Daily News and Events
Scant information exists in the medical literature on chiropractic and cerebral
palsy (CP), but those Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) who work with CP patients say that most respond favorably to chiropractic treatment. CP patients have motor disorders that are unique to each individual, the result of damage to sensory-motor areas of the cerebral cortex that occurred during fetal development or childbirth and neonatal development. Any CP treatment must be individualized and specific to each person’s needs, although no treatment offers a cure.
Because the presentation of CP varies greatly from patient to patient, so does each patient's response to care. Some see improved comfort, some feel increased flexibility and motor control, and others notice improved bowel function or sleep. About three-quarters of all CP patients suffer from spastic CP and usually benefit from chiropractic treatment. Treatment is directed toward changing muscle tone, coordination, and motor development.
All CP patients have a pathology in their brains that is fixed and non-progressive. CP patients can expect a varied combination of applications including spinal and joint manipulations or adjustments, as well as specific exercises and a variety of environmental stimuli such as light, sound, and other brain-based applications. Regular adjustments help normalize motion in the spinal and extremity joints.
Pain is one of the most troubling aspects of CP—a result of the constant joint irritation that causes inflammation. Adjusting the joint reduces the mechanoreceptor irritation and helps reduce both the degree of spasm and the inflammation. The decreased muscle tension and lessened inflammation means the patient feels more relaxed and has less pain.
Unfortunately because the original damage to the central nervous system causes constant muscle spasm in those with spastic CP, although chiropractic care can bring great relief to these patients, improvement is often temporary. Without a cure available, this condition continues to present the patient with biomechanical and physiological challenges.
Treatment should be realistic and designed to help CP patients experience a higher quality of life. Initiating treatment as early as possible is critical for promoting the development of as many motor skills as possible, as well as helping patients learn the skills they need to compensate for lost function.
Because chiropractic helps increase the comfort level of many patients with CP, a major side benefit is that they can greatly reduce or eliminate their medications. These pain medications often come with serious side effects, especially for chronic users, and patients often develop a tolerance over time to them, which causes them to require ever increasing doses to experience the same level of pain relief. Therefore, including chiropractic care early as part of the treatment protocol for CP patients can potentially reduce their lifetime intake of pain medications and increase their overall quality of life.
Written by Mark Crawford, contributing writer, and reproduced from the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association. Edited by Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Spinal Link to Asthma
A report funded by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation suggests a link between chiropractic and the reduction of asthma symptoms.
According to Macquarie University researcher Dr. Ray Hayek, the study involved hundreds of people suffering with asthma symptoms.
"When an asthma sufferer is under the anxiety of a looming asthma attack, the levels of the hormone cortisol increase. This acute increase in cortisol through a number of mechanisms can bring on an asthma attack," says Dr. Hayek. "Levels of the stress hormone cortisol steadily decreased during the trial, and levels of immunological markers (immunoglobulin A) steadily rose."
Apparently, reducing stress to the nervous system with chiropractic care reduces the likelihood of asthma attacks. More proof that chiropractic care, because of its focus on the nervous system, may be helpful for improving a wide variety of health complaints.
According to Macquarie University researcher Dr. Ray Hayek, the study involved hundreds of people suffering with asthma symptoms.
"When an asthma sufferer is under the anxiety of a looming asthma attack, the levels of the hormone cortisol increase. This acute increase in cortisol through a number of mechanisms can bring on an asthma attack," says Dr. Hayek. "Levels of the stress hormone cortisol steadily decreased during the trial, and levels of immunological markers (immunoglobulin A) steadily rose."
Apparently, reducing stress to the nervous system with chiropractic care reduces the likelihood of asthma attacks. More proof that chiropractic care, because of its focus on the nervous system, may be helpful for improving a wide variety of health complaints.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
"Baby It's Cold Outside"
For the fourth year in a row, the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC) is launching its statewide community service initiative, "Baby It's Cold Outside" to help the less fortunate during the holiday and winter seasons.
Optimal Family Chiropractic is participating in the initiative by asking patients to bring non-perishable food items and/or unwanted coats, hats, gloves & scarves in good condition to their office through the holidays and until January 15, 2011. A special Drop-Off box is in the office waiting room.
Donations will be distributed to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the local County Human Services and Jersey Cares and local food banks.
Optimal Family Chiropractic is participating in the initiative by asking patients to bring non-perishable food items and/or unwanted coats, hats, gloves & scarves in good condition to their office through the holidays and until January 15, 2011. A special Drop-Off box is in the office waiting room.
Donations will be distributed to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the local County Human Services and Jersey Cares and local food banks.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Do You Get the Message?
Many people think chiropractic is about bones, especially spinal bones. But the fact is, we're much more interested in nerves. In particular, the nerve messages that travel between the brain and the body and from the body back to the brain.
Any type of disruption can distort or disturb the integrity of the controlling and regulating messages from the brain. The result can be ill health.
A common culprit is the 24 moving bones of the spine that cover your spinal cord. When spinal bones lose their normal motion or position, it can irritate nearby nerves. Because the nervous system controls every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body, chiropractic care can help a wide variety of health problems.
Maybe you know someone who has been told that it"s "all in their head" or that they"ll have to "learn to live with it." Worse, someone who thinks they have a muscle relaxer shortage. Let them know about chiropractic!
Information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors.
Any type of disruption can distort or disturb the integrity of the controlling and regulating messages from the brain. The result can be ill health.
A common culprit is the 24 moving bones of the spine that cover your spinal cord. When spinal bones lose their normal motion or position, it can irritate nearby nerves. Because the nervous system controls every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body, chiropractic care can help a wide variety of health problems.
Maybe you know someone who has been told that it"s "all in their head" or that they"ll have to "learn to live with it." Worse, someone who thinks they have a muscle relaxer shortage. Let them know about chiropractic!
Information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Road to Longevity
Harvard scientists have observed that the shortest-living Americans are Native American populations in South Dakota, living an average lifespan of 66.5 years, whereas the longest-living Americans are Asian-American women residing in Bergen County, N.J., who live to an average lifespan of 91.1 years. That's a nearly 25-year difference! Just think about what you could do with 25 "extra" years, particularly if you could enjoy them with sound body and mind. Here's what science says about the best ways to stay healthy, active and vital into your older years.
1. Choose Wisely
A study that followed 20,000 men and women, ages 45 to 79, for 13 years found that poor lifestyle choices can shorten lifespan by as many as 14 years. The researchers found that study subjects with the lowest number of healthy behaviors were four-times more likely to die during the study period, most notably from cardiovascular disease. In fact, participants with the lowest healthy lifestyle scores had the same risk of dying as someone with the highest healthy lifestyle scores who was 14 years older.
Here are four beneficial lifestyle behaviors identified as contributing to longevity: smoking cessation, associated with an 80 percent improvement in lifespan; increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables; moderate drinking; and staying physically active.
2. Why Risk It?
Adding support to the above, a study of 23,153 German men and women, ages 35 to 65 years, found that four lifestyle factors slashed the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer by 80 percent: never smoking, body mass index of 30 or less, exercising 3.5 hours a week, and eating a healthy diet. The study authors concluded: "The message is clear. Adhering to 4 simple healthy lifestyle factors can have a strong impact on the prevention of chronic diseases."
3. Don't Weight Around
A 12-year study involving more than 11,000 adult participants found that underweight people were 70 percent more likely to die during the study period compared to people of normal weight, and that the extremely obese had a 36 percent increased risk of death compared to their healthier counterparts. Interestingly, carrying a few extra pounds was found to be protective against early death; modestly overweight subjects were 17 percent less likely to die early, suggesting that when it comes to weight, eating habits, etc., moderation may be the key.
4. Maximize Movement
A study of 2,401 twins that tracked their physical activity level, lifestyle habits, and examined the length of the telomeres in their white blood cells (leukocytes) revealed that men and women who were less physically active in their leisure time had shorter leukocyte telomeres than those who were more active. The mean difference in leukocyte telomere length between the most active subjects (who performed n average of 199 minutes of physical activity per week) versus the least active subjects (16 minutes of physical activity per week) was 200 nucleotides. This translated to mean that "the most active subjects had telomeres the same length as sedentary individuals up to 10 years younger, on average."
5. Find Your Happy Place
A study that assessed personality traits among 2,359 generally healthy people who enrolled in 1958 in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging found that men and women who are emotionally calm and organized lived longer than people with less positive personality traits such as anxiousness, anger, or fearfulness.
6. Don't Tempt Cancer
A report issued jointly by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests many types and cases of cancers could be prevented by not smoking, a habit estimated to cause one-third of malignancies. Further, they observe that one-third of cancers are preventable by proper diet, adequate physical activity, and avoiding obesity. "The message coming out of this report is that many, many more cancers are preventable by healthy patterns of diet, weight, and physical activity."
Optimize Your Longevity Potential
In summary, we share the findings from a study of 2,432 older adults who displayed exceptionally good health at baseline. The decade-long study, conducted by M.S. Kaplan, and colleagues and published in the Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences, identified the most important predictors of excellent health as the following: absence of chronic illness, annual income over US$30,000, never smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and maintaining a positive outlook (managing stress levels). The researchers concluded: "Many of these factors can be modified when you are young or middle-aged. While these findings may seem like common sense, now we have evidence of which factors contribute to exceptional health [as we age]."
By Drs. Ronald Klatz and Robert Goldman. Ronald Klatz, MD, is the president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging (www.worldhealth.net), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of aging-related disease. Robert Goldman, MD, is the chairman of the American Academy of Anti-Aging (www.worldhealth.net), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of aging-related disease.
1. Choose Wisely
A study that followed 20,000 men and women, ages 45 to 79, for 13 years found that poor lifestyle choices can shorten lifespan by as many as 14 years. The researchers found that study subjects with the lowest number of healthy behaviors were four-times more likely to die during the study period, most notably from cardiovascular disease. In fact, participants with the lowest healthy lifestyle scores had the same risk of dying as someone with the highest healthy lifestyle scores who was 14 years older.
Here are four beneficial lifestyle behaviors identified as contributing to longevity: smoking cessation, associated with an 80 percent improvement in lifespan; increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables; moderate drinking; and staying physically active.
2. Why Risk It?
Adding support to the above, a study of 23,153 German men and women, ages 35 to 65 years, found that four lifestyle factors slashed the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer by 80 percent: never smoking, body mass index of 30 or less, exercising 3.5 hours a week, and eating a healthy diet. The study authors concluded: "The message is clear. Adhering to 4 simple healthy lifestyle factors can have a strong impact on the prevention of chronic diseases."
3. Don't Weight Around
A 12-year study involving more than 11,000 adult participants found that underweight people were 70 percent more likely to die during the study period compared to people of normal weight, and that the extremely obese had a 36 percent increased risk of death compared to their healthier counterparts. Interestingly, carrying a few extra pounds was found to be protective against early death; modestly overweight subjects were 17 percent less likely to die early, suggesting that when it comes to weight, eating habits, etc., moderation may be the key.
4. Maximize Movement
A study of 2,401 twins that tracked their physical activity level, lifestyle habits, and examined the length of the telomeres in their white blood cells (leukocytes) revealed that men and women who were less physically active in their leisure time had shorter leukocyte telomeres than those who were more active. The mean difference in leukocyte telomere length between the most active subjects (who performed n average of 199 minutes of physical activity per week) versus the least active subjects (16 minutes of physical activity per week) was 200 nucleotides. This translated to mean that "the most active subjects had telomeres the same length as sedentary individuals up to 10 years younger, on average."
5. Find Your Happy Place
A study that assessed personality traits among 2,359 generally healthy people who enrolled in 1958 in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging found that men and women who are emotionally calm and organized lived longer than people with less positive personality traits such as anxiousness, anger, or fearfulness.
6. Don't Tempt Cancer
A report issued jointly by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests many types and cases of cancers could be prevented by not smoking, a habit estimated to cause one-third of malignancies. Further, they observe that one-third of cancers are preventable by proper diet, adequate physical activity, and avoiding obesity. "The message coming out of this report is that many, many more cancers are preventable by healthy patterns of diet, weight, and physical activity."
Optimize Your Longevity Potential
In summary, we share the findings from a study of 2,432 older adults who displayed exceptionally good health at baseline. The decade-long study, conducted by M.S. Kaplan, and colleagues and published in the Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences, identified the most important predictors of excellent health as the following: absence of chronic illness, annual income over US$30,000, never smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and maintaining a positive outlook (managing stress levels). The researchers concluded: "Many of these factors can be modified when you are young or middle-aged. While these findings may seem like common sense, now we have evidence of which factors contribute to exceptional health [as we age]."
By Drs. Ronald Klatz and Robert Goldman. Ronald Klatz, MD, is the president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging (www.worldhealth.net), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of aging-related disease. Robert Goldman, MD, is the chairman of the American Academy of Anti-Aging (www.worldhealth.net), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of aging-related disease.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Starting with Chiropractic Saves 40% on Low Back Pain Care
A new study finds that low back pain care initiated with a doctor of chiropractic (DC) saves 40 percent on health care costs when compared with care initiated through a medical doctor (MD), the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) announced recently. The study, featuring data from 85,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield beneficiaries, concludes that insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractic care for low back pain treatment may inadvertently pay more for care than they would if they removed such restrictions.
