Highlands Sport and Spine

03/28/2026

Dietary Diversity May Lower Depression Risk.

Questionnaires completed by nearly 13,000 children, teens, and young adults revealed that eating a greater variety of foods is associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms.

Frontiers in Nutrition, January 2026

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

Low Vitamin D Status May Increase Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity.

Among a group of 200 young women with musculoskeletal pain, researchers observed that lower vitamin D levels were associated with greater pain severity.

International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing, February 2026

03/26/2026

Arthritis Significantly Impacts the Workforce.

New research suggests that nearly 40% of working-age adults in the United States with arthritis—roughly 10 million people—experience symptoms that limit their ability to carry out work activities to some degree, with the greatest impact seen among those whose arthritis affects overall mobility.

Arthritis Care & Research, January 2026

03/25/2026

Exercise in Nature, When Possible.

According to a recent study, engaging in physical activity in natural settings and green spaces—such as parks, countryside areas, and shorelines—may shift attention away from feelings of fatigue and toward calming external surroundings, providing additional physical and mental health benefits.

Journal of Physical Activity and Health, November 2025

03/24/2026

Try this simple reset: doorway pec stretch + breath.

Step into a doorway, place your forearm on the frame, and gently open through the chest. Then add slow, steady breathing.

Why pair stretching with breath?
Because breathing helps your body relax into the movement and can make the stretch feel more effective and less forced.

Think: open the chest, soften the ribs, slow the breath.

Give it a try after computer work, long drives, or upper body training.

03/24/2026

Heart Healthy Lifestyle Also Lowers Low Back Pain Risk.

Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers report that individuals who engage in a greater number of heart-healthy behaviors—including not smoking, obtaining adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining healthy blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels—were about 12% less likely to develop low back pain.

Spine Journal, November 2025

03/23/2026

Headaches don’t always start in your head.

Jaw tension, clenching, and tight muscles around the neck and face can all contribute to that familiar pressure and discomfort.

If you notice headaches along with:

- jaw tightness
- teeth clenching
- neck tension
- stress-related stiffness

…it may be worth looking beyond the head itself.

A whole-body approach can help address the tension patterns contributing to discomfort — not just the symptoms.