Monday, July 12, 2010

Workplace Ergonomics

Today, a typical office worker sits at a desk for eight hours a day—probably with poor posture—and seldom stands up. Whenever the requirements of a job do not match the physical attributes of a worker, the worker is more prone to injury and lost productivity. According to the American Chiropractic Association, workplace injuries, a common cause of time off, cost employers and employees billions of dollars every year. Some of the more common workplace injuries are carpal tunnel syndrome (a nerve entrapment at the wrist seen in computer users), low-back pain, tendinitis, bursitis, and neck pain or headaches.

Helpful Hints:
1- Choose a desk that is the proper height. All things on your desk should be within easy reach.
2- Your feet should be touching the floor, with the legs and body forming an angle of 90 to 110 degrees.
3- Keep your body straight with the head and neck upright and looking forward, not to the side. Do not hunch over or slouch.
4- Adjust the height of your monitor. Look forward with your head in a neutral position. Your eyes should be at the same height as the top of the monitor. Leaning your head forward can lead to headaches and neck pain.
5- When typing, keep your wrists straight, your shoulders perpendicular to the floor, and your forearms parallel to the floor.
6- When reading at your desk, use a bookstand or a paper holder to keep your eyes in the same neutral position you use to read documents on your computer monitor.
7- When talking on the phone, use a headset, when possible, especially if you talk on the phone for prolonged periods. Holding the phone between your shoulder and cheek will only lead to neck pain and headaches.
8- Stand up and stretch your legs with a short walk about every 20 to 30 minutes.
9- Take micro-breaks often, stretching your neck, arms and wrists, back, and legs. Simple stretches include neck rotations, fist clenches, arm dangles, and shoulder shrugs.
10- If your eyes concentrate on a particular object for long periods, relax your eye muscles by shifting your focus from objects that are close to you to objects that are farther away. This helps reduce eye strain.

Keep your productivity and focus at work, watch your posture and limit injury.

You are probably doing this wrong right now!

Since ancient times, people have known that movement is an essential part of life. Today, a typical office worker sits at a desk for eight hours a day—probably with poor posture—and seldom stands up. Whenever the requirements of a job do not match the physical attributes of a worker, the worker is more prone to injury and lost productivity.
How do I sit properly?

• Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don't reach the floor.
• Don't cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
• Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
• Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
• Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back or use a back support.
• Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
• Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

Staying Hydrated

This recent spell of high temperatures and humidity made me think of how easy it is to get dehydrated and how important consuming the right amount of water is to not only exercise performance but also physical health and well being.

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water you take in is not as great as the amount leaving your body. Dehydration cannot only make you lethargic and fatigued, but can also cloud your short-term memory. It is believed that even Alzheimer’s disease may be due to long-term dehydration of the brain. Even as little as a two percent drop in hydration will fog your short-term memory so much as to cause you to forget simple things such as where you parked your car. Dehydration has been shown to cause up to a 20% decrease in performance! Both physical and mental performance has been shown to deteriorate in states of dehydration. The following are common symptoms:

Higher heart rate
Impaired aerobic capacity
Reduced concentration and decision making
Slower reaction times
Impaired judgment

Some other signs of dehydration include loss of appetite, thirst, dry skin, dry mouth, weakness, exhaustion, chills, and headaches. If dehydration is not addressed and ultimately reversed, decreased urination, increased heart rate, extreme fatigue, muscle cramping, pounding headaches, and/or nausea are likely to occur. In these situations athletic performance and capacity to exercise is reduced. Dehydration to the brain, muscles and joints can leave you more susceptible to injury due to poor nervous system function and inefficient muscle recruitment. Think about water as the lubricant to your joints and ligaments, protecting joints – when adequate fluid levels are not maintained these joints can become more compressed, less protected and much more painful.

To prevent dehydration, you should look to drink a minimum of eight to ten, eight-ounce glasses of water a day. Optimally, athletes can consider drinking half of their bodyweight in ounces plus 20% of water a day. (180lb athlete needs 90 to 125 ounces per day) This number does vary however depending on the strenuousness of your daily exercise or activity. Avoid caffeinated beverages as these only dehydrate you more and limit use of sports drinks. Sports drinks such as Gatorade are a great source of rehydration when used appropriately. For example, the 6% carbohydrate level and the presence of salt in Gatorade help speed up and optimize fluid absorption. Sports drinks allow for rapid rehydration, rehydration right on the spot. The sodium present in Gatorade along with its taste is believed to increase desired consumption of fluids. These should only be used during intense bouts of physical activity lasting over an hour.

Unfortunately, these are the drinks that are being reached for when thirsty instead of the only one that will actually do the best job at rehydrating the athlete’s body. Remember, a body without enough water will have slower reaction times, less ability to concentrate, and less ability to generate strength and power…a recipe for disaster for the any athlete don’t you think?