Low back pain is a significant public health problem. Up to 85 percent of Americans have back pain at some point in their lives. In addition to its negative effects on employee productivity, back pain treatment accounts for about $50 billion annually in health care costs—making it one of the top 10 most costly conditions treated in the United States.
The study, “Cost of Care for Common Back Pain Conditions Initiated With Chiropractic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy as First Physician: Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health Insurer,” which is available online and will also be published in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, looked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee’s intermediate and large group fully insured population over a two-year span. The insured study population had open access to MDs and DCs through self-referral, and there were no limits applied to the number of MD/DC visits allowed and no differences in co-pays.
Results show that paid costs for episodes of care initiated by a DC were almost 40 percent less than care initiated through an MD. After risk-adjusting each patient’s costs, researchers still found significant savings in the chiropractic group. They estimated that allowing DC-initiated episodes of care would have led to an annual cost savings of $2.3 million for BCBS of Tennessee.
“As doctors of chiropractic, we know firsthand that our care often helps patients avoid or reduce more costly interventions such as drugs and surgery. This study supports what we see in our practices every day,” said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC. “It also demonstrates the value of chiropractic care at a critical time, when our nation is attempting to reform its health care system and contain runaway costs.”
The American Chiropractic Association, based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients.
Low back pain is a significant public health problem. Up to 85 percent of Americans have back pain at some point in their lives. In addition to its negative effects on employee productivity, back pain treatment accounts for about $50 billion annually in health care costs—making it one of the top 10 most costly conditions treated in the United States.
The study, “Cost of Care for Common Back Pain Conditions Initiated With Chiropractic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy as First Physician: Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health Insurer,” which is available online and will also be published in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, looked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee’s intermediate and large group fully insured population over a two-year span. The insured study population had open access to MDs and DCs through self-referral, and there were no limits applied to the number of MD/DC visits allowed and no differences in co-pays.
Results show that paid costs for episodes of care initiated by a DC were almost 40 percent less than care initiated through an MD. After risk-adjusting each patient’s costs, researchers still found significant savings in the chiropractic group. They estimated that allowing DC-initiated episodes of care would have led to an annual cost savings of $2.3 million for BCBS of Tennessee.
“As doctors of chiropractic, we know firsthand that our care often helps patients avoid or reduce more costly interventions such as drugs and surgery. This study supports what we see in our practices every day,” said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC. “It also demonstrates the value of chiropractic care at a critical time, when our nation is attempting to reform its health care system and contain runaway costs.”
The American Chiropractic Association, based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Watch Your Back This Holiday Season!
The holiday season is upon us and that means time to shop, decorate the house and cause stress to the body that ultimately leads to back pain and other physical ailments. The Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC), which represents over 1700 chiropractors statewide, is once again urging residents to follow their health guidelines and tips to make this holiday season a festive one and not a painful experience.
Putting up holiday lights, carrying a Christmas tree or lugging packages from the mall can cause stress to the back. In addition, raking leaves, shoveling the first snow and lunging from a ladder can also cause physical harm. These problems are all caused by performing tasks that the body is not accustomed to, according to Dr. Brett Wartenberg, the ANJC Chiropractor-of-the-Year.
“The body, at this time of year, starts to break down and performing a number of seasonal tasks that the body is not used to can cause back problems,” said Wartenberg. “During the winter holiday season chiropractors treat a variety of health injuries in addition to back problems, including sprained ankles, foot problems, slipped discs, strained muscles and wrists. All of the little things the public does beyond their normal routine can cause these problems. It’s called repetitive trauma.”
Following a year-long exercise program would help alleviate holiday physical stress. However, since many do not follow such a routine, it is essential that they take the time to prepare themselves for holiday conditions.
One of the major culprits of holiday back stress is the problems caused by holiday shopping. For shoppers and retailers the day after Thanksgiving has become the biggest shopping day of the year.
For those venturing out to do holiday shopping, the ANJC has developed some healthy pointers to reduce unneeded stress or a condition called “Back Friday.”
10 Tips for Surviving “Back Friday”
1) Warm up and do a lot of stretching before attempting to lift any packages or items.
2) Wear only your most comfortable, properly-cushioned sneakers/shoes to get you through the busy day.
3) Equally distribute the weight you’re carrying between both arms. To ensure that the weight in your shopping bags is properly balanced, repack your bags to evenly distribute it. Don’t try to be a hero by carrying all bags in one hand.
4) Don’t overreach for that item on the top shelf. Have a sales clerk use a ladder to reach your item.
5) Take several breaks and trips to unload packages to/from your car.
6) Make sure you bend your knees when searching for that item on lower shelves.
7) Don’t block your line of sight with your packages. Make sure you can see where you are walking and know where you are going to put down your packages. This will prevent tripping.
8) How heavy is it? Check out the weight before you attempt to lift a package. You can do so by pushing the object lightly or moving it with your feet to see how easily it moves. Small items sometimes are heavier than the big ones. If you can’t move it, get a sales clerk to help.
9) Pay the extra charge and have that big ticket item delivered. Large packages can not only cause damage to your vehicle but place undue stress on your back.
10) Make sure you treat Santa nice by balancing your child right in the middle of Santa’s knee.
This article was provided by the ANJC.
Putting up holiday lights, carrying a Christmas tree or lugging packages from the mall can cause stress to the back. In addition, raking leaves, shoveling the first snow and lunging from a ladder can also cause physical harm. These problems are all caused by performing tasks that the body is not accustomed to, according to Dr. Brett Wartenberg, the ANJC Chiropractor-of-the-Year.
“The body, at this time of year, starts to break down and performing a number of seasonal tasks that the body is not used to can cause back problems,” said Wartenberg. “During the winter holiday season chiropractors treat a variety of health injuries in addition to back problems, including sprained ankles, foot problems, slipped discs, strained muscles and wrists. All of the little things the public does beyond their normal routine can cause these problems. It’s called repetitive trauma.”
Following a year-long exercise program would help alleviate holiday physical stress. However, since many do not follow such a routine, it is essential that they take the time to prepare themselves for holiday conditions.
One of the major culprits of holiday back stress is the problems caused by holiday shopping. For shoppers and retailers the day after Thanksgiving has become the biggest shopping day of the year.
For those venturing out to do holiday shopping, the ANJC has developed some healthy pointers to reduce unneeded stress or a condition called “Back Friday.”
10 Tips for Surviving “Back Friday”
1) Warm up and do a lot of stretching before attempting to lift any packages or items.
2) Wear only your most comfortable, properly-cushioned sneakers/shoes to get you through the busy day.
3) Equally distribute the weight you’re carrying between both arms. To ensure that the weight in your shopping bags is properly balanced, repack your bags to evenly distribute it. Don’t try to be a hero by carrying all bags in one hand.
4) Don’t overreach for that item on the top shelf. Have a sales clerk use a ladder to reach your item.
5) Take several breaks and trips to unload packages to/from your car.
6) Make sure you bend your knees when searching for that item on lower shelves.
7) Don’t block your line of sight with your packages. Make sure you can see where you are walking and know where you are going to put down your packages. This will prevent tripping.
8) How heavy is it? Check out the weight before you attempt to lift a package. You can do so by pushing the object lightly or moving it with your feet to see how easily it moves. Small items sometimes are heavier than the big ones. If you can’t move it, get a sales clerk to help.
9) Pay the extra charge and have that big ticket item delivered. Large packages can not only cause damage to your vehicle but place undue stress on your back.
10) Make sure you treat Santa nice by balancing your child right in the middle of Santa’s knee.
This article was provided by the ANJC.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Breakfast With Santa!
Santa is coming to the Budd Lake Fire Station on Sunday, November 28, 2010. Doors open at 9:00am. Santa arrives at 9:30am.
Sponsored by the Mount Olive Township Kiwanis, Breakfast With Santa will provide a delicious, made to order breakfast of waffles, donuts, bagels, hot and cold cereal, juice, milk, coffee and tea. Crafts and entertainment will be provided for children plus a gift for each child from Santa! Santa is looking forward to having his picture taken with each child; pictures can be purchased on-site. Remember to bring your letter for Santa!
Advance ticket sales are $6.00 per Adult/Senior and $4.00 per child (1-12 yrs). An additional $1.00 will be charged at the door.
Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC is the Premium Sponsor of Breakfast with Santa.
Tickets may be purchased at Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC, 230 Route 206 South, Bldg 3, 2nd Floor, Flanders, 973-584-4888 and George's Liquors, Route 46 West, in Budd Lake.
For more information please call Adele Perkins at 973-978-6067 or contact her at adeleperkins@hotmail.com.
If you would like to share your spirit of generosity, Kiwanis is accepting donations of canned and nonperishable foods for the Mt. Olive Food Pantry. These can be brought to the event.
Sponsored by the Mount Olive Township Kiwanis, Breakfast With Santa will provide a delicious, made to order breakfast of waffles, donuts, bagels, hot and cold cereal, juice, milk, coffee and tea. Crafts and entertainment will be provided for children plus a gift for each child from Santa! Santa is looking forward to having his picture taken with each child; pictures can be purchased on-site. Remember to bring your letter for Santa!
Advance ticket sales are $6.00 per Adult/Senior and $4.00 per child (1-12 yrs). An additional $1.00 will be charged at the door.
Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC is the Premium Sponsor of Breakfast with Santa.
Tickets may be purchased at Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC, 230 Route 206 South, Bldg 3, 2nd Floor, Flanders, 973-584-4888 and George's Liquors, Route 46 West, in Budd Lake.
For more information please call Adele Perkins at 973-978-6067 or contact her at adeleperkins@hotmail.com.
If you would like to share your spirit of generosity, Kiwanis is accepting donations of canned and nonperishable foods for the Mt. Olive Food Pantry. These can be brought to the event.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Understanding Wellness
Many have attributed the term wellness to Dr. Halbert Dumn, who wrote a booklet in 1961 titled High-Level Wellness, in which he basically defined it as a lifestyle approach for pursuing elevated states of physical and psychological well-being.
While the reality is that the term wellness was actually coined in the year 1654 by a Scottish physician, the true meaning has evolved beyond what they both intended.
Defining Wellness
Chiropractors are the originators of the wellness movement, being the only health care professionals who recognize the body's natural ability to heal itself. This is why they have spent more than 50 years educating their patients on the benefits of a wellness lifestyle. Proper nutrition, exercise and routine chiropractic care help the body to perform at maximum efficiency, resulting in improved function.
Wellness: Improving Function
The term improved function has been used by chiropractors for years to help patients understand the benefits of chiropractic care and the role it plays in true wellness. The body is made up of muscles, organs and glands that are controlled by the nervous system, and the nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
The brain sends signals down the spine and to the nerves, which tell the heart to beat, the lungs to breathe, the stomach to digest, the glands to produce necessary hormones, and so on. It's when the signals don't get from the spinal cord to the nerves and then from the nerves to the muscles, organs and glands that the body begins to lose proper function and symptoms begin to occur.
Mainstream medicine doesn't recognize these symptoms as simple alerts from the body that there's something amiss, but instead as something that must be eliminated through chemicals or pharmaceuticals. They don't seek wellness, but rather a lack of symptoms.
Medical vs. Wellness Care
The biggest difference between mainstream medicine and wellness care is just that: medicine. Today's medical professionals are still treating symptoms instead of the cause of the problem. The bigger problem lies with the fact that the medicines usually begin to create their own list of symptoms that must be treated with more medicines. It's a domino effect leading not to health and wellness, but to illness and dependence.
By focusing on symptoms instead of body function, they avoid having to look at the root cause and can ignore the lifestyle habits or outside influences that are the underlying problem. A drug-induced lack of symptoms leads to a false sense of security and avoids the lifestyle changes truly necessary for wellness.
On the other hand, the wellness chiropractic practitioner recognizes that the symptoms are there for a reason, an alert from your body that something isn't right, and begins to seek the cause of the problem.
How Stressors Affect Wellness
What you may not realize is that your body is constantly adapting; when something isn't quite right, the body will try to compensate. Physical, emotional and chemical stressors, or as they are called by chiropractors, the three T's (traumas, thoughts and toxins), begin to cause the body to try to balance itself out or acclimate to the stress. Problems arise when the body, in a constant state of instability, begins to wear down; this is when our wellness or well-being is compromised.
The more obvious examples of stressors are physical; falls, jolts or sudden impacts to the spine. However, even micro-traumas caused by improper posture or one-sided repetitive movements can stress our system.
Emotional stressors are more difficult to avoid, but can be equally damaging to our wellness. Some well-known effects of emotional stress include increased blood pressure and gastrointestinal difficulties. But consider for a moment the pressure put on the spine by the physiological response to stress. Emotional stress can cause the muscles of the neck and back to tighten in response, potentially affecting the alignment of the spine.
Finally, chemical stressors or toxins are one of the leading causes of distress to the nervous system and interference to wellness, with diet and nutrition as one of the most frequently discussed underlying factors. From the chemicals in sodas and energy drinks to processed foods and preservatives, our body is constantly adapting to a chemical attack, working overtime to remove toxins and chemicals in an attempt to maintain balance.
Finding True Wellness
These days, the term wellness is being overused and abused by a society that recognizes its importance but doesn't understand its application.
Marketing departments around the globe are throwing the word around because it's popular, but often it's simply being used as a gimmick to improve sales of products that have nothing to do with improved health and function.
True wellness is achieved when all of the body's systems are receiving their signals from the brain and are properly providing the body with what it needs to not only survive, but thrive. Too often, we mistake an absence of symptoms as the presence of health, when the reality is that the two are not even related.
