Ask the Chiropractic Experts

May 2012 Article

Do you have low back pain?

Perhaps you need to check how you are walking.

Low back pain is the 2nd most common symptom after flu. 80% of people in the world experience low back pain at some time in their life. This is because we sit too much, and have not enough movement.

Have you thought about how much you walk each day? Have you asked yourself, “How am I walking?” If you walk incorrectly, it could injure your spine and ruin your posture; as well as giving you low back pain.

We need a minimum of 10,000 steps each day, but on average men walk 4,000 steps a day while women do 2,600 steps.

Why do we need to take 10,000 steps a day? An average person takes in 2500 calories per day. From that, we use 1500 cal for sleeping and breathing. Another 700 cal is burned by activities like walking. If person is to burn the remaining 300 cal, you will need 10,000 steps. If you are walking well, you will lose weight, decrease cholesterol level and give your body a chance to reduce low back pain.

But the point is how you walk!!

When you check your posture while you are walking, you may be surprised how bad it is. You might notice that you walk with hunched back.

Now I am going to explain what we will call “power-walking,” which is used to maintain the health of your spine. You need to stretch your muscles before start walking.

1st, straighten your back

2nd, as you walk, give a good swing to your arms.  Your elbows are bent and moving in a natural motion. Maintain an L shape elbow.

3rd, walk 10,000 steps. You should start with fewer steps in the beginning, and then increase steps daily. Do 3-4 times a week.  If you usually take in more calories, you will need to do more than 10,000 steps.

4th, walk with short stride (height-100cm) from heel to toe.

5th, drink water during walking.

6th, if it is a hot day, walk in the morning or after sunset.

7th,  if you have problems with your feet, you may need orthotics in your shoes to prevent injury to your ankle, knee and low back.

 

If you have any knee pain, low back pain, or a heart problem, consult us before you walk.

 

 

THE RESULT OF NEGLECT

Around the house, neglecting to do maintenance can be very costly.  Think of a little plumbing leak that doesn’t get fixed.  The slow dripping will gradually cause surrounding structures to rot.  Molds form and their spores cause a host of health problems.  What could have been prevented with a small amount of time and money becomes a colossal project costing thousands of dollars and a large amount of time to repair.

The scenario is similar for your car.  Doing regular maintenance can be inconvenient and cost some money, but this is nothing compared to the inconvenience and cost of a major breakdown.  If the car’s brakes fail not only will there be damage to the vehicle, but possibly to the occupants of the car and other innocent people.

Neglect of houses and cars are not the only things that can result in costly consequences.  Neglecting to look after your body is also very detrimental.  Loss of health costs are measured in reduced productivity, the inability to enjoy life, suffering from symptoms, as well as the escalating cost of treatment.

Although chiropractors are often perceived to be back doctors, our real focus is to help people to lead healthier lives.  Spinal health is a big factor in overall health because the spine is a common site for problems which affect the nervous system.  Health is impossible without a properly functioning nervous system.  Spinal health is an area that is very neglected by the majority of our society.

Although spinal health has a profound effect on a person’s overall health, it isn’t the only thing chiropractors help people with.  We try to look at the body as a whole unit and help people in a holistic manner.  That means assisting people with nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.  Helping people adopt lifestyles that promote health rather than hinder it is what we try to do.  It means that we encourage people to think differently about what health is and how to achieve it.

The first step toward becoming healthy is to stop neglecting your body.   If you are healthy now, do the little maintenance things so you don’t develop big problems down the road.  If your health is not good, stop neglecting to do things which will move you toward health.   Perhaps 2012 can be the year you turn the corner toward better health.

We can help you to become a healthier you.  Call today for an appointment.

 

December 2011 Article

DON’T BE EMBARRASSED TO COME BACK

Patients drop out of chiropractic care for many reasons.  It may be because of time commitments, financial considerations, slow progress, lack of commitment to health, or because they are simply feeling better.  Whatever their reason, it is each person’s prerogative to discontinue care at any time.  In our office the patient is the boss and they decide what type of care they want and how long they want to remain under care.

There are different types of chiropractic care available.  Relief care focuses on simply reducing a patient’s symptoms.  This usually means alleviating pain, which is most often why people consult a chiropractor in the first place.  The next type of care is corrective care where the tissues are strengthened to reduce the likelihood of re-injury.  This means continued chiropractic adjustments even though symptoms may be gone.  Corrective care can be a long process depending on how extensive the tissues have been damaged and how long standing the condition has been.  The last type of care is maintenance where the body is adjusted on a regular basis to keep it strong and resistant to the stresses of life.  This could mean getting adjusted weekly, bi-weekly, monthly depending on the individual’s lifestyle and overall health level.

As doctors of chiropractic, we would ideally like to see each and everyone of our patients receive corrective care and then move on to maintenance care.  In the long term this is the most beneficial and cost effective approach for patients to take.  We also realize that these options may not realistically fit everyone’s goals or individual situation.  We are okay with that as long as the patient is okay with it.  If the patient discontinues care, it is on their own terms.  The patient is the boss.

Patients often perceive however when they discontinue care they have disappointed us or let us down.  Then when their symptoms reoccur (which they inevitably do) or they develop new problems they are embarrassed to return to the office for care.  From our standpoint there is no need for patients to be hesitant to return for care.  They left on their own accord and returning is also their choice.

If you’ve been putting off returning for chiropractic care, hesitate no longer.  Your health is too important put off attending to it.  Regardless what your reasons were for previously discontinuing care, be assured you will be welcomed back.  Call today for an appointment.

 

October 2011 Article

BACK TO SCHOOL

It’s with fondness that I look back at the summers when my kids were still in school. Summer was a time of adventure; a time for new experiences; a time to just hang out together. My hope is that your summer with your kids will create great memories as well.

Summers are times when routines are suspended. Long, hot days provide opportunities we just don’t have the rest of the year and there’s no school to get in the way. As new activities are explored, many bumps and bruises occur. Meals are often unscheduled, grab what you can so that no fun will be missed. Bedtimes are dictated by the setting sun and whatever adventure may be found in the dark of night. Summer, it seems, is also a time when kids grow at an accelerated rate. None of last year’s school clothes fit anymore.

As much as the lack of routine is a privilege of summer holidays, one of the great things about school starting again is getting back into routines again. Once again regular bedtimes mean everyone is getting enough sleep. Regular meals mean eating together as a family and eating more nutritiously. A return to normal activities should produce fewer bumps and bruises. Many of the summer mishaps may be partly the result of the in-coordination that goes with rapid growth. A chiropractic checkup is in order for these growing, bruised kids.

As I’ve mused about in my blog (http://powers-jans.blogspot.com/2011/03/routines.html), routines can be very helpful for us to get the really important things done in our lives. Regular sleep habits, regular nutritious meals, regular exercise, regular quiet times, and regular chiropractic care are all important to being healthy. It’s not just kids, but all of us who seem to get out of our routines over the summer. Our health can suffer because of it. Now is the time to again get back to the important routines. This is important for kids and adults alike.

Have you let your family’s chiropractic care slip over the summer? Call today to schedule appointments for your family to be sure everyone is ready to return to school healthy. Let’s all be in top health this fall.