Monday, January 30, 2023
Friday, January 27, 2023
Other Tips : History of Chiropractic Care
The roots of chiropractic care can be traced all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Writings from China and Greece written in 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and the maneuvering of the lower extremities to ease low back pain. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, who lived from 460 to 357 B.C., also published texts detailing the importance of chiropractic care. In one of his writings he declares, "Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases".
In the United States, the practice of spinal manipulation began gaining momentum in the late nineteenth century. In 1895, Daniel David Palmer founded the Chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer was well read in medical journals of his time and had great knowledge of the developments that were occurring throughout the world regarding anatomy and physiology. In 1897, Daniel David Palmer went on to begin the Palmer School of Chiropractic, which has continued to be one of the most prominent chiropractic colleges in the nation.
Throughout the twentieth century, doctors of chiropractic gained legal recognition in all fifty states. A continuing recognition and respect for the chiropractic profession in the United States has led to growing support for chiropractic care all over the world. The research that has emerged from " around the world" has yielded incredibly influential results, which have changed, shaped and molded perceptions of chiropractic care. The report, Chiropractic in New Zealand published in 1979 strongly supported the efficacy of chiropractic care and elicited medical cooperation in conjunction with chiropractic care. The 1993 Manga study published in Canada investigated the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care. The results of this study concluded that chiropractic care would save hundreds of millions of dollars annually with regard to work disability payments and direct health care costs.
Doctors of chiropractic have become pioneers in the field of noninvasive care promoting science-based approaches to a variety of ailments. A continuing dedication to chiropractic research could lead to even more discoveries in preventing and combating maladies in future years.
Education of Doctors of Chiropractic
Doctors of Chiropractic must complete four to five years at an accredited chiropractic college. The complete curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. Approximately 555 hours are devoted to learning about adjustive techniques and spinal analysis in colleges of chiropractic. In medical schools, training to become proficient in manipulation is generally not required of, or offered to, students. The Council on Chiropractic Education requires that students have 90 hours of undergraduate courses with science as the focus.
Those intending to become doctors of chiropractic must also pass the national board exam and all exams required by the state in which the individual wishes to practice. The individual must also meet all individual state licensing requirements in order to become a doctor of chiropractic.
An individual studying to become a doctor of chiropractic receives an education in both the basic and clinical sciences and in related health subjects. The intention of the basic chiropractic curriculum is to provide an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the human body in health and disease. The educational program includes training in the basic medical sciences, including anatomy with human dissection, physiology, and biochemistry. Thorough training is also obtained in differential diagnosis, radiology and therapeutic techniques. This means, a doctor of chiropractic can both diagnose and treat patients, which separates them from non-physician status providers, like physical therapists. According to the Council on Chiropractic Education DCs are trained as Primary care Providers.
What is a Doctor of Chiropractic?
The proper title for a doctor of chiropractic is "doctor" as they are considered physicians under Medicare and in the overwhelming majority of states. The professional credentials' abbreviation " D.C." means Doctor of Chiropractic. The American Chiropractic Association also advocates in its Policies on Public Health that DCs may be referred to as (chiropractic) physicians as well.
Chiropractic Philosophy
As a profession, the primary belief is in natural and conservative methods of health care. Doctors of chiropractic have a deep respect for the human body's ability to heal itself without the use of surgery or medication. These doctors devote careful attention to the bio mechanics, structure and function of the spine, its effects on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and the role played by the proper function of these systems in the preservation and restoration of health. A Doctor of Chiropractic is one who is involved in the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the promotion of public health, and a wellness approach to patient health care.
Scope of Practice
Doctors of Chiropractic frequently treat individuals with neuromusculoskeletal complaints, such as headaches, joint pain, neck pain, low back pain and sciatica. Chiropractors also treat patients with osteoarthritis, spinal disk conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, sprains, and strains. However, the scope of conditions that Doctors of Chiropractic manage or provide care for is not limited to neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors have the training to treat a variety of non-neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as: allergies, asthma, digestive disorders, otitis media (non-suppurative) and other disorders as new research is developed.
