Thursday, April 28, 2022

Other Tips : Aging and Exercise

Is it possible, like fine wine, to get better with age? In some ways, by staying healthy and remaining active, we can. In fact, studies show that older people who continue to have active lifestyles, experience less health problems as they age.

The progression of aging and it’s affects on how we function differ widely among individuals. Over the course of time, the normal aging of tissue causes changes to the anatomy. This is especially true in degenerative changes of the spine. In most people, these changes are gradual. In fact, many people have degenerative changes and don’t know it. They may only become aware of these changes when being examined during a routine checkup.

Degeneration of the spine is complex and often unpredictable. When degenerative changes occur in the joints, accompanied by pain and swelling, it is referred to as osteoarthritis. Other degenerative conditions that affect the spine include:

• Osteoporosis
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoarthritis

Choose Safe Activities

Before starting any new exercise program, be sure to see your doctor. Talk about the types of activities you are interested in doing and make sure your doctor gives you the ok to do them. You may want to ask your doctor the following questions:

• “Is it safe for me to exercise?”
• “What types of exercises are best for me?”
• “Are there any types of exercise I should avoid?”
• “Do any of my medications make it dangerous for me to do endurance exercises?”

While you can’t stop the aging process entirely, you can take steps to keep yourself as healthy as possible as you age. The benefits of regular exercise are numerous, so start today! Find an activity you enjoy and find out how wonderful it is to get older!

Article reprinted from Spine Universe

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Monday, April 25, 2022

Carpal Tunnel Help Without Surgery!


Dr. Pazdel explains how chiropractic care can be of benefit for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and avoiding surgery. Chiropractic care extends throughout the entire body, not just the spine.

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Friday, April 22, 2022

Treatment Services Highlight : Pain Management

Due to extensive training, experience, and advanced certifications; Dr. Pazdel is uniquely qualified to treat chronic pain. Whether you are experiencing Migraines, Arthritis, Tendonitis, Fibro Myalgia, Scoliosis, or Bursitis; Dr. Pazdel can help you manage reoccurring pain. Dr. Pazdel has successfully helped individuals manage work related pain including Carpal Tunnel, and Repetitive Motion Syndrome.

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Other Tips : Industrial Back Safety

Industrial safety specialists strive to help employers provide a safe and productive environment for their employees. They analyze information about people, tasks, equipment, and workspace in industrial settings found in manufacturing, engineering, and construction. Although industries differ, some tasks may be similar to work performed elsewhere. Lifting and material handling are such tasks that are common to many types of industries such as automobile manufacturing or bridge building.

Industrial Jobs can be Demanding Physically

Jobs in an industrial environment are usually physically demanding and require workers to lift, push, pull, and handle heavy loads. Some individual tasks are repetitious and require the worker to stand or sit for extended time periods. Many industrial work environments involve lifting and material handling. Common causes of back and neck injury related to these tasks include lifting a heavy object from above the shoulders or below the knees, twisting the body while lifting, carrying an object to one side of the body, and bending over at the waist.

When manual lifting, carrying, and lowering are necessary, consider these suggestions:

Step 1: Assess the Situation

A) Assess the load and the situation by testing the weight by lifting one corner. If the object is too heavy, over-sized, or an awkward shape ask for a co-worker's help. If help is not available, consider using a mechanical lift or a hand truck.

B) Consider the following before lifting:

  • When lifted, will the object obstruct your view?
  • How far will you have to carry the object?
  • Is the destination pathway clear?
  • Is the pathway floor flat, slanted, cracked, uneven?
  • Will curbs, stairs or doorways be encountered?
  • Is there adequate height and width clearance in aisles?
  • Does an area need to be cleared to receive the object?

C) Wear gloves to help grip the object and protect your hands.

Step 2: Lift, Carry, and Lower with Care

  • Position yourself on center and close to the object.
  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep feet flat on the floor.
  • Tighten your stomach muscles to help support the back.
  • Grip the object and hold it close to your body.
  • Bend your knees, keep the back straight, and lift using leg strength. The muscles in the legs are stronger and more powerful than your back muscles.
  • While lifting, do not twist the body. Lift straight up smoothly - do not jerk the load.
  • Look straight ahead, hold the load close, and walk toward your destination.
  • Instead of twisting to change direction, turn the feet (e.g. pivot).
  • Know where you plan to set the object down. Have a plan in mind.
  • To lower and set the object down: keep the load close to your body, bend your knees, and let your leg muscles do the work to lower the object. Remember to keep your back straight and do not twist.

Article reprinted from Spine Universe

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Happy Easter.

From us here at Pazdel, Happy Easter to you and your loved ones.

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585


Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Treatment Services Highlight : Orthodics

By stabilizing and balancing your feet, Foot Levelers orthotics enhance your body’s performance and efficiency, reduce pain, and contribute to your total body wellness. Our orthotics complement your healthcare professional’s treatment when you stand, walk, and live your life in balance.

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Other Tips : Preventing Workplace Injuries

Many of workplace injuries can be minimized, if not prevented by remembering, the simple A-B-C's.

