Simply Kendra

JUST MARRIED, WITH A NEW REALITY SHOW, AND A BABY ON THE WAY, E! ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION’S KENDRA WILKINSON FORGES AHEAD By Mark Ariel

American personality and glamour girl Kendra Wilkinson, best known for her role on the E! reality series “The Girls Next Door,” continues to conquer hearts and other body parts with her new reality series, aptly entitled “Kendra. ” The show debuted to high ratings last month on E! Entertainment Television.

Wilkinson, 23, a self-described tomboy and avid sports fan, tied the knot last month in a lavish ceremony at the Playboy Mansion with Philadelphia Eagle Hank Baskett. Wilkinson recently announced the happy couple is expecting, and that she’s looking forward to being a mom. “… Hank and I are going to have a little athlete running around the house. Seriously, the fi rst thing this kid is going to see when it’s born is a football, hahaha… I’m the luckiest girl in the world!” Wilkinson wrote last month on her blog.

In an interview with ***LA Health News*** Wilkinson says her upcoming baby is her motivation to stay in shape and live a healthy lifestyle. “I’ve seriously cut down on fast food,” she confi des. “I make sure to eat way more fruit and veggies than I used to.” Workouts have changed slightly, says Wilkinson. “I stretch a lot more than I used to - and I don’t do as much ab work. I try to get in a lot of cardio and I work out with lightweights… Obviously, being four months pregnant, the workouts are less intense,” she explains.

In general, confi des Wilkinson, she has adapted specifi c pregnancy lifestyle changes. Here are her top three tips. Catch Wilkinson’s reality show “Kendra” on E! Entertainment Television. For more info visit www.eonline.com.

1 RELAXATION
“I try to monitor my crazy lifestyle. I take more breaks, and put things on hold if I feel tired.”

2 FITNESS AT HOME
“I prefer getting my exercise at home, rather than being outside, exposed to the elements. Listen to your body, don’t overexert yourself… That doesn’t mean you should become a coach potato - it just means you have to pace yourself.”

3 DIET
“I don’t believe you have to totally change your diet - just lessen the bad stuff and increase the good stuff. If I have a specifi c craving - I don’t deny myself - but I try overall to eat healthier, things like grilled chicken, cooked vegetables, and fruit.”

Spinal Stenosis Pain Relief

OLYMPIA MEDICAL CENTER’S INSTITUTE FOR SPINAL RESEARCH CLINICAL TRIAL OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE TREATMENTS OF SPINAL STENOSIS, A COMMON CAUSE OF PAIN AND IMMOBILITY IN MIDDLE AGE TO ELDERLY ADULTS By Patrick Tsakuda

Carl Lauryssen, MD, a renowned spinal neurosurgeon and the Director of Spine Research and Development at the Olympia Medical Center’s Institute for Spinal Research in Los Angeles, is leading a clinical trial that offers an alternative to the treatments of spinal stenosis, which is a very common cause of pain and immobility in middle age to elderly adults. Interspinous spacers act as a barrier and limit extension at symptomatic disc levels.

Mike, a 51 year-old racket ball player and all around athlete reached a point where he could no longer stand up straight in the shower. For a patient suffering from Spinal Stenosis diffi culty standing up becomes a forced way of life. Fortunately for Mike, he was screened and was a candidate for the procedure. “When I fi rst met Mike,” explains Dr. Lauryssen, “he was suffering from pain and numbness in his left leg and in his back. He was frustrated by his inability to play sports, which had been his love for most of his life. He met the qualifi cations for an interspinous implant clinical trial which offered a minimally invasive treatment with a rapid recovery time.”

“Within fi ve hours of surgery, I walked around the hospital area. Within fi ve days, I was back at work. I feel like I am in my 40s and I am pain free,” explains Mike. Dr. Lauryssen has twice been awarded the Young Investigator Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons for his work on cervical disorders and stem cell research.

He is also a founding member of the Spine- Mark SRO of Los Angeles. This clinical trial aims to measure the effectiveness of inserting an interspinous spacer between the problematic discs and whether this procedure is effective at relieving the pressure on the spinal nerve and preserving mobility. If approved by the FDA, this treatment will serve as an alternative to more invasive surgical treatment.

Olympia Medical Center is located in the heart of Los Angeles and has been providing medical care to its community since 1948. Services at the 204-bed acute care hospital include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services and a 24-hour emergency room.

