In a previous post where I described a few benefits of reasonable exposure to cold, I explained why I begin my days with a cold shower. To answer the many readers who asked if there are benefits to taking hot baths, the answer is an emphatic yes. Read more
If you can make use of a reasonably accurate way of almost instantly monitoring your oxygen saturation (SO2) level, you might consider utilizing an inexpensive pulse oximeter, as shown above. Read more
A common risk factor for spraining an ankle is wearing high heels, especially when walking on uneven terrain. If you wear high heels or did in the past, your fore-foot and mid-foot regions can likely benefit from some simple mobilization work, which is best done by a willing partner.
This video presents a brief look at how to mobilize your toes, metatarsals, and the articulations between your metatarsals and row of cuneiforms, cuboid, and navicular bones. Read more
This is a video for those who have requested a simple routine of mobility exercises while remaining upright.
In this video, I use a dowel at times to help maintain balance. You can use a broomstick, golf club, or any other similar object, or you can try doing everything without support, which will help you develop your balance and proprioception. Read more
As mentioned in this video, many of us can use more extension through the spine. A sedentary lifestyle often leads to shoulders that are rounded forward to some degree, which puts the spine in some degree of forward flexion, which is what gradually robs intervertebral joints of their natural capacity to extend backward. Read more
To have healthy shoulders that allow you to comfortably use your arms overhead, it's essential that your shoulder blades are optimally mobile and that you have good motor control over their movement along the posterior wall of your rib cage - the scapular mobility exercises shown in the video above will allow you to fulfill both of these requirements for healthy shoulder function. Read more
Like your hip joint, your shoulder joint has a ball-in-socket design, but the socket isn't very deep. In fact, it's quite shallow, which is what allows your shoulder the broad range of motion required to efficiently perform overhead activities. Read more
When hamstrings and calves are short and hypertonic from lack of mindful use and stretching, their tendons can generate a low-grade backward pulling force on the tibia or femur, which predisposes the quadriceps and patellar tendon that runs along the anterior portion of the knee to injury. This is why regular stretching of your hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and soleus is essential to supporting healthy knee function. Read more
Being a chiropractor, acupuncturist, and a certified tennis nut, over the years, I've found that a few specific stretches, massaging techniques, and strengthening exercises can reduce risk of elbow and wrist injuries. Most of the top pros bring their own physios with them on the road to do some of this work for them, but it's easily done on your own with some know-how. Read more
After 21 years, we made the difficult decision to bring our catalogue to a close. To stay connected with Dr. Kim's writings, please feel free to subscribe for free here: Dr. Ben Kim on Substack. Sending best wishes and thanks to all.