Helpful hints:
· When drinking water try not to guzzle it down, rather take small sips in order to allow your body absorb the water. If you wait until you’re thirsty to drink it’s too late.
· Carry a 20-24oz reusable water bottle around with you. Wrap four rubberbands around it. Remove a rubberband after every refill. When the rubberbands are gone you have consumed a good amount of water for the day.
· Think about the difference between a grape and a raisin. Don’t let your muscles and organs become weak and brittle. Hydrate for optimum performance.

Picking the Right Athletic Shoe

The best athletic shoe for your foot might not always be the prettiest. Function should trump fashion in the selection of any athletic shoe. All feet are different and every shoe is different. Every shoe has different features that cause it to conform to a specific shaped foot. Selecting the right athletic shoe is imperative in maintaining healthy and strong bones and joints. The wrong running shoe can without a doubt contribute to pain in the back, hips, knees and feet while also being really tough on your bones and joints.

Choosing athletic shoes is very much a personal decision; whichever shoe feels the most comfortable and snug (in a good way) on your foot is most likely the best fit for you. You should try moving your foot forward and backward as well as side to side inside the shoe to ensure a snug, yet comfy feel. The shoe should be snug as to not allow your foot to move around much while running or walking. The arch of your foot should also be well-supported. If possible, try to go to an athletic shoe specific store to find the right athletic shoe by getting properly fitted and evaluated. Shop for shoes at the end of the day or after a workout when your feet are generally at their largest. Wear the type of socks you usually wear during exercise, and if you use orthotic devices for postural support, make sure you wear them when trying on shoes. Don’t only try on the shoe, try walking or jogging around the store to ensure a good fit.

Orthotics are custom shoe inserts that help correct foot abnormalities. An orthotic makes up for any compensation that your foot may have been making due to an un-fitted shoe. Orthotics change the angle at which your foot hits the ground, helping you avoid injuries like shin splints or plantar fasciitis.





The right fit for your foot type:

For the normal foot: generally lands on the outside of the heel and rolls inward to absorb shock. The best shoe for a normal foot is a stable shoe with just a slightly curved shape.

For the flat foot: very low arch, a wet footprint leaves a print of the entire sole of the foot. It usually indicates an overpronated foot—one that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls excessively inward (pronates). Over time, this can cause overuse injuries. The best shoe for a flat-footed person would be motion-control shoes that are very snug on the foot and pretty resistant to bending. Very soft, cushioned shoes which lack much stability are NOT good for this type of foot.

For the high-arched foot: would leave a wet footprint of a very small band as compared with a flat-footed person. A high-arched foot does not pronate much. A curved, highly arched foot is generally supinated or underpronated. Because the foot doesn’t pronate enough, usually it’s not an effective shock absorber.The best choice in athletic shoe for a person with a high-arched foot would be a more cushioned shoe, one that allows for more foot mobility.

Make sure the shoe fits correctly. Choose shoes for their fit, not by the size you’ve worn in the past. The shoe should fit with an index finger’s width between the end of the shoe and the longest toe. The toe box should have adequate room and not feel tight. This is especially important if you have foot issues like bunions or Mortons Neuroma. The heel of your foot should fit snugly against the back of the shoe without sliding up or down as you walk or run. If possible, keep the shoe on for 10 minutes to make sure it remains comfortable.




Helpful hint: How long do athletic shoes last?—between 300 and 500 miles, or before shoes show very reasonable signs of wear. When the cushioning in shoes wears down, the shock absorption is lost which can ultimately lead to recurring injuries such as shin splints.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

ACL Injuries in Female Athletes

It has been known for over a decade that female athletes especially those playing soccer and basketball suffer a disproportionate share of ACL tears. Four categories have been cited as risk factors predisposing women to ACL injuries: environmental, anatomic, hormonal and biomechanical. The anatomic differences in the shape of a woman's hip and pelvis, the hormonal effects of the menstrual cycle, the increased flexibility and laxity in a woman’s muscular and ligamentous structure have all been shown to contribute to the increased occurrence of injuries. When compared to men, women take a millisecond longer to respond with force during activity. This delay is significant enough to increase the likelihood of an injury. Women’s muscles have been shown to react differently when landing, in particular the hamstrings which provide just a third of the shock absorption men create.


Did you know that:
· Of the 100,000 ACL injuries that occur every year, 30,000 occur to female athletes age 15-25

· 70% of ACL injuries occur without contact of any kind, usually in game situations, especially late in the game

· 64% of injuries occur when Jumping or landing

· Girls who participate in Neuromuscular training programs are 9 times less likely to injure their ACL.


At the Chiropractic Sports and Wellness Center we realize we can’t change certain contributing factors (hip Q angle, menstrual cycles), however we can change lower body strength, core strength and stability as well as balance and proprioception. Mounting research shows that women can significantly reduce their risk of injury by performing special exercise programs. Our programs lead athletes through a series of progressively challenging strengthening exercises, plyometrics and agility drills. Our instructors will teach participants how to recognize unsafe knee positions and improve muscle control of their knee motion. Our goals are to improve dynamic knee stability, reduce risk of knee injuries, and enhance athletic performance.


Ultimately we will help you increase performance and limit injury.

Friday, January 22, 2010

10 Tips For a Healthier You

10 Tips for a Healthier You in 2010

The New Year’s festivities have ended. Over 55% of us have resolved to make 2010 the year to get healthier and in better shape. Don’t give up; there is still opportunity to keep up with those health and fitness goals. Now that Spring is around the corner, here are some tools that will help you attain them and look and feel your best

Tip #1: Exercise. Include at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise as part of your routine every day to burn calories, strengthen your heart, and gain energy. Aerobic exercise is great for cardiovascular conditioning, but it is inferior to weight training in attacking body fat. Recent research has shown that as little as once-weekly resistance exercise can improve muscle strength. Even the busiest or laziest among us can find the time and energy for that. Join a gym, consult a personal trainer or ask an experienced friend to show you the ropes.

Tip#2: Eliminate white flour and simple processed sugars. White flour, white sugar and other processed foods lack vitamins and minerals and have been stripped of their natural fiber. They rapidly drive up blood sugar levels, which contribute to weight gain, diabetes and a host of other health problems. Avoid breads and baked goods made with white flour, sugar-laden sodas and snack foods. Instead, focus on eating fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
Tip#3: Make smart substitutions. Learn to swap out your unhealthy staples with healthier alternatives. If you are a pasta fan, consider substituting spaghetti squash with your favorite sauce or simply use a whole wheat version of your favorite pasta. Swap out white rice with brown rice, exchange your white potato with a sweet potato. You will be serving up more fiber, feel more satisfied and adding more nutrient dense foods into your diet. Be mindful of your portions.

Tip#4: Read labels. Know what ingredients are in your favorite food purchases. Try to limit items high in fat, saturated fats, sugar, corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Keep it simple. The less handled a food product is from earth to your plate the better. Understanding the number of servings and calories in a particular package as well as the amount of fiber, protein and sugar will make you a wiser consumer but help keep your waistline trim.

Tip#5: Double up on the veggies. A simple trick to make sure that you are getting a healthy dose of vegetables, vitamins and minerals is to load half your plate with vegetables. Loading up on veggies will provide you with a naturally low calorie, high fiber food that will help you lose weight and feel satisfied. Try to choose fresh, organic, pesticide free produce whenever possible as they boast more nutrients. Divide the remaining half of your dish in two, include a high quality, lean protein and a high fiber complex carbohydrate.

Tip#6: Eat your fat. Eating fat will help you feel full and limit hunger cravings. While it’s important to reduce your overall fat intake, it’s even more important to watch the types of fat you eat. Deep-fried foods and anything made with hydrogenated oils (margarine, peanut butter, shortening, store-bought pastries and cookies) contain trans fats that raise your risk of heart disease. Eat only healthful fats, such as olive oil and the omega-3 oils found in salmon and other cold-water fish, which actually protect against heart disease.
Tip#7: Sleep in. People who sleep five hours or fewer per night are 55 percent more likely to be obese than those who get eight hours. Sleep deprivation may increase cravings for high-carb sweet foods which will throw off your diet and metabolism.

Tip#8: Take a Potent Daily Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement as well as a good fish oil product. Although there is no substitute for a good diet, I am convinced that for optimal nutrition, you need to take a high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement. Even if you are eating right, it’s unlikely that your food contains all the nutrients you need. Poor soil quality, storage, processing and cooking deplete our food of vitamins and minerals. Taking a high quality daily supplement is insurance against possible deficiencies and the fish oil will assist in the proper functioning of your cardiovascular and nervous system.

Tip #9: Visit your doctors regularly. There is no substitute for annual physicals, blood work, and a clean bill of health from your MD. While we are at it, visit your dentist every six months for cleanings to maintain your oral health and prevent GI disease.

Tip#10: Be good to yourself. Take a look in the mirror and appreciate the person looking back at you. Give yourself a break here and there to appreciate all the hard work you put in during the day. Take 20 minutes out and take some deep calming breaths and think about your successes. Allow yourself a guilty pleasure here and there but make it the reward for sticking to a smart health and wellness plan.


Make 2010 the year that your resolution becomes a reality. Set your goals and be one of the 10 percent who actually succeed. Take charge of your health by incorporating these 10 steps into your life. The rewards of optimal health and well-being will be well worth your efforts.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Benefit From Our Detox

Our bodies continuously detox as a natural function. Detoxification is a continuous physiologic process that your body depends on for survival. There are complex celular detoxification mechanisms that are constantly at work for you all day. Natural and synthetic chemicals are processed by this complex system of cells, organs, and organ systems to keep you healthy in the face of a virtually constant barage of toxic material. Our program is an excellent tool to improve your detoxication in the short term.


Whether you are suffering from digestive problems, fatigue, headaches or weight loss resistance, our carefully planned 28 day detoxification program can offer you increased productivity, clarity and potential weight loss. More importantly, the information learned and the habits created during the program will have bigger benefit passed the 28 days so you can continue to keep your health optimal.


Join me throughout the 28 day process so we can improve together.