We live in a society that's been conditioned to believe there's a medication or a surgical procedure to fix every problem. Is that really the way you want to live your life? Now that you understand wellness, start doing something to ensure you can enjoy it. Talk to your chiropractor to learn more.
Top Five Truths About Wellness Care
5. Symptoms are not the problem, but an alert to an underlying cause and should be heeded, not silenced with chemicals.
4. The body has an inborn ability to restore itself and will adapt to outside stressors, whether they are physical, emotional or chemical. When these stressors become too much, the body will eventually wear itself down trying to maintain balance; this results in an absence of health and wellness.
3. Wellness practitioners do not diagnose or treat conditions and diseases, but instead identify and remove outside stressors.
2. Wellness care focuses on improving function rather than hiding symptoms.
1. Doctors of chiropractic recognize the value of preventative care compared to symptom-based care. With regular adjustments, spinal health is maintained, encouraging proper nervous system function and allowing for the body to perform at its best.
By Dr. Claudia Anrig who practices in Fresno, Calif., and is on the board of directors of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, an organization that can answer your questions regarding the value of chiropractic care during and after pregnancy.
While the reality is that the term wellness was actually coined in the year 1654 by a Scottish physician, the true meaning has evolved beyond what they both intended.
Defining Wellness
Chiropractors are the originators of the wellness movement, being the only health care professionals who recognize the body's natural ability to heal itself. This is why they have spent more than 50 years educating their patients on the benefits of a wellness lifestyle. Proper nutrition, exercise and routine chiropractic care help the body to perform at maximum efficiency, resulting in improved function.
Wellness: Improving Function
The term improved function has been used by chiropractors for years to help patients understand the benefits of chiropractic care and the role it plays in true wellness. The body is made up of muscles, organs and glands that are controlled by the nervous system, and the nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
The brain sends signals down the spine and to the nerves, which tell the heart to beat, the lungs to breathe, the stomach to digest, the glands to produce necessary hormones, and so on. It's when the signals don't get from the spinal cord to the nerves and then from the nerves to the muscles, organs and glands that the body begins to lose proper function and symptoms begin to occur.
Mainstream medicine doesn't recognize these symptoms as simple alerts from the body that there's something amiss, but instead as something that must be eliminated through chemicals or pharmaceuticals. They don't seek wellness, but rather a lack of symptoms.
Medical vs. Wellness Care
The biggest difference between mainstream medicine and wellness care is just that: medicine. Today's medical professionals are still treating symptoms instead of the cause of the problem. The bigger problem lies with the fact that the medicines usually begin to create their own list of symptoms that must be treated with more medicines. It's a domino effect leading not to health and wellness, but to illness and dependence.
By focusing on symptoms instead of body function, they avoid having to look at the root cause and can ignore the lifestyle habits or outside influences that are the underlying problem. A drug-induced lack of symptoms leads to a false sense of security and avoids the lifestyle changes truly necessary for wellness.
On the other hand, the wellness chiropractic practitioner recognizes that the symptoms are there for a reason, an alert from your body that something isn't right, and begins to seek the cause of the problem.
How Stressors Affect Wellness
What you may not realize is that your body is constantly adapting; when something isn't quite right, the body will try to compensate. Physical, emotional and chemical stressors, or as they are called by chiropractors, the three T's (traumas, thoughts and toxins), begin to cause the body to try to balance itself out or acclimate to the stress. Problems arise when the body, in a constant state of instability, begins to wear down; this is when our wellness or well-being is compromised.
The more obvious examples of stressors are physical; falls, jolts or sudden impacts to the spine. However, even micro-traumas caused by improper posture or one-sided repetitive movements can stress our system.
Emotional stressors are more difficult to avoid, but can be equally damaging to our wellness. Some well-known effects of emotional stress include increased blood pressure and gastrointestinal difficulties. But consider for a moment the pressure put on the spine by the physiological response to stress. Emotional stress can cause the muscles of the neck and back to tighten in response, potentially affecting the alignment of the spine.
Finally, chemical stressors or toxins are one of the leading causes of distress to the nervous system and interference to wellness, with diet and nutrition as one of the most frequently discussed underlying factors. From the chemicals in sodas and energy drinks to processed foods and preservatives, our body is constantly adapting to a chemical attack, working overtime to remove toxins and chemicals in an attempt to maintain balance.
Finding True Wellness
These days, the term wellness is being overused and abused by a society that recognizes its importance but doesn't understand its application.
Marketing departments around the globe are throwing the word around because it's popular, but often it's simply being used as a gimmick to improve sales of products that have nothing to do with improved health and function.
True wellness is achieved when all of the body's systems are receiving their signals from the brain and are properly providing the body with what it needs to not only survive, but thrive. Too often, we mistake an absence of symptoms as the presence of health, when the reality is that the two are not even related.
We live in a society that's been conditioned to believe there's a medication or a surgical procedure to fix every problem. Is that really the way you want to live your life? Now that you understand wellness, start doing something to ensure you can enjoy it. Talk to your chiropractor to learn more.
Top Five Truths About Wellness Care
5. Symptoms are not the problem, but an alert to an underlying cause and should be heeded, not silenced with chemicals.
4. The body has an inborn ability to restore itself and will adapt to outside stressors, whether they are physical, emotional or chemical. When these stressors become too much, the body will eventually wear itself down trying to maintain balance; this results in an absence of health and wellness.
3. Wellness practitioners do not diagnose or treat conditions and diseases, but instead identify and remove outside stressors.
2. Wellness care focuses on improving function rather than hiding symptoms.
1. Doctors of chiropractic recognize the value of preventative care compared to symptom-based care. With regular adjustments, spinal health is maintained, encouraging proper nervous system function and allowing for the body to perform at its best.
By Dr. Claudia Anrig who practices in Fresno, Calif., and is on the board of directors of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, an organization that can answer your questions regarding the value of chiropractic care during and after pregnancy.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Come Visit the Sandshore Elementary School's 6th Annual Vendor/Craft Fair
The Home & School Partnership of Sandshore Elementary School is hosting its 6th Annual Vendor / Craft Fair at the school in Budd Lake on Saturday, November 20 from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Crafts for sale will range from homemade items and wood carvings to goods from vendors such as Partylite, Tupperware and Pampered Chef. Service providers will also attend.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide educational information about chiropractic care and its contribution to overall wellness. Complimentary, noninvasive neck and foot scans, which take but a minute, will be offered. Neck scans will show possible subluxations (spinal misalignments) of the neck. Foot scans will identify flat or high arches. Both conditions can negatively affect the body, disrupting balance, hip alignment and eventually the spine. Dr. Brenda Rooney will be at the booth to discuss these issues with attendees.
Admission is $1 or a bag of clothes or food. Vendors and crafters still needed. For information, e-mail sescott79@msn.com or call (908) 269-5618.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide educational information about chiropractic care and its contribution to overall wellness. Complimentary, noninvasive neck and foot scans, which take but a minute, will be offered. Neck scans will show possible subluxations (spinal misalignments) of the neck. Foot scans will identify flat or high arches. Both conditions can negatively affect the body, disrupting balance, hip alignment and eventually the spine. Dr. Brenda Rooney will be at the booth to discuss these issues with attendees.
Admission is $1 or a bag of clothes or food. Vendors and crafters still needed. For information, e-mail sescott79@msn.com or call (908) 269-5618.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Holiday Shopping Bazaar! Start the Season with the Ladies Auxiliary!
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Budd Lake Fire House will sponsor a Holiday Shopping Bazaar this Saturday, November 6 from 9:00am to 3:30pm. The Fire House is located at 378 Route 46 in Budd Lake. The Ladies Auxiliary anticipates over 50 vendors strategically placed throughout the activity hall and the 5 bay fire house. This year's show will consist of a variety of vendors from homemade crafts, jewelery, pottery, and candles to service providers and much more. Product price points will range from $3.00 to around $100.00 with a variety in the types of products available.
The Ladies Auxiliary will have their kitchen open for visitors to purchase refreshments throughout the day.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide noninvasive neck and foot scans to detect subluxations (spinal misalignments) and flat feet or high arches. As the foundation for the body, either of these latter conditions can cause foot pain, back pain and affect posture. Educational literature will be available explaining how chiropractic care improves many health conditions in addition to neck or back pain. Visit our booth and talk to Dr. Brenda Rooney.
The event will be held rain or shine.
The Ladies Auxiliary will have their kitchen open for visitors to purchase refreshments throughout the day.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide noninvasive neck and foot scans to detect subluxations (spinal misalignments) and flat feet or high arches. As the foundation for the body, either of these latter conditions can cause foot pain, back pain and affect posture. Educational literature will be available explaining how chiropractic care improves many health conditions in addition to neck or back pain. Visit our booth and talk to Dr. Brenda Rooney.
The event will be held rain or shine.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Stress, Emotional Eating and Weight
Keeping a healthy weight—and especially losing weight—is not easy for many reasons. For one, easy access to extremely tasty high-calorie foods pushes many to overeat. Living with stress—a common source of negative emotions—also makes it difficult to keep healthy habits. In fact, according to http://www.webmd.com/, up to 75 percent of overeating is driven by emotions.
Stress in particular has the power to push people toward overeating and other unhealthy behaviors. Research shows that stress forces people—particularly those who usually restrain their eating—to eat more and to choose high-fat foods over healthier ones. The high-calorie foods serve as self-medication, producing a relief from negative emotions. Of course, the relief is only temporary—the effect of chocolate, for example, disappears after only three minutes, according to studies. However, because the food or beverage reduces a negative emotion, even temporarily, we tend to turn to it again next time we experience the same emotion.
Not all food works, though. When sad, disappointed, irritable or anxious, we don’t crave carrots or celery. Instead, we turn to ice cream, chips, cookies or chocolate. Research shows the palatability of these foods may affect brain chemistry. Yet, food only numbs the feelings—without resolving underlying causes. And, by adding inches to our waistlines, we also pile guilt onto the mix.
Become Aware of Your Habits
The first step to conquering emotional eating is identifying your bad habits. Do you find yourself eating when you are not really hungry or when you are in a certain mood? The next step is to pinpoint the triggers. Some emotional eating is caused by negative emotions—being bored, irritated, upset or stressed out. Certain thinking patterns, such as “I had a bad day at work; let me treat myself” or “I am overweight already, so what harm will one cookie do?” also push people to overeat. And unhealthy behavior patterns, such as stocking the pantry with tempting and unhealthy food, can also contribute to the problem.
To establish your patterns of emotional eating, write down the foods you eat and the accompanying feelings and thoughts. Record the times you eat and drink, the types and quantities of foods and beverages, your hunger rating (on a scale of 0 to 10) and situations preceding eating and any notable emotions. Next, review the journal, searching for triggers.
Forming Healthy Habits
Depending on the triggers, your strategy will differ. For some, learning to recognize the physical hunger may be needed. Ask yourself, “What exactly would feel good in my body now? Is it something hot, cold, sweet, crunchy or mushy?” Narrow the food down without judging it good or bad. Learn to trust your body.
Those with unhealthy thinking patterns need help to identify the patterns and “refashion” the thinking. For example, instead of deciding that an extra cookie won’t matter, you may say to yourself, “I’m trying to keep a healthy weight—so the cookie may make a difference. Why don’t I eat something healthier?” While it may sound forced in the beginning, over time you can change the way you think.
If you use food as a reward, a stress reliever or a distraction, try brainstorming and developing a list of healthier, non-food-related coping activities, such as reading, doing Sudoku, exercising, breathing techniques, or meditation or massage. Keep a written list of the most effective coping activities handy—to turn to in times of intense emotions, when it may be hard to think clearly.
Maintaining Motivation
As with any other habit, emotional eating takes motivation, time and practice to break. Get support from your doctor of chiropractic and other health care providers you visit. Find what will inspire you to form healthy habits. For many people, appearance, health and well-being serve as meaningful motivators—but they may need to be spelled out into practical terms, such as an outfit you want to wear, a health problem you want to avoid or an activity you want to do. Take some time to verbalize it in detail.
Your doctor of chiropractic can help you find specific foods and techniques that will help you—and give you detailed homework. Once you start a new program, remind yourself about your reasons to keep weight off to help yourself stay on track.
Signs of Emotional Eating
- Eating when not physically hungry
- Unbalanced eating—consuming large portions of food in a short time
- Eating when angry, depressed, bored, anxious or stressed
- Feeling guilty after eating
- Eating at night to cure insomnia or loneliness
- Gaining weight in times of stress
- Reducing Stress
The following strategies can also help lessen the effects of stress on your health and improve stress tolerance.
- Think positively to lessen the negative effects of stress on your health.
- Try aromatherapy, or smelling the essential oils of plants, to help you unwind after a stressful day. Aromatherapy is recognized worldwide as a complementary therapy for management of chronic pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia and stress-related disorders.
- Relax with a cup of tea.
- Laugh it off. Humor relieves stress and anxiety and prevents depression, helping put your troubles in perspective.
- Build a support system to help you cope with stressful events.
- Listen to music. Music, especially classical, can serve as a powerful stress-relief tool.
- Try meditation to calm your mind. Focusing on our breath, looking at a candle or practicing a nonjudgmental awareness of our thoughts and actions can help tune out distractions, reduce anxiety and depression, and accept life, no matter the circumstances.
