Latest news with #physicaldevelopment
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Adults Need Tummy Time, Too — Here Are The Ailments It Can Actually Help Fix
If you're a parent, 'tummy time' is probably a familiar term, considered by many to be key to the physical development of babies. But now, tummy time is trending for adults, too. Getting out of your desk chair and spending some time on your stomach might seem awkward at first, but if you think about how long you sit in the same position much of the day — at the office, on the couch and in the car — it makes sense. Experts say it's offsetting the effects of tech neck and tight hips, too. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker spends 45% of the day sitting. In addition to sitting, they stare at electronics all day; 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Screen-based lives might be causing a variety of orthopedic problems. 'Lying on your stomach for 10 or more minutes a day while watching TV or reading can improve bad posture and relieve 'tech neck' — the strain in our necks and shoulders caused by looking down at phones and laptops for hours each day,' said Julie Landis, a physical therapist and ergonomist in Washington, D.C. Here's what to know as you consider getting out of your chair and down on your belly — a position that's no longer just for babies. What is tummy time? Tummy time is an activity in which new babies spend time while awake on their stomachs. There, they build multiple muscle groups and improve mobility as well as arm, trunk and neck strength. In a TikTok post from 2023 that has recently gained popularity again, physical therapist 'Sammy' on her profile 'unifiedptandyoga' focuses on how adult tummy time can help one age gracefully by achieving more mobility. She shows viewers a progression of lying on your stomach with multiple pillows under you, and then reducing the number, assuming pain goes away each time. She recently made a new video, noting her old one probably gained traction due to tech neck, a term used to describe the chronic shoulder or neck pain experienced from using technology. She showed some updated techniques in the video and stated that it's even hard for some patients in her clinic to get into that position on their stomachs — but it's important to be able to do. Tummy time can have an effect on tech neck. 'I've seen a noticeable increase in patients of all ages complaining about neck stiffness, tightness or pain, which can be linked to prolonged screen time,' said Dr. Ehsan Jazini, a spine surgeon at VSI in Reston, Virginia. 'The mechanics of looking down for long periods squishes our spinal discs, which I refer to as 'shock absorbers' of the spine,' Jazini said. 'Over time, this pressure placed on the discs can accelerate disc degeneration, pinch nerves, reduce mobility and trigger symptoms that radiate into the shoulders, arms and hands.' He said not addressing poor posture affects your spine's function in the long term. 'That strain can lead to chronic neck pain, stiffness, instability and pain throughout the rest of the body. If left uncorrected, poor posture can lead to wear and tear on the spine that's harder to reverse down the line.' Tummy time can impact hip and back pain. Adult tummy time also helps to open up the front of the hips and activate the core and back muscles, which are key players in everyday back pain. 'Many people spend far too much time sitting, whether at a desk, in a car, or on the couch. The human body was not designed for such inactivity,' said Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New York and New Jersey. He fears if we don't change these habits we will soon see 'an increase in musculoskeletal issues across all age groups.' These include: Degenerative disc disease, where the discs between the vertebrae begin to wear down due to constant pressure and a lack of movement. 'This can lead to stiffness, pain, and even nerve compression.' Sciatica, occurring when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed, often by a herniated disc or tight muscles in the lower back. 'People may experience sharp pain that radiates down the leg, along with numbness or weakness.' Tight hip flexors, leading to pelvic misalignment and lower back pain. 'Over time, this can impact your gait and make everyday movements more difficult.' Flipping onto your stomach can counteract extended sitting just as it does for infants, he said. 'When you lie on your stomach, you naturally extend the spine, which helps reverse the flexed posture that sitting creates. This gentle spinal extension relieves pressure on the discs, especially in the lower back, and allows the back muscles to stretch and activate differently.' In addition, you are able to open the hip flexors, which are often tightened and shortened from sitting too much. 'By relaxing into a prone position, the hips and pelvis can realign more naturally, which supports better posture when you return to standing or sitting,' Okubadejo said. So, your tummy time actually makes you better at sitting too. Here's what tummy time looks like for adults. 'The adult tummy time position isn't natural for most of us, so I recommend starting slow, and breaking adult tummy time into increments,' Jazini said. 'Take three to five minutes at a time, a few times a day, lying on your stomach while propped on your elbows. You should feel a stretch in the front of the neck, as well as in your back and in your hips.' Katie Breaker, a sales director in Denver, said she'd tried various seat cushions and stretches without much improvement in back pain. Then, her physical therapist suggested tummy time — simply lying face down for 10 minutes per day. 'No devices or setup. Just a flat surface, arms by the side, and a quiet room. After about a week of doing this twice a day, I added a thin towel under my chest and held it for fifteen minutes,' she said. Two weeks later, she could feel her back decompressing and had less hip tension and more flexibility. 