Anxiety : Treatments

The most effective solution is to find and address the source of your stress or anxiety. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. A first step is to take an inventory of what you think might be making you "stress out: What do you worry about mo...

Meditation and mindfulness training can benefit patients with phobias and panic disorder. Hydrotherapy, massage therapy , and aromatherapy are useful to some anxious patients because they can promote general relaxation of the nervous system. Essen...

Not all patients with anxiety require treatment, but for more severe cases, treatment is recommended. Because anxiety often has more than one cause and is experienced in highly individual ways, its treatment usually requires more than one type of ...

Not all patients with anxiety require treatment, but for more severe cases, treatment is recommended. Because anxiety often has more than one cause and is experienced in highly individual ways, its treatment usually requires more than one type of ...

Depending on the severity of the problem, treatments for anxiety include school counseling, family therapy , and cognitive-behavioral or dynamic psychotherapy, sometimes combined with antianxiety drugs. Therapies generally aim for support by provi...

Depending on the severity of the problem, treatments for anxiety include school counseling, family therapy, and cognitive-behavioral or dynamic psychotherapy, sometimes combined with antianxiety drugs. Therapies generally aim for support-providing...

A therapeutic approach based on the principle that maladaptive moods and behavior can be changed by replacing distorted or inappropriate ways of thinking with thought patterns that are healthier and more realistic. Cognitive therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that uses thought patterns to change moods and behaviors. Pioneers in the development of cognitive behavior therapy include Albert Ellis (1929-), who developed rational-emotive therapy (RET) in the 1950s, and Aaron Beck (1921—), whose cognitive therapy has been widely used for depression and anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy has become increasingly popular since the 1970s. Growing numbers of therapists have come to believe that their patients' cognitive processes play an important role in determining the effectiveness of treatment. Currently, almost 70% of the members of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy identify themselves as cognitive behaviorists. Like behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy tends to be short-term (often between 10 and 20 sessions), and it focuses on the client's present situation in contrast to the emphasis on past history that is a prominent feature of Freudian psychoanalysis and other psychodynamically oriented therapies. The therapeutic process begins with identification of distorted perceptions and thought patterns that are causing or contributing to the client's problems, often through detailed record keeping by the client. Some self-defeating ways of thinking identified by Aaron Beck include all-or-nothing thinking; magnifying or minimizing the importance of an event; overgeneralization (drawing extensive conclusions from a single event); personalization (taking things too personally); selective abstraction (giving disproportionate weight to negative events); arbitrary inference (drawing illogical conclusions from an event); and automatic thoughts (habitual negative, scolding thoughts such as "You can't do anything right"). Once negative ways of thinking have been identified, the therapist helps the client work on replacing them with more adaptive ones. This process involves a repertoire of techniques, including self-evaluation, positive self-talk, control of negative thoughts and feelings, and accurate assessment of both external situations and of the client's own emotional state. Clients practice these techniques alone, with the therapist, and also, wherever possible, in the actual settings in which stressful situations occur (in vivo), gradually building up confidence in their ability to cope with difficult situations successfully by breaking out of dysfunctional patterns of response. Today cognitive behavior therapy is widely used with children and adolescents, especially for disorders involving anxiety, depression, or problems with social skills. Like adult clients, children undergoing cognitive behavior therapy are made aware of distorted perceptions and errors in logic that are responsible for inaccurate or unrealistic views of the world around them. The therapist then works to change erroneous beliefs and perceptions by instruction, modeling, and giving the child a chance to rehearse new attitudes and responses and practice them in real-life situations. Cognitive behavior therapy has been effective in treating a variety of complaints, ranging from minor problems and developmental difficulties to severe disorders that are incurable but can be made somewhat more manageable. It is used either alone or together with other therapies and/or medication as part of an overall treatment plan. Cognitive behavioral therapy has worked especially well, often in combination with medication, for children and adolescents suffering from depression. It can help free depressed children from the pervasive feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that are supported by selfdefeating beliefs. Children in treatment are assigned to monitor their thoughts, and the therapist points out ways that these thoughts (such as "noth

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an action-oriented form of psychosocial therapy that assumes that maladaptive, or faulty, thinking patterns cause maladaptive behavior and "negative" emotions. (Maladaptive behavior is behavior that is counter-productive or interferes with everyday living.) The treatment focuses on changing an individual's thoughts (cognitive patterns) in order to change his or her behavior and emotional state.