The hospital is dedicated to clinical excellence and delivering health care services in a patient-centered, community focused environment. Services include the California Digestive Diseases Institute, the Los Angeles Center for Spine Care and Research, the Southern California Sports Medicine Institute, the center for Wound Management and Hyperbaric Medicine, the Continent Ostomy Center, the Center for Geriatric Health, Refl ections and the Memory Institute.

Olympia Medical Center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about Olympia Medical Center, visit www.olympiamedicalcenter.com

SFACTOR: Changing One Woman At A Time

“S FACTOR EMPOWERS YOU TO FIND YOUR INNERSELF”

S FACTOR is the origional and most popular pole dancing and striptease workout design by a women for women.

Caroline Netzorg, manager of the Los Angeles studios, talks about how profoundly S Factor has changed her life. “I had a friend who kept on talking about S Factor, but at the time I didn’t really understand how a class could change so much. So I fi nally decided to take a class and that was it. They had me for life.” “When I think of how S Factor changed my life and how I see it change every women, my eyes start to welled up with tears,” states Caroline.

“We get a wide demographics of women; moms, divorcee, cancer patients, wives, powerful career women, and some of them are emotionally beaten and tired,” acknowledges Caroline. ” When you walk into a classroom, you realize that everyone there honors, respects and supports you no matter where you are in life.” “Many of us wear a mask to keep up with society’s standard of what type of woman you are. S Factor empowers you to fi nd the purity of your inner self,” reveals Caroline.

“What makes me happy is that these women have no idea how S Factor will change them internally, mentally, and of course physically,” confesses Caroline.” I notice that fear, sadness, stress, is all replace with laughter, energy, and self confi dence. It is an incredible transformation.” “I always wore work out pants when I started dancing at S Factor,” laughs Caroline. “I didn’t own a pair of shorts because I hated my legs.” “After the fi rst six months at S Factor, I started to become aware of my body. I have ankles?” She remembers asking herself, “I realized that I own my body with no excuses!” proclaims Caroline.

“Give yourself the gift of empowerment, support, love and movement. It will change you physically but more importantly transform you into the inner Goddess you have in you,” is what Caroline wants to broadcast to every woman in the world.

Ask Dr. Dreyfus

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, A MARRIAGE, FAMILY, CHILD THERAPIST, AND CERTIFIED SEX THERAPIST DR. EDWARD A. DREYFUS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Dear Dr. Dreyfus:
I’ve been separated for 4 years and divorced for 2. My husband had an affair after 8 years of marriage and we tried to work it out and lived together for 21 years after the affair. I don’t think that I ever forgave him. He suggested we have no more contact and haven’t for the last six months. I found out this weekend that he is intimate with someone else. Why can’t I let go? I’m depressed and just want to cry.

Dr. Dreyfus answers: One of the most diffi cult experiences for people to endure is betrayal by a spouse. When a spouse has an affair, he or she violates the intimate bond and trust that is the foundation of a relationship. The affect on the betrayed spouse can feel devastating, often undermining his or her selfesteem. The magnitude of the reaction to the betrayal will depend in large measure upon the ego strength and self-esteem of the person who was betrayed.

Of course, there will be anger, hurt, and resentment. If the person has a high self-esteem and is able to confront the betrayer with his or her infi delity expressing the anger and hurt and receiving sincerely delivered act of contrition and apology with a request for forgiveness, it is often possible for couples to move on and develop a stronger relationship than they previously had. Forgiveness is essential for one to move on.

In your situation, it appears that you have not completely dealt with your ex-husband’s infi delity and what it meant to you personally. Apparently you have interpreted his affair as refl ecting something negative about you, leaving you perceiving yourself in an inferior or less than position. I would strongly recommend that you seek the help of a licensed mental health professional to help you sort through your feelings so that you can move on with your life in a healthy and productive way.

Dr. Edward A. Dreyfus is a Clinical Psychologist, a Marriage, Family, Child Therapist, and a Certifi ed Sex Therapist. Questions? E-mail Dr. Dreyfus at ead@ docdreyfus.com or call 310-208- 5700. You can visit his website at www.docdreyfus.com as well as his blog at www.psychologicallyspeaking. net.

Staying Hydraded & Healthy

SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S MIND, BODY, AND SOUL By Catalina Spada

TAKE IT SLOW, DRINK LOTS OF WATER, TO KEEP HOT-WEATHER WORKOUTS SAFE By Anne Harding

The best strategy for keeping up your exercise routine as the temperature climbs is, in a nutshell, acclimatization, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) advises.