  • A - Awareness/Adjustments
  • B - Body Mechanics
  • C - Care/Conditioning

A - Awareness/Adjustments

Many injuries are due to repetitive movements and fatigue resulting from natural stresses and strains on the body. Posture that is maintained for too long are exposed to cumulative stresses and strains. Poor posture can place these stresses and strains in areas of the body that are weak, resulting in pain and excessive wear.

B - Body Mechanics

Once again, posture is a key in proper body mechanics. Pretend that there is a board in the front and one in the back of your body. In other words, try to keep your back as straight as possible at all times. This is done by remembering the basics of - head up, shoulders back, chest out, stomach and rear-end in and back straight! Poor posture and incorrect body mechanics are two of the leading causes of back and neck pain and injury.

When lifting heavy objects widen your feet, squat from your hips and not your waist. Do not twist especially while bending and tighten your stomach! One's legs are a great deal stronger than one's back. Your abdominals (stomach) attaches to the front of your back, therefore when you pretend that you are about to be punched and still breath - you protect your back because of using your abdominals. Use common sense, use the stronger muscles - use your legs when lifting. 

C - Care/Conditioning

Eating, sleeping and exercise are vital when preventing injury and keeping a healthy body. Dietary habits are addressed every day. The basics - fruits, vegetables, protein and low fat help keep the body happy and healthy. Sleep should be approximately 8 hours with good sleeping posture. The neck should be neither bent or extended, it should be gently supported. The legs should also be supported with either one or two pillows. If you think: "I can't sleep like that - I move around too much!", that is OK, the first hour is the most important. The center of the spine (the nucleus) depends solely on absorption from surrounding structures - kind of like a sponge. It absorbs 80% of its nutrition in the first hour of sleep. When the legs are supported, it opens up the spinal segment to allow for maximal absorption.

Also remember to stand up - stretch - and walk around at least once an hour. You will be surprised how easy this is to do and how much better your body will feel when practicing these simple suggestions.

In summary, common sense is the best practice on the job. Remember the A-B-C's and if you have a specific problem or injury, don't suffer in silence. Dr. Pazdel is just a phone call away.

Article reprinted from Spine Universe

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Kinesio Taping as a Tool For Better Health


Dr. Pazdel explains what kinesio taping is and how it can be beneficial in moving toward health after common muscle injuries on the field and off. It is commonly used in sports to help heals stresses and strains of selected muscle sections and because it is so flexible works particularly well on the moving parts of our bodies.

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Monday, April 4, 2022

Treatment Services Highlight : Kinseo Taping

Kinesiology tape is a thin, stretchy, elastic cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive. Therapeutic kinesiology taping can benefit a wide variety of musculoskeletal and sports injuries, plus inflammatory conditions. 

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585

Friday, April 1, 2022

Other Tips : Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Spinal Joint Disease

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints. Also know as degenerative joint disease, it is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 20 million American adults. It should not be confused with rheumatoid arthritis, which is not the same as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by a breakdown of cartilage, the substance that provides a cushion between the bones of the joints. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another and acts as a shock absorber during physical movement. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down and wears away. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause. Risk factors include:

  • Age – osteoarthritis affects more people over the age of 45
  • Female – osteoarthritis is more common in women than in men
  • Certain hereditary conditions such as defective cartilage and joint deformity
  • Joint injuries caused by sports, work-related activity or accidents

Obesity

Diseases that affect the structure and function of cartilage, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hemochromatosis (a metabolic disorder), Paget's disease and gout

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis usually begins slowly. Early in the disease, joints may ache after physical work or exercise. Often the pain of early osteoarthritis fades and then returns over time, especially if the affected joint is overused. Other symptoms may include:

  • Swelling or tenderness in one or more joints, especially before or during a change in the weather
  • Loss of flexibility of a joint
  • Stiffness after getting out of bed
  • A crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone
  • Bony lumps on the joints of the fingers or the base of the thumb
  • Steady or intermittent pain in a joint (although not everyone with osteoarthritis has pain)

Which joints are affected by Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint but most often occurs in the spine, hips, knees or hands.

How do I know if I have Osteoarthritis?

No single test can diagnose osteoarthritis. However, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor. Most doctors use a combination of tools to determine if you have osteoarthritis, including: History, Tests and Physical Examination.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Even though there is no cure for osteoarthritis, its symptoms can be treated. Osteoarthritis treatment generally includes the following: Pain Control, Exercise and Weight Control.

Spine surgery (in severe cases) may be necessary to relieve chronic pain in damaged joints.

One of the most important things you can do is to take care of yourself and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. People with osteoarthritis can enjoy good health despite having this disease. Research shows that patients who take part in their own care report less pain and make fewer doctor visits. They also enjoy a better quality of life. The best way to start is what you are doing right now – learning as much as you can about osteoarthritis. Talk to your doctor about programs that you can join that are designed to help you manage your condition and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Article reprinted from Spine Universe

707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585