Question: I stretched my chest today with my arms outstretched horizontally and I heard a cracking or popping kind of noise. The kind you hear when you crack your knuckles. The only thing is is that it came directly from the center of the chest where the sternum is located (in between my pecs).
Just wondering if this is normal. / Mark from Illinois
Answer: This noise is very similar in nature to popping your knuckles in that the noise you hear is just gas bubbles being released from the synovial fluid in the joint. But the popping or cracking you’re talking about occurs in the sternocostal joint (where the ribs and sternum connect).
Though it’s not really a problem, it typically occurs when one or more of the ribs are subluxated (very slightly out of place) and not articulating with the vertebrae perfectly.
My experience is that is can virtually always be remedied with chiropractic adjustments to the appropriate (subluxated) ribs and vertebrae.
If you can’t get to a chiropractor (though I’d really recommend it), try rolling on a foam roller on a regular basis. That’s the next best thing to getting your thoracic spine adjusted by a skilled chiropractor.
~ Dr Clay
Question: I’m 48 years old and have been bodybuilding for about 25 years.
How should my training and nutrition be changing as I my training age matures?
Dale / Cordell, Oklahoma
Answer: That’s a very good question, Dale. There are, in fact, a few things that one should consider as they age. Though a book could easily be written on this topic, let me go over a few things you must do.
Question: I have rolled and sprained both of my ankles. During my football season what can i do to prevent another sprain since both of my ankles are now weaker and more prone to a sprain.
Answer: The best way to “bullet-proof” your ankles from ankle sprains is to do some exercises on an unstable surface.
Start with simply balancing on one foot. Then do the same on a pad like an Airex pad. Then you can stand on both feet on a wobble board.
Again, anything where the foot is on an unstable surface will help.
Best,
Dr Clay
Question: I have a.. I guess problem. Every since I was like 8 I started developing fatty tissue around my chest…and now I have more than I want, so yeah kinda like man boobs I guess.
And its pretty embarassing u know, to have to take my shirt of and all that. The thing is I have done martial arts for more than a year now, I do pushups and lift weights and all that.
I work out like 2-5 hours a day….but I still have fat on my chest that gives me “man boobs” I don’t get what I’m doing wrong….can u help me pls?
SO is it just my diet that I need to change, or something else? Please help me get rid of my man boobs! Thanks.
Answer: You’re certainly not alone. Many, many men (teenagers especially) have fatty deposits (aka man boobs) around the areola and lower chest.
This typically occurs as a result of a slight hormone imbalance, often due to puberty. As testosterone levels elevate in young men, some end up converting too much of the “excess” testosterone into estrogen. This estrogen leads to fatty deposits around and under the nipple area. Clinically, this is called gynecomastia.
Many people outgrow the condition when the sex hormones return to normal. But in some men the man boobs persist. If this is the case, they usually have to be surgically removed. The surgery is fairly simple and typically has a quick recovery time.
Before you opt for surgery, however, get as lean as you can. This will get rid of as much fat in the chest area as possible. This often eliminates man boobs (gyno) or at least reduces the severity. But if you’re still not happy with the shape of your chest, then I would begin looking for an experienced surgeon.
~ Dr Clay
Question: Hi i just subscribed to your vids … i’m a 20 male 5′7″ and about 130 lbs I’m just wondering what are your views on extra virgin olive oil… I take 3 flax seed pills (1 tbsp each) a day as the bottle recommends. How much or how little extra virg olive oil should I be eating and how often?
Thanks for your help 
-Will
Answer: There’s really no specific amount that we know that people should consumer per day. However, I think that most people would benefit from consuming one tablespoon per day.
This would be enough to get some of the benefits but without adding too many calories to the diet. However, many people could certainly consume more, especially if their diet were slightly lower in carbs (to compensate for the additional - although healthy - calories in the extra virgin olive oil).
Your in health,
Dr Clay