Good morning. Next week marks the 52nd edition of Rules of Thumb! It's hard to believe we've been hanging out every Saturday for nearly a year.
In lieu of a real party, we'll have to settle for a virtual toast.
A toast and a thank you to you — my readers. Your support, your comments, and your questions inspire me to keep at this week after week. I truly couldn't do it without you, and I appreciate the time you spend reading this newsletter each week.
So here's to a new year. I'm excited to see where we go together!
That familiar burn in your muscles during a workout isn't just your body complaining — it's a complex chain of microscopic events designed to deliver energy. And fast.
Inside each muscle fiber, millions of tiny molecular workers are pulling together to create the force that powers your movements. When these bad boys need more energy than your body can deliver with oxygen alone, they flip over to the backup power system that creates that tell-tale burn.
In this week's article, we'll look inside your muscles to understand exactly what's happening when they start screaming, and why that burn might be more friend than foe.
Pickup soccer in the rain that involves illegal slide-tackling is not so fun when your ankle dislocates and the bones come out through the skin.
🐭 Small change | BIG impact 🐘
It dawned on me just the other day. You know what may be one of the modern factors heavily influencing thumb pain? Breaking down all those cardboard boxes that come from Amazon.
It can be all-too-easy to try to tear open the tape when opening or breaking them down. Who has time to look for a scissors?
Unfortunately, that narrow pinch grip you would use to tear cardboard boxes (or tear a piece of paper or tape) is absolutely brutal for your thumb joint. You can find full images of that no-no thumb position here. Want to accelerate your path to thumb arthritis? Keep exerting heavy pinch forces in this position!
Instead, take those extra few seconds to locate the scissors, knife, or box cutter. Your future thumbs will thank you.
PS. But of course I feel inclined to remind you to use safe cutting techniques (eg, avocados here) if you're heeding this advice!
**TODAY is the last day to get the A to Z guide to carpal tunnel syndrome at 75% off. Get your copy today!**
If you're curious to learn more or are tired of dealing with numb hands in the middle of the night, this is your invitation to take a virtual 'masterclass' from me on all things carpal tunnel syndrome.
It's truly all of the education I wish I had time to give during a regular clinic visit
If you know the story of 'The Donner Party' in the 1840s...this is the most in-depth accounting of their terrifying journey.
If you don't (like me before I read this)...how do I say this?
It's a historical account of a group of people on The Oregon Trail in the 1840s. Except they were headed to California. It's a great recounting of all the hardships and things you would expect from a 'stereotypical' passage on The Oregon Trail...until it isn't.
I won't ruin it for you, but what happens to this group in the California mountains (heartbreakingly, at the very end of their journey) is nothing short of insane. But reader beware, the content is not for the faint of heart and is deeply rattling in many respects. You'll have to decide if you're feeling up to this one!
🕰️ Meme Time 🕰️
🩸 Finger on the Pulse 🩸
❄️ Snow shovel technique: It's been a snowy couple weeks here in Colorado. I came across this article explaining 'good' snow shoveling form and found it super helpful...especially the labeled image!
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PS. Rules of Thumb is a completely free resource to all those who want to learn more about the human body. Support Rules of Thumb here 🙏.
**Please do not use this email to try to obtain medical advice. I cannot legally or ethically provide that. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 and do not attempt to contact me through email.**
If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Do not attempt to contact or obtain medical services through this site. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this site or materials linked from this site is at the user's own risk. The content of this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The content is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of OCC.
