Why seek out new sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and moments? Novel experiences are not only fun and memorable. They’re also shown to have a tremendous positive impact on health and healing. That’s right—scientific evidence supports the idea that new experiences like traveling to a new city, learning a new sport, exploring a museum exhibit, or…
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When it comes to sauna and exercise, the hot question that many people have is: “Sauna before or after workout?” But what about practicing sauna and exercise at the same time? Exercise in sauna? Although these two things are not often thought of as going together, recently the idea of exercising in an infrared sauna…
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Kale has been a trendy health food for some time. It is often lauded as being a “powerhouse” of nutrients packed with loads of vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, and calcium. But is kale a superfood? Just because a food is dense in nutrients, does that automatically mean that it is the best and healthiest…
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Looking to increase the quality of your diet? Superfoods are a great place to start. Remember: Dietary changes should not be about calorie restriction or deprivation, but rather the addition of nutrient-dense energy sources—particularly ones that are easily digested. The three top superfoods outlined below are foods with a very high benefit-to-cost ratio in terms…
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Sodium often gets a bad rap. You may have heard that the average American diet contains way too much sodium, and that the recommended amount is only about 1 teaspoon per day—especially for people at risk for heart disease. However, the strange idea that salt causes hypertension (high blood pressure) is the opposite of what…
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The importance of stretching is not a recent discovery. However, there is very little scientific study and development of ideal stretching technique. Guy Voyer, DO, has spent decades developing a physiologic understanding of how, when, and why to stretch based on anatomy, biomechanics, histology, and biochemistry. He has developed simple rules for stretching specific muscles…
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Myofascial Stretching is a relatively new technique that’s gaining popularity as an effective way to treat and prevent joint injuries—especially among athletes. Very different from classic stretching techniques, Myofascial Stretching utilizes precise postures and highly coordinated movements to target the fascia surrounding specific joints and muscles. If you read my previous post, you know that…
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For centuries, sauna has been used for its therapeutic benefits. It is commonly used for stress relief, relaxation, and detoxification—either on its own or after a workout. But did you know that sauna also has the ability to promote heart health? If you read my previous post, you know that routine exposure to the heat…
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The use of heat in social, political, medical, and spiritual practice has deep roots in humanity. Cultures around the globe and throughout history have used hot rooms to create an environment for therapeutic activities. The Scandinavian and Turkish traditions of the sauna and steam room are the most popular in America and throughout the…
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Hydration is a very complex topic. If you read my previous post, you already know that there’s no clear-cut answer to the question, “How much water should you drink?” The idea that “more is better” is simply not true. Good hydration is really about maintaining a good balance between water and mineral intake to help…
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