ASO/AFO Sizing Chart

The average person can state their shoe size without hesitation, but it is rare to find a person who knows their ankle size. Shopping for an ASO in person is one way to ensure proper ASO sizing, but choices will be limited to a particular vendor's inventory. Buying ASOs online is often a better solution to find the product and brand you’re looking for. However, that presents the issue of proper sizing.

A good way to achieve proper ASO sizing is to begin with a simple question: What is the average ankle size?

Podiatrists suggest that the average female ankle is from 10 to 11 inches in circumference, and the average male ankle is slightly larger. For most sizing options, that would place the average ankle in a size “medium.”

You can also size your ASO/AFO based on your current shoe size. Below, you’ll find a graph that will help you properly size your ASO before purchasing.

ASO/AFO Sizing Chart
Men	6-7	7 ½ - 9	9 ½ - 11	11 ½ - 13	13 ½ - 15	16+
Narrow	xxs	xs	s	m	l	xl
Regular	xs	s	m	l	xl	xxl
Wide	s	m	l	xl	xxl	xxl
Women	5 - 6	6 ½ - 8	8 ½ - 10	10 ½ - 12	12 ½ - 14
Narrow	xxs	xs	s	m	l	n/a
Regular	xs	s	m	m	l	n/a
Wide	s	m	l	l	xl	n/a

Interested in learning more? Get in touch with MMAR Medical today!

How To Start an Exercise Routine

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Tips To Improve Overall Posture

Posture - a word that is all too familiar but yet not practiced enough. You’ve heard all about the importance of posture since you were little. Your mom constantly told you to sit up straight or not to slouch because you’d get “hunchback.” While plenty of us have heard of posture, most of us don’t understand the importance of posture and the benefits good posture can have on your body both physically and mentally. It’s easy to let yourself slouch throughout the day, but every so often, something in your body alerts you to sit up straight, put your shoulders back and pop your chest out. That’s your body’s natural way of telling you that your posture needs some work. By implementing a few tips and tricks throughout your day, you can start to improve your posture.

1. Use a Standing Office Desk

The human body isn’t designed for sustained periods of sitting. If you’re someone who works 9 to 5 at a desk, look into health-conscious options like a standing desk. Sitting at a chair all day will slow down your body’s metabolism. Standing allows your body to remain active as opposed to sedentary. Standing reduces your chances of developing health ailments such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Standing office desks allow the body to stretch and stand tall to burn more calories during the workday and to let blood circulate more efficiently, which increases productivity and improves your overall energy and posture.

2. Exercise

Not everyone has the time to exercise, but even just 30 to 45 minutes a few times each week can drastically improve your health. Exercise increases your metabolism and encourages the body to naturally burn fat. Exercise can also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Most people who take an interest in exercise eat better and make more health-conscious choices, like consistently making time to exercise four or five times a week. Adding exercise to your day can strengthen core and back muscles, reduce tension and relieve stress, all of which can help you stand tall more naturally throughout the day. If you already feel the downside of sitting at a desk all day, exercise can perk you right up!

3. Stretch

If you can’t find the time to exercise, stretch. Stretch in the morning and stretch at your desk in the middle of the day and before you go to bed. It’s not as time-consuming as it sounds, and more often than not, you’re already stretching if you’re idle at a desk all day and slouched over. Stretching allows you to focus on your breathing and to listen to your body about what areas are causing you discomfort or pain. Stretching can release tension caused by tight muscles and help you stay balanced.

The best thing you can do when you tense up while sitting down is sit up straight. Take a deep breath in. Drop your shoulders. Stick your chest out. Rotate your neck and roll your shoulders. Tighten your core and breathe out. When you’re at home, lay on your back and try to lay flat on the floor without letting your lower back arch off the floor. If your arch is off the ground, your posture needs work. Stick one hand behind your back and practice laying flat enough to “crush” your hand. This will help realign your lower back, strengthen your core and reduce tension and pain in your back. Stretching will do you good and help you improve both your posture and your overall mood.

4. Limit Phone Time

Spending large amounts of time on the phone can cause your neck to get out of whack with your back if you’re constantly leaning toward one side to hold the phone. Staring down at your phone as you scroll through social media apps also causes your posture to be thrown off. Make a conscious effort to sit tall and keep your ears in line with your shoulders to straighten out your neck. You’ll feel the benefits of your posture improving if you practice this throughout the day.