- Get a massage. It has been shown to have therapeutic properties, reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension and helping patients with chronic low-back pain to decrease pain, depression and anxiety and improve sleep.
- Give exercise a shot to relieve stress and get into good physical shape.
No matter which stress-relief methods you choose, make it a habit to use them—especially if you feel too stressed out to do so. The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.
Reprinted from the October 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association; 45(5) 40-41.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Don't Bend to Osteoporosis!
Today, October 20, 2010 is World Osteoporosis Day (WOD). This day provides an all-important focal point for informing and educating the general public and policy makers about the prevention of a disease which still suffers from poor general awareness. With the number of participating countries and scheduled events increasing steadily year by year, the impact of WOD has grown significantly.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration in the microarchitecture of bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis occurs when the bone mass decreases more quickly than the body can replace it, leading to a net loss of bone strength. As a result bones become fragile, so that even a slight bump or fall can lead to bone fractures. These are known as fragility fractures. Osteoporosis has no signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs – this is why it is often called a ‘silent disease’.
Osteoporosis affects all bones in the body however fractures occur most frequently in the vertebrae(spine), wrist and hip. Osteoporotic fractures of the pelvis, upper arm and lower leg are also common and are associated with significant disability. Fragile bones are not painful but the broken bones that result cause pain and increased morbidity and mortality.
Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are the most devastating fracture in terms of morbidity and mortality, as 20% of those who suffer a hip fracture die within 6 months after the fracture. Most hip fractures take place after a fall. The exponential rise in rates of hip fracture with age in both men and women results from both an age-related decrease in bone mass at the proximal femur and the age related increase in falls.
Vertebra Fractures
Vertebral fractures are the most common caused by routine activities such as bending forward, twisting and/or lifting light objects. Falls are also associated with vertebral fractures. The prevalence (the number of fractures at any one time in a community) of vertebral fractures is similar in men and women. In men this is thought to be occupation associated. However the incidence (number of new fractures) of vertebral fracture is about one third higher in women than men between 50-60 years, and doubles after age 70.
Wrist Fractures
Most wrist fractures happen in women, occurring earlier than hip and vertebral fractures, with the incidence increasing with age. The incidence of wrist fractures in men is low and does not increase with age.
The key message is "Don’t miss the signs of a breaking spine."
Three major signs of vertebral fractures are height loss, back pain, and a stoop.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration in the microarchitecture of bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis occurs when the bone mass decreases more quickly than the body can replace it, leading to a net loss of bone strength. As a result bones become fragile, so that even a slight bump or fall can lead to bone fractures. These are known as fragility fractures. Osteoporosis has no signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs – this is why it is often called a ‘silent disease’.
Osteoporosis affects all bones in the body however fractures occur most frequently in the vertebrae(spine), wrist and hip. Osteoporotic fractures of the pelvis, upper arm and lower leg are also common and are associated with significant disability. Fragile bones are not painful but the broken bones that result cause pain and increased morbidity and mortality.
Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are the most devastating fracture in terms of morbidity and mortality, as 20% of those who suffer a hip fracture die within 6 months after the fracture. Most hip fractures take place after a fall. The exponential rise in rates of hip fracture with age in both men and women results from both an age-related decrease in bone mass at the proximal femur and the age related increase in falls.
Vertebra Fractures
Vertebral fractures are the most common caused by routine activities such as bending forward, twisting and/or lifting light objects. Falls are also associated with vertebral fractures. The prevalence (the number of fractures at any one time in a community) of vertebral fractures is similar in men and women. In men this is thought to be occupation associated. However the incidence (number of new fractures) of vertebral fracture is about one third higher in women than men between 50-60 years, and doubles after age 70.
Wrist Fractures
Most wrist fractures happen in women, occurring earlier than hip and vertebral fractures, with the incidence increasing with age. The incidence of wrist fractures in men is low and does not increase with age.
The key message is "Don’t miss the signs of a breaking spine."
Three major signs of vertebral fractures are height loss, back pain, and a stoop.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
About Body Mass Index for Adults
To continue the American Chiropractic Association's October educational campaign, National Chiropractic Health Month, Why Weight? Get Healthy! the following educational information about Body Mass Index is provided.
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI is a fairly reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
How is BMI used?
BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.
Why does the Center for Disease Control and Prevention use BMI to measure overweight and obesity?
Calculating BMI is one of the best methods for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to that of the general population.
How is BMI calculated and interpreted?
Calculation of BMI
BMI is calculated the same way for both adults and children. The calculation is based on either of the following two formulas:
Measurement Units
(1)Kilograms and meters (or centimenters)
Formula and Calculation: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Since height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.
Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98
(2)Pounds and inches: Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65")
Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96
Interpretation of BMI for adults
For adults 20 years old and older, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women. For children and teens, on the other hand, the interpretation of BMI is both age- and sex-specific.
The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are shown in the following table.
BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 ----Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 ---Normal
25.0 – 29.9 ---Overweight
30.0 and Above-Obese
For example, here are the weight ranges, the corresponding BMI ranges, and the weight status categories for a sample height of 5'9".
Height --Weight Range-----BMI-----Weight Status
5' 9" --124 lbs or less --Below 18.5---Underweight
--125 lbs to 168 lbs ---18.5 to 24.9---Normal
--169 lbs to 202 lbs ---25.0 to 29.9--Overweight
--203 lbs or more -----30 or higher--Obese
How reliable is BMI as an indicator of body fatness?
The correlation between the BMI number and body fatness is fairly strong; however the correlation varies by sex, race, and age. These variations include the following examples:
• At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.
• At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults.
• Highly trained athletes may have a high BMI because of increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness.
It is also important to remember that BMI is only one factor related to risk for disease. For assessing someone's likelihood of developing overweight- or obesity-related diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines recommend looking at two other predictors:
• The individual's waist circumference (because abdominal fat is a predictor of risk for obesity-related diseases).
• Other risk factors the individual has for diseases and conditions associated with obesity (for example, high blood pressure or physical inactivity).
For more information about the assessment of health risk for developing overweight- and obesity-related diseases, visit the following these Web pages from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov:
• Assessing Your Risk
• Body Mass Index Table
• Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
What are the health consequences of overweight and obesity for adults?
The BMI ranges are based on the relationship between body weight and disease and death. Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
• Hypertension
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
For more information about these and other health problems associated with overweight and obesity, visit the NHLBI's Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults?
Although the BMI number is calculated the same way for children and adults, the criteria used to interpret the meaning of the BMI number for children and teens are different from those used for adults. For children and teens, BMI age- and sex-specific percentiles are used for two reasons:
• The amount of body fat changes with age.
• The amount of body fat differs between girls and boys.
Because of these factors, the interpretation of BMI is both age- and sex-specific for children and teens. The CDC BMI-for-age growth charts take into account these differences and allow translation of a BMI number into a percentile for a child's sex and age.
For adults, on the other hand, BMI is interpreted through categories that are not dependent on sex or age.
This educational information is provided by the American Chiropractic Association.
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI is a fairly reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
How is BMI used?
BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.
Why does the Center for Disease Control and Prevention use BMI to measure overweight and obesity?
Calculating BMI is one of the best methods for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to that of the general population.
How is BMI calculated and interpreted?
Calculation of BMI
BMI is calculated the same way for both adults and children. The calculation is based on either of the following two formulas:
Measurement Units
(1)Kilograms and meters (or centimenters)
Formula and Calculation: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Since height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters.
Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98
(2)Pounds and inches: Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65")
Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96
Interpretation of BMI for adults
For adults 20 years old and older, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women. For children and teens, on the other hand, the interpretation of BMI is both age- and sex-specific.
The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are shown in the following table.
BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 ----Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 ---Normal
25.0 – 29.9 ---Overweight
30.0 and Above-Obese
For example, here are the weight ranges, the corresponding BMI ranges, and the weight status categories for a sample height of 5'9".
Height --Weight Range-----BMI-----Weight Status
5' 9" --124 lbs or less --Below 18.5---Underweight
--125 lbs to 168 lbs ---18.5 to 24.9---Normal
--169 lbs to 202 lbs ---25.0 to 29.9--Overweight
--203 lbs or more -----30 or higher--Obese
How reliable is BMI as an indicator of body fatness?
The correlation between the BMI number and body fatness is fairly strong; however the correlation varies by sex, race, and age. These variations include the following examples:
• At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.
• At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults.
• Highly trained athletes may have a high BMI because of increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness.
It is also important to remember that BMI is only one factor related to risk for disease. For assessing someone's likelihood of developing overweight- or obesity-related diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines recommend looking at two other predictors:
• The individual's waist circumference (because abdominal fat is a predictor of risk for obesity-related diseases).
• Other risk factors the individual has for diseases and conditions associated with obesity (for example, high blood pressure or physical inactivity).
For more information about the assessment of health risk for developing overweight- and obesity-related diseases, visit the following these Web pages from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov:
• Assessing Your Risk
• Body Mass Index Table
• Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
What are the health consequences of overweight and obesity for adults?
The BMI ranges are based on the relationship between body weight and disease and death. Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
• Hypertension
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
For more information about these and other health problems associated with overweight and obesity, visit the NHLBI's Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults?
Although the BMI number is calculated the same way for children and adults, the criteria used to interpret the meaning of the BMI number for children and teens are different from those used for adults. For children and teens, BMI age- and sex-specific percentiles are used for two reasons:
• The amount of body fat changes with age.
• The amount of body fat differs between girls and boys.
Because of these factors, the interpretation of BMI is both age- and sex-specific for children and teens. The CDC BMI-for-age growth charts take into account these differences and allow translation of a BMI number into a percentile for a child's sex and age.
For adults, on the other hand, BMI is interpreted through categories that are not dependent on sex or age.
This educational information is provided by the American Chiropractic Association.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Bring Your Best Friend to Howl & Hike Dog Walk!
Bring your dog to Horseshoe Lake (Eyland Avenue) on Sunday, October 10th from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm to enjoy the Howl and Hike Fun Walk. Sponsored by Noah's Ark Animal Welfare, this event presents dog owners the opportunity to spend a Sunday afternoon with their best friend while at the same time participating in a fundraiser, helping to change the lives of the dogs and cats awaiting adoption at Noah’s Ark.
Enjoy entertainment by Eric Hayes www.erichayesmusic.com, delicious food, training demonstrations, and showcase of many rescue groups and vendors. This is a great socializing opportunity for attendees and their friendly canine companions.
Terri Carr, Radio Host on 105.5 FM WDHA will MC the event.
The cost is a $25 individual admission fee for individuals over 18. Dogs are free with one individual paid admission.
Register in advance and be eligible for special door prizes. Go to http://www.firstgiving.com/noahsarknj to register online.
To participate as a fundraiser, collect pledges. Ask family, friends & co-workers to sponsor you and your dog as you walk to raise funds for homeless pets. Go to http://www.noahsarknj.org/images/PledgeForm.jpg for a copy of the pledge form. Be eligible for prizes! The success of this event depends on the number of people who walk with Noah's Ark and collect pledges. Since this is a pledge walk, it is important to ask friends, co-workers and neighbors to sponsor you. But PLEASE don’t stop there - all monies you raise provide essential funds to continue their efforts.
Check in at Howl & Hike with your pledge sheet and donations, grab their goodie bag and enjoy the day! Noah's Ark accepts check, cash or major credit cards. T-shirts will be sold at the event.
Great prizes for top pledge collectors, door prizes and costume contest winners!
Enjoy entertainment by Eric Hayes www.erichayesmusic.com, delicious food, training demonstrations, and showcase of many rescue groups and vendors. This is a great socializing opportunity for attendees and their friendly canine companions.
Terri Carr, Radio Host on 105.5 FM WDHA will MC the event.
The cost is a $25 individual admission fee for individuals over 18. Dogs are free with one individual paid admission.
Register in advance and be eligible for special door prizes. Go to http://www.firstgiving.com/noahsarknj to register online.
To participate as a fundraiser, collect pledges. Ask family, friends & co-workers to sponsor you and your dog as you walk to raise funds for homeless pets. Go to http://www.noahsarknj.org/images/PledgeForm.jpg for a copy of the pledge form. Be eligible for prizes! The success of this event depends on the number of people who walk with Noah's Ark and collect pledges. Since this is a pledge walk, it is important to ask friends, co-workers and neighbors to sponsor you. But PLEASE don’t stop there - all monies you raise provide essential funds to continue their efforts.
Check in at Howl & Hike with your pledge sheet and donations, grab their goodie bag and enjoy the day! Noah's Ark accepts check, cash or major credit cards. T-shirts will be sold at the event.
Great prizes for top pledge collectors, door prizes and costume contest winners!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Is Pain Your Obstacle to Fitness? Chiropractic Can Help
Are aches and pains getting in the way of your weight loss goals? Brenda Rooney, DC, whose office is located in Flanders is a doctor of chiropractic who can help. This fall, doctors of chiropractic across the country will highlight how they can help patients focus on getting past the roadblocks to fitness and better health during National Chiropractic Health Month. The theme for the 2010 observance is “Why Weight? Get Healthy!”
More than 60 percent of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese, according to CDC statistics, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some types of cancer. However, many people are unaware that even modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of a person’s total body weight, could improve blood pressure as well as blood cholesterol and blood sugars levels. That’s only 10 to 20 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds.
