Healthcare Matters

February 25th, 2010

Want Stronger Fingers? The Solution is Right at Your Fingertips

You’ve probably never seen this happen at your local gym.  You’re standing there between a bench press station and a squat machine.  Through your mind are running vacillating thoughts about trying to motivate yourself to do one of those exercises while trying to determine which if going to hurt worse tomorrow.  Past you walks a totally ripped stud, and you think to yourself, “What does that guy do to get to looking like that?”  Then you watch in amazement as he walks over to a small corner of the gym where there are no weights, not even something to hang from.  He pulls out his finger exerciser and goes to town.  His finger workout comes complete with heavy breathing and occasional loud gasps, as if he’s trying to impress the entire gym audience with the show he’s putting on.

Although I’ve seen a lot of strange people and habits at the gyms I’ve been to, that scene would probably be too far-fetched for anything I can imagine.  I’ve been teased for using the grip exerciser, so I can hardly see myself working out my fingers in public.  Oddly enough, there are perfectly legitimate reasons to build and maintain your finger muscles.  In fact, there are enough reasons for doing that kind of a workout that there are products dedicated to the cause.  If you think about it, our finger muscles may be the most used part of our bodies, especially if you type, play the piano, play tennis, and a whole host of other activities.  So while it may not make sense to include a finger lift in the World’s Strongest Man competition, there are some practical reasons for developing your finger muscles.

Cando has created a finger exerciser machine called the Digi-Extend.  Among its uses are improving finger strength by performing exercises that allow a user to isolate individual fingers during a workout.  It is also used to rehabilitate problems such as carpal tunnel, arthritis, stroke, fractures, tendon injury, nerve lacerations, tennis elbow and others.    The Cando Digi-Extend finger exerciser comes with a pamphlet that guides users through twelve different exercises aimed at accomplishing various goals related to gaining and maintaining health in the fingers.  Try them out for yourself and see what kind of a difference they make.

So while you probably won’t be the talk of the gym within weeks of putting your new finger exerciser to work, you’ll likely find improvement in your finger strength (after you get past the initial soreness) accompanied by related gains in performance when working with your hands.

Digi-Extend Exercises (from the Digi-Extend instruction manual)

February 24th, 2010

Grip Strength Is An Indicator of Overall Upper Body Strength

I recently had a customer ask whether we had any information on studies that show how grip strength is related to overall upper body strength.  Her organization was interested in simplifying their clinical tests by using a hand dynamometer to perform grip strength testing, and using the results to make projections about the test subjects’ upper body strength.

I found a study done by Doctor Gary Chimes from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey that had as its objective finding out what correlation, if any, existed between women’s hand grip strength and other measures of upper body strength. The study involved using a Jamar Hand Dynamometer to test grip strength, along with a Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer to measure rotational strength in the shoulder.

The conclusion reached in the study was that there is a significant correlation between grip strength as measured by a hand dynamometer and general upper body strength.  This means that for general applications, upper body strength testing can be simplified by testing a patient’s grip strength.  The study does carefully conclude that for applications that require a more precise evaluation of upper body strength, this simplification will not work.

February 22nd, 2010

Three Weight Loss Myths

Today’s culture has created an environment where everything is expected to be easy and instant.  The pursuit of immediate gratification has so permeated our society that patience, hard-work, and endurance are quickly becoming old fashioned.  If you don’t believe me, turn your attention to the weight loss industry.  Pills that guarantee remarkable weight loss success apparently still fool a lot of people, or you wouldn’t see them advertised so much.  Fad diets tend to put their patrons on up and down roller coasters as people make fickle commitments to eating a certain way, then lose interest within a few months.  The fact that there is so much demand for weight loss, a term that was probably unheard of in our society’s less developed age, shows that there has certainly been a shift in priorities and perspective over the past hundred plus years.

If you’re one of the unfortunate souls who has a need to lose weight, it’s easy to get sucked into the hype surrounding this diet or that pill.  For wealthier fat folks, there are even surgeries you can undergo to attempt to circumvent natural effects of not exercising discipline and abdicate the responsibility you have to take care of your body.  In light of all of this, there are some concrete principles you can apply, and it’s also helpful to know what is fact about losing weight, and what myths are circulating.  If you’re going to contribute your portion to the nearly $50 Billion spent on weight loss each year, you probably should educate yourself on the tried and true techniques for reclaiming your body.