Cognitive therapy is a psychosocial (both psychological and social) therapy that assumes that faulty thought patterns (called cognitive patterns) cause maladaptive behavior and emotional responses. The treatment focuses on changing thoughts in order to solve psychological and personality problems. Behavior therapy is also a goal-oriented, therapeutic approach, and it treats emotional and behavioral disorders as maladaptive learned responses that can be replaced by healthier ones with appropriate training. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) integrates features of behavior modification into the traditional cognitive restructuring approach.

Behavioral therapy can help ease panic disorder, whether in conjunction with medication or alone.

What's the difference between a can-do and a won't-try person? It's usually a matter of bravery.

The treatment of mental or emotional disorders and adjustment problems through the use of psychological techniques rather than through physical or biological means.

Psychotherapy can be defined as a means of treating psychological or emotional problems such as neurosis or personality disorder through verbal and nonverbal communication. It is the treatment of psychological distress through talking with a specially trained therapist and learning new ways to cope rather than merely using medication to alleviate the distress. It is done with the immediate goal of aiding the person in increasing self-knowledge and awareness of relationships with others. Psychotherapy is carried out to assist people in becoming more conscious of their unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motives. Psychotherapy's longer-term goal is making it possible for people to exchange destructive patterns of behavior for healthier, more successful ones.

Psychotherapy can be defined as a means of treating such psychological or emotional problems as neurosis or personality disorder through verbal and nonverbal communication. It is the treatment of psychological distress through talking with a specially trained therapist, and learning new ways to cope rather than merely using medication to alleviate the distress. It is done with the immediate goal of aiding the person in increasing self-knowledge and awareness of relationships with others. Psychotherapy is carried out to assist people in becoming more conscious of their unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motives. Psychotherapy's longer-term goal is making it possible for people to exchange destructive patterns of behavior for healthier, more successful ones.

Contrary to what many people believe, psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, phobias or stress doesn't have to be a long and costly process. Feeling better doesn't require a lifetime of intensive psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy integration is defined as an approach to psychotherapy that includes a variety of attempts to look beyond the confines of single-school approaches in order to see what can be learned from other perspectives. It is characterized by an openness to various ways of integrating diverse theories and techniques. Psychotherapy integration can be differentiated from an eclectic approach in that an eclectic approach is one in which a therapist chooses interventions because they work (the therapist relies solely on supposed efficacy) without looking for a theoretical basis for using the technique. The rationale of efficacy is reasonable, but it often is based on imprecise memories of past experience without any reference to theory or research data. In contrast, psychotherapy integration attends to the relationship between theory and technique.

The treatment of mental or emotional disorders and adjustment problems through the use of psychological techniques rather than through physical or biological means. Psychoanalysis, the first modern form of psychotherapy, was called the "talking cure," and the many varieties of therapy practiced today are still characterized by their common dependence on a verbal exchange between the counselor or therapist and the person seeking help. The therapeutic interaction is characterized by mutual trust, with the goal of helping individuals change destructive or unhealthy behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. For a child, psychotherapy can bolster hope and self-esteem, improve mastery and coping abilities, change maladaptive behavior patterns, and facilitate normal developmental processes. Childhood emotional and behavioral problems that have been treated through psychotherapy include adjustment problems at school; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; anxiety and depression; conduct problems; obsessive-compulsive behavior; eating disorders; enuresis; autism; child abuse; and post-traumatic stress disorder. Severe problems that require immediate professional attention include severe, uncontrollable anxiety; hallucinations and other bizarre behavior; dangerous actions such as arson and other forms of violent aggression; and suicidal behavior. A major distinguishing feature of psychotherapy for children is the role played by the parents, who choose the therapist (in most cases), provide information that aids in the initial assessment, and may be asked to participate in therapy sessions. While therapists generally respect the privacy of children, as they respect that of adult clients, patient confidentiality may be breached if circumstances warrant notifying a parent about activities or feelings that pose a potential danger to the child. Most of the basic therapeutic approaches used with adults are also used with children, but they are adjusted for the child's age, mental and emotional development, and language skills. It is common for experienced therapists to combine several different approaches or techniques. The most effective therapy for a child may be either time-limited (generally six months or less) or long-term, depending on the severity of his or her problems.

