Your Prescription for Lifelong Healthy Knees and Shoulders with Dr. Alan Reznik
Nov 14, 2023
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Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alan Reznik shares top advice for knee and shoulder health, including the impact of posture, strengthening rotator cuff muscles, and the role of nutrition and exercise. He explores cutting-edge treatments like stem cells and 3D printing. Dr. Reznik emphasizes the influence we have over the strength and resilience of our bones and joints as we age. The podcast also discusses the history of orthopedics, proper form and technique, and challenges in navigating the healthcare system.
Maintaining proper posture and rotational strength is crucial for shoulder health.
Incorporating a variety of exercises that target the rotator cuff can promote stability and protect the shoulder joint.
Avoid overtraining and prioritize smart training, proper technique, and gradual progression to maintain shoulder health.
Deep dives
The Importance of Shoulder Health
Maintaining healthy and mobile shoulders is crucial for overall well-being. The shoulder joint is incredibly mobile and allows us to perform a wide range of movements. Proper care for the shoulders involves paying attention to posture, balance, and rotational strength. Maintaining good posture, such as standing with the sternum towards the sun, helps align the shoulders and prevent issues. It's also important to work on balance and hip stability, as imbalances can lead to shoulder problems. Strengthening the rotator cuff, both in terms of internal and external rotation, is vital for shoulder health. It's recommended to incorporate a variety of exercises, including resistance bands and circuit training, for optimal shoulder stability and strength. Lastly, focusing on eccentric movements and controlled negative motions can strengthen the connective tissues and promote healthy shoulders for the long term.
Promoting Longevity and Avoiding Shoulder Issues
To maintain healthy shoulders throughout life, it's important to prioritize variety in exercise, proper nutrition, and avoiding extreme movements. It's beneficial to work with a well-designed exercise program that focuses on progressive overload to build and maintain muscle mass. Prioritizing exercises that allow you to see your hands during the movement, rather than overhead movements that limit visibility, can help reduce the risk of shoulder issues. Incorporating exercises that target the rotator cuff, using resistance bands or cables, can promote stability and protect the shoulder joint. Building strength gradually, without pushing to the point of pain, is crucial for shoulder health. Additionally, focusing on overall balance, posture, and proper form in all exercises can contribute to maintaining healthy shoulders for years to come.
Understanding Shoulder Healing and Recovery
After shoulder injuries or surgeries, proper healing and recovery are important to avoid re-injury. Recovery timelines can vary based on the specific condition or procedure, but it's essential to approach it with patience. For instance, in rotator cuff repairs, it may take up to a year for the tendon to fully heal and for collagen to be replaced by new collagen. During the recovery period, it's crucial to follow post-operative instructions, which may include restrictions on movement and gradual strengthening exercises. Pushing too hard or trying to do too much too soon can jeopardize the healing process. Giving the shoulder proper time to heal, as guided by medical professionals, can yield better long-term outcomes.
Avoiding Overtraining and Listening to Your Body
One key aspect of shoulder health is avoiding overtraining and understanding the limits of your body. While exercise is important for strength and mobility, overdoing it can lead to injuries and setbacks. It's important to find a balance between challenging yourself and giving your body sufficient rest and recovery. Listening to your body's signals, such as pain or discomfort, is crucial. If an exercise causes pain, it's advisable to modify or seek guidance from a healthcare professional or trainer. Recognizing that good is often better than better is important. Pushing beyond your limits can lead to unnecessary strain and potential injuries. Prioritizing smart training, proper technique, and gradual progression are key factors for maintaining shoulder health and avoiding overtraining.
The importance of time in the healing process
The body requires time to heal and regenerate, even with medical interventions. Whether it's ACL reconstruction or healing from a simple injury, the body goes through a gradual process. Just like road construction workers take their time to pave highways and put new lines on them, the body's healing process involves gradual revascularization, collagen production, and reattachment of ligaments to bones. Rushing the healing process or relying on unproven methods can do more harm than good.
Advancements and future possibilities in medicine and technology
The future of medicine holds promising advancements such as improved stem cell therapies, genetic engineering, and 3D printing. Harnessing the potential of stem cells to naturally facilitate healing processes is an area of active research. Additionally, genetic engineering shows promise in correcting enzyme deficiencies and addressing musculoskeletal disorders. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize bone and cartilage replacement by creating custom-made implants for specific patients. However, it's important to ensure that advancements are used judiciously, guided by experienced practitioners, and not applied indiscriminately to every case.
I'm so excited to share my latest podcast episode featuring renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alan Reznik. As someone who is passionate about healthy aging, I was thrilled to have the chance to pick Dr. Reznik's brain about how to keep our bodies feeling young and vital.
In this info-packed discussion, Dr. Reznik covers everything you need to know about caring for two of the most important joints in our bodies - the knees and shoulders. With decades of experience performing surgeries and treating injuries, he shares his top advice for avoiding problems and managing pain. What I loved is that Dr. Reznik explains things in a way anyone can understand, with lots of vivid analogies that really drive his points home.
A few highlights from our conversation:
- The unexpected ways poor posture can lead to shoulder and rotator cuff issues
- Dr. Reznik's "sternum to the sun" tip for automatically improving posture
- How to strengthen the small but crucial rotator cuff muscles
- The key role nutrition, exercise and sleep play in joint health
- When to see a specialist versus trying physical therapy
- Cutting-edge treatments like stem cells and 3D printing
- How to be a savvy health care consumer and get the care you need
I was fascinated to learn from Dr. Reznik that our bones and joints actually reform based on the stresses and demands we place on them. That means we have more influence than we might think over their strength and resilience as we age. His holistic view of the body and how everything interconnects was truly enlightening.
If you or a loved one deal with ongoing shoulder or knee issues, this episode is mandatory listening. And the advice can help anyone be proactive about musculoskeletal health going forward. Please check it out and let me know what you think!
You can connect with Dr. Reznik in the following ways:
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