On the fi rst hot days of summer, exercisers should cut back on the intensity of their outdoor workout, Brendon McDermott, an athletic trainer at the University of Connecticut, told Reuters Health. Once they’ve gotten used to the heat, they can gradually begin to exercise more strenuously. “Somebody who’s in shape will acclimatize more easily,” McDermott added in an interview. “But if somebody is in shape, it doesn’t necessarily make them immune” to heat-related problems.

NATA urges proper hydration before and during outside activity, and says that dark urine is a quick indicator of dehydration. Not getting enough rest between bouts of exercise can increase the risk of conditions like heat exhaustion, McDermott noted, while new research shows that getting enough sleep is also key to coping with hot weather. Lack of sleep stresses the body’s thermoregulatory systems, he explained, making it more diffi cult for people to handle the heat.

Heat exhaustion is the most common type of heat-related ailment that occurs among exercisers, he said, and it occurs when a person loses too much fl uid or sodium in the heat. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness and loss of coordination; pale skin; profuse sweating; nausea, vomiting, stomach and intestinal cramps, and diarrhea; and muscle cramps that don’t go away.

Heat exhaustion can progress to exertional heat stroke, which can be fatal. People with symptoms of heat exhaustion should lie down with their feet up in a cool, shady spot and drink fluids.

T2U: “THE AUTHENTIC GREEN TEA”

A few cups of green tea each day may help prevent heart disease, researchers recently reported.

A STUDY published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation showed further evidence of the potential health benefi ts from a brew already linked to a reduced risk of a range of cancers and other conditions. The study showed that green tea improves blood fl ow and the ability of arteries to relax, researchers said. Selecting only the fi nest tea leaves grown in 2300 ft. high and environmentally clean regions, T2U, “The Authentic Green Tea,” utilizes the freshest fi rst crop of green tea leaves hand picked in April of each year.

The beverage comes in three different fl avors: Original, Citron and Pomegranate. T2U Organic Green Tea provides a natural way to slim down. The powerful anti-oxidant, EGCG, in T2U Green Tea helps to boost your metabolism to burn unwanted calories much more effectively. With no sugar and zero calories slimming down is easier and healthier than ever with T2U organic green tea. With 3 times more vitamin C than lemon, T2U Citron Green Tea helps to boost your immune system for healthier body. With the thirst quenching T2U Citron Green Tea, staying healthy is now effortless!

Pomegranate juice contains powerful anti-oxidant that reduces the effect of aging. When blended with green tea, this effect doubles to provide maximum benefi t. With the natural sweet and tangy fl avors of T2U Pomegranate Green Tea, discover the new “Fountain of Youth!” For more info visit www.drinkt2u.com.

Metabella Pilates

SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S MIND, BODY, AND SOUL By Catalina Spada

JOY DIPALMA AND ERIN MCFARLAND have spent years training celebrities, keeping them fi t and getting them ready for whatever their latest role may require.

Metabella Pilates is more than just a Pilates studio, it is a healthy lifestyle choice. After your private Pilates class, you are offered acupuncture treatments to help release stress, followed by a luxurious massage, then your own private chef freshly prepares a delicious meal!

Natalie Pierre is the owner and the brains behind this brilliant operation. “Metabella means beyond beauty and that is exactly what I have created,” pronounces Pierre. “I wanted to create an environment that monitors each individual’s health, nutrition, and their stress levels.” The remarkable services that Metabella offers is a product of the meticulous attention to detail. The Pilates classes can be private or as a group, yet it never fails to create body awareness in each individual. It is accessible to a variety of people, including cancer patients, pregnant women and elderly and injured students.

“We provide a safe, supporting environment in order to focus on each student’s physical needs,” states Pierre. The most exhilarating concept of Metabella is the way you feel after walking out of the studio. After an intense work out, a detoxing session with the acupuncturist, a deep tissue massage, ending with a delicious healthy southern meal, you are glowing. All of Metabella’s chefs cook healthy meals but they differentiate in fi ve cuisine styles. “We have Laura Rabin, specializing in vegan and raw food. Chef Roberta Scardon on healthy Southern Comfort food. Chef Paul is a fantastic chef who can cook all sorts of cuisine.” “I hired Chef Andrea who focuses on an Alkaline diet so that cancer, aids and diabetes student can regulate their PH levels more accurately,” reveals Pierre.

She also employs a massage therapist who specializes in deep tissue, Swedish and prenatal. “The cranial sacral unwinding massage is more of a metaphysical massage, targeting emotional trauma in your muscles,” explains Pierre. Offering more than anyone can imagine, Metabella targets your needs by creating an environment that is nourishing to your body, mind, and soul. On a personal note, Natalie Pierre is one of the most caring individuals I have ever met. She is also highly trained and skilled - all this - combined with her extremely fl exible schedule - lead to a brilliant experience.