Detailed information on biofeedback as a form of alternative therapy

Biofeedback is a technique that uses monitoring instruments to measure and feed back information about muscle tension, heart rate, sweat responses, skin temperature, or brain activity. Terms associated with biofeedback include applied psychophysiology or behavioral physiology. It is also viewed as a mind-body therapy method used in complementary and alternative medicine. Biofeedback is an important part of understanding the relationship between physical state and thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Biofeedback is a technique that measures bodily functions in order to help control them.

This technique can ease migraines and tension-type headaches, as well as low back pain and fibromyalgia.

Biofeedback, or applied psychophysiological feedback, is a patient-guided treatment that teaches an individual to control muscle tension, pain , body temperature, brain waves, and other bodily functions and processes through relaxation, visualization, and other cognitive control techniques. The name biofeedback refers to the biological signals that are fed back, or returned, to the patient in order for the patient to develop techniques of manipulating them.

Biofeedback, or applied psychophysiological feedback, is a patient-guided treatment that teaches an individual to control muscle tension, pain , body temperature, brain waves, and other bodily functions and processes through relaxation , visualization, and other cognitive control techniques. The name biofeedback refers to the biological signals that are fed back, or returned, to the patient in order for the patient to develop techniques of manipulating them.

Incontinence is surprisingly common. Surgery, medications, childbirth, or injury can interfere with urinary and rectal function. But there are a variety of treatments available including exercise programs, medications and surgery.

Detailed information on teenagers and children and exercise, including the benefits of exercise

Exercise is any activity requiring physical exertion done for the sake of health. Activities range from walking and yoga to lifting weights and martial arts .

Detailed information on children and exercise

Methodical and repetitive physical activity benefiting a person's health. Traditionally, exercise has been a concern of adults, the reasoning being that children are naturally active and do not need any structured program of physical activity. Scientists and physicians now generally agree that regular exercise is beneficial to a child's health. Exercise, pediatricians argue, is needed to counteract such alarm ing trends as childhood obesity, resulting from, among other factors, poor nutritional habits and a sedentary lifestyle. While the American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that exercise classes do not benefit children under the age of three, there is general agreement that moderate aerobic exercise (e.g., running, walking, cycling, or swimming), in addition to strengthening the child's cardiovascular system, establishes healthy exercise habits which will positively affect long-range health. However, according to Fitness for Life, children may not be getting the right kind of exercise in school, as school programs emphasize competitive sports, such as soccer and football, which develop skills and endurance, without providing the benefits of an aerobic workout. Experts have noted that younger children need parental supervision while exercising; in fact, parental participation is recommended, as children often need direction for structured activities. Furthermore, children, because of their short attention span, need brief exercise periods. As Bob Glover and Jack Shepherd have observed, children are easily discouraged if adults attempt to impose their own style of exercising. Since children may perceive longer exercise periods as boring, it is important to make simple aerobic exercise fun. This can be done by organizing hikes and games of tag or hide-and-seek; dancing to music is also good aerobic exercise. Experts generally agree that school-age children need about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three or four times a week. The President's Council on Physical Fitness, however, suggests at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. In addition to better physical health, researchers have found that exercise can foster a child's intellectual and spiritual development as well. In fact, University of Toronto physiology professor Roy J. Shephard has found that students who spend an extra hour in gym class improve their academic performance. Subsequent research seems to confirm Shephard's original findings (Olsen, 1994). Exercise also plays an important therapeutic role for children suffering from various physical and mental conditions. Muscular disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, and various physical injuries are not an obstacle to exercise, and many handicapped children successfully participate in races, games, exercise programs, even competitive sports. Notable among the fitness programs for handicapped children is the Achilles Track Club Youth Program in New York City, which offers physical education enabling handicapped youngsters to participate in races. Researchers have found that children with handicaps can actually engage in quite demanding types of physical activity such as judo. Jorge M. Glaser and Joseph Y. Margulies studied a group of seven blind and mentally retarded children with associated psychiatric disorders. Using a modified form of judo, the researchers organized a biweekly training program for these children. When the six-month program was completed, the scientists found improvements in the children's physical fitness, gross and fine motor skills, and psychological disposition. Exercise is also an important therapeutic tool in the field of child psychiatry. According to research done at the San Diego Center for Children, which offers treatment to children with serious emotional and behavioral problems, exercise may decrease aggressiveness. A special form of exercise used for children with psychiatric conditions is dance movement therapy (DMT), which the American Dan

Detailed information on finding the right exercise program and the right preparation

Detailed information on starting an exercise program to lower your risk of heart disease

Detailed information on finding the right exercise program and the right preparation

Exercise is physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning the body. Exercise consists of cardiovascular conditioning, strength and resistance training, and flexibility.

