Is Your Job Causing You More Low Back and Neck Pain?

Low Back and Neck Pain Caused By Poor Posture on The Job

As our society advances, jobs continue to become more sedentary in which people are spending most of their workday using a computer while sitting at a desk.  This trend has seemed to increase the incidence of low back and neck pain like never before seen.  Is part of the problem due to our physical deconditioning? Absolutely.  However, another significant cause is improper workstation ergonomics.  This refers to factors such as seat height, positioning of the computer screen, distance we have to reach when typing, etc.  These factors are important because improper positioning can cause postural related syndromes that directly lead to neck and low back pain.  So if you work at a desk for long periods throughout each day, try some of these simple changes to relieve neck and low back pain.  

Steps To Take To Avoid Low Back  Avoid Low Back and Neck Pain on the Job

-          Check the height of your chair.  If it is adjustable, proper positioning includes being able to comfortably rest both feet flat on the floor.  Your thighs should be roughly parallel with the floor or even slightly downward.  If using a computer, allow your shoulders to relax and bend your arm at the elbow.  The elbow should rest comfortably on the armrests of the chair.  From that position, you should be able to rest your forearms on the desk comfortably.  This is where you should place your keyboard and mouse so that you do not have to vary from that position to type or use the mouse.

-          Check the front edge of the chair.  Your thighs should extend slightly past the edge of the chair and not be pressed directly against it.  This prevents certain nerves, veins, and arteries in the legs from constantly being compressed which could lead to sensation changes in the lower extremities.

-          Position of the computer screen.  Ideally, you want the computer screen placed directly in front of you and not off to either side.  This will help prevent overstimulating and straining various muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back.  Also, if possible, the screen should be placed in such a way that your eyes gaze downward at approximately a 15 degree angle.  Research has shown that this is the natural sight line for our eyes and prevents constant eye strain.  If you absolutely have to place your screen to the left or right, try and arrange your body so that you are completely turned that way and not just turning your head in either direction.  Also, consider changing the side it is located at from time to time in order to avoid overworking the neck musculature on the same side constantly.

-       Proper Lighting.  Natural light is best to prevent eye strain and to help avoid headaches.  If possible, arrange to have your desk located near a window where you can have access to the natural light during the daytime hours.  Avoid placing lamps or bright lighting near your line of sight.  This can cause severe eye strain leading to headaches.

If you work a desk job or use the computer often, feel free to talk to Dr. Kmett about setting up your workstation properly!

Valley Chiropractic Care for Lower Crossed Syndrome

People with Lower Crossed Syndrome Suffer Pain to the Back, Knee and Hamstring

You may have noticed people out in public with this issue without realizing that it is a real dysfunction.  The person has a lumbar hyperlordosis (increased curvature in the low back), a protruding abdomen, as well as a very flat gluteal region.  They’ll often have general complaints like low back pain, knee pain, and pain in the hamstrings (back of the thigh).  But, what can chiropractic do in order to correct and prevent this problem from progressing?

Causes of Low Crossed Syndrome

First, the cause of this syndrome needs to be understood.  Often it is due to several groups of muscles either being tight or weak.  The tight muscles are the thoraco-lumbar extensors (low back muscles) which cause the increased lumbar curvature as well as the quadriceps (front of the thighs) and iliopsoas muscles (front of the hip).  Muscles that will be weak consist of the abdominal muscles as well as the gluteal muscles.  Drawing a line to connect both the weak muscles and the tight muscles creates an imaginary X if looking at a person from the side.  Hence the name, lower crossed syndrome.

Chiropractic Adjustments Can Decrease the Affects of Lower Cross Syndrome by Increasing Joint Mobility

In order to correct this problem, the tight muscle groups need to stretched and the weak muscles need to be strengthened through an individualized rehabilitative exercise program.  Also, chiropractic adjustments are used to increase joint mobility while the corrections are taking place and as a preventative measure in the future.  Last but not least, soft tissue mobilization techniques such as Graston can also be utilized to break up muscle adhesions that have developed in the dysfunctional muscles over time.

If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, ask Dr.Kmett to evaluate you today for lower crossed syndrome!

Food Pyramid Gets a Facelift

The New Food Pyramid in the Shape of a Plate Makes it Easy to Plan a Well Balanced Dish

The new food pyramid, called MyPlate, was introduced to show people how a typical meal should look.  Fruits and vegetables contain important nutrients such as fiber and potassium that help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. 

Whole grains should be consumed, allowing the food to be broken down slowly while preventing sharp spikes in blood glucose while also helping to lower cholesterol.  Protein sources should consist of lean meats including at least 8 oz of fish per week. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are some of the reasons that having dairy at each meal is very beneficial.

The new MyPlate also shows the proper portion size when compared to your standard dinner plate.  This differs from the food pyramids of the past that gave recommendations as to how many servings one should consume from each individual food group with no attention paid to portion size.  For more information on proper food intake and details on portion size, feel free to talk to Dr. Kmett today!

For more information and articles on health tips and wellness please visit our website at www.valleychiropracticrehab.com.

Chiropractic Care for Sports Rehabilitation and Recovery

Many professional athletes now use chiropractic care to achieve maximum performance and recovery.

In the below video our Accessible Beltway Clinics Chiropractor Dr. Rick Rosa treated Professional Athlete Mike Easton and curved his recovery time by 50%. Mike’s original estimated recovery time from 6 months, but after treatment with our Dr. Rosa he recovered in only 3 months.

Chiropractic care has proven very beneficial in the recovery of sports injuries. Many professional teams have a designated team chiropractor, but chiropractic care is also useful in injuries that occur during recreational activities as well.

To learn more about sports chiropractic care and treatment visit www.valleychiropracticrehab.com. 