Metabella Pilates is located at 4301 Barham Blvd, #2, in Studio City. Call 310- 402-8813 to schedule an appointment. For more info visit their web site:

Just Do It

CELEBRITY TRAINERS JOIN FORCES TO CREATE A TOP NOTCH WORKOUT PROGRAM By Mark Ariel

JOY DIPALMA AND ERIN MCFARLAND have spent years training celebrities, keeping them fi t and getting them ready for whatever their latest role may require.

Through their television appearances, they have been able to reach a wider audience, getting thei prescription for a healthy lifestyle into living rooms across America. They recently joined forces to create Core Conditioning CrossFit (CCC) - the fi rst workout program of its kind in Los Angeles. CCC combines every aspect of training: cardio, strength, fl exibility, core, stability, and interval conditioning with principles of CrossFit and Bootcamp. It will get you in the best shape of your life - feeling great - with maximum results in half the time of conventional workouts.

“We currently have clients off all ages, sizes, with different abilities or disabilities, and at various fi tness levels. If some exercises seem too advanced or too simple for certain clients we offer several different variations of the particular exercise to keep everyone involved,” explains McFarland. “We keep out classes smaller to give each student personalized training.” “Our program will not only build lean muscle and tone, but the client will defi nitely notice a weight loss. Our clients start noticing changes within the fi rst few sessions. They just feel good; they have more energy and confi dence, and their clothes are fi t better,” says DiPalma.

“Throughout the sessions we answer questions our clients may have about diet. We encourage them to write a food diary and submit it to us. We can then give them suggestions on how to get the most out of their calories or any changes with think they should make,” explains McFarland. Each session, offering a total of 40 classes, Monday-Friday morning and evening, is $299. You can attend as many classes as you’d like during each 4-week session. Classes are outdoors at Pan Pacifi c Park.

For more info call Erin at 310- 600-9826 (www.erinmcfarland. com) or Joy at 310-722-8014 (www.trainerjoy.com).

The LA Baby Fertility Agency

“REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE IS BECOMING MORE COMPLEX, AND HOSPITALS CAN NO LONGER HANDLE IT ALL. THAT’S WHY FERTILITY AGENCIES ARE NECESSARY” By Patrick Tsakuda

The LA Baby Fertility Agency was established in Los Angeles in response to a growing medical need in countries around the world. LA Baby has dealt with a wide variety of infertility cases. Here are a few examples of assistance extended to those dealing with fertility issues. “A woman facing diffi culty conceiving, living in a rural area in a less developed country, contacted the agency,” reveals LA Baby Fertility Agency program coordinator George Okagaki. “We referred her to treatment facilities in a more technically advanced country, with a more reliable legal structure and a solid history of treatment with the newest technologies… Ours is a mission of hope that shines a ray of light into the lives of women who have given up on ever giving birth to a child,” says Okagaki.

Another example, reveals Okagaki, was “a woman in her forties who was told to abandon hope by everyone she consulted in the United States, where she was not even considered a candidate for General IVF. We recommended she undergo a program of fertility treatment in Japan, and as a result she conceived and gave birth.” “Our agency,” Okagaki explains, “coordinates such programs because we have high hopes for the kinds of remarkable results that have come out of Japan’s sophisticated medical technology and the exhaustive research that Japanese scientists have conducted on age-related infertility. The woman I mentioned earlier gave her newborn son the Japanese name ‘Yamato,’ and she is fi lled with hope for the future.”

“In yet another case,” says Okagaki, “we were consulted by a couple whose hobby was surfi ng. The wife, who loved the ocean, was troubled by her experiences with fertility treatment. We introduced her to a fertility clinic in Hawaii with which we have a close relationship, and she became pregnant as a result. Did her treatment succeed because she was able to follow the course of treatment surrounded by the ocean she loved? Or was it because she was able to achieve a calm state of mind? Both of these issues may have played a part in her success,” Okagaki reveals. “Once we were contacted by a woman in Los Angeles who had undergone fertility treatment without success. Listening to her story, we learned she had been born and brought up in New York and had been experiencing a lot of stress since moving to Los Angeles 10 years prior… I immediately introduced her to a reliable fertility clinic in New York and arranged to have the backup tests performed at a hospital in Los Angeles where her present life was based,” Okagaki explains.