When it comes to lowering your risk for heart disease or heart attack, being physically active is as important as eating a healthy diet and not smoking.

Detailed information on starting an exercise program to lower your risk of heart disease

Detailed information on finding the right exercise program and the right preparation

Exercise is physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning any part of the body. Exercise is utilized to improve health, maintain fitness and is important as a means of physical rehabilitation .

Detailed information on the benefits of exercise for persons of all ages, including the elderly

Detailed information on the benefits of exercise for persons of all ages, including the elderly

Detailed information on the benefits of exercise for persons of all ages, including the elderly

Exercise is physical activity that is undertaken in order to improve one's health. Physicians, physical therapists, and researchers have found that exercise plays an important role in the maintenance of brain, nerve, and muscle function in the human body. New research suggests that exercise may delay mental deterioration with age and disease, and perhaps even promote neurogenesis (nerve cell growth).

Instead of popping a pill to restore long-lost vigor, try propping a pillow under your head and getting to bed earlier. More sleep, exercise and better nutrition are the natural path to greater vitality.

Some children are very involved in competitive sports, but many other youngsters get no exercise at all. That lack of exercise is tied to an increase in childhood weight problems.

People who keep lost weight off tend to have several habits in common. Here are strategies that can help you be a successful long-term loser.

The experts who tell us we need more exercise agree on one thing. Doing something, they say, is better than doing nothing.

Some excuses—I weigh too much, I'm too old, I have too many health problems—are in themselves strong arguments for increasing physical activity.

Regular exercise is crucial to keeping the circulatory system functioning optimally, which in turn is beneficial to overall health and protection from heart disease.

C-reactive protein is emerging as a key risk factor for heart disease. A guide to new research on this protein, how to test for it, and how exercise can lower its presence in the blood.

Many studies link exercise with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. The biggest reductions were for colon and breast cancer, but its effect on other cancers is so far inconclusive.

Fitness is important at every age. For seniors, regular exercise can improve or perhaps prolong life. An exercise program for someone over 70 should focus on cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, improving flexibility, and improving balance.

Simple and small movements can get you started exercising. You don’t need to join a gym to start moving. Make it easy on yourself and you will be able to make exercising a habit. Slow, gentle, and easy is the way to begin to make exercising part of your life.

Exercise is physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning any part of the body or to improve performance in a specific task. Exercise is utilized to improve health, maintain fitness, and is important as a means of physical rehabilitation.

Exercise is good for you. You're probably sick of hearing that message. But did you know too much exercise can make you sick?

Exercise is much more effective than vitamins or supplements at reducing the risk of heart disease. The benefits of exercise against cancer are not conclusive, but it is likely to have other positive effects on overall health.

This workout can be done at home or at the gym, using your own body weight as resistance, or with weights.

The Surgeon General of the United States defines exercise as physical activity that involves planned, structured, and repetitive bodily movements in order to improve or maintain physical fitness. As an element of health, exercise involves both strength training of the muscles and cardiovascular fitness, with stretching activities for flexibility. Most research on physical activity for fitness stresses the intensity and regularity of exercise as key elements. Typical exercise activities include fast walking, running, cycling, swimming, or aerobics classes. The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, in conjunction with the American Council on Sports Medicine, recommends that all adults perform 30 or more minutes a day of moderate-intensity activity for 5–7 days per week. The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement on Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health identifies inactivity as a major public health problem in the United States. They have recommended exercise regimens 5–7 days a week for people who are already active, and such leisure activities as gardening, walking, using stairs instead of an elevator, cleaning house and recreational pursuits etc., for people who are largely sedentary.

Unlike other muscles, your heart muscle does not tire from use. Your heart is like other muscles, however, in that it needs exercise to work efficiently. What kind of exercise would that be? All it takes is a brisk 30-minute walk most days of the week.

