Fifty-eight percent of American adults own smartphones. If you spend more than two hours a day hunched over your phone, you might succumb to “tech neck”.  Tech neck is a condition that occurs when you spend too much time with your head tilted forward to read texts or other content on your smartphone.  At a15 degree angle, your head puts about 27 pounds of pressure on your neck and spine. Patients with mobile technology-induced head, neck and back pain may face other issues besides pain like reduced lung capacity, headaches and neurological issues, depression and heart disease. While... Read More

The word inflammation is derived from a Latin word meaning “to kindle” or “to ignite”.  Inflammation is part of your immune system,  the body’s attempt at self-protection, and is designed to remove harmful stimuli and begin the healing process.  There are two kinds of inflammation, acute and chronic.  Acute inflammation starts rapidly and quickly becomes severe, and includes symptoms such as pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.  Injury, irritation such as a sore throat, surgery, and even exercise, are examples of acute inflammation. Without inflammation,... Read More

She’s on a secret beach in Mexico, and it is beautiful. As she looks out across the water, she sees a small island. Its contours remind her of a pregnant woman. Fitting, really, considering why she’s there. Her name is Nancy. She’s on her way to becoming a doctor. Well, she was, anyway. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer, not the kind of cancer you get better from. She fought hard but succumbed in the end. Maybe it wasn’t worth it. Now Nancy is here, on this secluded beach, trying to come to terms with this seismic event. But why here, at this particular place? We so... Read More

I recently read some interesting and troubling statistics on cycling.  Did you know that 75% of cycling related fatalities were due to the fact that the cyclist had no helmet?  That being said, many cyclists who wear a helmet, and many who are experienced cyclists, have been involved in accidents in Colorado. Despite the growing popularity of biking and the laws that have been changed to protect bikers, a troubling number of Colorado bike accidents are still occurring. An Olympic cyclist riding in Boulder, Dale Stetina, was injured in a near-miss with a vehicle.  Even though the vehicle didn’t... Read More

Imagine you’re at a mid-level chain restaurant. You’re with your significant other, it’s a Friday night, and all day, you’ve had to deal with nonsense and babbling idiots. All you want is to relax and have a decent meal with no nasty surprises, or surprises of any kind. That’s why the Olive Gardens, T.G.I. Fridays and P.F. Changs of the world exist. Sometimes we want something predictable, something safe. You know what? There’s nothing wrong with that, occasionally. Not everything has to be a death-defying leap into the unknown. The same goes for movies. Sometimes... Read More

This week we’ve had a number of horrific news stories including the mass shooting in Orlando, the murder of a finalist on the Voice by a fan, and a child dragged away by an alligator.  Because stories of tragedy are available to us 24 hours a day, compounded by the fact that we seem to have mass shootings in the U.S. on a monthly basis, we are regularly exposed to stories that can have a negative impact on our emotional well-being.  If all of this bad news is causing you any distress – including sadness, anxiety, sleep disturbance – it might be time to disconnect from the media,... Read More

If the horror genre were a comedian, it would be Rodney Dangerfield. It gets no respect. Horror relies on pure filmmaking to create an atmosphere of dread. Directors can fudge things and get sloppy if they’re making a comedy, or particularly an action flick, but still get away with it. But horror is unforgiving. If it’s poorly done, then we get one of the many, many, many substandard horror films that grace theaters for 15 minutes or so, then enjoy a long life unbought in a bargain bin. The tragedy of the horror genre is that talented filmmakers are frequently ignored in favor of... Read More

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it give you energy to start a new day, but breakfast is linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance. Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast can give you: A more nutritionally complete diet, higher in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals Improved concentration and performance in the classroom or the boardroom More strength and endurance to engage in physical activity Lower cholesterol In general, breakfast eaters are leaner, more energetic and have a better memory than non-breakfast... Read More

In 1984, Blood Simple was released. A nasty slice of Texas noir, it showcased a mix of comedy, cruelty, and oddly formalized dialogue. It only could have been written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. In 1989, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing was released. Set in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn on the hottest day of the year, it’s an achingly romantic and fiery look at the neighborhood and the people who live there. Nobody but Spike Lee could have created this masterpiece. In 1992, Reservoir Dogs was released. Quentin Tarantino’s crime thriller about a jewel heist gone... Read More

I hear, read and see lots of material on health and well-being.  Sometimes the information is thorough and accurate.  Sometimes the information is correct, but some facts are omitted. Here are a few things I still hear after many years in the fitness business. BMI is not a valid health measure.  Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. Some complain that this not a valid way to determine if someone is fat or not.  The fact is, most Americans can use BMI to determine if they are overweight or obese, but for some this method... Read More