5. Take Breaks

Don’t allow yourself to sit for long periods of time. Take 10 to 15 minutes to stand up and walk away from your desk. Let your legs stretch out and and get your blood circulating. Sitting for long periods of time can throw off posture, decrease blood flow, weaken abdominal muscles, weaken bones and actually decrease life expectancy. If you’re in an office building with multiple levels, walk up and down a few flights of stairs to wake up your body and improve your posture.

6. Walk Evenly on Your Feet

You might read this and think to yourself, ‘I already do.’ But do you really? When you walk, you should be evenly distributing your weight between your feet. Foot posture is equally as important as back posture. Your feet take you everywhere. Flat feet can cause the ankle and knees to roll inward, and this will affect hip joint movement, which affects pelvic bone posture and ultimately affects your lower back posture. It’s all connected. Bad lower back posture causes you to slouch, throwing off your whole structural balance. Foot posture helps improve back posture and makes exercise easier. Foot posture can be improved by wearing shoes with proper insole support and practicing standing tall and straight with both knees facing forward.


Your body's structural balance and alignment are important. Good posture reduces back pain, reduces headaches, increases lung capacity, decreases muscle fatigue and aches, improves circulation and digestion, improves core strength, and reduces the risks of arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Not only does good posture have physical effects, but it can also improve mental health as it offers increased energy levels and self-confidence emanated by standing up straight and walking tall.

The benefits of good posture will do your body and mind wonders. Self-care certainly includes improving your posture. Poor posture can impact the body significantly and cause you daily discomfort and pain. Making a more conscious effort to implement little exercises and practices in your workday can have long-term benefits to your overall health - so go ahead, stand up a little straighter now!

Choosing Between A Walker & A Rollator

If you have a loved one who needs help with walking, a physician, physical therapist or caregiver may suggest a walker or rollator. So what's the difference between these two options? And which one is right for your loved one?

Let's explore various types of walkers and rollators and check out the specifics of each that will help make choosing between them an easy decision.

Walkers and Rollators

It's estimated that over 6.8 million people in the United States use assistive devices for mobility and over 6.1 million seniors use walkers, canes or crutches. Walkers and rollators are commonly used by:

• Those with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• People going through rehabilitative services after a fall, accident or stroke
• Seniors with gait problems or who are recovering from strokes
• People in need of diabetic care and who may have diabetic neuropathy

When Walkers Are Required

A walker is a metal or aluminum frame with wide feet that can offer balance when walking. Walkers are used by people going through rehabilitative services or recovery services after a fall or to help with stabilizing gait.

Walkers can offer different options, such as one with no wheels on it or with two front wheels to help move the walker forward. Having two wheels ensures the person doesn't have to lift the walker with each step.

When Rollators Are Required

Rollators are similar to walkers, but there are a few key differences. They may have four wheels on the base. They may offer an optional seat for the person to sit down. Other features may include a basket under the seat or attached to the front frame to help with carrying things. Rollators may feature a brake to stop the rollator from moving forward. Brakes can be helpful if the rollator starts moving too fast. Features can vary, depending on the surface the rollator is moving across.

Walkers are able to collapse for travel or storage, while rollators cannot collapse but may fit into most vans, ambulances or SUVs. So which one is best?

Finding the Best Walkers and Rollators

Some people use walkers for general recreation. Walkers can provide stability for going to and from appointments and for daily living activities. Our top picks are:

Drive Medical Universal Deluxe Folding Walker

• Features two buttons for easy folding
• Includes two front 5-inch wheels
• Height can be adjusted from 28” to 38”
• Cost: $40.00

For seniors who need to take breaks in between walking and for those who may suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using a rollator with a seat will probably be best. Possible options might include:

Drive Medical Aluminum Rollator With Fold-Up and Removable Back Support, Padded Seat & 6” Caster

• This type of rollator includes four wheels measuring 6 inches in height.
• The caster wheels have loop locks.
• The rollator uses hand brakes.
• It comes with a seamless padded seat with a zippered pouch underneath.
• Cost: $85.00

Drive Medical Nitro Rollator

• With this rollator version, the two front wheels are 10 inches tall and the two rear wheels are 8 inches tall. 
• The frame folds side-to-side for easy transport or storage.
• This rollator has brakes with hidden brake cables inside the frame tubing.
• Cost: $200.00

Walker wheels typically have a standard 5-inch height that easily rolls across hardwood, concrete and marble flooring as well as roads. Walkers may be difficult to maneuver in grass or on the sand. Hence, rollators can offer more stability over uneven surfaces like breaks in concrete or cracks in the sidewalk.