A recent study reports that regular exercise reduced mortality by as much as half among breast cancer survivors.

Findings of the Women's Health Initiative study regarding fat, diet, and exercise are just as applicable to men as to women.

Doctors and physical therapists say people with arthritis can improve their health and fitness through exercise without damaging their joints.

More than 28 percent of Americans are completely sedentary (they engage in no physical activity), with an additional 60 percent being inadequately active (engaging in less than 30 minutes of activity per day). For those who strive to achieve and maintain a high quality of health, it must be recognized that physical activity is vital to optimal health. This is reaffirmed by numerous studies that have found an association between physical activity, health, longevity, and an improved quality of life. In addition, the number of deaths related to sedentary living or obesity is approximately a half-million per year. Physical activity may impact quality of life in several ways: it can be used to improve self-image and self-esteem, physical wellness , and health. Participation in physical activity can be beneficial for anyone and can be started during any stage of life. One goal of Healthy People 2010, a set of national health objectives established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is to increase the number of people who participate in daily physical activity. This activity can take many forms, ranging from a regimented exercise program to daily life activities such as house or yard work, walking a pet, or walking around town to complete errands.

Stretching is an easy thing you can do to improve your health, yet it's often the most neglected part of people's fitness regimens. Stretching can reduce your injury risk and help you become more limber, regardless of your age and physical condition.

Just as you make time to take a shower or brush your teeth, exercise should be a part of what you do every day, and it has to be for your own good, says the American Council on Exercise.

Detailed information on exercise induced asthma, including symptoms and recommendations for asthma control

Every morning take five minutes to apply attention, intention and wholeheartedness to a helpful activity.

Like adults, children should be physically active most, if not all, days of the week.

To help yourself get moving, address that inner voice that lets you off the exercise hook.

These easy exercises can help relieve tension and soreness. Take a few minutes each day to do them right at your desk.

Don’t let fear of an asthma flare-up keep your child from being active. Olympic athletes with asthma are able to perform because their asthma is in control. The same is true for your child.

Here are some common reasons people don’t exercise. Are any of these true for you?

A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about cardiovascular exercise for lower back pain sufferers.

A study comparing different forms of exercise for people with moderate heart failure found that ballroom dancing was as effective as a traditional exercise regimen, and also improved patients' quality of life.

Brief updates on tingling stents, Alzheimer's disease and blood pressure, exercise as medicine, and vascular disease in women.

My resting heart rate is on the high side, and it rises quickly when I exercise. I am afraid to go faster than 2 miles an hour on the treadmill, and I don't feel like I'm getting a real workout. Is it dangerous for me to go over my target heart rate?

The American Heart Association has launched a web site to help people track their eating habits and exercise, and offers tips and encouragement toward living a healthier life.

The chance of a woman having a cardiac episode while exercising is extremely small, especially for active, healthy women who exercise regularly.

Older women are less likely to exercise. A supplement containing bitter orange caused chest pain. A healthy heart may help protect mental health as well.

Flexing your heart muscle can go a long way toward preventing heart failure.

Exercise that does not result in weight loss is probably just as beneficial to the body in other ways.

People who eat several small meals per day may take in more total calories than those who eat fewer but larger meals, but their cholesterol level is often lower. Similarly, several short periods of exercise can be as beneficial as fewer, extended ones.

A study shows uphill and downhill hiking provide strong, yet different, health benefits. Also, ways to protect your knees.

Is it safe to begin running or high-impact exercise while breastfeeding? I have heard oxytocin causes ligament softening, so there may be a risk of long-term damage.

What exercises are considered "low impact?" Are there different guidelines for low impact exercises for teens than for adults?

What exercise or exercises should I do to help prevent falls? Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

What is the best exercise for relieving pain in the hip joint? Diana Post, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

A training log helps you organize and save information about your exercise routine so you can work toward your important goals.

The day you wake up with a cold or some other illness, it's time to ponder: Should you go ahead and exercise -- or roll over and get some extra sleep?

In a spinning class, you alternate intervals of "hill climbing" (increased tension on the bike) and "sprinting" (less tension).

Can you keep on talking while working out? Then you're exercising at a moderate intensity.

Research shows that an intensive exercise program can help stroke survivors recover their motor skills.

