It is becoming increasingly evident that Americans are not getting enough quality sleep. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that this is true for approximately 1 in 3 people in the US. In fact, sleep impairment is now considered a public health problem. We often think of the short-term impact of inadequate sleep, which for example can affect mental health, leading to poor concentration and general irritability. However, often poorly understood is the affect of short and longer-term sleep ...

For those interested in weight loss (or even weight gain), the term “metabolism” seems to be thrown around quite a bit. “I can’t lose weight, I have a slow metabolism” or “I can’t gain weight, I have a fast metabolism.” Although there is an undeniable genetic component to it, there are several others controllable and uncontrollable factors that can influence your metabolic speed. Metabolism, in its simplest of terms, is defined as “the proce...

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: the Solution or the Problem?  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) are among the most commonly prescribed medications, with over 30 BILLION doses taken by Americans each year. These medications are taken to reduce pain and inflammation associated with a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, muscle or tendon injuries, headaches, and spine pain. NSAID’s are generally considered safe when taken as directed, however ther...

Physical Therapy —> Personal Training Undoubtedly, there are several differences between Physical Therapists and Personal Trainers. Physical Therapists generally diagnose, treat, and manage pain, while Personal Trainers are known to create individualized programs to decrease risk factors, improve function, and enhance overall health/fitness.  Despite their differences, however, there are some striking similarities between the two.  The most significant similarity seems to l...

Last week, Dr. Brian Giordano came to STAR to provide an educational program for the professional staff at our outpatient physical therapy facility. Dr. Giordano is an Associate Professor in the URMC Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation. He is a sports medicine physician, and treats a variety of orthopaedic conditions. He has a particular specialty in the management of non-arthritic hip pain with both operative and non-operative procedures. There are many non-arthritic hip conditions, b...