Myth 1:  Diet Pills Are Good Ideas
Consider this regarding weight control.  Obesity is typically the manifestation of a problem that goes deeper than simply overeating or under-exercising.  It is an overall lack of discipline, ultimately a combination of choices that lead away from health and towards indulgence.  A pill isn’t going to purge a person of a tendency towards indulging and miraculously inspire self-control.  It may temporarily alter your psyche and make you feel full or have some other short-lived effect, but a more permanent change of conduct and long term investment in being healthy requires more commitment than a bottle of fifty or so tablets.

Myth 2:  The Faster it Comes Off the Better
If you have some significant pounds to shed, you’re better off using the tortoise approach if you want to keep off the weight and maintain health in losing weight.  You may have noticed people like Oprah Winfrey manifest drastic swings in weight.  Their apparent energy for quickly losing weight is only matched by the same zeal in putting the weight back on, usually with a few extra pounds for insurance.

I can attest to how quickly weight can be put back on.  I wrestled in high school.  For one particular event, I weighed in six pounds too much for the weight class I was wrestling in.  I had two hours to drop six pounds.  Using a combination of tactics, the most “effective” of which was running around the gym for over an hour in four layers of clothing, I was able to barely get my weight down to 152 pounds from 158.  Later that evening, when the tournament was over, I seized the opportunity to put the weight back on.  Over the next day and a half, I was back up to almost 160 pounds.

Experts recommend losing not more than 2-3 pounds per week. Many think that 1-2 pounds per week is the healthiest pace.  Don’t use this restriction as a way to put off losing weight at all, though.  The trick is to be seeing pounds steadily melt off and body fat percentage decreasing.

Myth 3:  Your Weight is the Best Indicator of Your Progress
I’ve always been considered overweight according to the body mass index guidelines, because I’m 5′9″, and I weigh 195 pounds.  I’ll admit I do have a little more around my waist than I want, but my body fat percentage typically falls around 15%, which is considered healthy.  My ultimate goal has been to weigh about 200 pounds and have a body fat percentage of 12%.  Measuring your body fat percentage is easy using some of the popular body fat analyzers available today.  Although it does feel good to see the numbers go down on a weight scale, it’s better to focus on your overall health by using a body fat caliper or one of the other body fat measuring tools to see where you stand.  A good idea to change your perspective on the focus of “weight loss” is to think of it as more a “fat loss” initiative.

Weight Loss Objective:  Health
The ultimate objective of fat loss is to overcome what’s may be causing you to have less energy, worse health, and a loss of self-esteem due to the ugly nature of excess fat.  In reality, fat loss and weight control is a part of a larger picture:  lifestyle control.  Battling weight problems in common to the majority of Americans, who live in an era indulgent.  Understanding that weight control is a matter of managing calories out against calories in and not getting caught up in the hype is a good start to improving your health and lifestyle.

February 17th, 2010

Dexterity Testing

Dexterity testing products examine a person’s motor skills with regards to the fingers, hands, and arms.  Various tests exists to measure such performance abilities as eye-hand coordination, quickness at performing assembly tasks, and overall motor skill development.  Dexterity tests are used in assessing progress when doing physical and occupational rehabilitation , screening applicants for necessary job skills, and evaluating the extent of an injury or other disability.

Most tests for dexterity naturally involve the use of some combination of fingers on both hands to follow some designated testing procedure, such as placing pegs into a pegboard.  Some dexterity tests check for the subject’s ability to use not only the hands, but also test arms and shoulders more extensively as well.

A few standard testing procedures have established the accepted norms for measuring dexterity.  They include the Purdue Pegboard Test, the Minnesota Dexterity Test, the O’Connor Fingers and Tweezers Tests, and the Roeder Manipulative Aptitude Test.  In addition to these tests, others tests exist which measure coordination skills related to specific job functions.

Purdue Pegboard Test

The Purdure Pegboard Test was developed by an industrial psychologist at Purdue University to examine the capability of applicants to perform industrial jobs.  This test provides a few different testing setups and procedures, and can be adapted to specific testing needs.  Tests performed using the Purdue Pegboard Test setup include removing pins from a tray and placing them into a pegboard.  Another part of the Purdue Test involves assembling a combination of pins, washers, and collars.  Testing is usually timed for both of these test setups so that the results show both the quickness and accuracy of the subject in performing the dexterity tasks.