To heal your back and make your spine healthy, it's essential to build up and nurture the back muscles. This is accomplished by systematic stretching of not only the muscles in the back, but the other muscles in the body as well, since virtually all muscles in the body affect the back in one way or another.

Here are some guidelines that can help you make the right choice when shopping for gear.

You know it's important to stay active but still find yourself falling back on old habits. What can you do? Planning for exercise isn't hard if you make it a priority.

Physical inactivity is just as big a risk factor for heart disease as high blood pressure and smoking are. So, be the exception rather than the rule. Here are eight ways to exercise for a healthier heart.

If you left your jump rope behind after childhood, consider picking it up again. Jumping rope is a convenient, cheap aerobic workout.

Cold weather doesn't have to put a freeze on your outdoor exercise program. If you take precautions, you can still work out when the weather turns chilly.

If you're looking for a reason to exercise, try this one: A routine workout may help ward off blood clots, the villains behind most heart attacks. You suffer a heart attack when a blood clot forms in an artery, blocking oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart.

When recommending treatment for clinical depression, physicians typically prescribe a tried-and-true regimen: anti-depressant medication and "talk" therapy. In the future, however, health professionals may be advocating a healthy dose of exercise.

You can't walk across a room without huffing and puffing. Your arms get tired unpacking a bag of groceries. You're carrying more and more excess body weight. And you can't remember the last time you got any real exercise.

In their quest to live a longer and healthier life, many people turn to supplements, herbal remedies and other forms of complementary medicine. But one remedy for a longer life costs nothing and requires no additional studies to prove its effectiveness.

Need inspiration? Look to these five Americans who show just how physical you can get in later life.

Just 15 minutes of flexibility stretching with controlled breathing are ideal before strolling the links, and can result in a stronger game.

A private advisory group's call for 60 minutes of physical activity each day are in line with the 2005 USDA Guidelines for exercise of 30 to 60 minutes. The new advice was meant to get people moving, but some experts are worried about recommending 60 minutes.

The office may seem like an odd place to work out, but you spend most of your day there. Even short bursts of movement count.

Energy bars, fitness drinks, protein powders, sports supplements -- are these the best ways to power your workout?

Tune In to Exercise During CommercialsLinda Buch doesn't believe people who say they have no time to work out."These are the same people who never miss an episode of their favorite sitcom," says Ms.

Exercise has important health benefits for everyone -- regardless of age and physical condition. But for people with arthritis, working out regularly, and within their limits, is critical.

"We now know that exercise is the most underrated health precaution anyone, even those with chronic conditions, can take," says J. Larry Durstine, Ph.D., a spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

For many of us, getting regular exercise is challenging enough. But it can be even tougher when you've taken off a month or more.

Regular exercise can have both direct and indirect benefits for those with chronic pain.

Regular exercise can improve your health and longevity. But doing too much too soon or not taking proper precautions can cause injury.

Keeping your back muscles strong and your spine flexible can help you avoid aches, pains and strains that many people suffer.

Although exercise is an important for everyone, it's especially beneficial for those who have been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy.

While regular physical activity is a cornerstone of wellness at any age, it’s during your 30s, 40s and 50s that exercise becomes especially important.

Exercise is an important part of a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan. A complete program consists of three types of exercises: range-of-motion exercises, aerobic exercises, strengthening exercises.

Older adults who want to improve their physical health are turning to warm-water exercise.

Like your signature, the exercise routine you prefer is individual. If you’re outgoing, for example, working out in a group situation could be what keeps you coming back for more. A more reserved person, however, might do better exercising solo.

Fatigue, stress and bad posture can cause stiffness and soreness in the shoulders, neck, chest and upper back. Doing stretches regularly can help prevent and relieve these conditions.

Most of us know we should exercise, but we have a lot of excuses for why we don't.

There are plenty of options to choose from if you want to get fit but don’t have 45 to 60 minutes daily to devote to exercise. But there’s a catch to taking shortcuts.

If you're an avid golfer, winter weather can really get you down, as you count down the days until spring arrives.

Your exercise time can depend on everything from your work schedule to when your kids get up or go to bed.

When you exercise, you gain more strength and flexibility. Your mood will improve, and you'll be able to think better.

The way you think about exercise can be the crucial factor in sticking with your fitness program.

One reason for passing up regular exercise may be that plenty of misconceptions about getting fit still exist.