“Another distraught patient came to us saying she was seeking an egg donor in Japan. She had hoped to follow a donor program in the United States, where medical technology and the legal system are both sound and well developed, but she had been unable to fi nd a donor and didn’t know what to do. I searched for and found a fertility treatment facility, an attorney, and egg donor for the woman and coordinated her treatment so it could be carried out in accordance with U.S. law,” says Okagaki. According to the staff at The LA Baby Fertility Agency - there should be no barriers to treatment. “There must be a way to overcome the walls that stand in one’s way,” says Okagaki. “At LA Baby, we search for such a way together with the patient.”

For more info contact please contact The LA Baby Fertility Agency at 310-775-9320.

Summer Slim Down

YOUNGYOU REJUVENATION CENTER’S TOP WEIGHT LOSS AND BEAUTY OPTIONS By Susan Meyer

Worried about excess body weight? Especially now, during the summer season? Don’t fret - help is on the way! Here are a few services and products that will help you slim down.

1One popular option is Endermologie, a cutting-edge non-evasive treatment guaranteed to slim down fatty tissues and reduce cellulite while re-establishing your skins natural fi rmness. The treatment, offered at the beautiful and luxurious YoungYou Rejuvenation Center in Tarzana, acts on the core of the fat cell through mechanotransduction to trigger lipolysis and release trapped fat tissue.

The highly trained professionals at YoungYou perform meticulous evaluations and contour your treatment program to best help you achieve the fi gure you desire. 2A high quality weight loss supplement is a must for anyone seeking to shed those extra pounds. YoungYou has developed a unique weight loss formula, clinically proven to help you lose weight fast. One Weight Loss Pill is an all-herbal supplement designed to help you lose 30 pounds or more by stimulating your body to increase its natural rate of metabolism while promoting a decrease in your daily caloric intake. One Weight Loss Pill is a necessary addition to any serious weight loss regimen.

3As you start dropping those excess pounds - you want to make sure you’re skin is radiant and youthful. YoungYou provides vitalizing facial treatments, performed by L.A.’s top estheticians, giving you instantly younger, radiant skin. From the simplest, oxygenating European facial to the world’s most luxurious 24k Gold Facial, YoungYou will take years off of your skin in just minutes. Remove sun-damaged skin and lessen scars pigmentation with Microdermabrasion, or experience the most soothing waxing treatment available with Perron Rigot French Wax. Offering an impressive array of skin care products from reviving anti-wrinkle facial creams to invigorating facial masks, YoungYou brings professional grade skin care into your home with the Selvert skin care line, imported directly from Switzerland.

To learn more about YoungYou Rejuvenation Center’s unique products and services - visit their web site at www.youngyourejuvenation. com or call 818-344-3344.

Botox Versus Dysport

FDA APPROVES NEW WRINKLE TREATMENT. DYSPORT TENDS TO By Dr. Nathan Newman WORK FASTER BUT MAY NOT LAST AS LONG AS BOTOX IF NOT DOSED CORRECTLY

Nearly 2.5 million Americans had Botox injections in 2008 for cosmetic reasons. The FDA has ended the longstanding monopoly of Botox (botulinum toxin type A) by approving the European made Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) for both cosmetic and therapeutic use in the United States. Dysport (formerly known as Reloxin) is made from the same active ingredient as Botox, Clostridium botulinim toxin type A.

Unlike fi llers, these botulinum toxin products temporarily prevent the action of the muscles of expression that cause the lines, creases and wrinkles on the face. The most common areas for treatment include the frown lines, forehead wrinkles, the crow’s feet around the eyes, the rabbit lines on the nose, the creases on the upper lips, and the chin groove. Advanced techniques in use of Botox can help shape the eyebrows, the nose, the chin and even improve the turkey neck effect caused by the neck muscles. Like Botox, Dysport is administered via an injection at the site of the muscle of expression that is targeted for treatment. Clinical trials comparing these products have shown that at a four to one ratio Dysport to Botox is necessary to achieve similar results.

Dysport tends to work faster but may not last as long as Botox if not dosed correctly. The cost difference will be dependant on the unit ratio as Botox and Dysport units are not equal in strength and duration. The cost of these products will not change much in the near future, as the companies have priced these products at competitive rates. The most common side effects of Dysport are nose and throat irritation, headache, pain and skin reaction at the injection site, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling or drooping, sinus infl ammation, and nausea. Although, cosmetic surgeons in the United States now can give you an alternative to Botox, the patient should be cautioned to have Dysport injected by a doctor that is well versed in the use of and the differences in Dysport and Botox.