Yet losing weight can be a struggle, and many people wonder where to begin. The answer for some may be in the office of a doctor of chiropractic (DC). “Diet pills and extreme diets do not offer long-term solutions,” says Dr. Rick McMichael, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). “Doctors of chiropractic, on the other hand, offer natural approaches such as exercise, diet and hands-on care to help keep you active and able to achieve your weight-loss goals in the short term, and also help you maintain your fitness level and thereby avoid some chronic conditions down the line.”
Consultation with a DC is particularly important when you consider that the effects of obesity on the musculoskeletal system—osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain and joint pain—often cause overweight people to avoid physical activity and exercise when they need it most.
“If you’re carrying more weight than the load-bearing structures of your body—spine, legs, etc.—can handle, there’s going to be pain, loss of movement and degeneration in the joints,” adds Dr. Rooney. “Particularly if you’re carrying most of your weight in your abdomen, the low back and the spine will need to work harder to hold you upright. This adds extra stress and tension on your muscles, which in turn creates stiffness.”
Sponsored by ACA, National Chiropractic Health Month is held each October. The event helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.
Brenda Rooney, DC is a graduate of the College of Chiropractic at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. She has been in private practice in Flanders, NJ for eight years. For more information about how Dr. Rooney can help you achieve better overall health and wellness, please contact her office, Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC at 973-584-4888 or visit her website, www.optimalfamilychiropracticllc.com.
More than 60 percent of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese, according to CDC statistics, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some types of cancer. However, many people are unaware that even modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of a person’s total body weight, could improve blood pressure as well as blood cholesterol and blood sugars levels. That’s only 10 to 20 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds.
Yet losing weight can be a struggle, and many people wonder where to begin. The answer for some may be in the office of a doctor of chiropractic (DC). “Diet pills and extreme diets do not offer long-term solutions,” says Dr. Rick McMichael, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). “Doctors of chiropractic, on the other hand, offer natural approaches such as exercise, diet and hands-on care to help keep you active and able to achieve your weight-loss goals in the short term, and also help you maintain your fitness level and thereby avoid some chronic conditions down the line.”
Consultation with a DC is particularly important when you consider that the effects of obesity on the musculoskeletal system—osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain and joint pain—often cause overweight people to avoid physical activity and exercise when they need it most.
“If you’re carrying more weight than the load-bearing structures of your body—spine, legs, etc.—can handle, there’s going to be pain, loss of movement and degeneration in the joints,” adds Dr. Rooney. “Particularly if you’re carrying most of your weight in your abdomen, the low back and the spine will need to work harder to hold you upright. This adds extra stress and tension on your muscles, which in turn creates stiffness.”
Sponsored by ACA, National Chiropractic Health Month is held each October. The event helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.
Brenda Rooney, DC is a graduate of the College of Chiropractic at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. She has been in private practice in Flanders, NJ for eight years. For more information about how Dr. Rooney can help you achieve better overall health and wellness, please contact her office, Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC at 973-584-4888 or visit her website, www.optimalfamilychiropracticllc.com.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Come Enjoy Olde Suckasunny Day!
Fun, games and lots more are offered at the 23rd Annual Olde Suckasunny Day, on Saturday, Sept. 25. Roxbury Township residents are preparing to celebrate the 23rd annual “Olde Suckasunny Day”, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This old fashioned street fair, with diverse vendors and community booths, will offer a variety of activities, games, crafts, and food.
Main Street will be blocked from Hunter Street to North Hillside Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., creating a pedestrian mall. Parking will be available at Lincoln Roosevelt and Franklin Schools, and St. Therese Church.
Organizers and hosts for this event are the Roxbury Township Public Library, the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna, and the Succasunna Methodist Church.
There is no rain date, and in the event of inclement weather, the Steering Committee for Olde Suckasunny Day will make the decision by 5 p.m. on Sept. 24. The decision will be posted on the Library’s website.
For additional information please contact Cathy Johnson at (973) 584 2400, ext 117.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will be located outside the United Methodist Church. To educate the community about chiropractic care, Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide complimentary neck and foot scans to interested attendees and literature that addresses a number of conditions that can be improved through chiropractic care.
We look forward to seeing you there!
This old fashioned street fair, with diverse vendors and community booths, will offer a variety of activities, games, crafts, and food.
Main Street will be blocked from Hunter Street to North Hillside Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., creating a pedestrian mall. Parking will be available at Lincoln Roosevelt and Franklin Schools, and St. Therese Church.
Organizers and hosts for this event are the Roxbury Township Public Library, the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna, and the Succasunna Methodist Church.
There is no rain date, and in the event of inclement weather, the Steering Committee for Olde Suckasunny Day will make the decision by 5 p.m. on Sept. 24. The decision will be posted on the Library’s website.
For additional information please contact Cathy Johnson at (973) 584 2400, ext 117.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will be located outside the United Methodist Church. To educate the community about chiropractic care, Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide complimentary neck and foot scans to interested attendees and literature that addresses a number of conditions that can be improved through chiropractic care.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Join Us for the Wonderful Hackettstown Street Fair!
The Hackettstown Street Fair and Craft Show will take place this Sunday, September 19 from 11:00am to 5:00pm in downtown Hackettstown. Rain or shine.
The day will be filled with family fun, vendors, a juried craft show, lots of food, music and entertainment, community booths, games and activities.
Directions to downtown Hackettstown: Interstate 80 East or West to Exit 26 (Hackettstown & Budd Lake). Take Exit 26 to Route 46 West to Hackettstown. You’ll see a large lake, Budd Lake, on your right. Keep continuing on Route 46 West to downtown Hackettstown. Make a right turn at the Hess Gas Station onto Willow Grove Street followed by a left turn onto Maple Avenue. Follow signs for visitor parking.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The day will be filled with family fun, vendors, a juried craft show, lots of food, music and entertainment, community booths, games and activities.
Directions to downtown Hackettstown: Interstate 80 East or West to Exit 26 (Hackettstown & Budd Lake). Take Exit 26 to Route 46 West to Hackettstown. You’ll see a large lake, Budd Lake, on your right. Keep continuing on Route 46 West to downtown Hackettstown. Make a right turn at the Hess Gas Station onto Willow Grove Street followed by a left turn onto Maple Avenue. Follow signs for visitor parking.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Happy New You!
One of the trillions of things your body does with no input from you, is replace old cells with healthy new ones.
It's happening right now: New stomach lining, every 5 days. New skin, every 28 days. New liver, every 42 days.
Your body creates 1,000,000,000 new cells every hour. This renewal process replaces the old you with a whole new you, allowing you to heal. It's also why continued chiropractic care can be so helpful.
Your body relies on your current pattern and structure as a guide for the placement of new cells. Regular chiropractic care helps establish new, healthier patterns and structures. This is why ongoing chiropractic care is beneficial. This has created an entirely new way to see health. It's called: wellness
What is Wellness?
Simply put, we experience life through our nervous system. That’s why optimizing our spine and nervous system is the key to becoming all that we can be. Chiropractic care and other healthy habits create new possibilities.
Seven aspects of Wellness:
1. Physical - the health of your body
2. Financial - stewardship of your resources
3. Family - harmony in your home
4. Social - ease in social situations
5. Career - fulfilling and purposeful work
6. Spiritual - connection with a higher power
7. Mental - emotional and intellectual development
It's happening right now: New stomach lining, every 5 days. New skin, every 28 days. New liver, every 42 days.
Your body creates 1,000,000,000 new cells every hour. This renewal process replaces the old you with a whole new you, allowing you to heal. It's also why continued chiropractic care can be so helpful.
Your body relies on your current pattern and structure as a guide for the placement of new cells. Regular chiropractic care helps establish new, healthier patterns and structures. This is why ongoing chiropractic care is beneficial. This has created an entirely new way to see health. It's called: wellness
What is Wellness?
Simply put, we experience life through our nervous system. That’s why optimizing our spine and nervous system is the key to becoming all that we can be. Chiropractic care and other healthy habits create new possibilities.
Seven aspects of Wellness:
1. Physical - the health of your body
2. Financial - stewardship of your resources
3. Family - harmony in your home
4. Social - ease in social situations
5. Career - fulfilling and purposeful work
6. Spiritual - connection with a higher power
7. Mental - emotional and intellectual development
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Come One And All To Enjoy Street Fairs This Weekend!
Two local communities will be hosting street fairs this weekend: Byram and Netcong Townships.
Byram Day will be held on Saturday, September 11 at Neil Gylling Park and the Municipal Building Campus on Mansfield Drive. Rain date is Sunday, September 12.
The fun filled day begins at 10:00am with a 5K race. The scenic run begins at Neil Gylling Field. T-shirts will be given to all entrants while they last. Trophies will go to the 1st finishing male and female overall. Awards also go to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each of six age categories. Special awards to top three male and female Byram Township residents. $15 entry fee.
The main stage opens at 12:00 noon with an Opening Ceremony celebrating Patriot's Day featuring a flag ceremony and opening addresses by Mayor Jim Oscovitch and Congressman Freylinghysen. The Star Spangled Banner sung by DJ Oswin will be followed by a performance by the Lenape Valley High School Marching Band and Cheerleaders. DJ Steve Roberts will emcee the day including hot dog eating, baking, tomato, sunflower and chili contests, as well as the ever popular Mr. Legs. Rides for kids and games for kids and families continue throughout the day. Something new to try this year is hooping for exercise and fun. Adults can shop the vendors, view the Classic Car Show or attend Communiversity, a series of short presentations located inside the Field House. Food is available throughout the day so come for lunch and stay and enjoy a leisurely dinner.
There will also be the 3rd Annual Classic CarShow at Byram Day! Classic cars will be judged at 3pm and winners announced at 3:30 pm. Trophies include “Mayor’s Choice” and “People’s Choice, 1st Place.” Free Oil Change from Geller’s Automotive for 2nd and 3rd Place Winners!
On Sunday, September 12 Netcong Township will host their Netcong Day Annual Street Fair from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Rain or shine. There will be family fun, vendors and crafters, lots of food, entertainment, free children's rides, community booths, games and activities.
At 10:30am there will be a Netcong Day 5K to benefit the 2011 Netcong Day. Registration, check in, start and finish will be at Netcong Borough Hall, 23 Maple Avenue in Netcong. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 male and female participants, the 5 age groups, and team awards - over 90 medals and prizes. 5K participants receive a t-shirt and goodie bag while supplies last. $25 race day registration.
Byram Day will be held on Saturday, September 11 at Neil Gylling Park and the Municipal Building Campus on Mansfield Drive. Rain date is Sunday, September 12.
The fun filled day begins at 10:00am with a 5K race. The scenic run begins at Neil Gylling Field. T-shirts will be given to all entrants while they last. Trophies will go to the 1st finishing male and female overall. Awards also go to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each of six age categories. Special awards to top three male and female Byram Township residents. $15 entry fee.
The main stage opens at 12:00 noon with an Opening Ceremony celebrating Patriot's Day featuring a flag ceremony and opening addresses by Mayor Jim Oscovitch and Congressman Freylinghysen. The Star Spangled Banner sung by DJ Oswin will be followed by a performance by the Lenape Valley High School Marching Band and Cheerleaders. DJ Steve Roberts will emcee the day including hot dog eating, baking, tomato, sunflower and chili contests, as well as the ever popular Mr. Legs. Rides for kids and games for kids and families continue throughout the day. Something new to try this year is hooping for exercise and fun. Adults can shop the vendors, view the Classic Car Show or attend Communiversity, a series of short presentations located inside the Field House. Food is available throughout the day so come for lunch and stay and enjoy a leisurely dinner.
There will also be the 3rd Annual Classic CarShow at Byram Day! Classic cars will be judged at 3pm and winners announced at 3:30 pm. Trophies include “Mayor’s Choice” and “People’s Choice, 1st Place.” Free Oil Change from Geller’s Automotive for 2nd and 3rd Place Winners!
On Sunday, September 12 Netcong Township will host their Netcong Day Annual Street Fair from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Rain or shine. There will be family fun, vendors and crafters, lots of food, entertainment, free children's rides, community booths, games and activities.
At 10:30am there will be a Netcong Day 5K to benefit the 2011 Netcong Day. Registration, check in, start and finish will be at Netcong Borough Hall, 23 Maple Avenue in Netcong. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 male and female participants, the 5 age groups, and team awards - over 90 medals and prizes. 5K participants receive a t-shirt and goodie bag while supplies last. $25 race day registration.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
ANJC Members Spread the Word on Backpack Safety
As students, ready to return to school, filled their backpacks with all their new supplies, member chiropractors of the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC) began a statewide campaign to get kids to lighten up.
“It is estimated that at least half of all student backpacks are too heavy for children to be carrying. As a result doctors and chiropractors are seeing more children than ever complaining of back pain, which can have long-term effects,” said ANJC Executive Director Sigmund Miller, who recently appeared on News 12 New Jersey to discuss the growing health problem.
ANJC members spoke to news reporters, radio and television announcers and others throughout New Jersey in August, making parents and children aware of the hazards of heavy backpacks and providing tips on making them lighter and easier to carry.
“Research is revealing the negative effects of improper backpack use. Abnormal stress on a young child’s growing spine can have a significant negative impact,” said Dr. Kenneth Freedman, a member of the ANJC also a Backpack Safety America instructor who spoke on New Jersey 101.5. “Early exposure to back stress can lead to a lifetime of back pain.”
ANJC mebers will continue their campaign by offering free backpack evaluations for students whose parents stop by their offices.
