Category: Most Popular

At our clinic, we have been providing group physiotherapy Pilates classes since 2002. In that time we have seen an undeniable trend. The more we see patients at Pilates, the less we see them for treatment in the physio clinic. You’ll be taught by experienced Pilates instructor course who can mentor you on your education path.

This is because performing Pilates exercises correctly, strengthens the core and stability muscles (such as in the shoulder, hip, lower back). Your core muscles (the deep abdominal muscles such as Transverse Abdominus and Multifidus) enclose your spine, when they are strong it is like wearing a corset which means your spine is supported through movement and while stationary. Having a strong core and alert stability muscles helps to prevent injury and means you can then use the rest of your body more efficiently and gracefully. For example many sports people use Pilates principles to run faster, jump higher and go further.

The difference between tonic and phasic muscles and why it matters to your back and the type of exercises that you perform.

Tonic or postural muscles such as the core muscles are constantly activating to maintain posture and stability and are designed to not fatigue. Core muscles, however, are inhibited by injury and prolonged poor posture. When we sit for long periods with poor posture, some muscles are over shortened while others are over stretched. This is particularly relevant today as many workers are tied to a desk and live relatively sedentary lifestyles.

So the more we sit in these poor postures the more our brain learns to turn the core off, shorten some muscles and lengthen others and our body learns to recruit these same patterns in other activities. This leads to a downward spiral as the core is further inhibited and becomes dysfunctional leading to back pain and increased risk of serious back injury. Have you or someone you know had a back injury from something as minor as picking up a small object like a pencil? This is how such injuries can occur.

Phasic or global muscles are designed to activate on command when we need something done e.g. biceps working to lift hand to mouth. They then turn off when the job is done. Phasic muscles such as the biceps, pectorals and rectus abdominus (the six pack muscle) can all be strengthened and bulked up through a weight lifting strengthening program. In contrast, your core muscles are much more difficult to strengthen as they have a different structure and work differently.

To strengthen the core you need to hold the transversus on (ie tonically) while performing certain slow and controlled movements, like in Pilates. Turning on the core is quite specific, it is not as easy as going to the gym and working on your biceps. For a start you can’t see the core; it can be difficult to know when it is activating or if some of the surrounding outer phasic muscles, such as the rectus abdominus are taking over.

If you are doing gym work or practicing Pilates with incorrect technique you could be reinforcing your bad motor patterns and not helping your core and stability muscles at all. You have no doubt heard the term, practice makes perfect. But if you are simply practicing the wrong technique you just reinforce poor form. Perfect practice is what makes perfect! How do you know if you are really performing your core stabilizing muscle exercises to near perfection when you can’t see them and can hardly feel them? This is where closely supervised training of the core becomes important, firstly to become aware of correct activation and secondly to make it tonic again (retraining the motor pattern).

In our convenience focused world of mod cons, one of the most important things we can do for our health is look to incorporate health focused activities into our daily routine. We have all seen elderly people with hunched over necks and severe back pain. If you are determined not to have this happen to you, then there are things you can do today to prevent it. Here are two simple tips…

• Lumbar support roll – this helps to keep your spine in neutral which is the best position for turning your core on and keeping it on.
• Think tall – sitting AND standing in good posture automatically makes it easier for your core to turn on and stay on. As you “think tall” you should almost feel your waist draw in, which is what happens when your core muscles turn on.

Dianne Hermans is a senior physiotherapist and principal physiotherapist at Lifestyle Therapies wellness clinic in Manly in Brisbane, Australia. She has a particular interest treating chronic and complex pain.

Dianne has worked extensively with the neurologist who originally invented Quadrapolar magnets for the treatment of pain – Dr Robert Holcomb. She is currently enrolled in a Masters program at Griffith University and is conducting a double-blind Randomised Controlled trial using QMagnets. Dianne is Principal Clinical Educator for QMagnets and has trained hundreds of health professionals in the use and application of QMagnets.

For more information on Lifestyle Therapies, see [http://www.lifestyle100.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dianne_Hermans/287387

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2977765

Swimming is a great sport as well as being one of the most popular recreational activities in our world today. Pool removal cost Sydney nothing change over the years except the equipment that they are using are now upgraded. It is especially popular with young children which gives the pool owners a huge responsibility of keeping a safe environment around and inside your pool. If you are thinking about becoming a pool owner, or you already own a pool and want to take every precaution you can to be safe this article will give you guidelines to follow in order to have a safer pool environment.

As a pool owner you need the ability to allow and restrict access to your pool. This is especially important if there is young children present. When the pool is not in use all access points should be either fenced or locked. This can prevent any accidents happening when your not around pool. When you do allow access to your pool never leave a child unattended. There should be no exceptions to this rule. Keep toddlers near you at all times. I realize this point sounds like common sense but people do not always pay attention and an accident is just a minute or two away.

When considering a pool cover make sure you make good decisions on one that is best for your children’s safety.  Pool covers are involved with hundreds of pool accidents every year. Because of the many different types of covers that are out there ask as many questions as you can about how safe each type of cover is. Covers that do not hinder visibility into the pool are safer than covers that do. You should avoid covers that have loose pieces that might be able to choke or strangle. Also, the lighter in weight the cover is, the safer it should be. Never let children play in a pool that a cover is on, and always remove the entire cover off the pool. 