Article reprinted from American Chiropractic Association
707-429-4861
258 Sunset Ave
Suisun City, CA 94585
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Other Tips : Preventing Back Pain, Tips for New Moms
Complaints of back pain by pregnant women are common. Usually, the pain diminishes within two weeks after delivery. But back pain may return as you begin lifting and carrying the infant on a daily basis. As the infant grows, the weight load increases and back pain can result.
Caring for an infant puts stress on your back. Initially, you may be lifting the 7- to 10-pound baby up to 50 times a day. By the time the child is a year old, you are lifting and carrying 17 pounds. Two years later, you will be lifting a 25- to 30-pound child.
Here are ten ways that new mothers can help reduce their risk of injury and back pain. Many of these tips also work well with new fathers!
1. Begin exercising soon after delivery to restore muscle tone to the abdominal and back muscles. While the baby is napping, take 10 minutes to do stretching exercises on the floor each day. This will help restore hip and back flexibility
2. Try to return to your normal weight within six weeks after giving birth.
3. Do not stretch your arms out to pick up the baby. Bring the baby close to your chest before lifting. Avoid twisting your body.
4. To pick up a child from the floor, bend at your knees-not at your waist. Squat down, tighten your stomach muscles and lift with your legs.
5. Remove the high chair tray when you are trying to put the baby in or take the baby out of the high chair.
6. When lifting the child up out of the crib, put the crib side down and pull the child toward you. Do not bend over the crib side and lift the baby over the top.
7. Consider using a "front pack" to carry the baby when you are walking.
8. Do not carry a child on your hip; this overloads the back muscles.
9. To avoid upper back pain from breastfeeding, bring the baby to your breast, rather than bending over the baby. While you are nursing, sit in an upright chair rather than a soft couch.
10. Do not stand outside the car and try to place the child in the car seat. Kneel on the back seat as you place the baby into the car seat. Consider trading in your sporty two-door model for a four-door vehicle, which will make it easier for you to place the child in the car seat.
If you had a Caesarian-section (C-section) delivery, wait six weeks or until you get the permission of your obstetrician before you begin exercising. Additionally, the risk of back pain is greater among young,
Article reprinted from American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Other Tips : Low Back Pain, Tips on Pain Relief and Prevention
What can cause low back injuries?
Many things can cause low back injuries-muscle strain or spasm, sprains of ligaments (which attach bone to bone), joint problems or a "slipped disk." The most common cause is using your back muscles in activities you're not used to, like lifting heavy furniture or doing yard work.
A slipped disk happens when the disk between the bones bulges and presses on nerves. This is often caused by twisting while lifting. But many people won't know what caused their slipped disk.
What can I do for relief when I've hurt my lower back?
The best position for relief when your back hurts is to lie on your back on the floor with pillows under your knees, with your hips and knees bent and your feet on a chair, or just with your hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off your back.
If you're resting a hurt back, you may need 1 to 2 days of this sort of rest. Resting longer than this can cause your muscles to weaken, which can slow your recovery. Even if it hurts, walk around for a few minutes every hour.
What else can I do for relief?
Heating pads can help to relax painful muscle spasms. Use heat for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Ice packs and massages may also give relief.
Nonprescription medicines that reduce pain or swelling include aspirin, acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol), naproxen (brand name: Aleve), ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis), and ibuprofen (brand name: Motrin).
Call your family doctor if:
- Pain goes down your leg below your knee.
- Your leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb.
- You have fever, nausea or vomiting, stomachache, weakness or sweating.
- You lose control over going to the bathroom.
- Your pain was caused by an injury.
- Your pain is so intense you can't move around.
- Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better after 2 to 3 weeks.
Read more, here.
