One way to reduce poor posture is to move around periodically, whether that means standing up, marching in place, walking to refill a water bottle, or taking a quick lap around the office or home. “These short movement breaks promote circulation, stimulate the muscles and joints, and help maintain awareness of body position throughout the day,” Moldoff said.

A rule of thumb: spend at least two minutes on your feet every hour, Moldoff continued, noting that “even brief movement breaks can be beneficial” for posture.

Read the full article at health.com.

Compression socks are specialized garments designed to improve circulation, reduce swelling, and support the lower legs—but the right pair depends entirely on your needs and your daily routine.

“Compression socks gently squeeze the legs, with the most pressure at the ankle and gradually less as the sock moves upward,” said Moldoff. “This helps blood and fluid move back toward the heart instead of pooling in the lower legs.” (These graduated compression styles are generally recommended over ones that supply a uniform squeeze throughout the sock.)

By boosting circulation, these specialty socks can limit fluid buildup, reduce swelling, and even decrease fatigue, added Moldoff—“especially during periods of prolonged sitting, standing, or recovery.”

That may sound like a no-brainer for anyone with circulation issues, but compression socks are not for everyone: Moldoff warns they may not be appropriate for people with certain conditions, including severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and severe heart failure, as the pressure can cut off already‑limited blood flow in PAD or overload a weakened heart in heart failure. They’re also a bad idea for anyone with active skin infections or open wounds, significant numbness or loss of sensation in the legs, or fragile skin prone to tearing. So the bottom line is to check in with your doctor as to whether compression socks are right for you.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

It’s hard to overstate the benefits of frequent walks. While this form of exercise may not feel as impactful as a high-intensity workout or distance run, walking actually does wonders for the body.

In fact, people with chronic lower back pain and knee pain can benefit from a regular walking regimen, said Moldoff.

“It’s really been exciting more recently seeing a lot of new research coming out about how something as simple as walking can really be an exceptional exercise, when done properly,” he said.

To Moldoff, “done properly” means getting 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. This equates to at least 30 minutes of walking, five days a week — and you should aim for 5,000 to 10,000 steps (or more) daily.

Read the full article at huffpost.com. 

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends acupuncture therapy—where thin needles are inserted into specific spots on the body—for both acute and chronic lower back pain before trying medication. (Lower back pain is considered acute if it eases in less than six weeks and chronic if it lasts for more than three months.) "It may relax overactive muscles, and increase blood flow into the region," says Tyler Moldoff, DPT, physical therapist at HSS. Medicare covers it for diagnosed chronic lower back pain.

The ACP suggests spinal manipulation therapy—where a chiropractor or physical therapist applies pressure to spinal joints or moves them past their normal range—for acute and chronic lower back discomfort before trying meds. "It releases gas and pressure in the joints, calming nearby muscles," explained Moldoff. Medicare covers this for subluxation (slightly misaligned vertebrae). Check with your doctor first; in some cases, it could temporarily worsen discomfort.

Read the full article at consumerreports.org.