Minnesota Dexterity Test

This test has two versions, the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT) and the Complete Minnesota Dexterity Test (CMDT).  Both tests measure eye-hand coordination.  The tests involve having test subjects perform dexterity movements using disks.   The CMDT includes five different tests in the entire test battery, which makes it more accomodating to testing a wider spectrum of dexterity metrics.

O’Connor Fingers and Tweezers Tests

The O’Connor tests are used for testing more precise movements of the fingers.  The finger test requires the subject to place pins in holes, a setup similar to the Purdue Pegboard Test.  The O’Connor Tweezers Test requires the testee to use a pair of tweezers to perform the pin placement.  The O’Connor tests are generally used to determine the aptitude of someone being considered for an assembly job such as sewing.

Roeder Manipulative Aptitude Test

This test assesses a person’s ability to assemble and sort objects.  The test apparatus includes a performance board, rods with threaded ends, along with nuts, washers, and caps.  The rods can be screwed into sockets on a performance board.  Testing involves various sorting sequences as well as assembly testing.  Test subjects are timed as they perform sequences of sorting and assembly the rods, washers, caps, and nuts on the performance board.   The Roeder test setup can be used for a range of skills assessment.

Job Specific Dexterity Testing

Other tests have been invented to check a person’s skills for a particular test or to understand progress made by rehabilitation.  A hand tool dexterity test exists to examine a subject’s proficiency with mechanical tools, such as wrenches, and screwdrivers.  There are other tests available that allow applicant screening and rehabilitation professionals to measure people’s ability to function in many different capacities.  Wherever there is a widespread to evaluate someone’s performance with regard to a job function, there is likely a dexterity test available.

Some General Guidelines for Performing Dexterity Tests
Although the various dexterity tests are somewhat extensible and can be used for many particular testing needs, it is strongly suggested that the testing be correlated with the job function or skill for which the testing is intended.  Otherwise, the test results are meaningless.

The tests described above have become widely accepted because they use well-defined, systematic testing procedures.  The core focus of dexterity testing is to normalize the results of the tests to understand what level of performance should be expected of a subject, allowing the test to rate a test result and compare it to a standard.

Technorati Code:  GP7SFNMTXDXZ

February 4th, 2010

Purdue Pegboard Manual Dexterity Test

The Purdue Pegboard Manual test was invented in 1948 by Joseph Tiffin, an Industrial Psychologist at Purdue University.  The test was developed to determine the capability of potential employees to perform industrial tasks.  Since its invention, use of the Purdue Pegboard Dexterity Test has extended to applications such as testing for brain damage, diagnosing learning disabilities, assessing vocational rehabilitation needs, and testing people with dyslexia.  The most common use of the test is to evaluate people applying for such jobs as production and assembly, maintenance, and sewing machine operation.

Test material for performing the Purdue Pegboard Test

Read the rest of this entry »

January 28th, 2010

Are You Flexible?

Every time I’ve been to a Yoga class with my wife I almost get laughed out of the building when she watches me attempt to fold myself into the shapes that apparently my muscles and joints don’t agree with.  The years of heavy lifting, wrestling, football, and their accompanying injuries have taken a toll on my ability to reach around my back or even touch my toes with my legs straight.  I’ve often wondered if there is some way to test just how poor my flexibility is. It turns out there are quite a few methods available to see how you score.  If you want to improve your flexibility, there are some useful measurements you can take to see what incremental gains you’ve made as you work on your flexibility.

With flexibility as with many things, you have to start somewhere.

Flexibility Testing

The term flexibility refers to a person’s ability to move a joint through a range of motion.  It makes sense that the most common and easiest test of one’s flexibility is to use a device, such as a goniometer, to determine the range of motion of a person’s joint.  Range of motion tests using goniometers are used to test active motions, wherein a person flexes his muscles to the limits of the joint range, as well as passive motions, in which a therapist or other person moves the joint through its range of motion and measures the result.

Measuring the range of motion in a shoulder joint.