Parents should help their kids “lighten up” by following the tips below.
Choose the right back pack - Choose a backpack that has wide cushioned straps which will distribute the weight on shoulders evenly. In addition, a backpack with a waist strap helps stabilize the load by not allowing the pack to flop around.
Make sure the fit is right – Make sure the backpack fits properly. The straps should not be so tight that the pack goes above the collar line and the pack should not be wider than the shoulders. It should also be adjusted tightly enough so that it does not hang more than four inches below the belt line.
Pack correctly - The weight of the loaded backpack should not be more than 15 percent of the body weight of the wearer, particularly with small children. Also, students should pack the heaviest objects first so that they are carried lower and closer to the body. Students should only be packing essential items and if needed, make frequent stops at a locker to exchange books.
Lift correctly - Check the weight of the backpack. Face the backpack before picking it up. Bend at the knees and make sure to lift with the legs, not with the back. Put on one strap at a time.
Wear correctly - Use both straps and make sure they are snug. If there is a waist strap, use it. Don’t sling the backpack over one shoulder. Messenger style bags, which get slung over one shoulder, should be rotated so that they’re not being carried over the same shoulder all the time.
Parents should look for some the following warning signs that a child’s backpack may be causing a problem: The child cannot take his backpack off or put it on without struggling; The child has to lean forward to carry his bag; The child has numbness or weakness in the arms and legs; The child has one shoulder that is higher than the other.
Health information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors and your local chiropractor.
“It is estimated that at least half of all student backpacks are too heavy for children to be carrying. As a result doctors and chiropractors are seeing more children than ever complaining of back pain, which can have long-term effects,” said ANJC Executive Director Sigmund Miller, who recently appeared on News 12 New Jersey to discuss the growing health problem.
ANJC members spoke to news reporters, radio and television announcers and others throughout New Jersey in August, making parents and children aware of the hazards of heavy backpacks and providing tips on making them lighter and easier to carry.
“Research is revealing the negative effects of improper backpack use. Abnormal stress on a young child’s growing spine can have a significant negative impact,” said Dr. Kenneth Freedman, a member of the ANJC also a Backpack Safety America instructor who spoke on New Jersey 101.5. “Early exposure to back stress can lead to a lifetime of back pain.”
ANJC mebers will continue their campaign by offering free backpack evaluations for students whose parents stop by their offices.
Parents should help their kids “lighten up” by following the tips below.
Choose the right back pack - Choose a backpack that has wide cushioned straps which will distribute the weight on shoulders evenly. In addition, a backpack with a waist strap helps stabilize the load by not allowing the pack to flop around.
Make sure the fit is right – Make sure the backpack fits properly. The straps should not be so tight that the pack goes above the collar line and the pack should not be wider than the shoulders. It should also be adjusted tightly enough so that it does not hang more than four inches below the belt line.
Pack correctly - The weight of the loaded backpack should not be more than 15 percent of the body weight of the wearer, particularly with small children. Also, students should pack the heaviest objects first so that they are carried lower and closer to the body. Students should only be packing essential items and if needed, make frequent stops at a locker to exchange books.
Lift correctly - Check the weight of the backpack. Face the backpack before picking it up. Bend at the knees and make sure to lift with the legs, not with the back. Put on one strap at a time.
Wear correctly - Use both straps and make sure they are snug. If there is a waist strap, use it. Don’t sling the backpack over one shoulder. Messenger style bags, which get slung over one shoulder, should be rotated so that they’re not being carried over the same shoulder all the time.
Parents should look for some the following warning signs that a child’s backpack may be causing a problem: The child cannot take his backpack off or put it on without struggling; The child has to lean forward to carry his bag; The child has numbness or weakness in the arms and legs; The child has one shoulder that is higher than the other.
Health information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors and your local chiropractor.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Goat Milk?
Discover the healing power of goat milk.
By Daniel Madock, DC
Doctors of chiropractic have long been advocates of transforming health from the inside out. As we seek to better our patients’ health, there is one particular healing food that has been revered for centuries: goat milk and goat-milk-derived products.
Goat milk has extensive healing properties. Research shows that goat milk has better digestibility, buffering capacity and alkalinity than cow milk. Several properties testify to the superiority of goat milk. First, goat milk biologically resembles human milk. Second, goat milk contains a low level of allergy-producing substances. Third, it digests quickly and absorbs completely. Last, goat milk is an alkaline powerhouse.
Biological Resemblance to Human Milk
Goat milk has a similarity to human milk that is unmatched in bovine (cow) milk, which may be at the root of goat milk’s healing properties. At the very base of the DNA structure of goat milk are similarities to the DNA structure of human milk.
Low Level of Allergy-Producing Substances
Perhaps one of goat milk’s most famous attributes, low allergenicity, is vital to keeping each patient in optimum health. Cow milk allergy is the No. 1 allergy of children, affecting roughly 500,000 to 1.5 million children every year. Cow milk contains more than 20 allergen proteins, which are not recognized by the immune system and are targeted in ways that cause a variety of symptoms. Hives, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, skin rash (commonly near and around the mouth), runny nose, watery eyes, colic in infants and even anaphylactic shock can all be signs and symptoms of a cow milk allergy.
Evidence points, however, to the lower allergic potential of goat milk when compared with cow milk. One study found that nearly 93 percent of infants suffering from cow milk allergies were able to tolerate and thrive on goat milk. Although soy milk has been touted as a safe alternative to cow milk, some studies show that those with a cow milk allergy have a 47-percent chance of also being allergic to soy milk.
Rapid Digestion and Complete Absorption
Goat milk has better digestibility and absorption than cow milk for several reasons. Goat milk is much higher in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) than cow milk. This means that those SCFA and MCFA are better digested and absorbed than the long-chain fatty acids prevalent in cow milk.
Goat milk also contains proteins that digest in a superior manner. While the stomach enzymes, pepsin and trypsin completely digest over 96 percent of available goat milk protein, less than 73 percent of available cow milk protein was able to be digested completely.
Alkaline Powerhouse
Many foods cause the body to become acidic, which can lead to a host of health issues. A study from the Journal of Dairy Science examined the buffering capacity of goat milk, cow milk, soy milk and antacid drugs. Now, in theory, the antacid drugs should have proven to have the best buffering capacity since their function is to reduce acid. However, the study found that goat milk overwhelmingly exceeded the buffering capabilities of the other three samples tested. Another study in the Journal of Nutrition found that oligosaccharides (prebiotics) from goat milk very likely play a major role in intestinal protection and repair. This is important because acidic diets often cause damage to the gastrointestinal lining.
Practitioners act wisely when recommending alkalizing goat milk products to help patients with acidic GI tracts.
As chiropractors, we try to keep ourselves on the cutting edge of nutritional supplementation.
Isn’t it time you started healing with goat milk?
Daniel Madock, DC, can be reached at drdanmadock@hotmail.com. Full references are available.
By Daniel Madock, DC
Doctors of chiropractic have long been advocates of transforming health from the inside out. As we seek to better our patients’ health, there is one particular healing food that has been revered for centuries: goat milk and goat-milk-derived products.
Goat milk has extensive healing properties. Research shows that goat milk has better digestibility, buffering capacity and alkalinity than cow milk. Several properties testify to the superiority of goat milk. First, goat milk biologically resembles human milk. Second, goat milk contains a low level of allergy-producing substances. Third, it digests quickly and absorbs completely. Last, goat milk is an alkaline powerhouse.
Biological Resemblance to Human Milk
Goat milk has a similarity to human milk that is unmatched in bovine (cow) milk, which may be at the root of goat milk’s healing properties. At the very base of the DNA structure of goat milk are similarities to the DNA structure of human milk.
Low Level of Allergy-Producing Substances
Perhaps one of goat milk’s most famous attributes, low allergenicity, is vital to keeping each patient in optimum health. Cow milk allergy is the No. 1 allergy of children, affecting roughly 500,000 to 1.5 million children every year. Cow milk contains more than 20 allergen proteins, which are not recognized by the immune system and are targeted in ways that cause a variety of symptoms. Hives, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, skin rash (commonly near and around the mouth), runny nose, watery eyes, colic in infants and even anaphylactic shock can all be signs and symptoms of a cow milk allergy.
Evidence points, however, to the lower allergic potential of goat milk when compared with cow milk. One study found that nearly 93 percent of infants suffering from cow milk allergies were able to tolerate and thrive on goat milk. Although soy milk has been touted as a safe alternative to cow milk, some studies show that those with a cow milk allergy have a 47-percent chance of also being allergic to soy milk.
Rapid Digestion and Complete Absorption
Goat milk has better digestibility and absorption than cow milk for several reasons. Goat milk is much higher in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) than cow milk. This means that those SCFA and MCFA are better digested and absorbed than the long-chain fatty acids prevalent in cow milk.
Goat milk also contains proteins that digest in a superior manner. While the stomach enzymes, pepsin and trypsin completely digest over 96 percent of available goat milk protein, less than 73 percent of available cow milk protein was able to be digested completely.
Alkaline Powerhouse
Many foods cause the body to become acidic, which can lead to a host of health issues. A study from the Journal of Dairy Science examined the buffering capacity of goat milk, cow milk, soy milk and antacid drugs. Now, in theory, the antacid drugs should have proven to have the best buffering capacity since their function is to reduce acid. However, the study found that goat milk overwhelmingly exceeded the buffering capabilities of the other three samples tested. Another study in the Journal of Nutrition found that oligosaccharides (prebiotics) from goat milk very likely play a major role in intestinal protection and repair. This is important because acidic diets often cause damage to the gastrointestinal lining.
Practitioners act wisely when recommending alkalizing goat milk products to help patients with acidic GI tracts.
As chiropractors, we try to keep ourselves on the cutting edge of nutritional supplementation.
Isn’t it time you started healing with goat milk?
Daniel Madock, DC, can be reached at drdanmadock@hotmail.com. Full references are available.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
You're Invited to Canal Day Music & Craft Festival
This Saturday, August 21 The Canal Day Festival will be held in Wharton's Hugh Force Canal Park, 170 West Central Avenue from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
The Canal Day Festival is an old time country fair that celebrates the Morris Canal and the communities along its banks. The festival is now in its 34th year. Come to a day of free family fun featuring a juried craft show, designs, community services, food, educational events and 11 live bands. Hand picked crafters from around the region will display their beautiful offerings. Approximately 3000 people from around the region, from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and as far away as Texas, attended the festival in 2008 to celebrate this heritage and history.
This year's Festival will be larger than ever with the addition of a second performance area for acoustic venues. There will be something of interest for everyone to enjoy!
Learn about local history by taking a guided Morris Canal walking tour provided by the Canal Society of NJ. Experience life on Morris Canal first hand by travelling down the canal on a free mule drawn boat ride or prove your prowess by paddling a kayak. Take a pony or horse drawn wagon ride. The Wallaby Tails Traveling Zoo's demonstration of exotic animals will delight children of all ages. Many, many more activities for fun and learning are planned.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide foot and neck scans and provide
information about how many conditions can benefit from chiropractic care.
Come spend the day with us at Hugh Force Canal Park! There will be a fireworks display at Robert Street Park at 8:00 PM and as always admission is free. Please visit http://www.canalday.org/canalday.html for further information.
The Canal Day Festival is an old time country fair that celebrates the Morris Canal and the communities along its banks. The festival is now in its 34th year. Come to a day of free family fun featuring a juried craft show, designs, community services, food, educational events and 11 live bands. Hand picked crafters from around the region will display their beautiful offerings. Approximately 3000 people from around the region, from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and as far away as Texas, attended the festival in 2008 to celebrate this heritage and history.
This year's Festival will be larger than ever with the addition of a second performance area for acoustic venues. There will be something of interest for everyone to enjoy!
Learn about local history by taking a guided Morris Canal walking tour provided by the Canal Society of NJ. Experience life on Morris Canal first hand by travelling down the canal on a free mule drawn boat ride or prove your prowess by paddling a kayak. Take a pony or horse drawn wagon ride. The Wallaby Tails Traveling Zoo's demonstration of exotic animals will delight children of all ages. Many, many more activities for fun and learning are planned.
Optimal Family Chiropractic will provide foot and neck scans and provide
information about how many conditions can benefit from chiropractic care.
Come spend the day with us at Hugh Force Canal Park! There will be a fireworks display at Robert Street Park at 8:00 PM and as always admission is free. Please visit http://www.canalday.org/canalday.html for further information.
Shock Absorbers of the Spine
They bulge, herniate, degenerate and tear, but they don't "slip." Discs serve as the "shock absorbers" of your body. Separating each vertebra, they create the space for nerves to exit the spinal cord. Rings of fibrous tissue called the annulus contain a soft jelly center.
We generally see two types of disc problems:
Bulging Disc
A weakened area of the annulus allows the soft center of the disc to bulge out, putting pressure on nearby nerves. Bulging discs respond well to chiropractic care, often eliminating the need for surgery.
Herniated Disc
A herniated or ruptured disc is more serious. It seems most common in the lower back. This is when part of the soft center pushes out through a weakened area due to trauma or degeneration, putting pressure on the spinal cord.
Chiropractic care, along with walking, increased water intake and improved nutrition offer a natural, non-surgical resolution for many disc problems.
Health information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).
We generally see two types of disc problems:
Bulging Disc
A weakened area of the annulus allows the soft center of the disc to bulge out, putting pressure on nearby nerves. Bulging discs respond well to chiropractic care, often eliminating the need for surgery.