Conclusion

There are different types of walkers and rollators that can help your loved one be mobile. Talk to his or her health care provider for the best options. Also be sure to let your relative test out different walkers and rollators. Try a variety of surfaces to ensure he or she is comfortable with the walker or rollator. The more the person is out and about walking, the more he or she will gain increased confidence over time. Reach out to us here at MMAR Medical with any questions!

All You Need To Know About Electrotherapy

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Why You May Need a Wrist or Hand Brace

We use our hands and wrists countless times a day. Practically everything we do involves these important appendages - and we don’t usually give it much thought. That is, until we start to feel discomfort or even pain. Then, we suddenly realize how critical our hands and wrists are and the issues that arise when we’re not able to use them as usual.

If you experience wrist or hand pain or you are at risk for it, you may want to consider investing in a brace to support your daily activities (and to prevent any pain from getting worse). The following are common activities that often lead to wrist or hand problems:

Computer Work

It’s no secret: Typing on a keyboard all day isn’t great for our wrists or hands… or our bodies in general, for that matter. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common effect of this repeated motion, but there are other conditions it can lead to as well, such as Repetitive Strain Injury. In today’s world, a growing number of us are plopped in front of a screen all day. Even while away from our desks, the increasing use of mobile devices also harms our joints as we try to carry on with the day’s activities and juggle our phones, sending that quick text or scrolling through our feeds.

Gaming

Similar to the repetitive motion of typing at a computer, video gamers are also prime candidates for hand and wrist ailments. While gaming may be your means to unwind, your hands are working hard to get you to the next level - and you may be paying a high cost for it.

Athletic Activities

While many sports don’t require the use of hands or wrists, there are also many that do - and repeated exposure to that same movement can lead to serious issues. For instance, swinging a tennis racket or a golf club (a full game of golf has upwards of 80 swings - if you’re lucky - plus, all your practice shots). You’ve probably heard of the condition “tennis elbow,” but that constant swinging motion can lead to problems for hands and wrists, too. Even the downward dogs and planks of yoga can strain the wrists.

Craftsmanship

In what seems like a backlash to society’s increasing screen time, there is a rising popularity in creating things by hand. Whether it’s baking a loaf of bread or building a piece of furniture, the desire to create something physical is rising - and is a welcome respite from hours by the computer. But if your craft involves repeated motions with your hands and wrists (and is something you partake in frequently) you could be at risk for developing hand or wrist problems, too.

What To Do

Now that you know what to look out for, you’re probably wondering what can be done to alleviate the risks of hand or wrist injury - or the symptoms if you’ve already got issues. You’ll want to take frequent breaks from whatever activity puts you at risk. If you work poised by a computer, stand up every 25 minutes and do a few wrist rolls. If you spend hours gaming each evening, walk around the room between levels and wiggle your fingers.

If you are already experiencing symptoms - or perhaps have been injured previously - a wrist or hand brace is probably a worthwhile investment. You’ll want to select one that applies gentle compression without preventing movement. There are a number of high-quality options out there, such as MMAR Medical’s selection here, whether you’re looking for the best wrist support for general use or something more specific. Do you have hand or wrist problems? If you like, feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments below so we can learn from each other.

Everything You Need To Know About Lymphedema

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The Six Best Exercises for Foot Drop

Foot drop is a condition that is caused by one of several different disorders. People who suffer from this condition have gait abnormalities because the forefront of their foot drops while they are walking. The condition may be temporary or permanent. Whether it affects one or both of your feet, drop foot often causes the front part of the foot to drag when walking. Treatment for foot drop varies depending on the cause of the condition. In addition to available medical treatments, there are several foot drop exercises that can help to strengthen the affected foot.