Dr. Nathan N e w m a n is a worldrenowned c o s m e t i c s u r g e o n in Beverly Hills who is at the forefront of scar free face, neck and body lifts. He has been interviewed on news TV, radio ands published in prestigious medical journals. Dr. Newman’s belief in and practice of medicine in the time-honored tradition of caring and compassion for his patients along with his vast experience, artistic talent and expertise in cosmetic surgery is a rare combination and a treasure for any patient. To schedule a consultation for your individualized treatment plan call 310-273-3344 or e-mail to info@orchidsurgery.com.

Health Care For All

President Barack Obama said last month he fi rmly believed that a government- run health insurance plan “made sense” in a broader overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system and private insurers should fi nd ways to compete for clients. But Obama declined to answer a direct question on whether he would veto any healthcare legislation that did not include a public plan option, saying it was too early in the process to “draw lines in the sand.”

“A public plan is in an important tool to discipline insurance companies,” Obama told a news conference. “I think there is going to be some healthy debate about the shape that this takes.” Republicans and private insurance companies have raised concerns over a public health plan, arguing that it would lead to a government takeover of the entire U.S. healthcare system and drive private insurance companies out of business.

Democrats, who are developing healthcare reform legislation in Congress, hope to keep a public option in the bill but have also suggested that non-profi t medical cooperatives could be formed to compete with insurers. Obama said a governmentrun plan could help to drive effi - ciencies throughout the system. “If it turns out that the public plan, for example, is able to reduce administrative costs signifi - cantly, then I’d like the insurance companies to take note,” he said.

“That’s good for everybody in the system.” He added that he did not accept insurers’ arguments that they would be unable to compete with a government-run plan. “If what the insurance companies are saying is true, that they are doing their best to serve their customers … they should be able to compete,” he said.

Obama opened his news conference saying he was confident over the progress being made on healthcare reform in Congress, which he hopes will send him a bill by the end of the year. He repeated his vow not to allow healthcare reform - which early estimates could cost in excess of $1.6 trillion - would not add to the record defi cits the United States already faces.

“It will not add to our deficits over the next decade. We will find the money through savings and efficiencies within the health care system, some of which we’ve already announced,” Obama said in prepared remarks. “When it comes to health care, the status quo is unsustainable. Reform is not a luxury, it is a necessity. And so I hope that Congress will continue to make significant progress on this issue in the weeks ahead,” he said.

Overcoming Boomeritis

Fifty may be the new thirty, but baby boomers’ bodies haven’t heard the news.

Orthopedic surgeons are seeing a “tidal wave” of 45-to 64-year-olds suffering from exercise-related injuries they’ve dubbed “boomeritis,” Dr. Ray Monto, a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), told Reuters Health.

Exercise- and exercise equipment-related injuries sent more than 166,000 people in this age group to the emergency room, clinic or doctor’s office in 2008, according to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission.

These injuries are largely due to people not giving themselves enough time to rest up after tough workouts, according to Monto, an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. “You can’t beat yourself up the way you did when you were 20 because it takes longer to recover,” he said.

Middle-aged people today are a lot more active than their parents were, he added, which is a good thing. “We’re basically fitter and more athletic now longer into our lives than we ever were.”

But, he added, older athletes need to take a few precautions to protect themselves from injuries like rotator cuff tears, tendonitis and stress fractures. Monto and AAOS offer the following tips:

Get a doctor’s OK. Check with your physician before starting any type of exercise program. This is especially important if you’ve sustained athletic injuries in the past. Your doctor can make sure your heart is healthy, and offer advice on sports and activities that fit your fitness level.

Mix it up. Don’t do the same workout day after day. “The problem is not running or biking, it’s doing everything every day,”

Monto said. For example, instead of running 5 miles every day, an older athlete could try logging 8 miles every other day, and doing something completely different on the days in between.

Work on your flexibility. Monto said he’s increasingly recommending that his older patients take up yoga. And it’s crucial to stretch and warm up before a workout, and cool down and stretch again, the AAOS advises.

Feed your body. Eat well and take calcium and vitamin D supplements daily to keep your muscles and bones healthy.

Get some tips. Taking lessons in your sport of choice can help improve your form and reduce your injury risk.

Stay balanced. Make sure your exercise regimen includes a mix of cardiorespiratory workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Give it a rest. After a particularly tough workout, give yourself a couple of days to recover, and be sure to schedule days off into your exercise regimen.

Mark Ariel
Editor-In-Chief