Category Archives: Going Strong

Hikers Tackle the Trails, Even During a Chilly Winter Day!

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Wintertime is here, but that does not mean that the hiking season is over!

In Salt Lake City, Utah, you don’t have to miss out on the great benefits of hiking even though it’s cold and snowy wherever you might live. There are tons of amazing trails accessible during this time of year, including Lisa Falls, Ensign Peak, and Bridal Veil Falls.

If you plan on hiking multiple trails and staying in Salt Lake City for days or weeks, there are many local accommodations to suit you and your companions. The Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Downtown/The Gateway is a stylish, comfortable Salt Lake City hotel. There are many great amenities, like free breakfast for members, free Wi-Fi, and a fitness center. The Little America Hotel offers big value for guests. You can expect well-appointed rooms, an indoor pool, and a cozy little shop.

Having a luxurious hotel to reside at after a long day of hiking in the cold weather is simply a necessity for all avid hikers. Not only will you be able to stay warm and comfortable after a day out on the trails, but you will also be able to extend your hiking trip knowing that you have a place to eat, shower, and sleep before waking up and making your way to the next trail on your list.

Best Winter Hikes This Winter in Salt Lake City

  • Bridal Veil Falls– At Bridal Veil Falls, you will find the most iconic waterfall in the state of Utah. The trail is a simple hike and very easy to follow, making it the perfect hike for your family. The trail itself is only a 1.0 mile round trip with a variety of stops to make along the way.
  • Lisa Falls– This particular trail is only 0.3 miles, with Lisa Falls waiting for you at the end. The trail is very easy to follow and offers stunning scenery.
  • Ensign Peak– Ensign Peak is an absolute must for those of you who enjoy a challenge with rewards at the end. The trail is an uphill climb but fairly short in distance, making it an easier challenge with a beautiful view of Salt Lake City at the top.
  • Dripping Rock Trail– This trail is slightly over a mile in a beautiful round trip along the riverbank. The course of the trail has rock edges that have water dripping directly along the edges. For winter trips, be sure to dress accordingly and watch your step as the path can become icy.

Winter Gear to Bring With You During Your Hike

  • Footwear – Hiking boots, wool socks, and high gaiters. Merino socks offer comfort with excellent performance to keep your feet feeling great.
  • Hats – Heavy fleece or wool.
  • Gloves – Waterproof gloves or fleece-lined gloves for warmth. Mittens offer the ultimate warmth but limit your dexterity.
  • Jackets – Most hikers use a base layer, mid-layer, shell strategy instead of a single insulated jacket. That way, you can shed a layer or add a layer easily to keep your warmth dialed in.
  • Pants – Hardshell or softshell, depending on the weather. A softshell works great if you’re more active and need breathability.
  • Backpack and Essentials – Toilet paper, map, water, compass, first-aid kit, headlamp, and whistle.

Muscle Pain And Tightness In The Leg

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https://pixabay.com/photos/jogging-run-sport-jog-sporty-race-2343558/

If you are experiencing muscular tightness in your leg, this will be as a result of another underlying condition, with the most common being a muscle strain, which occurs when the muscle in the leg tears. When it comes to this type of injury, there is a broad spectrum of severity, with some people suffering mild sprains and others experiencing a complete rupture. No matter what applies to you, an effective course of physiotherapy or a visit to a chiropractor is a must to guarantee that pain is alleviated, the problem does not get worse and normal functionality returns. 

Professionals like this have an abundance of experience in treating patients with leg injuries, and thus you can rest assured that you will be in the safest hands. One thing to note is that there are so many different reasons why you could be suffering from muscular tightness, and this highlights why the diagnosis stage is so important. When you book an appointment with one of the chiropractors in your area, one of the specialists will carry out a thorough examination of your leg, which will include an evaluation of your symptoms and a number of diagnostic tests. They do this so they can get to the root of the issue, as this is the only way to put an effective treatment plan together. 