Fish for Better Health with Valley Chiropractic Rehab in Frederick

Valley Chiropractic Frederick Recommends Adding Fish Oil Supplements to your Diet

There are plenty of good reasons for taking fish oil supplements.  One reason is to increase the amount of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in our diet.  Why is this significant?  The typical American diet is very high in unhealthy omega-6 fatty acids.  When our diets are high in omega-6 fats, it tends to push the human body towards an inflammatory state.  This type of inflammation has been linked to various disease conditions such as cardiovascular disease and even certain cancers. 

Valley Chiropractic Rehab Suggest Increasing Intake of Fish to Restore Balance between the Omega-3 and Omega-6 Ratio

The omega-3 fatty acids found naturally in fish and other supplements help to create a less inflammatory internal environment leading to the possibility of having less chances of developing many conditions and disease processes.  Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory diet would help restore the balance between the omega-3 and omega-6 ratio.  An ideal ratio would be a 1:1 of omega-6 to omega-3.  However, the typical American diet is now approaching a 20:1 ratio.  

Valley Chiropractic Frederick Recommends Increasing Fish because it is high in EPA and DHA

Another reason to increase your intake of fish or fish oil is that it is high in EPA and DHA, which have been proven to increase levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, and arterial compliance, which is essential in decreasing mild hypertension, and preventing certain cardiac arrhythmias.  An adequate amount of omega-3 PUFAs is 2.7–7.5 grams per meal and appears to meet the nutritional recommendation of the American Heart Association. 

For health resources and treatment options please visit www.valleychiropracticrehab.com. 

Chiropractic Treatment Better than Drugs for Neck Pain

Consider Chiropractic Treatment before you “Pop” another Pill for Your Neck Pain

A new study funded by the National Institute of Health, has found the best way to get rid of that troublesome neck pain is not to "pop" another pain medication. The study of over 272 patients found that chiropractic treatment is the best method in relieving neck pain available. The study found that patients treated by a chiropractor alone rated the highest in pain relief after a 12 week period compared to patients treated by exercise or drugs. In fact after a 12 week period those patients who exercised or used a chiropractor were over twice as likely pain free in comparison to patients who relied on medicine.

 

The Study Shows Chiropractic Treatment is the Most Effective Remedy for Neck Pain

The results reveal the necessity of chiropractic care when it comes to neck pain– 32 percent of patients treated by a chiropractor were pain free, compared to 30 percent of those who exercised and only 13 percent of those who took medication as treatment after a 12 week period. Dr. Lee Green, professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan says, “Neck pain is a mechanical problem, and it makes sense that mechanical treatment works better than a chemical one.”

 

To learn more about chiropractic treatment for neck pain visit www.valleychiropracticrehab.com.

Tony Thompson Selects Accessible Beltway Chiropractor Dr. Rick Rosa as Team Chiropractor for Heavy Weight Title Championship Fight with Klitschko

Dr. Rick Rosa Official Chiropractor and Recovery Specialist for Professional Boxer Tony Thompson

Dr. Rick Rosa of RecoveryDoc is the official Chiropractor and Recovery Specialist for Professional Boxer Tony Thompson. Tony Thompson is expected to compete in Berne, Switzerland on July 7th for the world heavyweight championship. In the competition, Tony “The Tiger” Thompson will rematch heavyweight champion Wladmir Klitschko.

Tony Thompson Klitschko's Toughest Fight Yet

Klitschko, the current world heavyweight champion speaks of his last match with Thompson as a tough one. "Thompson is a strong and difficult opponent fighting southpaw," Klitschko said. "He has a very good technique and gave me one of the toughest challenges in my career. Through his height it is a fight at eye level and I know that he has gained a lot of confidence through his winning streak.”

Thompson is excited and eager for the upcoming competition. "I have been waiting a long time for this rematch," Thompson said. "Last time I had (a knee) injury which I suffered in training. In Berne, I will complete what I missed out on four years ago. I will knock Klitschko out and take all his belts to the U.S."

To ensure full recovery— Dr. Rosa works with Thompson, creating an individualized treatment program, utilizing RecoveryDoc’s patented Six Pillars of Recovery. “I am honored to have been selected as the team chiropractor and recovery specialist. I will work to increase Tony’s endurance and performance in preparation for to fight. I have high expectation for Tony and look forward to be traveling with the team this July.” RecoveryDoc helps athlete’s recovery faster as well as increase performance levels.

RecoveryDoc Employs Six Pillars of Recovery Program on Professional Boxer Tony Thompson

RecoveryDoc’s Six Pillars of Recovery encompasses all aspects of recovery for injuries and training. The Six Pillars include; awareness of state, rest, play, nutrition, physical and psychological – ensuring professional athletes like Thompson, recovers faster and train harder.  Under the RecoveryDoc treatment program, athletes receive a personalized, all encompassing treatment plan based on specific needs.

Dr. Rosa’s recovery approach is unique and comprehensive. He has worked with professional athletes— decreasing projected healing time by up to 50 percent.

After recovery, RecoveryDoc athletes undergo an ongoing preventative program to thwart further injuries. Dr. Rosa will make sure Thompson not only recovers, but he is able to perform better and train harder in preparation for the upcoming fight.

At 40 years of age, Thompson awaits the upcoming heavyweight championship match with confidence. “I think once we have a heavyweight champion, [US boxing fans] will be a little more kinder to the American heavyweight fighters,” Thompson says. “Also I think American TV will come back out and watch American heavyweights again. We need a figure here and I’m looking to be that figure.”

RecoveryDoc will continue to work with Thompson and the team all the way through the Berne competition— ensuring he is fit and ready to snatch the world heavyweight boxing championship from the hands of Klitschko.

To learn more about Dr. Rosa and The Patented Six Pillars of Recovery treatment program visit RecoveryDoc.