'I could walk longer during event setups without fatigue,' she said. So, she kept upping her time and now does two 20-minute sessions per day, especially during long workdays on a computer. Jazini recommended pairing this practice with a screen break, too. 'Take five minutes to do something away from your screen whether it's going for a short walk, stretching, or grabbing some water.' You can work up to hourly breaks of around five to 10 minutes, setting a reminder or timer to stay on schedule. Breaker said: 'I still sit most of the day, but I do not carry the same tightness I used to. It has been the simplest thing I have added, and it has worked better than anything else I tried.' Related... Should We All Be Squatting More? This Surprising Posture Has Serious Health Benefits As You Get Older If You Notice This Sensation When Walking, Your Shoes Are Probably The Wrong Size Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Adults Need Tummy Time, Too — Here Are The Ailments It Can Actually Help Fix
If you're a parent, 'tummy time' is probably a familiar term, considered by many to be key to the physical development of babies. But now, tummy time is trending for adults, too. Getting out of your desk chair and spending some time on your stomach might seem awkward at first, but if you think about how long you sit in the same position much of the day — at the office, on the couch and in the car — it makes sense. Experts say it's offsetting the effects of tech neck and tight hips, too. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker spends 45% of the day sitting. In addition to sitting, they stare at electronics all day; 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Screen-based lives might be causing a variety of orthopedic problems. 'Lying on your stomach for 10 or more minutes a day while watching TV or reading can improve bad posture and relieve 'tech neck' — the strain in our necks and shoulders caused by looking down at phones and laptops for hours each day,' said Julie Landis, a physical therapist and ergonomist in Washington, D.C. Here's what to know as you consider getting out of your chair and down on your belly — a position that's no longer just for babies. What is tummy time? Tummy time is an activity in which new babies spend time while awake on their stomachs. There, they build multiple muscle groups and improve mobility as well as arm, trunk and neck strength. In a TikTok post from 2023 that has recently gained popularity again, physical therapist 'Sammy' on her profile 'unifiedptandyoga' focuses on how adult tummy time can help one age gracefully by achieving more mobility. She shows viewers a progression of lying on your stomach with multiple pillows under you, and then reducing the number, assuming pain goes away each time. She recently made a new video, noting her old one probably gained traction due to tech neck, a term used to describe the chronic shoulder or neck pain experienced from using technology. She showed some updated techniques in the video and stated that it's even hard for some patients in her clinic to get into that position on their stomachs — but it's important to be able to do. Tummy time can have an effect on tech neck. 'I've seen a noticeable increase in patients of all ages complaining about neck stiffness, tightness or pain, which can be linked to prolonged screen time,' said Dr. Ehsan Jazini, a spine surgeon at VSI in Reston, Virginia. 'The mechanics of looking down for long periods squishes our spinal discs, which I refer to as 'shock absorbers' of the spine,' Jazini said. 'Over time, this pressure placed on the discs can accelerate disc degeneration, pinch nerves, reduce mobility and trigger symptoms that radiate into the shoulders, arms and hands.' He said not addressing poor posture affects your spine's function in the long term. 'That strain can lead to chronic neck pain, stiffness, instability and pain throughout the rest of the body. If left uncorrected, poor posture can lead to wear and tear on the spine that's harder to reverse down the line.' Tummy time can impact hip and back pain. Adult tummy time also helps to open up the front of the hips and activate the core and back muscles, which are key players in everyday back pain. 'Many people spend far too much time sitting, whether at a desk, in a car, or on the couch. The human body was not designed for such inactivity,' said Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New York and New Jersey. He fears if we don't change these habits we will soon see 'an increase in musculoskeletal issues across all age groups.' These include: Degenerative disc disease, where the discs between the vertebrae begin to wear down due to constant pressure and a lack of movement. 'This can lead to stiffness, pain, and even nerve compression.' Sciatica, occurring when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed, often by a herniated disc or tight muscles in the lower back. 'People may experience sharp pain that radiates down the leg, along with numbness or weakness.' Tight hip flexors, leading to pelvic misalignment and lower back pain. 'Over time, this can impact your gait and make everyday movements more difficult.' Flipping onto your stomach can counteract extended sitting just as it does for infants, he said. 'When you lie on your stomach, you naturally extend the spine, which helps reverse the flexed posture that sitting creates. This gentle spinal extension relieves pressure on the discs, especially in the lower back, and allows the back muscles to stretch and activate differently.' In addition, you are able to open the hip flexors, which are often tightened and shortened from sitting too much. 'By relaxing into a prone position, the hips and pelvis can realign more naturally, which supports better posture when you return to standing or sitting,' Okubadejo said. So, your tummy time actually makes you better at sitting too. Here's what tummy time looks like for adults. 