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Other Tips : Lumbago, Mild to Severe Low Back Pain
Lumbago is a seldom-used term to mean mild to severe low back pain. The pain can be acute or chronic and affects young and old people. Years ago doctors associated lumbago with rheumatism seemingly brought on by exposure to cold damp surroundings. Poor posture, sudden movement, coughing and sneezing were also thought to inspire episodes of lumbago. Not to discredit the reputations of yesterday's doctors, but medicine has since greatly advanced and the term lumbago has been replaced with accurate diagnostic terms.
There are many things that cause low back pain or lumbago. Listed below are some of the more common conditions, or diagnostic terms:
- Herniated Disc (sometimes called a slipped disc)
- Osteoarthritis or Spondylosis (spinal arthritis)
- Osteoporosis (brittle bone disease, spinal fracture)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (progressive, sometimes destructive arthritis)
- Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine to the left or right)
- Spinal Stenosis (compression of the spinal nerves)
- Spinal Tumor (benign or malignant/cancer)
Article reprinted from Spine Universe
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Monday, January 9, 2023
Other Tips : 5 Tips for a Spine-Friendly Work Space
Work might be a pain, but it doesn't have to cause pain. Here are 5 things you should know about how to make sure your office is good for your spine:
#1 - Desk
Make sure your work space is:
- Stable (not wobbly).
- At a good height (28"-30" above the floor is suitable for most adults).
- Large enough for your computer and has surface space for writing and other tasks.
- Not so large that you have to overreach to do your work. This can cause excessive strain on the spine.
#2 - Chair
Use a well-constructed ergonomic chair to help reduce fatigue and discomfort, increase your blood flow, and reduce the risk of injury to your neck and spine. These usually cannot be ordered by mail or off the Internet. This is one product that should be tried in the store so you know how it feels before buying it. Make sure your office chair:
- Has a good backrest that provides lumbar support.
- Can recline (sitting upright at a 90º angle is actually not good for your spine, 100º-110º is better).
- Is not too high (your feet should be flat on the floor).
- Can rotate or swivel so that you can easily switch from task to task.
Extra Setup Tip!
Sit in the chair facing forward with perfect posture. While seated in that perfect position, construct the work environment around that position. In other words, all other pieces of furniture and equipment must be positioned to accommodate that perfect position. It might require stacking several books under the computer screen to bring it even to head level. The screen must be at eye level and the user should sit directly in front of the screen. A sliding keyboard attachment under the desk might be beneficial.
#3 - Computer
Since much of office work is done on computers, where your equipment is placed can make a difference in how your back feels when you are at work. Try the following:
- Tilt the keyboard down and slightly away from you for better wrist posture.
- Make sure your mouse is close enough so that you can use it with your arms relaxed and as close to your body as possible.
- Place the monitor directly in front of you at eye level, not off to one side, to avoid neck and eye strain.
- If using a laptop, consider getting an external monitor or keyboard (or both). This will allow you to move each of these components separately to create a comfortable arrangement.
#4 - Practice Safe Sitting
Even with the "best" equipment, if you are not sitting correctly, your spine will suffer. When sitting, note where your head, hands, and legs are. To avoid back pain, make sure to:
- Sit upright with your back and shoulders against the back of the chair.
- Avoid holding your phone between your head and shoulder.
- Don't slouch.
- Arms should rest lightly on the armrests to avoid circulatory problems or nerve pressure.
- Keep your feet flat on the floor (don't cross your legs!).
- Relax your shoulders while keyboarding.
Extra Setup Tip!
Spend a lot of time on the telephone? Then consider using a hands-free headset to prevent neck and shoulder pain.
#5 - Take a Break
Not just a coffee break, but a spine break. Stretch, take a short walk, get the blood flowing. When you are at your desk, avoid staying in one position for a long time. Try switching between sitting and standing.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to leave your office feeling as refreshed as when you came in? Avoiding excessive strain on your spine can help you do just that.
Article reprinted from Spine Universe
Friday, January 6, 2023
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
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
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