Physicians Fitness

05/28/2026

Can low back pain affect your gut health?

"ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet its underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Current diagnostic techniques rely heavily on imaging, which is insufficient for identifying inflammatory or systemic contributors. Emerging evidence suggests a role for gut microbiome dysbiosis in inflammatory pain pathways, yet its specific contribution to chronic LBP remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate gut microbiome alterations in chronic LBP patients compared to healthy controls.

Methods:
Twenty-eight patients with chronic LBP (> 3 months) without advanced disk degeneration (Pfirrmann grade < 4) and 28 age-, s*x-, and BMI-matched healthy controls were recruited. Stool samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA V4 gut microbiome analysis. Alpha diversity and beta diversity were assessed to determine microbial diversity differences. Taxonomic composition was compared at the phylum and genus levels.

Results:
There were no significant differences in age, s*x, BMI, and race between the two groups. Patients with chronic LBP exhibited significantly reduced alpha diversity compared to controls (U = 517, p = 0.003, r = 0.395). Beta diversity analysis demonstrated distinct clustering between groups, suggesting significant shifts in microbial composition (PERMANOVA, p

05/27/2026

COMING SOON!

It’s a BIG DAY - We are so excited to show you the new facility with our official signage on it! A massive first step in an incredible journey ahead.

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05/27/2026

It’s a BIG DAY - We are so excited to show you the new facility with our official signage on it! A massive first step in an incredible journey ahead.

05/26/2026

Unlock Your Peak Performance with Vo2 Max Testing at Physicians Fitness 🔐

We are committed to providing you the tools and insights needed to achieve your health and fitness goals.

It doesn’t matter if you are an elite level athlete or just focused on your health, this is one of the most valuable fitness assessments available - schedule your consult now!

05/24/2026

Exercise is necessary for increasing and keeping your bone health

05/21/2026

Another reason to start and sustain a formal exercise process:

"Abstract
Klotho is an anti-aging protein with several therapeutic roles in the pathophysiology of different organs, such as the skeletal muscle and kidneys. Available evidence suggests that exercise increases Klotho levels, regardless of the condition or intervention, shedding some light on this anti-aging protein as an emergent and promising exerkine. Development of a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to verify the role of different exercise training protocols on the levels of circulating soluble Klotho (S-Klotho) protein. A systematic search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE through PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, CT.gov, and PEDro. Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that investigated effects of exercise training on S-Klotho levels. We included 12 reports in the analysis, comprising 621 participants with age ranging from 30 to 65 years old. Klotho concentration increased significantly after chronic exercise training (minimum of 12 weeks) (Hedge’ g [95%CI] 1.3 [0.69–1.90]; P < 0.0001). Moreover, exercise training increases S-Klotho values regardless of the health condition of the individual or the exercise intervention, with the exception of combined aerobic + resistance training. Furthermore, protocol duration and volume seem to influence S-Klotho concentration, since the effect of the meta-analysis changes when subgrouping these variables. Altogether, circulating S-Klotho protein is altered after chronic exercise training and it might be considered an exerkine. However, this effect may be influenced by different training configurations, including protocol duration, volume, and intensity."

Corrêa, H. D., Raab, A. T., Araújo, T. M., Deus, L. A., Reis, A. L., Honorato, F. S., Rodrigues-Silva, P. L., Neves, R. V., Brunetta, H. S., Mori, M. A., Franco, O. L., & Rosa, T. D. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrating Klotho as an emerging exerkine. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 17587. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-22123-1

Klotho is an anti-aging protein with several therapeutic roles in the pathophysiology of different organs, such as the skeletal muscle and kidneys. Available evidence suggests that exercise increases Klotho levels, regardless of the condition or intervention, shedding some light on this anti-aging p...

05/18/2026

We test VO2Max at Physicians Fitness and write a personalized exercise prescription for you to maximize your results. Call today to explore whether this critical test is appropriate for you. 6144428100 or visit www.physiciansfitness.com

05/13/2026

Tell me again why you’re not regularly exercising?

05/07/2026

S*x differences in Achilles tendon behaviour during walking...

“Abstract

The Achilles tendon (AT) plays a crucial role in locomotion. Differences in AT morphological and mechanical properties between men and women may therefore contribute to s*x-differences in tendon behavior. This study aimed to investigate s*x-based differences in AT strain behavior and derived mechanical properties during walking. Seventeen men and fifteen women walked shod at their preferred velocity on an instrumented treadmill. Gait kinematics and AT displacement were captured synchronously using 3D motion capture and ultrasound imaging, respectively. A MANOVA was used to examine s*x differences in morphological and mechanical properties (AT force, stress, strain, stiffness, elastic modulus, hysteresis, strain energy) and a separate one-way ANOVA used to examine walking parameters. Time-series data (AT force, displacement, strain, AT loading rate, shortening velocity, instantaneous AT moment arm length and ankle angle) were assessed with 1D statistical parametric mapping. Results indicated that men had significantly greater AT dimensions and stiffness than women. Women exhibited greater peak AT displacement and strain during the push-off phase, while AT loading rates were higher in men in late stance. These findings suggest potential s*x-specific differences in AT behavior during dynamic activities, providing further insights into tendon biomechanics. Future research should explore AT mechanics under higher loading conditions and across different age groups to comprehensively understand s*x differences in tendon behaviour.”

C.M. Waugh, K. Squier, A. Scott, S*x differences in Achilles tendon behaviour during walking, Journal of Biomechanics, Volume 189, 2025, 112796, ISSN 0021-9290, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2025.112796.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021929025003082)

04/30/2026

Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain Without Advanced
Disk Degeneration Exhibit Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis:
Evidence From an Age-, S*x-, and BMI-Matched Pilot Study

ABSTRACT
Background:
Chronic low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet its underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Current diagnostic techniques rely heavily on imaging, which is insufficient for identifying inflammatory or systemic contributors. Emerging evidence suggests a role for gut microbiome dysbiosis in inflammatory pain pathways, yet its specific contribution to chronic LBP remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate gut microbiome alterations in chronic LBP patients compared to healthy controls.

Methods:
Twenty-eight patients with chronic LBP (> 3 months) without advanced disk degeneration (Pfirrmann grade < 4) and 28 age-, s*x-, and BMI-matched healthy controls were recruited. Stool samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA V4 gut microbiome analysis. Alpha diversity and beta diversity were assessed to determine microbial diversity differences. Taxonomic composition was compared at the phylum and genus levels.

Results:
There were no significant differences in age, s*x, BMI, and race between the two groups. Patients with chronic LBP exhibited significantly reduced alpha diversity compared to controls (U = 517, p = 0.003, r = 0.395). Beta diversity analysis demon- strated distinct clustering between groups, suggesting significant shifts in microbial composition (PERMANOVA, p

Chronic low back pain in patients without advanced disc degeneration is associated with gut microbiome dysbiosis, marked by reduced microbial diversity and altered bacterial composition. These findin...