GOLF FITNESS MADE EASY
Do you want to improve your swing, improve your game AND improve your health?
Do you want to learn why so many people actually get injured from working out?
Do you want end your frustration and find the “missing link” to a great golf game?

The sport of golf was forever changed late in the summer of 1996 when Tiger Woods made his professional debut. Since then, Tiger has won more tournaments and more prize money then any other active golfer. The one key thing that Tiger did, that no other golfer at the time did, was follow a thorough strength and conditioning program. World-renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter says, "I'm a big believer in fitness, and if golfers take the time to stay fit they can reach their goals."

The Montgomery County Recreation Department will offer this course starting on Saturday, January 14, 2006.
Course #: 139657 4 Sessions
January 14, 21, 28; February 4
Time: 12:30p.m. – 1:30p.m.
Cost: $48.00
Location: Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center
14625 Bauer Drive
Rockville, MD 20853
301-468-4015
The center is ¼ mile from the intersection of Rt. 28 and Bauer Drive (close to Red Gate Golf Course).
REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY! Register at Montgomery County Recreation Department.

ACL INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Montgomery County Recreation Department will hold an ACL INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM which starts on Thursday January 12, 2006 at the Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Park Center in Rockville, MD.
Course #: 139652
8 sessions
January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2
Time: 7:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.
Cost: $80.00
Location: Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Park
The center is less than ¼ mile from the intersection of Rt. 28 and Muncaster Mill Road (just off Georgia Ave. near Leisure World).
REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY! Register at Montgomery County Recreation Department.

BACK TO BACK PAIN FOR STUDENTS?
Is carrying a heavy backpack to school causing back pain for your kids? There is a good chance that it does or it will if the answer to any of the questions below is yes:
Does your child complain of back pain?
Does she walk bent over sideways to try to adjust for the heavy load of a backpack?
Does he complain of numbness and tingling in his arms or hands?
Does she carry more than 15-20% of her body weight in his backpack?
Here are some Backpack safety tips that will decrease the chance of injury:

Use a rolling pack instead of a backpack.
Limit the weight of the backpack to 15% of the child's body weight
Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps AND a waste belt.
Choose backpacks ending above the waist.
Wear backpacks on both shoulders. Avoid single strap packs.
Pull the shoulder straps snug enough to prevent the pack from flopping around while walking.
Place heavier books closest to the back of the pack.
Bend your hips and knees when lifting the backpack.
Keep a second set of schoolbooks at home.
Carry only what's necessary each day.

LAURA'A CORNER: HOW YOGA CAN HELP YOUR BACK
Many people who suffer with lower back pain have found relief through practicing the gentle stretching postures of yoga. There are, of course, many styles of Yoga and not all types are appropriate for all people, but the practice of the basic yoga postures can be beneficial in many ways. It is recommended that you seek advice from Dr. Horwitz or your PCP before beginning any new exercise program.

Yoga can help to lessen back pain by means of gently stretching as well as strengthening the muscles of the lower back, increasing the circulation to the area which helps bring nutrients that assist in healing. Yoga focuses on body alignment, balance, strength, stretching and, most importantly, breathing.-- The type of nasal breathing used in yoga slows down the heart rate and respiration, which creates a calming effect. Since stress, poor posture, weak, tight muscles and shallow breathing all contribute to back pain and other health issues, it follows that yoga can assist in alleviating some of these conditions.

I have been practicing yoga for many years and now am a yoga teacher. I can see in my own body and the bodies of my students the positive changes that can occur through the routine practice of yoga. If you would like to ask me about yoga, feel free to call the office and I would be glad to help. After all, 4000+ years since yoga began means that it has some lasting value to mankind.

NEW PRODUCT: BODY RITE POSTURE PLEASER
Listen to what Laura's husband has to say about the BODY-RITE POSTURE PLEASER:

"I have had back problems and poor posture for years. My wife recently gave me a Body-Right Posture Pleaser and told me that it would help reduce my back pain. I gave it a try. It’s a weight with shoulder straps that slip on easily. It is like a backpack. The shoulder straps pull gently backwards on your shoulders and the weight nestles in the small of your back. It reminds you to straighten up. I do computer work and tend to hunch over, having been very tall all of my life. After wearing the posture pleaser for a few hours, I noticed that my posture had improved. Even when I am not wearing the Posture Pleaser, I can remember the feeling of the weight and how it helped me to straighten up. Since using the Posture Pleaser, several people have commented on how tall I am. I guess it is because I am now standing up straighter. I have also noticed that it can help with back pain. I recently went through a period of high stress at my work and ended up with trigger points in my upper back. I wore the Posture Pleaser for a few hours and the pain went away. I plan to keep using the Posture Pleaser a couple times a week for a few hours as I work. I also think that I can rely on it to help me recover more quickly from future back problems. I recommend that anyone with back problems give the Posture Pleaser a try. It may be the thing that actually works for you, as it does for me." Paul Bohne

The Body-Rite Posture Pleaser is available at our office! Get rid of your back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches today!