Pool chemicals should be stored in a clean dry place that children cannot access. Locked in a cabinet preferably in a garage or shed where children can’t get to is the best case scenario. Always read directions that accompany the chemicals. Always dilute chemicals by adding them to water. Never add water to the chemicals. Never pour undiluted chemicals into the skimmer deck opening or directly into the pool. Always be sure that all swimmers are out of the pool before you chemically treat the pool water. It is very important to keep your pool water chemicals at safe levels. This will prevent skin and eye irritation and burn.

Keep safety devices on hand. These should include life preservers (enough for all children who have not had any swim training), safety pole that can reach any point in pool, first aid kit (cuts or abrasions). Also, any adult that is going to be responsible for safety should be trained in CPR. This could be the difference between life and death. CPR training information can be found at Red Cross’s website (www.redcross.org).

Teach kids the proper way to use the pool. This would include explaining the dangers of swimming near vents where hair or clothing can get caught. Forbid diving into pool where the water depth is shallow. Take some time and teach the kids that it is wrong to dunk, push, or pull anybody underneath the water surface.  Do not let anybody run on pool deck. Make sure the toys that are being played with are safe. No sharp edges, and nothing that can be a hindrance to a child’s movement in the water.

Insist that swimmers shower after each session in the pool. The bathing suits should be washed as well. This will prevent bacterial buildup or chlorine accumulation.

Post Pool Rules that you think are the most important ones to abide by. Make them easily found and easily read. Check surrounding area around pool for bees nests or any other unfriendly critters. Always have sunscreen on hand to prevent sunburn.

All pool owners assume the responsibility of pool safety for everybody that is going to use that pool. Totalpoolwarehouse urges you to take the time and educate yourself as much as you can. This could help you avoid any accidents or tragedy in the future. As a pool owner you should expect hours of enjoyment from your pool. By making your pool as safe as possible you will ensure you get the most enjoyment you can from it.

This article has been brought to you by Terry Alan your pool professional at [http://www.totalpoolwarehouse.com]. Terry brings over 20 years experience in the swimming pool industry, and would love to answer any of your pool related questions at [email protected]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Terry_Alan/282623

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2032167

VoIP, or voice over IP as it is also known, is quickly establishing itself as one of the cheapest ways of making telephone calls. Rather than relying on an old fashioned landline, VoIP uses the Internet’s broadband connection to move data in ‘packets’. The resulting phone call is no different from a normal call, except for one important factor. It’s much cheaper. When you’re having an electrical problem or need the services of an electrician Brisbane Southside, it is wise to call in a professional.

Despite the huge savings that VoIP can offer, some people are still a little unsure as to how much of a change to their existing telephone system they will have to make to incorporate Voice over IP into their everyday lives. So how do you wire your home up for VoIP?

A simple system – but safety first

One way to incorporate VoIP into multiple phones is to modify the existing wiring in your home to distribute the facility amongst several outlets. By connecting voice to all your phone sockets or jacks, you can simply plug in any normal telephone into any jack and connect to VoIP. This does disconnect you from your existing telephony provider, but the process is reversible, so if you wish to restore your original connection, it can be done quickly and easily.

Although it is not difficult to modify your home telephone wiring system, you do have to remember that phone lines do carry voltage. So if you are not comfortable with modifying your own system, call in a professional to do it for you. Also remember that legislation in the UK has changed concerning home wiring, so check to make sure that your alterations do not require a qualified electrician to either carry out the work or sign it off.

Isolate your inside wiring

The first job is to isolate your inside wiring. Locate the box outside your house where the telephone lines come into your property. This is called the Network Interface Device (NID). In the box you will find the wires that go into your house, as well as a ground wire that protects the delicate electronics of your telephony system from lightning strikes. Ensure that the ground wire is not disconnected. If the box is the property of the telephone company, you must contact them so that they can disconnect the line.

Once you have opened the NID, look for a set of screw terminals. Each one will have a short wire connected to it with a phone connector plugged into a corresponding jack. Simply unplug the wires for your line from the jack. Make sure you wrap electrical tape around the disconnected wire to prevent anyone reconnecting it. For added protection you can leave a note in the box to inform others that the wire should not be reconnected to protect your inside equipment. Close the box and ensure that it is secured.

Confirm the line is disconnected

Once you’ve isolated your wiring, return to your house and check that the line is disconnected by picking up the handset of a telephone plugged into a jack you know worked previously. You should not hear any dialling tone or any other sound coming from the handset. This will confirm that your phone line is disconnected. If you still hear a tone it means that the line is still carrying voltage, and it is not safe for you to proceed any further with the connection. Contact an electrician or telephone engineer for assistance.

Connect your adapter

VoIP providers supply you with an adapter. Simply plug in your DSL/cable modem into the adapter, and then connect your adapter into any telephone socket using a standard telephone cord. Then simply plug in your regular telephones to the other sockets in the house, and the adapter will spread the signal throughout the house to each phone connected. However, the more telephones are on the system, the weaker the signal to each one so it is recommended that you only connect a maximum of five phones to the network to ensure they all receive a connection.

Remember – safety first

If at any point you are unsure as to how to proceed or encounter any problems, contact a telephone engineer, electrician or your VoIP provider immediately. Also remember that this system may not be installed into multiple occupancy properties, so again, check with VoIP providers to ensure that you are not in breach of any tenancy laws or agreements.

Costas Kariolis – Senior Director Online of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP (Voice over IP) providers for home & small business users. Offering unlimited and cheap calls to India and many other country landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Senior Director Online – UK & Canada
E-mail: [email protected]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Costas_Kariolis/302141

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4592522