DEAR DOCTOR K: I have heard that tai chi can have a profound impact on the body and mind. What gives this exercise so much power?
DEAR READER: Tai chi is a Chinese martial art made up of a series of graceful movements, one transitioning smoothly into the next. Tai chi is said to be good for both body and mind; in fact, it's been called "meditation in motion."
DEAR DOCTOR K: I know I should exercise regularly, but I just can't get motivated. Do you have any suggestions?
DEAR READER: Practically everyone has heard that exercise is good for you. But not many people know just how good it is for you. For example, did you know that walking briskly for 30 minutes, at least five times a week, can do more to reduce your risk of getting diabetes than any medicine yet invented? It cuts your risk of diabetes in half.
DEAR DOCTOR K: Every few months I throw out my back. Are there any exercises I can do to strengthen my back and prevent this from happening?
DEAR READER: Exercise is a great way to prevent repeat episodes of low back pain. The right exercise program will help you build strong, flexible muscles that will be less prone to injury.
DEAR DOCTOR K: Why is abdominal fat worse for your health than fat around the hips and thighs?
DEAR READER: When it comes to body fat, location counts. Fat above the waist (the "apple" shape) is much more dangerous than fat in the butt and thighs (the "pear" shape). In most people, about 90 percent of body fat lies in a layer just beneath the skin. The remaining 10 percent -- called visceral fat -- lies out of reach, deep within your abdomen.
DEAR DOCTOR K: I know yoga has a lot of physical benefits, but is it true yoga can help reduce stress as well?
DEAR READER: Many people initially come to yoga to become physically fit, but they soon discover the psychological benefits. In addition to being great exercise, yoga is one of the best antidotes to the stress of modern living. I won't go as far as saying it is a fountain of youth, but I will say it can be a fountain of calm and equanimity.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My son thinks sports and energy drinks will help his athletic performance. But are these drinks safe for teens?
DEAR READER: I don't think children and teens should drink either sports or energy drinks -- and neither does the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Unfortunately, these products are often marketed directly to children and adolescents.
DEAR DOCTOR K: I've read that certain types of exercise help prevent osteoporosis. What types are best? How do they prevent bone loss?
DEAR READER: Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to breaks. Bones are very dynamic. Inside every bone, some cells are laying down new bone and other cells are chewing up old bone. You want these bone-building and bone-destroying forces to always remain about equal, and for most of our young and early adult lives they are.
DEAR DOCTOR K: My teenage son wants to box. Should I let him?
DEAR READER: As much as I believe sports are great for kids, particularly teenagers, I think boxing is a bad idea. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees. Last year the AAP released a statement strongly opposing boxing as a sport for children and teens.
DEAR DOCTOR K: Many exercise classes these days focus on core strength. Why is it important to have strong core muscles?
DEAR READER: I had always thought of exercise as involving the muscles of my arms and legs. Then I began hearing about core exercises and realized there was a lot about exercise that I didn't know. Your core muscles are the sturdy central link connecting your upper and lower body.
DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm on my high school track team. I've developed painful shin splints. What's the best way to treat them?
DEAR READER: I was on my high school track team, too, but based on where I placed in my races, I'm not sure anyone noticed. Like you, though, I got shin splints. Shin splints commonly occur in runners.
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Dr. Anthony Komaroff is a practicing physician, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Editor in Chief of Harvard Health Publications. Learn more »
Harvard Health Publications is the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, providing the general public with authoritative, trustworthy, and accessible health information. Learn more »
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