Treatment for foot drop

To diagnose the condition that is causing the foot drop, doctors may use diagnostic imaging tests. After a proper diagnosis and prescribed course of treatment, the following steps may be recommended:

• A splint or brace to help give a more normal gait
• Ankle-foot orthosis
• Surgery on the peroneal nerve
• Vitamin B6 therapy or nerve medications
• Physical therapy

It’s important to openly communicate with your doctor about the course of treatment that may be best for you, and be certain to follow all of the recommendations that you are given.

Exercises for foot drop

Before starting exercises for foot drop, be sure to obtain permission from your doctor. These exercises will help to strengthen the foot muscles that are involved in lifting the front portion of the foot.

1. Cycling

The movements that your foot makes when riding a bicycle involve the muscles used to lift the front part of your foot. There are various options to strengthen these muscles:

• lie on your back and make cycling movements in the air, 
• ride a stationary bike or 
• ride a real bicycle. 

All of these exercises can help to strengthen the muscles that control basic functions of the foot’s movement.

2. Calf Raises

This exercise helps to strengthen both the muscles in the feet as well as the calf muscles. To perform this exercise, stand up straight on a flat, supportive surface. Raise your body up on your toes and lower it back down again. Repeat this exercise for one set of 20 calf raises to start; then build up to completing two sets.

3. Foot Stretches

Foot stretches help to strengthen the muscles that surround the front of your foot. To do this exercise, sit on the floor or on a yoga mat with your leg stretched out in front of you. With a long towel, loop it around your affected foot and pull the top part toward you while keeping your leg straight. Hold for five seconds and then relax your foot. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

4. Toe Flexes

To perform toe flexes, sit on the floor with your legs stretched straight out in front of you. Place your hands on the floor on either side to provide you with some support, and raise one leg. While your foot is slightly off the ground, bend it towards your body. Hold this position for five seconds before relaxing. Repeat this exercise 10 times per leg.

5. Toe Curls

Sit in a chair that has arms on it and brace yourself by holding onto the arms. With your knees straight, raise your legs straight out in front of you until they are parallel to the floor. Point your toes toward your body and hold the position for five seconds. Repeat the toe curls 10 times per set, completing two sets of the exercise.

6. Toe Grabs

Place a small ball or towel in front of your chair, and sit in the chair. While you are seated, take your barefoot and try to grab the ball or towel with your toes. Try to lift the object as high as your knees if you are able to do so. Do two sets of 10 repetitions each of this exercise.


Foot drop can be caused by a number of different conditions and may affect your ability to walk properly. If you think you might have foot drop, make an appointment to see your doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis and treatment. Ask your doctor if it is okay for you to perform these simple exercises at home. If you are given permission by your doctor, these exercises will help to strengthen your muscles so you might be able to walk more normally.

Do you have foot drop? Are there any foot drop treatment exercises that have helped you? Share your experiences in the comments below!

Choosing the Right Insole for Your Foot

Foot pain can be caused by a wide range of issues, from running a marathon to playing a squash tournament to traversing through your garden. Regardless of the source of the problem, it is always debilitating to some degree; most of us rely pretty heavily on our feet to get us around. The good news is that the majority of foot problems can be treated – and sometimes, it’s as simple as getting insoles for our shoes. In this post, we’ll cover different types of insoles and what you should consider for each one.

Orthotic Arch Support Insoles

Orthotic insoles offer the highest level of support and are designed with a rigid or semi-rigid support plate. Whether you’re looking for prefab or custom-made orthotics, this type of insole focuses on supporting the foot’s arch and heel, providing a natural form for whatever activities your day may bring. While orthotic insoles usually take some time to break in, the benefit will certainly outweigh any initial discomfort. These insoles help eliminate strain on the plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the forefoot. If you have arch pain or plantar fasciitis, an orthotic arch support is worth a shot. This insole is also ideal for anyone suffering from over-pronation or supination.

If you’ve never had an orthotic insole before, starting with the semi-rigid option is recommended as the rigid support is almost completely stiff. Either way, you can break in your insole by wearing it for a couple of hours every day for the first week, and slowly increasing the duration from there. If you still experience discomfort after several weeks, you might want to consider another insole.