Herniated Disc
A herniated or ruptured disc is more serious. It seems most common in the lower back. This is when part of the soft center pushes out through a weakened area due to trauma or degeneration, putting pressure on the spinal cord.
Chiropractic care, along with walking, increased water intake and improved nutrition offer a natural, non-surgical resolution for many disc problems.
Health information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Living to 100
People born 100 years ago would typically live to the ripe old age of 50 years, while children born this year are expected to live longer than 80 years. A study of centurions reveals some general guidelines that you can use to help extend your own life, regardless of your current age:
1. Be born a female. Hard to do much about this, but females have been outliving males for centuries.
2. Stay married. Married people live longer than single people - 10 years longer for men, 4 years for women.
3. Eat less. Research shows that life expectancy can actually double if you reduce your food intake.
4. Pass up refined sugar. Sugar can speed the aging process.
5. Use little salt. Getting used to salt-free tastes will take some time.
6. Reduce protein intake. Excess protein stresses the body and reduces your ability to fight disease.
7. Regular exercise. No need for a gym membership. Brisk walking improves circulation, metabolism and emotional well-being.
Don't take a single day for granted!
Health information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).
1. Be born a female. Hard to do much about this, but females have been outliving males for centuries.
2. Stay married. Married people live longer than single people - 10 years longer for men, 4 years for women.
3. Eat less. Research shows that life expectancy can actually double if you reduce your food intake.
4. Pass up refined sugar. Sugar can speed the aging process.
5. Use little salt. Getting used to salt-free tastes will take some time.
6. Reduce protein intake. Excess protein stresses the body and reduces your ability to fight disease.
7. Regular exercise. No need for a gym membership. Brisk walking improves circulation, metabolism and emotional well-being.
Don't take a single day for granted!
Health information provided by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Scoliosis
Scoliosis affects 5 to 7 million people in the United States. More than a half million visits are made to doctors’ offices each year for evaluation and treatment. Although scoliosis can begin at any age, it most often develops in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. Girls are more commonly affected than boys. Because scoliosis can be inherited, children whose parents or siblings are affected by it should definitely be evaluated by a trained professional.
What is scoliosis?
Because we walk on 2 feet, the human nervous system constantly works through reflexes and postural control to keep our spine in a straight line from side to side. Occasionally, a lateral (sideways) curvature develops. If the curvature is larger than 10 degrees, it is called scoliosis. Curves less than 10 degrees are often just postural changes. Scoliosis can also be accompanied by lordosis (abnormal curvature toward the front) or kyphosis (abnormal curvature toward the back). In most cases, the vertebrae are also rotated.
In more than 80% of cases, the cause of scoliotic curvatures is unknown; we call this condition idiopathic scoliosis. In other cases, trauma, neurological disease, tumors, and the like are responsible. Functional scoliosis is often caused by some postural problem, muscle spasm, or leg-length inequality, which can often be addressed. Structural scoliosis does not reduce with postural maneuvers. Either type can be idiopathic or have an underlying cause.
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?
Scoliosis can significantly affect the quality of life by limiting activity, causing pain, reducing lung function, or affecting heart function. Diminished self-esteem and other psychological problems are also seen. Because scoliosis occurs most commonly during adolescence, teens with extreme spinal deviations from the norm are often teased by their peers.
Fortunately, 4 out of 5 people with scoliosis have curves of less than 20 degrees, which are usually not detectable to the untrained eye. These small curves are typically no cause for great concern, provided there are no signs of further progression. In growing children and adolescents, however, mild curvatures can worsen quite rapidly—by 10 degrees or more—in a few months. Therefore, frequent checkups are often necessary for this age group.
How is scoliosis evaluated?
Evaluation begins with a thorough history and physical examination, including postural analysis. If a scoliotic curvature is discovered, a more in-depth evaluation is needed. This might include a search for birth defects, trauma, and other factors that can cause structural curves.
Patients with substantial spinal curvatures very often require an x-ray evaluation of the spine. The procedure helps determine the location and magnitude of the scoliosis, along with an underlying cause not evident on physical examination, other associated curvatures, and the health of other organ systems that might be affected by the scoliosis. In addition, x-rays of the wrist are often performed. These films help determine the skeletal age of the person, to see if it matches an accepted standard, which helps the doctor determine the likelihood of progression. Depending on the scoliosis severity, x-rays may need to be repeated as often as every 3 to 4 months to as little as once every few years.
Other tests, including evaluation by a Scoliometer™, might also be ordered by the doctor. This device measures the size, by angle, of the rib hump associated with the scoliosis. It is non-invasive, painless, and requires no special procedures. A Scoliometer™ is best used as a guide concerning progression in a person with a known scoliosis—not as a screening device.
Is scoliosis always progressive?
Generally, it is not. In fact, the vast majority of scolioses remains mild, is not progressive, and requires little treatment, if any.
In one group of patients, however, scoliosis is often more progressive. This group is made up of young girls who have scolioses of 25 degrees or larger, but who have not yet had their first menstrual period. Girls generally grow quite quickly during the 12 months before their first period and if they have scolioses, the curvatures tend to progress rapidly. In girls who have already had their first periods, the rate of growth is slower, so their curves tend to progress more slowly.
What is the treatment for scoliosis?
There are generally three treatment options for scoliosis—careful observation, bracing, and surgery. Careful observation is the most common “treatment,” as most mild scolioses do not progress and cause few, if any, physical problems. Bracing is generally reserved for children who have not reached skeletal maturity (the time when the skeleton stops growing), and who have curves between 25 and 45 degrees. Surgery is generally used in the few cases where the curves are greater than 45 degrees and progressive, and/or when the scoliosis may affect the function of the heart, lungs, or other vital organs.
Spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercise, and electrical muscle stimulation have also been advocated in the treatment of scoliosis. None of these therapies alone has been shown to consistently reduce scoliosis or to make the curvatures worse. For patients with back pain along with the scoliosis, manipulation and exercise may be of help.
Most people with scoliosis lead normal, happy, and productive lives. Physical activity including exercise is generally well-tolerated and should be encouraged in most cases.
What is scoliosis?
Because we walk on 2 feet, the human nervous system constantly works through reflexes and postural control to keep our spine in a straight line from side to side. Occasionally, a lateral (sideways) curvature develops. If the curvature is larger than 10 degrees, it is called scoliosis. Curves less than 10 degrees are often just postural changes. Scoliosis can also be accompanied by lordosis (abnormal curvature toward the front) or kyphosis (abnormal curvature toward the back). In most cases, the vertebrae are also rotated.
In more than 80% of cases, the cause of scoliotic curvatures is unknown; we call this condition idiopathic scoliosis. In other cases, trauma, neurological disease, tumors, and the like are responsible. Functional scoliosis is often caused by some postural problem, muscle spasm, or leg-length inequality, which can often be addressed. Structural scoliosis does not reduce with postural maneuvers. Either type can be idiopathic or have an underlying cause.
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?
Scoliosis can significantly affect the quality of life by limiting activity, causing pain, reducing lung function, or affecting heart function. Diminished self-esteem and other psychological problems are also seen. Because scoliosis occurs most commonly during adolescence, teens with extreme spinal deviations from the norm are often teased by their peers.
Fortunately, 4 out of 5 people with scoliosis have curves of less than 20 degrees, which are usually not detectable to the untrained eye. These small curves are typically no cause for great concern, provided there are no signs of further progression. In growing children and adolescents, however, mild curvatures can worsen quite rapidly—by 10 degrees or more—in a few months. Therefore, frequent checkups are often necessary for this age group.
How is scoliosis evaluated?
Evaluation begins with a thorough history and physical examination, including postural analysis. If a scoliotic curvature is discovered, a more in-depth evaluation is needed. This might include a search for birth defects, trauma, and other factors that can cause structural curves.
Patients with substantial spinal curvatures very often require an x-ray evaluation of the spine. The procedure helps determine the location and magnitude of the scoliosis, along with an underlying cause not evident on physical examination, other associated curvatures, and the health of other organ systems that might be affected by the scoliosis. In addition, x-rays of the wrist are often performed. These films help determine the skeletal age of the person, to see if it matches an accepted standard, which helps the doctor determine the likelihood of progression. Depending on the scoliosis severity, x-rays may need to be repeated as often as every 3 to 4 months to as little as once every few years.
Other tests, including evaluation by a Scoliometer™, might also be ordered by the doctor. This device measures the size, by angle, of the rib hump associated with the scoliosis. It is non-invasive, painless, and requires no special procedures. A Scoliometer™ is best used as a guide concerning progression in a person with a known scoliosis—not as a screening device.
Is scoliosis always progressive?
Generally, it is not. In fact, the vast majority of scolioses remains mild, is not progressive, and requires little treatment, if any.
In one group of patients, however, scoliosis is often more progressive. This group is made up of young girls who have scolioses of 25 degrees or larger, but who have not yet had their first menstrual period. Girls generally grow quite quickly during the 12 months before their first period and if they have scolioses, the curvatures tend to progress rapidly. In girls who have already had their first periods, the rate of growth is slower, so their curves tend to progress more slowly.
What is the treatment for scoliosis?
There are generally three treatment options for scoliosis—careful observation, bracing, and surgery. Careful observation is the most common “treatment,” as most mild scolioses do not progress and cause few, if any, physical problems. Bracing is generally reserved for children who have not reached skeletal maturity (the time when the skeleton stops growing), and who have curves between 25 and 45 degrees. Surgery is generally used in the few cases where the curves are greater than 45 degrees and progressive, and/or when the scoliosis may affect the function of the heart, lungs, or other vital organs.
Spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercise, and electrical muscle stimulation have also been advocated in the treatment of scoliosis. None of these therapies alone has been shown to consistently reduce scoliosis or to make the curvatures worse. For patients with back pain along with the scoliosis, manipulation and exercise may be of help.
Most people with scoliosis lead normal, happy, and productive lives. Physical activity including exercise is generally well-tolerated and should be encouraged in most cases.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Vitamin D
From this review, you will learn what vitamin D is, how you can get it, who tends toward deficiency, why it’s important, and what precautions should be taken. This information is provided by the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.
Vitamin D is a nutrient generated by the body through exposure to the rays of the sun. It can also be found in some foods. Vitamin D plays an important role in building strong bones by helping the body absorb calcium from food and supplements. People who get too little vitamin D may develop soft, thin, and brittle bones.
Vitamin D is found in cells throughout the body and is vital for many other health functions, as well. It participates in the nerve and muscle function, as well as in the function of the immune system and in the reduction of inflammation.
How can I get vitamin D?
The body makes vitamin D when skin is directly exposed to the sun outdoors. During the warmest months, for example, 5 to 30 minutes of exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM several times a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen may be enough to produce sufficient vitamin D. However, excessive exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer. When out in the sun, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 8 or more.
Cloudy days, shade, and having dark-colored skin cut down on the amount of vitamin D the skin makes. People who avoid the sun, who cover their bodies with sunscreen or clothing, or who live in the northern half of the United States during the winter months should include good sources of vitamin D in their diets or take a supplement.
Vitamin D is found in supplements in two different forms: D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Both increase vitamin D in the blood, but the D3 form may do it better and keep levels raised for a longer time.
Vitamin D in American diets is found mostly in fortified foods:
Vitamin D is a nutrient generated by the body through exposure to the rays of the sun. It can also be found in some foods. Vitamin D plays an important role in building strong bones by helping the body absorb calcium from food and supplements. People who get too little vitamin D may develop soft, thin, and brittle bones.
Vitamin D is found in cells throughout the body and is vital for many other health functions, as well. It participates in the nerve and muscle function, as well as in the function of the immune system and in the reduction of inflammation.
How can I get vitamin D?
The body makes vitamin D when skin is directly exposed to the sun outdoors. During the warmest months, for example, 5 to 30 minutes of exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM several times a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen may be enough to produce sufficient vitamin D. However, excessive exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer. When out in the sun, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 8 or more.
Cloudy days, shade, and having dark-colored skin cut down on the amount of vitamin D the skin makes. People who avoid the sun, who cover their bodies with sunscreen or clothing, or who live in the northern half of the United States during the winter months should include good sources of vitamin D in their diets or take a supplement.
Vitamin D is found in supplements in two different forms: D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Both increase vitamin D in the blood, but the D3 form may do it better and keep levels raised for a longer time.
Vitamin D in American diets is found mostly in fortified foods:
- Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, as well as fish liver oils, are among the best sources.
- Beef liver, cheese, egg yolks and some mushrooms provide small amounts.
- Almost all of the U.S. milk supply is fortified with 400 IU of vitamin D per quart. But foods made from milk, like cheese and ice cream, are usually not fortified.
- Vitamin D is added to many breakfast cereals and to some brands of orange juice, yogurt, margarine, and soy beverages. Check the labels for more information.
Am I getting enough vitamin D?
The amount of vitamin D required depends on your age. Average daily recommended amounts for different ages are listed below in International Units (IU):
Children and most adults 200 IU
Adults 51–70 years 400 IU
Adults 71 years and older 600 IU
Pregnant and lactating women 200 IU
Measuring blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the best test to check the levels of vitamin D in the body. In general, levels below 15 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) are inadequate, and levels above 200 ng/mL are too high. Some nutrition experts think a blood level of at least 30 ng/mL is best for overall good health. By these measures, some Americans are vitamin D deficient and almost no one has levels that are too high.
