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But the minor twinge that started after one of her regular weight-lifting sessions soon grew into intense shoulder pain with accompanying arm and wrist weakness that threatened to sidetrack her busy life. She had a ruptured disc in her cervical (neck) spine.

Healthy bones are a critical component of the human body. Proper nutrition, calcium and vitamin D supplements are all excellent ways to improve bone health. Charles Grimshaw, MD, a BJC Medical Group orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at Christian Hospital, says that monitoring for osteoporosis, osteopenia (a condition that occurs when there’s a decrease in bone mineral density) and metabolic deficiencies, like deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D, are proactive approaches for supporting bone health.

Many people reserve visits to the doctor for times when they’re sick — but if you aren’t proactive about your health, you could be missing out on important preventive care from your physician.

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is an annual prevention-focused visit between a patient and a primary care physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. The visit is offered at no charge to the patient. These visits allow you to discuss with your provider information about your health status, set shared goals, and identify any gaps in care.

Martha Williams checked off a goal on her bucket list in April 2019. She qualified for, and ran, in the Boston Marathon. Although it's an accomplishment only a small percentage of runners can claim, Williams' story might not sound particularly extraordinary -- that is, unless you begin the story in December 2010.