Cushioned Arch Support

If you’re looking for a softer insole option, cushioned arch supports may be what you need. Unlike the rigid support offered by orthotic arch supports, cushioned insoles are entirely padded to provide your foot with lots of cushioning. Foot fatigue is the most common ailment that this padded support can relieve. Shin splints are another common injury that cushioned supports can alleviate. These insoles are also perfect for anyone on their feet all day, whether or not they have foot problems.

Flat Cushions

When you buy a new pair of kicks, there’s usually a thin sock liner along the inside of the shoe. This insole doesn’t actually provide any support but just offers a lining for your footwear. Replacement insoles are available in whatever material suits your preference – but you won’t necessarily be doing your foot any good with this option.

Examine Your Feet

As you assess what type of insole you need, keep in mind the shape of your foot – is it narrow, wide, long, short? Sizing usually follows your shoe size, but each insole will have its own variations, so be sure to read through the product description – and reviews when possible – to be sure you’re getting the right fit.

Also consider the arch of your foot. Do you have high arches, neutral arches or flat feet? Wearing an insole that’s not designed for your type of arch will likely be painful, so be sure you’re looking at the right one. If you don’t know what kind of arches you have, try looking at your wet footprint. If you don’t see a trace of the arch in the print, you probably have high arches; alternatively, if you see nearly the entire outline of your foot, it’s likely that you have flat feet. Getting the low or high arch support you need can make all the difference.

Get back to the mobile activities you love in no time with a supportive insole. And even if you haven’t reached the point of immobility, if you’re experiencing any type of foot pain, an insole may be a simple solution before it gets worse. Do you already use an insole? What are your tips for insole shopping? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Strategies for Combatting Stress

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Top 5 Mistakes Made by Runners of All Levels

In many ways, running is a perfect sport: You don’t need a team or any equipment, or even a field. You get time to think or zone out. Just grab your running shoes and head out, however fast or far your feet may take you. As simple as it sounds, there are some definite running don’ts in terms of how to keep your body healthy and in good condition. Whether you’re new to the sport or have been running for years, you want to be sure you avoid these common running mistakes.

Skipping the Warm-Up

However ready your body may feel for that run, not warming up can do some serious damage. Most of us are sedentary for a large portion of the day, so getting our bodies moving should be gradual. Even if you’re on the move throughout the day, take a few minutes to start your workout with a light jog to loosen up your muscles.

Making Your Easy Days Hard

If you’re at the point in your running routine that you plan out your runs by intensity, be sure to include easy days – and follow through on them. Your body needs lighter workouts to recover and restore itself between the tougher ones, so giving every run your all isn’t doing you any favors. On that note, taking rest days is also important. Sometimes it’s okay to just chill on the sofa.

Tensing Up Your Arms

Your arms aren’t involved in running, right? So why are we even mentioning them? Your whole body works together with each step you take, and your arms help in the process. You want to keep your arms light while allowing them to swing naturally as you stride. The momentum of each swing can help propel your body forward – especially up those hills.

Wearing Old Shoes

One of the most common causes of injury is wearing the wrong pair of shoes. Perhaps your shoes pinch your right big toe just a bit. Or you want to bring to life that old pair from five years ago. Resist the urge. The lifetime of a shoe is anywhere from 300 to 500 miles, depending on the surface you run on and how much material your shoe has to support your foot. Running on dirt roads or trails means your shoes will last for longer than pounding on asphalt with each step. Regardless of where you run, you’ll want to keep track of roughly how far you’ve run – and invest in a new pair of quality running shoes regularly for running injury prevention.

Pushing Through an Injury

At some point in your running career – even if you get new shoes regularly – it’s likely you’ll be faced with an injury. Whether it’s a sore hip or shin splints, your body is trying to tell you something, so be sure to listen. Don’t push through the pain; instead, take the time your body needs to heal. This may require you to completely stop running for a while. This can be difficult, but pushing through may cause further damage and put you on the sidelines indefinitely.

While avoiding these running mistakes will make your jogs more enjoyable, you’re still bound to face some hiccups along the way. Be patient with yourself, and don’t forget to breathe! We’d love to hear your running tips in the comments below!

Ice Wraps – When Should I Use Them and Why?