Many different tests exist for measuring the various ranges of motion for joints such as the neck, shoulders, elbows, fingers, knees, etc.  There are many different processes and methodologies that have been created to establish range of motion norms.  Most studies involve using a goniometer or inclinometer.  Some use Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) or other more technical devices to check flexibility in a joint.

Another popular test of flexibility is the sit and reach test, which measures the flexibility of one’s hips, lower back, and hamstrings together.  The sit and reach test is normally done using a sit and reach box, which has scales printed on the top to show how far you can stretch.  You sit flat on the ground with your legs extended outward.  Your legs should be locked straight.  If they’re bent, you’re cheating.  You then bend over at the waist in a smooth, controlled motion (no jerking forward) and reach as far as you can along the box.  On the sit and reach box pictured below, there is a marker that you push with your fingers.   A standard for flexibility has been established, measured in centimeters.  For an adult male, a score of 17cm or higher is considered excellent.  6cm to 16 cm is considered average.  0cm to 5cm is average.  Anything below zero means you really need to work on your flexibility.  For women, a score of 21cm or higher is excellent.  11cm to 20cm is above average.  1cm to 10 cm is average.  Anything less than 0cm means you need work.  As you can see from those standards, women are expected to be a bit more flexible than men.

Sit and Reach Box Flexibility Testing

Flexibility:  A Pursuit

Chances are you already have a good feel for whether your flexibility level is healthy or not.  You probably don’t even need to go to a Yoga class to determine that you are underperforming (in my case).  The good news is that flexibility can be improved through exercise and concentrated effort.  Improving your flexibility has been shown to produce an overall increase in health and wellness.  Even if you have to start with a five minute program when you get out of bed in the morning, pursuing a more flexible you is a worthwhile goal.

Can just anyone become a human pretzel?

January 28th, 2010

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a disease that affects the muscles in a person’s wrist and hand.  It results from the prolonged compression of a nerve in the wrist called the median nerve.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (often referred to simply as Carpal Tunnel) weakens the muscles in the hands and causes numbness in the hands and fingers.  The earliest symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is a faint pain in the hand, wrist, and forearm.  The pain becomes gradually more severe and other symptoms develop as the condition worsens.

Why is it Called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a canal in the wrist through which the median nerve passes.  When the carpal tunnel becomes compress or its contents (which include nine different tendons that operate the hand) swell, the median nerve is affected and carpal tunnel syndrome results.

What Factors Contribute to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The exact cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not very well understood, because there is no distinct cause and effect correlation in CTS patients.  There are many conditions that have been found to contribute to the development of CTS, including traumatic injury, pregnancy, arthritis, and problems with growth glands.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has been found to be most often tied to genetics.  The conditions that create the environment in which the median nerve is compressed appear to be hereditary.  With regard to occupation and habit, there is an ongoing discussion about whether repetitive motions (such as typing) can cause CTS.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates work environments in attempt to reduce the probability of work-related incidents of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but other experts (American Society for Surgery of the Hand – ASSH) suggest that there is no concrete causal relationship between performing repetitive work tasks and being diagnosed with CTS.  Despite the ASSH’s assessment, there is clear evidence that the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is common among people who have the genetic disposition towards the disease and whose habits promote its development.

Do I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Diagnosis of CTS is done by performing electromyography (EMG) scanning, which tests the electrical properties of the cells of the muscles.  People who feel they may have CTS can take clinical tests, including the Phalen’s maneuver, Tinel’s sign, and the Durkan test, that allow physicians to elicit symptoms of the disease by flexing the wrist to evaluate numbness or by applying pressure to check for irritated nerves.  A person who tests positive on an EMG exam and to one or more of the clinical tests is very likely to have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The ultimate treatment for persistent cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is surgery.  Other less expensive and less severe treatments include immobilizing braces, hand stretch exercisers, medication (such as injection with a localized steroid), and rehabilitative therapy.  Changes in work environment to improve ergonomics associated with performing a job are often included as part of the solution.

January 14th, 2010

Becoming a Physical Therapist

Those of us who have played competitive sports have likely suffered sports injuries at one point or another.  I remember time spent in the training room year round as I participated in football in the fall, then wrestling in winter, then baseball and track in the spring.  I appreciate the many times I received treatments from college student trainers who taped my ankles, wrapped injured ribs, massaged a sore pitching arm, and helped with rehabilitating muscle injuries.  The support I received while playing high school sports came from people who were competent about what they were doing.  What all is involved in becoming a physical therapist?  Here’s the scoop.

