Feature Articles:
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• Shop But Don’t Drop This Holiday Season •
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Advice from our friends at the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) can keep you from dropping this holiday season. So before you gallop off to fill your sleigh, read through the following checklist as created by the ACA to keep you happy, healthy and out of pain this holiday season:
- Drink water frequently throughout the day to keep your muscles and body hydrated.
- Stretch before and after a long day of shopping. When you are under stress, your muscles are less flexible than usual.
- Wear shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb the impact of walking on hard shopping mall floors.
- Make sure the clothing you wear is as comfortable as possible. You may be going from a cold environment (outdoors) to a warm environment (indoors), so wear layers.
- Leave your purse at home. Wear a light fanny pack or a light backpack instead. Pack only those items that are absolutely essential (driver’s license, credit card, etc.).
- Plan frequent breaks into your shopping day – at least once every 45 minutes for most people. Those with less stamina may need to take a break every 20-30 minutes.
- When taking breaks, eat light foods. A salad and some fruit is a better option than a burger and fries.
- Skip the coffee break. Coffee contains caffeine, which dehydrates you and adds even more stress to your body.
- If possible, obtain a locker – and drop your packages there during your breaks. Don’t carry around more than is absolutely necessary at one time.
- If your mall or shopping center doesn’t offer lockers, plan frequent trips to your car.
Once You’re Home and Wrapping Your Gifts…
- Since there is no “ideal” position for wrapping gifts, the most important thing to remember is to take breaks often. Get up and stretch, or go make some hot apple cider.
- Do not wrap packages while sitting on a hard floor. This can wreak havoc on your posture.
- Always stretch before and after you wrap gifts. Stretch the opposites; if you are leaning forward when wrapping your gifts, stretch backward when you are done.
If you still find yourself stressed, tight and feeling like you need a recharge, we welcome you to contact us our office for a quick, pain-free evaluation.
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| SOURCE: American Chiropractic Association. November 10, 2005. |
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• Chiropractic Care Reduces Surgery Rates, Among Others •
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Researchers analyzed healthcare claims from a managed healthcare company during a 4-year period to determine if including chiropractic coverage would alter the number of x-rays, surgeries, inpatient care and advanced imaging (MRI, CT scans, etc.). In evaluating those with low back pain and neck pain, researchers found providing chiropractic benefits resulted in, “a reduction in the rates of surgery, advanced imaging, inpatient care, and plain-film radiographs.”
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| SOURCE: JMPT. October 2005; Vol. 28, No. 8 |
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• More Nonsurgical Spine Clinics Needed •
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Could improved access to nonsurgical care (such as chiropractic care) for those experiencing sciatic (leg pain) and low back pain reduce the high rates of lumbar disc surgery? Denmark researchers recently organized a study to find out. In 1997, two nonsurgical spine clinics were opened, targeting patients with sciatica of 1 to 3 months’ duration, with or without low back pain. In the county where these clinics operated, lumbar disc operations reduced from approximately 60-80 per 100,000 people before 1997 to 40 per 100,000 people in 2001. The rate in the rest of Denmark, outside of the county, remained unchanged during the same period. This provides strong evidence showing the importance and overall impact of conservative, nonsurgical care, which is exactly what chiropractic care is all about!
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| SOURCE: Spine. 30(21):2469-2473, November 1, 2005 |
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• Junk-Food Advertisements Hurting Our Children •
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Certain experts are now advising the government to step in and prevent food and drink advertisers from pushing their unhealthy choices so heavily on children. According to the stats, $11 billion was spent by the food and beverage industry last year in advertising for mostly high-calorie, nutritionally weak products. Now experts are finding companies are increasingly targeting children through the Internet, product placement and other activities. It’s no wonder 9 million U.S. children and teenagers, or about 16 percent, are obese compared with 5 percent in the 1960s. The number of young people with type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, also is on the rise. According to Sen. Tom Harkin, "the onslaught of junk-food marketing is endangering the health of our children."
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| SOURCE: Reuters. December 6, 2005. |
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