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Tips to Avoid Tendonitis

If you’ve ever felt a dull ache around your limb or joint, or perhaps noticed a mild swelling, you may have been experiencing the effects of tendonitis. Tendonitis is the irritation of a tendon in the body, whether in your shoulder or your ankle. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach your muscles to your bones, and they can be injured from repetitive motions, awkward positions or forceful exertions. The body can be a delicate thing to keep healthy – but with these simple tips, you’ll be able to minimize the risk of tendonitis symptoms and any problems they may lead to.

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Pushing yourself can feel great in the moment – but if your body isn’t ready, you’ll likely regret it later. Be kind to your body and start out slow. If you’re just starting an exercise routine, keep it moderate to give your body time to adjust. And even if you’re in shape, be sure to properly warm up before doing an intense workout. Your tendons will thank you – and be stronger for it.

Sit Correctly

Let’s face it: A growing number of people spend huge chunks of their day perched in front of a computer. Society may demand it, but our bodies don’t thrive in this sedentary position. If you fall into this category, make sure you’re set up with proper ergonomics, whether you sit down or stand up at your desk. We recommend having a professional assess your work space’s ergonomics to ensure your joints and tendons are not under stress throughout the day.

Stretch Your Body

If you’re a yogi, well done. If not, consider giving it a shot. Or, at the very least, work stretching into your routine for a few minutes each day. Stretching is especially important to do before and after any type of cardio activity, ideally once you’ve had a chance to warm up your muscles and then again when you’re finished. Stretching is also recommended for anyone who is seated all day in front of a desk or behind the wheel. Set your alarm a few minutes early in the morning or take some time before you settle into bed at night to do some stretches. Your tendons – and your whole body – will thank you. 

Spice It Up With Variety

If you’re feeling pain, doing the same thing every day is a great way to make things worse. Listen to your body, and try different activities to see which one best suits how you’re feeling today. Low-impact exercises like biking or swimming may be a great alternative until you’re back to normal – or all the time to avoid injury.

Fine-Tune Your Technique

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to get the technique right – and doing things right is actually an important part of keeping your tendons feeling good. Don’t let yourself get lazy; be sure you’re using the proper technique as you go about your daily workout.

Pay Attention and Listen…

…To your body, that is. If something hurts, stop. If something feels funny, change what you’re doing. If you’re trying something new, ease into it safely and be even more aware of how your body is reacting.


An injured tendon can take a long time to recover, depending on where in the body it is. Following these tips will help you avoid what causes tendonitis (and a number of other ailments) so you can stay healthy. Feel free to share any other tips you’ve found to ward off tendonitis in the comments below!

Compression Therapy 101

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How To Avoid a Back Injury

Back injuries are common in virtually every occupation and every walk of life. From students to nurses, construction workers to lawyers, body builders to computer programmers, high school kids to the elderly, back injury doesn’t discriminate, and its effects can be debilitating. Even a somewhat minor back injury can take you out of work, out of your exercise routine or make it extremely difficult to sleep at night. MMAR Medical provides numerous back braces and support in the event of an accident. But what proactive steps can you take to prevent yourself from ever having to suffer through a back injury ordeal? Read on for our back injury prevention strategies to keep your spine healthy and your life on track.

1. Work that core…

Core muscles are crucial to providing support for the lower back and avoiding injury. Try adding a few core exercises to your daily routine. Planks are a great option as they work your abdominals and your obliques, giving you solid support on the front and sides of your body. To do a plank correctly, place your palms or forearms on the ground at shoulder-width distance. Keep your shoulders above your wrists and step back to bring your body into a straight line, from the tip of your head all the way to your heels. Hold for 60 seconds. Never let your hips collapse out of the straight line. This will only strain your lower back and open you up to injury. When you’re done, bring your knees to the ground carefully.

2. …And that heart, too.

Low-impact aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the spine, which promotes healing and hydration to all of your vertebrae. Briskly walking your dog, light jogging, using an elliptical, riding a bike or swimming all count as low impact aerobic exercise. Doing any of these activities 3-4 times per week will benefit and protect your spine as well as your overall health. 

