”
7.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Fitness, Health, Wellness
On the market for a new fitness tracker? On April 12, Garmin released its newest wearable, the Vivosmart 3 ($140; amazon.com), the update to its Vivosmart HR+ fitness tracker that was released almost a year ago.
The Vivosmart 3 comes with a few new features that make it useful not only for cardio fanatics, but also your run-of-the-mill gymgoer. As a self-proclaimed cardio hater (sorry, but you�ll never catch me “just going for a jog”), I decided to put the Vivosmart 3�s features to the test. Here�s what I thought.
The look:
Fitbit diehards may have a run for their money when they see how slim (and Fitbit-like) Garmin�s newest model looks. According to Garmin, this wearable is �a master of subtlety.� The touchscreen is smaller than the tracker’s previous versions, so it doesn�t look like a clunky brick on your arm. Plus, the display isn�t perpetually lit up�the screen only brightens when you tap or lift your wrist slightly to check the time. Other features include the traditional watch-buckle band and two color options: black or a grayish-purple.
New standout features:
Garmin has always offered step and mileage counting in its fitness trackers, but now you can also use the device to long your strength-training workouts. A rep-counting feature can be turned on to track your reps and sets and record them in the Garmin Connect app.
The Vivosmart 3 can also track your VO2 max�the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use at any given moment�and translate that data into your �fitness age.� For challenge-loving exercisers, it�s an easy way to notice changes in your athletic ability over time.
RELATED: The Best Ab Exercises You’re Not Doing
The coolest new feature, in my opinion, is the device�s ability to track your stress levels. The Vivosmart 3 uses your heart rate variability to estimate how stressed you are on a four-level scale. If it turns out you�re feeling the pressure, the watch can help you calm down with a breathing exercise. Set the duration (1 to 5 minutes) and hit start; the watch then commands you to breathe in and out in counts of four.
Features like sleep tracking, a heart rate monitor, a 5-day battery life, and a waterproof shell have been passed down to this latest installment.
The bottom line:
This watch provides all the features you’d expect�smartphone notifications, heart rate and step tracking, and other fitness tracking features�but it�s the new abilities that really make the Vivosmart stand out. I love to lift (and hate cardio), and now, there’s finally a watch that can help me achieve my goals in the gym. I’m also a fan of the stress-level indicator. The streamlined design makes the watch much more attractive than its predecessors, and is something I’m not embarrassed to wear all day.
At $10 less than Fitbit�s newest wearable, the vivosmart 3 could be a top fitness-tracking contender. I give it an A+ in my cardio-loathing book.
