If running is one of your primary hobbies, you probably have a routine figured out. You know the mileage you can handle and understand when to push yourself. But even if you don’t realize it, running takes a toll on your body over time, whether you’re a high school track star or a marathoner. Many runners often overtrain simply because they are enjoying themselves or following what their friends are doing. But how do you really figure out how much your body can tolerate? And how do you figure this out before getting hurt?

Knee injuries are common for anyone, from high-level athletes to anyone who steps off a curb wrong. The joint structure is fairly complex - many tendons, ligaments, and other structures surrounding the joint keep it stabilized and moving fluidly. One of these structures is the meniscus; if you have never torn it before, you may not even know what it is. What does it do for the knee joint, and why can it be torn? And if you tear it, do you need surgery to fix it?

Whenever you’re working out, there are probably a few different thoughts going through your mind. You’re trying to remember which rep you’re on, which muscles need to tighten with the exercise you’re doing, and probably thinking about what else you need to get done after your workout. For some athletes, especially women, a constant thought during exercise is whether they are leaking or not. But why can urinary leakage be such a problem during exercise? What can you do to help?

Think about what goes through your mind when you wake up with a large zit on your face. Zits can be annoying, slightly painful, and, most of all, embarrassing. Even though acne is a common skin condition, no one really wants to face the world with a large zit on their face. The desire to forego responsibilities due to embarrassment is called fear avoidance. For those struggling with stress incontinence, fear avoidance is real. You may fear going out in public, exercising, and more due to your dysfunctional pelvic floor. So what can you do about it? Are there solutions that can give you your life back?

Most people know upper back pain and stiffness all too well. At the end of the day, many office workers, parents, and others come home and begin to feel the effects of the stress from their day, especially in their upper back. Generally, the upper back is the area of the thoracic spine between the shoulder blades and might include the joints, muscles, and connective tissue of both scapula (shoulder blades) and your first 7 ribs. While some stretches, strengthening exercises, and a good night’s sleep can reduce most upper back pain, it can become a chronic issue if not treated daily. So what can you do when your upper back tightness/pain becomes chronic and begins to impact your daily activities? And which professionals should you see to get the help you need?

If you have never used CBD oil, you may be unsure what it is or does. You may automatically associate it with marijuana, and while they are derived from the same plant, they differ substantially. Research has shown some benefits of CBD oil for relieving symptoms of epileptic seizures, but many people have found success with it in other areas as well. So is it right for you? And how can you get access to it?

If you have never heard of blood flow restriction (BFR), the phrase may carry a frightening connotation. Why would you want to restrict blood flow anywhere in your body? When used strategically and safely, blood flow restriction can actually be a helpful technique to build strength in a shorter period of time without putting too much stress on healing tissues or joints. Physical therapists, personal and athletic trainers use BFR for clients, and it has been shown to be safe and effective. So what does it do, and should you try it to build strength?

Your spine is one of your body’s primary internal structures. It surrounds and protects your spinal cord and provides support and stability for the entire body. A scoliosis diagnosis can raise many questions concerning your daily life moving forward. Will I be able to do my favorite activities? Can I exercise like I currently do? And how much daily pain will I have?

When you have muscle tension, getting a massage might be a great step to help you feel better. Many massage facilities have multiple services you can choose from, and some even offer a combination of various techniques customized to your needs. You could even try an at-home product like TheraGun, but that might not be the most ideal treatment for your symptoms, so working with a professional is probably best. But how do you know which type of massage best addresses your symptoms? And when should you seek further help?

When you don’t get enough sleep, it can affect your body in multiple ways. You may feel cranky at work the next day, have trouble accomplishing your daily tasks, and even develop headaches or migraines. When you have anxiety, getting enough sleep is paramount to your daily functioning. How can you promote good quality sleep when you start to feel anxious about sleeping well?