3. Stand up straight.

Bad posture can have lots of negative effects on your body. In the short term, poor posture causes pain and discomfort from unnecessary pressure on the vertebrae. In the long term, sustained use of poor posture can cause muscle and tissue damage. Practicing good posture while walking and sitting up straight at your desk can help prevent these injuries – and it also works your core. To find your natural posture, stand with your back up against a wall and your heels about 2-4 inches away from the wall. Notice how your body creates a straight line, from the crown of your head down through your pelvis. To maintain this stance without a wall, focus on keeping your abdominals pulled in and your shoulders relaxed back. It might feel strange at first, but with practice, good posture will become second nature in no time. 

4. Stretch your hamstrings.

A little known cause of back pain, especially in the lower back, is extremely tight hamstrings. If you’re experiencing back pain and can’t remember the last time you stretched, try some gentle hamstring stretches, like reaching for your toes or propping your leg up on a chair. If you already have a diagnosed back injury, use special caution here – not all stretches are good for all back conditions. Always check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting a new regimen. 

5. Drive carefully.

Unfortunately, a very common cause of back injury is automobile accidents. Driving carefully is smart, courteous and can help you avoid months of pain and discomfort from a back injury. Make sure to always leave yourself enough travel time to avoid reckless driving, and if you’re guilty of serious road rage, try listening to some soothing music while you’re on the road. You’ll save your back and reduce overall stress!

6. Lift with your legs.

Heavy lifting is a classic cause of back injury. But when you’re moving, you’ve got not-so-small children or your job requires it (looking at you, maintenance and construction workers), lifting heavy items is unavoidable. If you’re caught in one of these situations, squat down, grab the item, engage your core, and stand up. By concentrating the pressure in your legs and not your lower back (“lifting with your legs”), you’ll avoid back injury, and carve out some killer buns & thighs too. 

Back injury isn’t completely unavoidable. But following these tips and doing these lower back exercises will help you take preventative action by keeping your back strong and healthy. For more information on back pain, back injuries, back care and answers to questions like “How do I shower with a back brace?” take a look at the back injury page of our website.

We hope you never endure a back injury; but if you do, MMAR Medical is here to help you along the road to recovery.  

How To Safely Start a New Workout Regimen

Whether you’ve never set foot in a gym but want to become more active or you’re just getting back into working out, you are on the right path to a healthier and happier lifestyle. There are numerous benefits to regular exercise, most notably weight loss, a healthier heart, more energy and improved mood. However, if you’re starting from scratch, a small mistake at the gym can turn into a much larger injury. Below are a few workout tips for beginners to help you create healthy and safe gym habits for a new workout regimen.

Know Where You Stand
While it may not be fun to step onto the scale or take other measurements, it is crucially important to ensure you don’t injure yourself at the gym. Starting a new fitness regimen is going to involve pushing yourself and challenging what you think you’re able to physically do. And while it’s admirable to want to take your routine to the max, everyone has a limit, and taking these measurements will help you determine what yours is so you don’t literally push yourself to the breaking point. For example, before you begin a new workout regimen, you should know what your maximum heart rate should be so you don’t push yourself too far. A good way to estimate this number is to subtract your age from 220.

Warming Up and Cooling Down
Regardless of how new you are to a workout routine, be sure to let your body warm up before a
workout routine, be sure to let your body warm up before a workout and cool down afterwards. These warm ups and cool downs don’t have to take a long time, just five to 10 minutes of moderate movement and stretching should do the trick. These extra few minutes are a small price to pay and well worth it. If you plan to do any sort of intense exercise to shed pounds, not letting your body adjust to the intensity of your workout could result in muscle (and other) injury that could prevent you from working out at all for quite a while. Additionally, if you don’t do some light exercise to let your body slowly come back down to its normal level of activity after a workout, you risk fainting from the abrupt change of pace.  

Practice Patience
As a culture, we have come to expect instant results no matter what is we’re doing. However, when it comes to starting a new workout regimen, you have to be patient and set realistic goals if you want to see healthy and sustained success. You shouldn’t be discouraged if you don’t see noticeable changes within the first few weeks of your routine – to do so would not be natural. If you push yourself too hard because you want faster results, you risk seriously injuring yourself and rendering yourself unable to work out at all. So, keep at it and be patient. You’ll be rewarded down the line with healthy and sustainable exercise habits.

Play by the Rules
While it seems obvious, it is paramount that you follow the rules and instructions of your gym’s equipment if you choose to lift weights or use one of their aerobic exercise machines. Be sure you are following all necessary safety precautions, whether by having a spotter for a bench press or knowing how to use the emergency stop function on a treadmill. It is easy to ignore these precautions; however, the injuries you could get from not properly using these machines might put you out of the gym for a few days, weeks or even longer.

Congratulations! By reading this blog, you’re already taking the first steps to starting a new healthy lifestyle. These tips may add a few minutes and a little extra work to your overall routine, but the benefits of healthy and sustainable exercise habits far outweigh the costs. And as always, MMAR Medical Group is here to help along the way as you work toward your health and fitness goals, and we have a wide range of orthopedic products and accessories if you do have an injury to mend.

All About Foot Fractures

Foot fractures can happen for a variety of reasons. In athletes, these bone fractures typically occur from a sudden trauma or as the result of untreated bone stress reactions. Whatever the cause, bone fractures in the feet are serious injuries that usually require a lot of down time for healing. Here, we’ll cover the different types of bone fractures and how to prevent them.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A FOOT FRACTURE?

Although many people think of bone as an inanimate thing, bones are actually made up of living tissue that is constantly undergoing changes. Bone can grow stronger when stress is placed upon it, but only if done in the right way. Whenever we stress our bones through repeated physical activity, exercise or sports, the bones initially become weaker. However, this initial weakening triggers the bone to grow a thicker outer layer. The additional growth that occurs makes the bone stronger over time.

Foot fractures can occur when an individual continues to place more and more stress on the bone without giving it enough time in between to rest. As a result of the repeated stress placed on it, the bone can eventually succumb and break.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOT FRACTURES

Now you know what exactly a foot fracture is – but with 26 bones in each foot, not every fracture is the same. There are a few main types of foot fractures:

Full Foot Fractures

A full foot fracture is a break in one or more bones of the foot and is the result of a traumatic injury to the area. A motor vehicle crash or dropping a heavy object on the foot are common causes of these severe fractures.

Stress Fractures 

Stress fractures also involve one or more broken bones but are the result of repeated overuse and stress to the bone(s) rather than one specific incident. This type of fracture is common among athletes who often mistake the pain for a less serious injury and don’t take appropriate precautions. Stress fracture symptoms include swelling and pain that increase over time if not treated. While foot stress fractures may sound less severe than breaks resulting from trauma, they still involve a broken bone and may require surgical treatment.

Simple Fractures

Calling a foot fracture simple doesn't necessarily mean that it's not a severe break. A simple fracture simply refers to one that occurs without breaking the skin overlying or tissue surrounding the bone. In this type of full fracture, only the bone is damaged. Simple fractures most often result from repetitive use rather than traumatic injuries.

Compound Fractures

Compound fractures are the other type of full fracture that involves a broken bone in addition to damage to the surrounding tissues or overlying skin. These are usually more serious simply because the break is often worse given that it has caused additional injury other than just the bone. Since the skin itself is also no longer intact, infections can also be another potential complication with this type of fracture.

PREVENTING FOOT FRACTURES

While the traumatic injuries that cause full foot fractures can't always be prevented, it’s important to practice caution when possible and stay aware of your surroundings. Alternatively, stress fractures usually come with warning signs that allow an individual to correct the underlying problem before the bone actually suffers a fracture. In athletes, for example, repeated overuse of the bone without giving it enough rest can result in pain that gradually worsens. If this pain is ignored, the bone can continue to weaken; if the pain is ignored long enough, an actual stress fracture may occur and require months of rest in order to heal. 

To avoid stress fractures, we advise you to pay attention to the signs your body is giving you. If pain persists during workouts or continues to get worse over time, take a step back and allow the area to heal before continuing with placing additional stress on the bone. A few days’ rest is usually far better than spending months with your feet up. If you do find yourself with a fractured foot, there are a wide range of foot and ankle braces available to facilitate the healing process.

During the healing period of foot fractures, it’s important to keep pressure off the affected area, meaning you’ll be seriously restricted in your mobility. Be aware of this common injury so you don’t have to put your life on hold! Listen to your body and take proper precautions to avoid getting hurt. If you’ve experienced a foot fracture and have any tips to share, feel free to comment below!