One of the most important steps you can take to reduce the risk for back pain is to perform a stretching/flexibility workout every morning.

Make your workout work. From arm curls to three-way lunges, review these tips on correct exercise techniques.

An exercise program includes more than just your daily activity. Be sure to warm up before you start and cool down when you’re done.

Follow these guidelines to help prevent problems. And always stay alert for signs that you may be exercising too hard.

Your exercise program doesn't have to be complicated. Simply walking around your neighborhood is a great way to stay fit.

Here are a series of exercises you can do throughout your pregnancy.

Being pregnant can be hard work for your body. Regular exercise will help you stay fit and feel good.

With daily workouts, back exercises may bring an added bonus: you may stay more active. Practice the stretches in the morning to loosen tight muscles, and do the strengtheners throughout your day.

You know it's important to stay active but still find yourself falling back on old habits. What can you do?

You've been out of shape before, but this time it's serious. You can't walk across a room without huffing and puffing.

Reaching for your toes instead of the remote is one key to better health.

You may wonder how you can improve the health of your heart. If you’re thinking about exercise, you’re on the right track. You don’t need to become an athlete, but you do need a certain amount of brisk exercise.

Exercises After Breast Surgery: Ball Squeeze, Arm Cross, Broom StretchAs you recover from breast surgery, your doctor will tell you when it is safe to begin exercising. Your goal will be to regain normal range of motion and use of your arm.

Ask your doctor which sports and exercises are best for you. Here is a picture that shows many fun activities. Circle the sports you enjoy or would like to try.

If you have asthma, you can enjoy sports if you know how to do them safely. Being active can even help your asthma. Besides being fun, exercise can make you a winner. Here are some examples.

Exercise is good for everyone, including people with asthma. Exercise can improve your health. It also helps your body make better use of oxygen. This can reduce asthma symptoms. Just be sure your exercise program is one designed to keep your asthma under control.

Here are exercises that can help strengthen your muscles and keep them loose and flexible. Ask your doctor whether they’re right for you. Your doctor or physical therapist may also suggest other exercises.

Studies show that people who exercise are the most likely to lose weight and keep it off. Exercise burns calories. It helps build muscle to make your body stronger. Make exercise part of your weight-management plan.

Do you need to be convinced that exercise is a good idea? Exercise and fitness offer you all kinds of rewards. Think about your goals. Can exercise help you achieve some of them?

Recent studies show that several short activity breaks during the day can add up to better health. You don’t have to fit your life around activity. Instead, you can fit activity into your daily life.

Your exercise goal is a total of 30 minutes on most days. Be sure you’re getting the most from your time spent being active. You’re working your heart and lungs. Try adding a few activities for other muscles in your body, too.

Once you get the hang of exercising 30 minutes most days of the week, you can move on to the next stage. Do this by increasing the intensity. This means doing your activity in one or more of these ways: Longer. Faster. More often.

Getting your heart to work at the right pace means you’ll develop better aerobic endurance. A stronger heart can pump more oxygen to your muscles. Then you don’t tire as quickly during your hobbies, sports, or daily activities.

Tired eyes? Stiff neck? A few easy moves can help prevent these kinds of problems.

Researchers say "moderate" caffeine intake doesn't pose a significant health risk, even for people 65 and older. But the experts are talking about people who don't have a special health problem, such as heart disease or high blood pressure. And "moderate" means 300 milligrams a day.

To keep stress at a minimum and reduce its effects on your life, you need to find and practice healthy ways to manage it.

You're familiar with the symptoms of stress -- a pounding heart, increased perspiration, tight neck and shoulder muscles, anxiety and fear. But you may not know how to prevent or relieve these symptoms.

Relaxation therapy is a broad term used to describe a number of techniques that promote stress reduction, the elimination of tension throughout the body, and a calm and peaceful state of mind.

Experts say that effective relaxation requires more than simply vegging out in front of the TV set. It means learning a few relaxation techniques to combat stress -- a condition recently linked to a host of physical and emotional problems like heart disease, headaches, asthma and insomnia.

Relaxation therapy is a broad term used to describe a number of techniques that promote stress reduction, the elimination of tension throughout the body, and a calm and peaceful state of mind.

Working in a high-stress environment can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It can also take the joy out of life—if you let it.