'The adult tummy time position isn't natural for most of us, so I recommend starting slow, and breaking adult tummy time into increments,' Jazini said. 'Take three to five minutes at a time, a few times a day, lying on your stomach while propped on your elbows. You should feel a stretch in the front of the neck, as well as in your back and in your hips.' Katie Breaker, a sales director in Denver, said she'd tried various seat cushions and stretches without much improvement in back pain. Then, her physical therapist suggested tummy time — simply lying face down for 10 minutes per day. 'No devices or setup. Just a flat surface, arms by the side, and a quiet room. After about a week of doing this twice a day, I added a thin towel under my chest and held it for fifteen minutes,' she said. Two weeks later, she could feel her back decompressing and had less hip tension and more flexibility. 'I could walk longer during event setups without fatigue,' she said. So, she kept upping her time and now does two 20-minute sessions per day, especially during long workdays on a computer. Jazini recommended pairing this practice with a screen break, too. 'Take five minutes to do something away from your screen whether it's going for a short walk, stretching, or grabbing some water.' You can work up to hourly breaks of around five to 10 minutes, setting a reminder or timer to stay on schedule. Breaker said: 'I still sit most of the day, but I do not carry the same tightness I used to. It has been the simplest thing I have added, and it has worked better than anything else I tried.' Related... Should We All Be Squatting More? This Surprising Posture Has Serious Health Benefits As You Get Older If You Notice This Sensation When Walking, Your Shoes Are Probably The Wrong Size
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's latest openings, from Chengdu hotpot to French duck
TuniTuni TuniTuni now has two locations in Hong Kong. Photo: courtesy TuniTuni Having opened its first Hong Kong location last year, this Korean kids' gym brand has now launched its second, in Sha Tin. The centre is designed to spark creativity and foster physical development in children aged one to five. With games and storytelling in each session, the curriculum, which changes weekly, is designed to keep young ones engaged and curious. Units N & P, 19/F, Kings Wing Plaza 2, 1 On Kwan Street, Sha Tin Gossip Gossip's Hannya cocktail. Photo: courtesy Gossip Taking cues from sister cocktail club Socio , Gossip brings serious mixology into the nightclub scene. Alongside a live music programme of R&B and hip hop, Gossip's menu takes inspiration from traditional Asian masks, and features drinks such as the Hannya, made with yuzu kosho and kombu-infused Bacardi, and the Nuoxi, with Sichuan pepper-infused Ketel One vodka. 3/F, FOCO Building, 48 Cochrane Street, Central Shoo Loong Kan Sichuanese hotpot at Shoo Loong Kan in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay. Photo: courtesy Shoo Loong Kan
Malay Mail
18-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
KL growth must be ‘liveable for all generations', says FT minister in call for balanced city planning
KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 — Physical development in Kuala Lumpur must be balanced with social needs to ensure the city remains conducive and liveable for all generations, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. She said rapid development must also be accompanied by the capacity of the education system, basic amenities, and support for the local community structure. 'Without a doubt, rapid development in Kuala Lumpur will continue to expand, but the need to align development approvals with the readiness of supporting infrastructure such as schools, clinics, road networks, public transport pressure and green spaces must be considered from the earliest stages of planning. 'The siloed approach between developers and local authorities must be replaced with comprehensive planning that considers the overall impact on the area,' she said in a Facebook post yesterday. Earlier, Dr Zaliha chaired the Federal Territories Ministerial Council Meeting, which serves as an engagement platform between her and Kuala Lumpur MPs, together with agencies such as the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Education Department (JPWPKL) and PLANMalaysia, to discuss development policies for the federal capital. 'Unlike other states which have executive councillors and assemblymen, the federal territories require a more dynamic approach to policy coordination between the federal government and MPs. As such, this meeting also served as an engagement session with the JPWPKL and PLANMalaysia to foster a stronger and more responsive understanding of policies that reflect on-the-ground realities. 'I also stated that the involvement of MPs in development issues must be more pragmatic, taking into account data, long-term impacts and environmental readiness, and not merely driven by perception or populist approaches that could only affect policy adaptation,' she added. In a related development, Dr Zaliha said she received a courtesy call yesterday from Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to strengthen strategic cooperation in the tourism sector within the federal territories. The discussion between the two ministers focused on efforts to elevate Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan as the country's premier tourism destinations, each with their own unique strengths. She also invited the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to collaborate in promoting the Borneo Flora Festival, which will be held in Labuan for the first time, with a target of attracting over 50,000 visitors. In addition, Putrajaya Corporation and Tourism Malaysia have also been asked to refine the development of more creative new tourism products in Putrajaya, with the aim of extending tourists' stays and offering fresh and unique experiences to encourage returning visitors. — Bernama