Physical Therapists (or PTs) make a career out of helping people who have suffered injuries.  Some, like the ones I knew while playing high school sports,  focus on sports injuries.  Others, like my cousin Joe, work with elderly, helping them to keep their bodies functioning as they fight against the debilitating effects of aging.  There are other physical therapy specialties, including dealing with accident victims and working with patients struggling with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or other genetic disorders that affect physical functionality.

Unlike occupations such as nurses or doctors who work in emergency situations and often have to work awkward hours, the majority of physical therapists keep normal business working hours or at least hours that don’t spill too late into the night.  Many physical therapists work at hospitals or clinics where patients come to receive treatments and go through workouts.  Sports physical therapists often spend their time in weight rooms and other training facilities on campuses or sports complexes.  Physical therapists who deal with geriatric patients often make house visits, especially in cases where rehabilitation exercises don’t require weight sets or machinery best suited for a clinic setup.

Education
Most career  physical therapist jobs require at least a master’s degree.  Coursework includes technical classes in subjects such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, and human development.  Physical therapists are also required to have some background in math-intensive subjects such as statistics and physics.  Having a doctoral degree gives a physical therapist the opportunity for more flexibility and increased pay.

Besides obtaining the secondary education required to practice, physical therapists must also pass state licensing exams to be fully qualified as career physical therapists.  Like other professional service jobs, physical therapists must keep up with their industry by taking continuing education classes.  Continuing education classes can be selected among various specialized courses, physical therapists have a fair amount of flexibility with their on-going study pursuits.

Salary
The median salary for physical therapists in 2009 was just over $70,000.  The highest paid physical therapists make about $90,000 per year.  Of course, a physical therapist can increase his income substantially by opening his own clinic or taking on clients under his own business entity.

Job Satisfaction
According to US New and World Report, physical therapy as an occupation ranked second in job satisfaction behind only clergy in 2009.  Being a physical therapist offers the opportunity to control a lot about your work environment without taking on all the risk of being self-employed.  The combination of a fulfilling variety of tasks, good pay, and a consistent sense of accomplishment make physical therapy a career that pays in many ways.

If you enjoy understanding and developing the human body, you can work well with people, and you can handle six years or more of secondary education, you’re a good candidate for becoming a physical therapist.  You can further develop your interest by researching the physical therapy curriculum of  potential schools you might attend.  Hands on experience is very helpful, so you might try interviewing a professional physical therapist, or possibly spend a day shadowing one.

November 21st, 2009

Sports Injuries and Flexibility

Last weekend I was helping my uncle cut down some old trees in his front yard.  The trees were located right next to his home, and a few of the trees were leaning toward the home.  My role in cutting down the trees was supposed to be the easy part of the job.  We attached his truck to the top of each tree so that I could put tension on the tree, pulling it away from the house as my uncle cut the tree from the opposite side.  As I sat in the truck, I had to turn my head back to watch what was happening with the chainsaw work behind me.  I ran into problems as I found myself needing to keep my head turned around.  You see, I’ve had neck and back problems (stiffness and pain) since high school.  As I struggled to keep my head turned to see behind me, I became somewhat dizzy and my neck started to tighten up.  To relief the pressure, I’d have to occasionally turn my head back around for a few seconds at a time.

Although I’ve never had a diagnosis that was definitive (I’ve been to a few medical doctors and chiropractors), I’m positive the problems I’ve experienced with my neck are related to playing football (middle linebacker) and wrestling in high school.  Those days of indulging in a carefree sense of near immortality as a teenager have made it difficult nowadays to spend any length of time not being bothered by the pain and stiffness that have increased over the years.

My tree pulling experience reminded me of how significant an effect sports injuries have on a person’s flexibility.  I’ve never been a very flexible person. Some of the stiffness is likely caused by heredity.  However, I have noticed that the injuries I suffered by leading with my helmet when tackling, or having my neck and back stretched unnaturally during wrestling have made me increasingly inflexible.  There is a correlation between being inflexible and feeling pain (which many times is synonymous with stiffness).

