Stretching Benefits by Avery Mann Stretching benefits your health and vitality, and it keeps you at your active best. Understanding the proper way to stretch before exercise and the importance of stretching can keep you injury free and feeling energized. And don’t forget — a good stretch also feels great. Stay flexible with a good whole body stretch. According to the Mayo Clinic, stretching and good flexibility in your muscles and joints will improve your performance in any sport or exercise. It will also improve the way you move and your overall range of motion. You will appear more graceful and coordinated. Flexibility can protect you from injury, so stretch often. Regular stretching with good form will improve blood flow and help your body be less prone to injury. With a body that is loose and strong with no muscle tension, any movement is made safer. Even a simple grocery store visit is safer with a good stretching regimen. Lift that heavy sack of potatoes with confidence, knowing you are physically trained and prepared for any physical circumstance. Stretch and be flexible in the office. Staying flexible to new ideas in the workplace may be valuable, but physical flexibility can really come in handy when crouched in a cubicle all day, hunched over a computer or with a phone receiver clenched between your cheek and shoulder. Flexibility and body strength will keep you from experiencing many painful office ergonomic pitfalls. You can even stretch in the office. Learn the proper way to stretch. It is important to know the proper way to stretch. Incorrect or over-enthusiastic stretching can actually cause injury. Also, try to perform sport- or activity-specific stretches before that activity, and stretch to the point of resistance, not pain. As with any new physical activity, seek your physician’s opinion and guidance before trying a new exercise. Stretching profits your entire body and prepares you for every move you make. When your body is optimized, you can get the most out of every moment and every day. The importance of stretching should never be underesti- mated. Stretching is a relaxing way to stay healthy, vital and fit. Best of all — everyone can do it. Reprinted from Spry –inspiring healthy living ! There is now a machine that provides a similar method for testing glucose levels, and gives an average of the glu cose level from the past 90 days. This is called an A1c test. With a finger prick the testing machine can measure how well a diabetic has managed their glucose level over a period of time. Most everyone knows the debilitating effects of poorly managed diabetes. Diabetes affects the kidneys, eyes, cardiovascular system, and nerves as well as other organs of the body. By managing this condition a person can help reduce the long term effects of this dis- ease. If you have diabetes and wish to see how well you have been managing your diabetes, please set up an ap- pointment for an A1c test with our nurse. New in the Nurse’s Office - A1c With the advancement of technology comes easier testing for a variety of health conditions. For example, the annual testing conducted right here at Crest Foods for glucose and cholesterol is a simple finger prick where a drop of blood is put in a cassette that is loaded into what is called a Cholostech machine. This machine is able to then provide a read out of the glucose and cholesterol level in five minutes.
October, November & December 2011 Crest Ink 15
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