Aromatherapy massage combines scented, plant-based oils or lotions with massage therapy, often used for enhancing relaxation and reducing pain. It’s easy to assume that the term “aroma” simply comes from the strong fragrances and there’s little use beyond natural perfume. But such aromatherapy has been used for at least 6,000

The Q angle—or quadriceps angle—is the distance between two imaginary lines: one line is drawn from the ASIS of the pelvis to the middle of the patella, and then a second line is drawn from the patella’s center to the tibial tubercle. This angle represents the pull of the quadriceps

Pronation is a normal motion at the ankle joint where your foot and ankle rolls inward after making contact with the ground. This helps to absorb shock when you walk and run. It’s part of a normal gait pattern as you transition from midstance to your toes as you push

Varus knees, also known as genu varum, occurs when the knees bend away from each other in a standing position. This can lead to foot supination, where the weight of your feet is shifted to the outer side. Sometimes varus knees are associated with a flattening of the low back

Valgus knee, also known as ‘knock-knees’ or genu valgum, is where your knees angle in towards the midline of your body. This can lead to foot pronation on the affected side and is sometimes associated with increased lordosis, which can cause a forward tilt of the pelvis. Knee valgus is

Scoliosis is an abnormal, side-to-side curve of the spine, which may originate in the bones or created by muscles pulling on the bones. It can be a single or double curve, and it’s often diagnosed among children and teenagers since their bones are easier to change and adapt than adults.

Lordosis (also called “swayback”) is where your lower spine curves inward excessively. Such curve functions as a shock absorber, adapting to movement and load and keeping your body stable. While having spinal curves is natural and beneficial, having too much low back curve may cause health problems. But based on

What is anterior pelvic tilt? The anterior pelvic tilt is where your pelvis is rotated forward, lifting your buttocks upward and increasing your lower back arch. Sometimes the pelvic tilt decreases the upper spine curvature, making your back to appear flatter. As a result, some muscles get chronically shortened, like

Lower cross syndrome refers to the muscular imbalances of the lower body, including the hips, lower abdominals, hip flexors, and legs. The “cross syndrome” term comes from the “X” that you often see from the side view of a person’s body at the pelvis or shoulder girdle. Some of these

A calf strain, or a pulled calf muscle, is when a muscle in the back of the leg is overstretched or torn which can also cause pain in the back of your knee. These muscles include the gastrocnemius and the soleus.  The former is in charge of elongating the foot

Cervical lordosis refers to the natural, C-shaped curve of your neck, which is made up of seven vertebrae—C1 to C7—that work with your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves to allow a wide range of movements. The curve also helps to absorb shock in the upper spine, along with the intervertebral

A Missouri school district recently reinstated the use of corporal punishment on children with written consent from a parent after more than 20 years of prohibiting the practice. The district in Casville, Mo., asserts that corporal punishment, defined as “the use of physical force as a method of correcting student