Googling “sports injuries and flexibility” turns up plenty of information, including insightful studies, about the benefits of stretching with regard to preventing sports injuries.  It is widely understood that stretching out adequately to prepare for sports helps prevent muscle injuries.  On the other hand, damage to a person’s muscles obviously affects their ability to expand and contract normally, which means a reduction in flexibility.

How Can I Get My Flexibility Back?
A good place to start when working towards overcoming sports injuries and regaining flexibility is to create a benchmark for where you are currently.  The physical therapy products has no shortage for range of motion and flexibility testing.  There are accepted norms for the various joints and muscle systems that comprise the mobility of the human body.  For example, using a Cervical Range Of Motion (CROM) device, a doctor or physical therapist can determine how you compare to the accepted norm for flexibility in the neck.  You can use that benchmark as a starting point from which you can progress back towards the normal range of motion.  Following a workout regimen (which would likely include both stretching and strengthening exercises), you can make calculated progress towards full health.  Although it’s impossible to reach the level of health you would have if you’d avoided the injury in the first place, at least you can improve your existing circumstance, relieving the pain and giving you more mobility.  Using a flexibility testing device that’s relevant to your injury to measure your progress will motivate you to continue working toward full or nearly full recovery.

November 18th, 2009

Animated Medicine Ball Exercises

Ever wondered, “What the heck would I do with a medicine ball?”  They may seem like they have limited usefulness besides adding weight to your situps.  However, if you get creative about how to use a medicine ball in your workout, you might surprise yourself.  Also, if you are disciplined enough to follow an exercise program, it can catapult your ability to use medicine balls to a new level.  I always enjoy some type of visual help when learning an exercise.  Images are great, but videos work best.  Well, here is a listing, complete with animations, of several different workouts you can do to train upper and lower body muscle groups using a medicine ball.  Enjoy.

Medicine Ball Figure 8 Exercise

November 18th, 2009

What’s behind the new breast cancer screening recommendation?

The news has been buzzing about the recent change in recommendations for breast cancer screening.  The old guidelines suggested that women begin having mammograms beginning at age 40, and that they be screened once each year.  Now the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says that women should wait until they are 50 years old to begin breast cancer screening, and that they should only have an exam done every two years. Read the rest of this entry »

November 17th, 2009

Goniometer versus Inclinometer

I found a good article from a physical therapy clinic in Las Gatos, California that gives a good description of instruments used to measure range of motion.  Two of the most commonly used tools for measuring range of motion are the goniometer and the inclinometer. 

October 26th, 2009

Understanding Drop Foot

Foot Drop

Foot drop (also known as drop foot) refers to a disorder involving a person’s ankle and foot muscles.  A person with foot drop has limited control over the movement of the affected foot.  This lack of control over the muscles in the ankle and foot results in an altered gait.  Usually a person with foot drop will walk with an exaggerated high step, allowing the affected foot to slap down on the ground.  This is often referred to as Footdrop Gait. Read the rest of this entry »

October 23rd, 2009

Thera-Band Resistance Colors Sequence

The resistance bands we sell on ProHealthcareProducts.com is color coordinated using a patented color code sequence from Thera-Band.  The following products use the Thera-Band Colors Sequence:

• Cando Exercise Bands
• Cando Latex Free Exercise Bands
• Thera-Band Exercise Bands
• Thera-Band Latex Free Exercise Bands

Read the rest of this entry »

October 22nd, 2009

Understanding Your Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used indicator for health and fitness.  A person’s Body Mass Index is calculated by dividing a person’s weight (measured in kilograms) by their height (measured in meters) squared.  Read the rest of this entry »

October 21st, 2009

Will it Damage My Fingers if I Pop My Knuckles?

You’ve probably seen in a movie or cartoon a scene where a pianist preparing to play a masterpiece methodically laces together the fingers of  his two hands, then turns his hands outward from him and applies pressure to pop his knuckles.  Have you ever found yourself wondering this habit of popping one’s knuckles pushes a person down the path toward arthritis and related joint problems?  Read the rest of this entry »

October 17th, 2009

SoftFloors Flooring Calculator

To help you calculate the amount of SoftFloors flooring you’ll need, we’ve provided the following tool: