man doing barbell squats

How Many Sets and Reps You Should Do, According to Science?

The number of sets and reps you do in a weight training exercise should depend on your fitness goals, such as getting stronger, more endurance, or more muscle mass. There’s no one-size-fits-all number for everyone, but research finds an optimal range that you can do to maximize strength gains or

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A massage therapist places hot stones on a table.

8 Benefits of a Hot Stone Massage

Hot stones are added to a massage as an enhancement. The therapist holds a stone in their hand and applies it in gliding motions, inducing relaxation. It’s often used to soothe sore muscles and joints. This is a form of thermotherapy, the practice of using heat or cold in a

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a row of resistance bands in a rainbow of colors lying on a wooden floor

8 Types of Resistance Bands to Get to Stronger in Different Ways

Resistance bands are often used in fitness and rehab settings to improve strength, motor control, flexibility, and body awareness. They are made of a strong type of latex, rubber, or fabric that can be stretched and pulled in various directions. While rubber and latex are commonly used because they’re lightweight,

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woman doing a pull-up on a pull-up bar outdoors

5 Best Resistance Bands for Pull-ups (2023)

Knowing how to use resistance bands to train pull-ups is like having a cheat code. The elasticity of the band provides just the right assistance to allow you to lift your body weight and build strength. Training this way can bridge the gap between those clunky pull-up assist machines and

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resistance band bar and a set of resistance bands tied in a bundle against a white background

5 Best Resistance Band Bars to Build Muscles and Strength

Resistance band bars are a type of resistance bands that blend the benefits of elastic training with the firm grip of a barbell. They provide support and stability in the range of motion that sometimes engages more muscles than free weights. You can use them for exercises that are hard

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middle age asian woman with migraine headache

Does EDS Cause Migraines and Can Massage Help?

Migraine attacks are a common symptom of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) that a majority of people with this condition experience. Current evidence suggests that it’s primarily caused by connective tissue abnormalities, such as weak collagen fibers, that are influenced by genetic factors. This can cause blood vessels in the brain to

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man with low back pain and migraine

Migraine and back pain: Should you get a massage?

Most people with migraine attacks are careful to avoid their triggers. Common triggers can include stress, hunger, caffeine, hormones, bright lights, and evan chocolate. Recent research has also added low back pain to the list. Both conditions can start out as dull, throbbing pain and quickly progress to an intensity

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woman getting a head and face massage

How to Relieve a Migraine and Jaw Pain With Self Massage

Imagine waking up to a throbbing headache that doesn’t seem to go away. You try to eat your breakfast, but as you start to chew, a sharp pain shoots up your jaw. As the pain subsides, your jaw feels tight and overworked with an ominous clicking noise every time you

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central sensitization and peripheral sensitization on the molecular level.

How Central Sensitization Affects Your Chronic Pain

Central sensitization describes adaptations that occur in the brain and the spinal cord in response to repeated stimulation on your skin. The increased responsiveness comes in two main forms: hyperalgesia or allodynia. These changes are often part of the course of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

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knee osteoarthritis pain massage therapy

How Massage Can Help Treat Chronic Pain

Chronic pain comes in many different types, including fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), joint pain, and headaches. By definition, chronic pain usually persists more than three months or many months and years. Oftentimes, it is more difficult to treat than acute pain because many factors influence the pain persistence

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