Ann Butenas

While doing my research for a host of issues related to bones and joints, it occurred to me a lot of information exists about arthritis, perhaps more than I am usually accustomed to reading. Is it ...

In my opinion, knee pain is probably one of the most common excuses people use to avoid participating in certain exercise endeavors. I know that in my circle of influence, many folks with whom I ...

Walk into most any pharmacy or big box store and peruse the vitamin and supplement aisle, and you can probably become completely overwhelmed, confused, and perhaps even frightened away. There is ...

In the past six months, I have been very good about restricting myself from what I consider to be my one vice: diet soda. I had a minor addiction to the elixir, but for more than one reason, all ...

My grandma, 106, is somewhat hunched over. That’s to be expected at her age, but this feisty “young woman” has a secret about that hump: all of her worries, frustrations, anxieties, and depressive ...

Ask some folks how they avoid running injuries, and their responses are pretty universal: “I just don’t run.” That may work for some individuals, but for people like myself who subscribe to ...

I began my running career when I was 12 years old, so I basically grew into the habit. As such, I never really gave too much thought to my running form. I figured if I looked horrible while out ...

Up until a few years ago, I was the type of person more inclined to appreciate the sound of my own whining and complaining. It felt good, and I certainly didn’t want everyone to think my life was ...

Although I know several individuals who experience arthritis pain on a daily basis, it is difficult for me to fully comprehend the depth of the pain and discomfort they are enduring. Sure, I have ...

As a semi-serious athlete, I suppose I could be accused on occasion of over-training. In the past 20 years, I have probably missed about five days of working out. I am either seriously dedicated ...

Sometimes I wish I could be like my 106-year-old grandmother who, as she so delicately puts it, “can eat anything, anywhere, at any time, cooked anyhow, with anyone, under any circumstances, ...

When you are ready for a night of passion and romance with your partner, the last thing you want to ruin the mood is the pain associated with arthritis. That can quickly put a damper on the ...

Nothing beats warm spring and summer days that just beg you to sit back, relax, and ditch the heels and uncomfortable career footwear in favor of the barefoot look or at least a pair of ...

I admit that I do harbor some guilt when I am on my daily runs. No, I don’t feel guilty because I just ate a jelly doughnut and am viciously trying to shave those calories off my hips before they ...

I used to think that an ankle sprain or strain was really not a big deal. I have occasionally twisted my ankle over the years doing something mindless, such as stepping into a small ditch in the ...

If you have been keeping pace with my articles, you already have a pretty solid understanding of my love affair with running. I have missed approximately five days of running since 1995, and ...

Running is a sport enjoyed by many. It’s a great way to lose weight, stay in shape, be among nature, and simply feel good about yourself. However, along with this endeavor comes the potential for ...

It started out rather insignificantly. My early-morning running partner of five years began to complain one day about a slight pain in her left hip. It wasn’t enough to deter her from our morning ...

While the two most prevalent causes of osteoarthritis are age and obesity, a recent study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy has indicated that exposure to lead may also be a contributing ...

I remember watching my maternal grandmother struggle not only with diabetes during her later years, but also with the debilitating effects of arthritis and all of the associated joint pain. A ...

When researching this topic using the key words “fallen arches,” one of my boys was under the impression that McDonald’s had collapsed! To the best of my knowledge, that is not the case, but there ...

Nothing soothes and calms like peaceful flowing waters. Water is a natural healing property for one’s mind, body, and soul. It’s peaceful to observe in its still form. Its sounds can be both ...

The word melorheostosis is just as difficult to spell and pronounce as it is unusual. This non-hereditary bone disease, which can affect both males and females, is extremely rare, and it affects ...

Dateline: March 24, 2011. It is now six days since I had my surgery to stop the acid in my stomach from building back up into my esophagus. For the past few years, I have struggled with ...

It was the strangest thing. It just hit me out of the blue one day roughly four years ago. Although I had never experienced any typical symptoms associated with acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD ...

If exercise can truly keep arthritis at bay, then I hope I am on the right track to optimum health. With my weekly routine of at least two hours of physical activity each day, I am confident that ...

My aunt, now in her mid-70s, has been struggling with a disease that more commonly affects women than men and that afflicts roughly 1.3 million people in the U.S. each day. For years, I have seen ...

Although my maternal grandmother passed away over 20 years ago, I can still recall the trouble she had with her arthritic hands as she attempted to open a jar of pickles or pry open a can of soup. ...

If anyone looked at my overall diet, they might wonder how I am still standing. Okay, I am not a horrible eater, but I do not necessarily take the time to make sure I eat a continuously healthy ...

About a year ago when I was out for an evening walk, I noticed that the tip of my right index finger began to feel unusually cold. When I looked at it, I noticed it was very white at the top. ...

I used to be embarrassed to admit this, but not so much anymore. I don’t drink. I don’t drink for what I call the reasons of the three Cs: cost, calories, and control. I hate to spend money on ...

Sometimes, pain and weakness just don’t go away with standard, non-invasive approaches such as medicine and physical therapy. When the pain associated with a certain condition is non-responsive ...

I had never really thought about how painful and stressful excess weight can be on our bodies until one day a few years ago when I was out making sales calls with a co-worker. As I drove up to ...

“I can’t stand milk. I have never enjoyed it and never will. I can’t stand the stuff! I don’t think I have even had one glass of the stuff my entire life.” Are those the words of someone’s ...

As women, we tend to do everything ourselves, tending to the needs of everyone around us, and frequently, if not always, putting our needs, wants, and feelings on the back burner. Even when we ...

For the past several weeks, I have been craving a really good massage. The stress and tension that has built up in my body from the demands of my crazy schedule is almost unbearable. Even if a ...

Running brings to its followers so many things: bliss, a fit body, feelings of euphoria, freedom, a sense of accomplishment, a reason to buy that cool pair of running shoes, and, for many, ...

Although I am not yet 50 years old, that pivotal age in life is slowly creeping up on me. That is the age where I suspect many people take stock of their health and begin to assess what risks ...

One of the most common problems associated with the aging process is osteoporosis. More than half of adults over the age of 50 will probably have to deal with this disease. If you are anxious ...

“Kora! This is God. Go to the light. I repeat. Go directly to the light.” These powerful words vibrated in the deepest recesses of 105-year-old Kora Hollinger’s ear (Yes..ear, not ears…more ...

Aromatherapy. Who doesn’t love sweet, comforting, and luxurious scents? We could all use moments of olfactory heaven that provide relief from stress, comfort in the face of illness, and a ...

I have recently taken an interest in the benefits of essential oils. I enjoyed a luxurious foot rub not too long ago from a therapist, and she used a variety of scented oils, including rosemary, ...

Continuing with my discussion about author Danny Abshire’s book, “Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running." I could literally run with the ideas in this book for days! If ...

While running does not define who I am, it is a big part of my life. I took to this activity at the tender young age of 11, and have not abandoned the joy I discovered in it since then. Now, at ...

I never really gave much thought over the years as to how my emotional well-being might have affected my physical health, but it seems that in recent years, I have read so many studies on the ...

The shock-absorbing pads located between the bones of the spine are called disks. While they do not technically “slip,” they can split or rupture. As a result, the disk will fail and the gel can ...

When we approach the afternoon of our lives, that does not necessarily mean the sun has to go down anytime soon. If you want to ensure a quality of life for many years, it’s no secret that ...

There are a variety of risk factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease that affects nearly three million Americans and strikes two to three times more women than men. Research ...