There are many different techniques that are available when it comes to treatment for muscular tightness in the leg, including, but not limited to, massage, strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, dry needling, electrotherapy, ice or heat treatment, balance exercises, joint mobilization and more. They will also give you a realistic picture regarding recovery time and they will provide you with all the education you need so you can manage your condition effectively at home, this includes information on activities you can and cannot participate in, as well as exercises and postural positions you should adhere to. This is of paramount importance for your health because self-care plays a huge role when it comes to the success of treatment. 

Leg muscle imbalances 

Professionals also have plenty of experience when it comes to treating patients who are suffering from muscle imbalances. This occurs when one muscle is stronger than the other; at either side of your joints you have muscles and these work against one and other to control your movement, so if one muscle is stronger than the other it is going to pull your body out of position. It is imperative to see a professional if this occurs because your whole body will start making adjustments to compensate for the imbalance, and this can lead to further problems. 

Another reason you need to get this problem dealt with as soon as possible is that it could cause muscle strain in your leg – this is when your muscle is stretched to such a point whereby a tear occurs, ranging from minor strains to more serious conditions, such as a full-thickness muscle tear. This is the last thing you want to experience, which is why an early diagnosis is the best way to protect yourself from any further potential damage.

Physiotherapists and chiropractors have an extensive amount of experience in treating patients that are suffering from a muscle imbalance in their leg. When you book an appointment, one of the specialists will carry out a thorough assessment of your condition, which will include an evaluation of your symptoms and diagnostic tests. This is imperative, as it is the only way to ensure an effective treatment plan is put together, otherwise, the imbalance may end up getting worse. 

Once an accurate diagnosis has been reached, they will put together an effective treatment plan, and they will use a wide assortment of techniques to ensure that the imbalance is rectified. This will mainly involve strengthening the weaker muscle to balance out the difference, yet other approaches range from massage to flexibility exercises. 

They will give you an honest picture regarding the recovery process and how long they expect it to take while they will also provide you with a self-care program that you will need to follow to ensure you manage your condition properly at home, as this plays a monumental role in making sure the recovery is a success.

Staying Healthy As You Get Older

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Photo by Lukasz Dziegel from Pexels

Looking after yourself is essential no matter what age you are. However, you may need to pay closer attention to your body as you get older because things change as you age. For example, it is likely that your bones will become thinner and more brittle. Conditions such as osteoporosis are caused by thinning bones and decreasing bone mass. This will also make you at risk to falls which could give you broken bones. To prevent this, make sure you have a nutritious diet and a good calcium intake as well as a decent supply of vitamin D.

A healthy diet and regular exercise could lower your heart rate, but to look after yourself properly, you need to cut out bad habits too. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you and is linked to a whole range of different health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, and bronchitis. No matter what age you are now if you stop smoking, your circulation, your lung capacity, and your energy levels will improve.

Also, don’t forget to top-up with lots of water to avoid dehydration. Tea, coffee and fruit juice will help you to stay, but you should avoid sugary fizzy drinks. If you do drink alcohol, make sure you have some days in the week where you don’t drink to give your liver time to recover.

Make the most of expert help, particularly your doctor. Don’t be afraid to get routine tests to check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. While high readings increase your risk factor for stroke and heart disease, any problems are reversible with medication. Many people have a vitamin D deficiency and aren’t even aware of it, but vitamin D is essential and being deficient in this vitamin has been linked to health issues such as cognitive impairment, bone problems and cardiovascular disease.

Try to get outside in the fresh air for at least 15-20 minutes a day for a boost of vitamin D boost and increase your intake of eggs and oily fish or have a word with your doctor about a vitamin D supplement.

While you’re getting tests and help from the doctor, you may as well get the full MOT from the GP but also make time to go to specialist doctors such as a testosterone doctor or an ear specialist for hearing tests and get your eyes checked too to make sure your vision and hearing are up to scratch.

As well as sight and sound, your other senses could be affected by ageing, as you may start to lose your sense of taste meaning that flavors may not seem as distinct to you. Your senses of smell and touch may also weaken as your body takes longer to react and needs more to stimulate it.

Getting older can also cause changes in your reflexes. While dementia is not inevitable in old age, it is common for people to experience some forgetfulness as they get older as cells in the brain and nerves become damaged over time.