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JUST REMEMBER TO START SLOWLY, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

IMPROVED

RANGE OF MOTION:

As we age, our muscles and joints tend to become tighter, which can limit our ability to move comfortably and easily. By incorporating mobility exercises into your routine, you can help loosen up tight muscles and improve your overall range of motion. This can make everyday activities, such as bending down to tie your shoes or reaching for something on a high shelf, much easier and more comfortable.

INJURY PREVENTION:

When your muscles and joints are tight, you’re more prone to injury, whether you’re engaging in physical activity or just going about your daily life. By improving your range of motion, mobility exercises can help reduce your risk of injury. For example, if you have tight hip flexors, you may be more prone to lower back pain or knee injuries. Incorporating exercises that target your hip flexors can help alleviate this tightness and reduce your risk of injury.

BETTER POSTURE:

Poor posture can contribute to a wide range of health problems, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Mobility exercises can help improve your posture by increasing your awareness of your body and helping you move with more ease and alignment. For example, exercises that target your upper back can help counteract the effects of hunching over a computer all day, while exercises that target your core can help you maintain a strong, upright posture.

REDUCED STRESS AND TENSION:

Many mobility exercises incorporate deep breathing and relaxation techniques, which can help reduce stress and tension in the body. By focusing on your breath and tuning into your body, you can help calm your nervous system and promote feelings of relaxation and well-being. This can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with chronic stress or anxiety.

IMPROVED ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE:

Whether you’re a serious athlete or just enjoy staying active, mobility exercises can help improve your performance by enhancing your range of motion, balance, and coordination. For example, exercises that target your hips can help improve your squat form, while exercises that target your shoulders can help improve your overhead pressing ability. By incorporating mobility exercises into your routine, you can help take your fitness to the next level.

Overall, mobility exercises are an essential component of any well-rounded fitness routine. Whether you’re looking to improve your physical health, reduce stress, or enhance your athletic performance, there are many benefits to incorporating these exercises into your daily routine. So why not give them a try and see how they can benefit you? Just remember to start slowly, listen to your body, and always prioritize proper form and technique.

The first FDA-approved injectable for cellulite.

By P.Stables

Interest in plastic surgery is at an all-time high, but stigma and misinformation still surround the industry and the patients. Welcome to Life in Plastic, a new series by Allure that aims to break down cosmetic procedures and provide all the information you’ll need to make whatever decision is right for your body — no judgment, just the facts. Here, we’re covering everything you need to know about the surge in neck lifts among a younger demographic.

Ninety percent of women have cellulite. It’s 100 percent normal — and completely natural. It is nothing more than an interaction between two body parts (fat meeting connective tissue, like collagen, under the skin). But as part of that 90 percent, I realize how cellulite brings with it mixed emotions, from ambivalence to embarrassment.

In the past, there’s been a feeling of helplessness. For those who want to get rid of their cellulite, a lot of the options have been unappealing, delivering unimpressive results via invasive procedures that break connective tissue using scalpels or heat from lasers. And topical creams merely minimize the appearance of dimples, not to mention the results are fleeting. So it’s a big deal that the FDA has approved the first injectable for cellulite, called Qwo. “It’s an exciting, less invasive treatment option for women with good skin firmness, meaning not loose skin, who are also bothered by dimpling from cellulite,” says Shari Marchbein, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU School of Medicine.

How Qwo Works

But these injections are not always a quick fix. While some patients notice improvement after one or two appointments, it usually takes three treatments over the course of three months to see full results. Most patients receive 12 shots (one vial) in a session (taking 10 minutes or less) and each injection is said to feel similar to a Botox pinch. The material that’s being injected is collagenases, an enzyme known to break peptide bonds in collagen. Inject it into cellulite and it is believed to go to work dissolving the collagen bands (via a chemical process called Enzymatic Subcision and Remodeling) that fat was protruding through.

If there are no bands of collagen for the fat to press through then there is nothing to cause dimpling. “It is a permanent fix for the treated area,” says D. Shafer, M.D., a plastic surgeon, noting that it is different from invasive procedures where there is a possibility the bands can reconnect, causing a recurrence of cellulite.

In clinical trials on Qwo, there was a two-level improvement of cellulite on the Photo-numeric Cellulite Severity Scale — basically, moderate and severe cellulite was drastically improved, but not one hundred percent erased.

Qwo is FDA approved for use in the butt, but some dermatologists and plastic surgeons are also using it off-label on the thighs with similar results. There is one likely side effect, but its temporary. Every single patient will get bruises. Blood vessels around the area get a little leaky, causing internal bruising. It’s nothing dangerous, but it can look dramatic for around two weeks.” Even so, the long-term results seem to outweigh the temporary bruising. Besides smoothing things over, for many, Qwo is injecting a boost of confidence.