 I started wearing an Oura ring back in May of 2020 when I couldn't check my own temperature and oxygen saturation often enough. Since then the big value was discovering that even through the most sleepless nights of 2020 I was still able to function well and be more at ease about sleeplessness. At one point I wrote a blog about not sleeping before I really gained insight into how sleep truly cycles and how optimal function happens with different amounts and "intensities" of sleep. Of course the Gen3 Oura ring has many other features very similar and some better than other wearables including (SOON) measuring oxygen saturation. What I really prefer about it though is the unobtrusive way it collects that data without the distraction other technology a phone, watch or wrist-bit might have. More about Oura can be found here.
The TriggerPoint GRID STK hand held roller is an awesome tool I happened across at Three Rivers Outdoor Company on South Braddock Avenue. Pre Covid they had a cool little room of second hand supplies where I found this awesome tool. Since then they have helped many of our folks with educated guidance about walking and hiking shoes and have ample resources for outdoor enthusiasts as well as other massage tools including the Theragun. More-so we respect that they're fellow small business owners taking the risk of competing with the big box franchises. The GRID STK worked great on my plantar fasciitis this summer but even before that, realizing as the Fitness Essentials crew often says rolling, stretching and massaging tissue is not a day off.  This time of year we heartily recommend staying active...but knowing your elements and how to dress for and stay safe in them is a big part of that. Yak Traxs are adjustable add ons to your running, hiking or walking shoes. They can be taken off when you reach your destination. They offer excellent traction especially as the weather warms and cools again. Available many places...maybe try 3ROC first or direct from manufacturer (click image above).  Another great local company that I use often for easy and hard to fix foot pain is HAPAD, based in Bethel Park. The company has a worldwide rep and the story of Hapad, or the Hauser Pad is one of sibling support and great orthopedic engineering. These wool insert pads make sense to anyone who appreciates smart wool sports socks as well as proper design. I use the dancer pads for big toe issues and the met pads right over sock liners for as a cost effective orthotic. The PediFix catalog is available here for corns, bunion pads and toes spacers.  CLICK HERE FOR 5 FREE TRAVEL PACKS TO TRY I have been using plant based protein powder for at least the last 2 years. After tracking my protein I found, like most of you, that it was woefully less than I assumed. I found my favorite to be Ka'Chava vanilla protein powder. It mixes well with Almond Milk and has a really nice minimalist flavor that I sometimes add cinnamon to compliment. More recently I am trying Athletic Greens, an all in one daily drink with 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients, including, and I don't know what they are, but also prebiotics that purportedly help with digestion. I have regrettably found myself drinking more meals not because I have had my jaw wired shut or a stroke but because I just am not getting the vitamins and meal consistency I desire no matter how many new years resolutions I make. Over the 5 years of the business I find myself feeling ground down, and worn down throughout parts of the year that impact my confidence, my energy and attitude. If I could stay durable and refreshed more often I think all things including my work life and workout life might also be even better. I'll let you know how this first 6 months goes.  Walkers are designed to enhance fluid, stable, natural movement. No one wants a walker so it's also cool if they look good. Nitro brand from Drive has all that and brakes! This is not for everyone, some folks need more stability or the ability to put body weight on a non-rolling assistive device but for the more mobile person with some stability issues this has worked well for our patients. Contact and order info here.  And finally, the Sacro-Ease car seat made by McCarty's was something I fell into by dumb luck after a very bad episode of low back pain in 2008. My particular spinal irritability usually responds to physical therapy mobilization in 1-3 visits and reminds me I need to be more consistent with stabilization exercises. However, on that occasion the acute spasm made getting in and out of my scooped/sports style car seat really, really pain provoking I know some of you can absolutely relate. A fortuitously timed sales call at my office resulted in trying this car seat. And at the risk of looking like one of those odd beaded car seats cab drivers use to have (am I dating myself saying 'cab driver'?) what the seat does is offers a rigid, flat bottom that (with proper sitting posture) helps to stabilize the Lumbosacral spine while driving but more so on the proper transfer in/out of the car. Watch a McCarty's video or contact them directly through their website.
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