Certain groups of people may not get enough vitamin D:
- Breastfed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that breastfed infants be given a supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D each day.
- Older adults, since their skin produces vitamin D less efficiently, and their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form.
- People with dark skin, because their skin has less ability to produce vitamin D from the sun.
- People with Crohn’s disease or celiac disease who don’t handle fat properly, because vitamin D needs fat to be absorbed.
- Obese people. Their body fat binds to some vitamin D and prevents it from getting into the blood.
In children, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, where the bones become soft and bend. Although rare, this disease still occurs. In adults, vitamin D deficiency leads to osteomalacia, causing bone pain and muscle weakness.
How does vitamin D affect health?
As people get older, they develop, or are at risk of, osteoporosis—a condition where bones become fragile and may fracture easily as a result of falls. Women are at an especially high risk for developing osteoporosis. Supplements of both vitamin D3 (at 700-800 IU/day) and calcium (500-1,200 mg/day) have been shown to reduce the risk of bone loss and fractures in people aged 62 to 85 years.
Some studies suggest that vitamin D may protect against cancers of the colon, prostate, and breast. But higher levels of vitamin D in the blood have also been linked to higher rates of pancreatic cancer. At this time, more studies are needed to assess the connection between vitamin D and cancer.
Vitamin D is also being studied for its possible role in the prevention and treatment of low-back and joint pain, diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis and other conditions.
What precautions do I need to take with vitamin D?
When amounts of vitamin D in the blood become too high, it can lead to toxicity—nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness and weight loss. In addition, by raising blood levels of calcium, too much vitamin D can cause confusion, disorientation and problems with heart rhythm. Excess vitamin D can also damage the kidneys.
The safe upper limit for vitamin D is 1,000 IU/day for infants and 2,000 IU for children and adults. Vitamin D toxicity almost always occurs from overuse of supplements. Excessive sun exposure doesn't cause vitamin D poisoning because the body limits the amount of this vitamin it produces.
Tell your health care providers about any dietary supplements and medicines you take.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ergonomics for Construction Workers
Construction tasks place the body in numerous risky positions. Cramped working areas, working overhead and at floor level, heavy material handling and repetitive tasks are just some of the risk factors construction workers face. The University of Iowa found that 70 percent of construction workers experienced low-back pain over a one-year period. When working in construction, keep in mind the following strategies.
Minimize Awkward Postures
Overhead work places static loads on the neck, back and arm muscles. Standing on a stool, ladder, scaffolding or platform can minimize this reach and bring the work into a safer position. If tasks require work at lower surfaces, sitting on a stool, bucket or the floor can minimize crouching. For forward-leaning tasks, such as floor tiling, a creeper with chest support can be helpful. Use a brick or other surface as a lifted foot rest when standing still. Shoe inserts or custom orthotics can also make standing more comfortable.
Digging
When most people shovel, they twist their body in one direction, bend over and then further twist their spine to toss the dirt. To avoid this risk, a long-handled tool can help decrease bending and minimize twisting of the spine. Alternately using the shovel on the left and right side of the body can reduce fatigue and muscle imbalances.
Handling Tools
Improper or poorly designed tools place the user in awkward postures leading to tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and strain. They also require excessive force, creating fatigue and pain. While there are numerous ergonomically designed tools on the market now, learn proper wrist positioning using the following key points:
• Avoid handles that end in the palm as they create local contact stress.
• Look for soft or cushioned handles without sharp edges or grooves, which keep the wrists straight.
• While handles with ridges for the fingers seem to aide grip, they actually increase the risk for injury owing to the increased contact stresses.
• The handle diameter for tools such as hammers and screwdrivers should be between 1 ¼-inch and 2 inches. Precision tools require smaller handles of between ¼ inch and ½ inch in diameter.
• Power tools create less torque than air tools, reducing forces.
• While the hand or knee should never be used as a hammer, it is common in tasks such as laying carpet. Try to avoid this harmful habit.
Organizing Tool Belts
Carrying 20 pounds of imbalanced tools has many negative effects on the spine. Rearrange the tools to balance the load. Belts with wide suspenders help distribute the weight between the hips and shoulders.
Loading Vehicles
Heavy items should be placed close to the tailgate or doors to minimize reaching. Utilizing truck lockers and bins allows better organization of items and minimizes reaching and crawling into the truck. Roll-out truck beds are also a good investment.
Minimizing the Effect of Vibration
Jackhammers, drills, impact wrenches and other power tools place construction workers at risk for hand-arm vibration syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, reduced circulation, paresthesias and pain. Vibration syndromes are often hard to treat, so prevention is important. Anti-vibration gloves, rest breaks and keeping the hands warm are beneficial.
Whole-body vibration occurs when workers sit in forklifts, cranes and other heavy equipment. Proper maintenance, use of a gel cushion on the seat and releasing hold of controls when not actively using them can help minimize the impact.
Reduce Your Risks
Many construction tasks, from turning a screwdriver to using equipment controls, require repetition. Learn to self-initiate rest breaks and alternate heavy and light tasks. Analyze which tasks you perform routinely to develop a personalized stretching program, counteracting the sustained postures you use on the job. Strengthening muscle groups opposing those you use at work is also vital to preventing future injury.
This educational information is provided by Chris Sorrells, president of http://www.ergonomicssimplified.com/.
American Chiropractic Associtation Provides the Following Additional Recommendations...
Material Handling Tips
• Plan ahead. Keep heavy or awkward items close to waist level and away from the floor to minimize lifting effort. Use rolling carts or dollies to move items.
• Lighten the load. Break items into smaller quantities when possible. Can you open the box and take things out individually? Can you order extremely heavy items like concrete and mortar in smaller, lighter bags?
• When you turn, move your feet first—never twist your body.
• Try to work at waist height. This is where you are strongest and safest.
• Get a grip. Use handles on boxes when possible, and be sure you have a secure hold.
• Minimize reach. The farther you reach, the harder you work.
• Widen your stance. Spread your feet about shoulder width to increase support.
• Tighten your stomach muscles, keep the back straight, and use the legs when lifting.
• Get help. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends that no item heavier than 50 pounds should be lifted by one person. While workers routinely lift more, being aware of the recommendation may make them less apprehensive about asking for help.
Minimize Awkward Postures
Overhead work places static loads on the neck, back and arm muscles. Standing on a stool, ladder, scaffolding or platform can minimize this reach and bring the work into a safer position. If tasks require work at lower surfaces, sitting on a stool, bucket or the floor can minimize crouching. For forward-leaning tasks, such as floor tiling, a creeper with chest support can be helpful. Use a brick or other surface as a lifted foot rest when standing still. Shoe inserts or custom orthotics can also make standing more comfortable.
Digging
When most people shovel, they twist their body in one direction, bend over and then further twist their spine to toss the dirt. To avoid this risk, a long-handled tool can help decrease bending and minimize twisting of the spine. Alternately using the shovel on the left and right side of the body can reduce fatigue and muscle imbalances.
Handling Tools
Improper or poorly designed tools place the user in awkward postures leading to tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and strain. They also require excessive force, creating fatigue and pain. While there are numerous ergonomically designed tools on the market now, learn proper wrist positioning using the following key points:
• Avoid handles that end in the palm as they create local contact stress.
• Look for soft or cushioned handles without sharp edges or grooves, which keep the wrists straight.
• While handles with ridges for the fingers seem to aide grip, they actually increase the risk for injury owing to the increased contact stresses.
• The handle diameter for tools such as hammers and screwdrivers should be between 1 ¼-inch and 2 inches. Precision tools require smaller handles of between ¼ inch and ½ inch in diameter.
• Power tools create less torque than air tools, reducing forces.
• While the hand or knee should never be used as a hammer, it is common in tasks such as laying carpet. Try to avoid this harmful habit.
Organizing Tool Belts
Carrying 20 pounds of imbalanced tools has many negative effects on the spine. Rearrange the tools to balance the load. Belts with wide suspenders help distribute the weight between the hips and shoulders.
Loading Vehicles
Heavy items should be placed close to the tailgate or doors to minimize reaching. Utilizing truck lockers and bins allows better organization of items and minimizes reaching and crawling into the truck. Roll-out truck beds are also a good investment.
Minimizing the Effect of Vibration
Jackhammers, drills, impact wrenches and other power tools place construction workers at risk for hand-arm vibration syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, reduced circulation, paresthesias and pain. Vibration syndromes are often hard to treat, so prevention is important. Anti-vibration gloves, rest breaks and keeping the hands warm are beneficial.
Whole-body vibration occurs when workers sit in forklifts, cranes and other heavy equipment. Proper maintenance, use of a gel cushion on the seat and releasing hold of controls when not actively using them can help minimize the impact.
Reduce Your Risks
Many construction tasks, from turning a screwdriver to using equipment controls, require repetition. Learn to self-initiate rest breaks and alternate heavy and light tasks. Analyze which tasks you perform routinely to develop a personalized stretching program, counteracting the sustained postures you use on the job. Strengthening muscle groups opposing those you use at work is also vital to preventing future injury.
This educational information is provided by Chris Sorrells, president of http://www.ergonomicssimplified.com/.
American Chiropractic Associtation Provides the Following Additional Recommendations...
Material Handling Tips
• Plan ahead. Keep heavy or awkward items close to waist level and away from the floor to minimize lifting effort. Use rolling carts or dollies to move items.
• Lighten the load. Break items into smaller quantities when possible. Can you open the box and take things out individually? Can you order extremely heavy items like concrete and mortar in smaller, lighter bags?
• When you turn, move your feet first—never twist your body.
• Try to work at waist height. This is where you are strongest and safest.
• Get a grip. Use handles on boxes when possible, and be sure you have a secure hold.
• Minimize reach. The farther you reach, the harder you work.
• Widen your stance. Spread your feet about shoulder width to increase support.
• Tighten your stomach muscles, keep the back straight, and use the legs when lifting.
• Get help. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends that no item heavier than 50 pounds should be lifted by one person. While workers routinely lift more, being aware of the recommendation may make them less apprehensive about asking for help.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Five Ways to Benefit from Chiropractic Care
There's a lot of talk about Wellness Care these days. But what is it? Compare it with other types of care:
Relief Care Many people begin here. Pain prompts them to begin chiropractic care. If you stop care as soon as you feel better, you'll invite a relapse. Muscles and soft tissues heal after symptoms disappear.
Corrective Care With the most obvious symptoms reduced, many of our patients opt to continue their care. This helps stabilize and strengthen their spine. Some insurance companies recognize the value of corrective care, but many do not.
Maintenance Care Regular chiropractic care helps maintain your progress and avoid a relapse. Your visit schedule varies based on your age, condition and the stresses in your life.
Preventive Care Beyond maintenance is the realm of prevention. Periodic chiropractic checkups can help catch new problems early. This can minimize flare-ups. Those who value their health often take this proactive approach.
Wellness Care We experience life through our nervous system. That's why optimizing our nervous system is the key to becoming all that we can be.
How far will you choose to take your chiropractic care?
Information provided on behalf of local member chiropractors and published monthly by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).
Relief Care Many people begin here. Pain prompts them to begin chiropractic care. If you stop care as soon as you feel better, you'll invite a relapse. Muscles and soft tissues heal after symptoms disappear.
Corrective Care With the most obvious symptoms reduced, many of our patients opt to continue their care. This helps stabilize and strengthen their spine. Some insurance companies recognize the value of corrective care, but many do not.
Maintenance Care Regular chiropractic care helps maintain your progress and avoid a relapse. Your visit schedule varies based on your age, condition and the stresses in your life.
Preventive Care Beyond maintenance is the realm of prevention. Periodic chiropractic checkups can help catch new problems early. This can minimize flare-ups. Those who value their health often take this proactive approach.
Wellness Care We experience life through our nervous system. That's why optimizing our nervous system is the key to becoming all that we can be.
How far will you choose to take your chiropractic care?
Information provided on behalf of local member chiropractors and published monthly by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC).
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Housework
Household chores can be a pain in the sacroiliac. Unless you're careful, routine activities around the home - washing dishes, vacuuming, even talking on the phone - can strain your back, including the sacroiliac area near the tailbone, and result in debilitating discomfort.
But you can protect your back by knowing the right way to go about such activities, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).
Consider lifting. It doesn't matter whether you're picking up your child or a heavy bucket of water, you need to do it the proper way to avoid injury. How? Bend from the knees, not the waist. As you lift, hold the item as close to your body as possible. If you have to turn to place it, step in the direction of the turn. That way, you're not twisting your body and straining your spine.
Back-Saving Tips
The American Chiropractic Association suggests the following do's and don'ts for chores and relaxation:
- When you wash dishes, open the cabinet beneath the sink, bend one knee and put your foot on the shelf under the sink. Lean against the counter so some of your weight is supported in front.
- When ironing, raise one foot a bit. Place it on a small stool or a book to take some strain off your back.
- To vacuum, use a "fencer's stance." Put all your weight on one foot, then step forward and back with the other foot as you push the vacuum forward and back. Use the back foot as a pivot when you turn.
- While talking on the phone, don't cradle the phone between your ear and shoulder. That can lock up the spinal joints in the neck and upper back, and cause pain. Instead, hold the phone with your hand or use the speakerphone.
- While watching television or relaxing, don't use the sofa arm as a pillow. The angle is much too sharp for your neck.
- Use a cold pack if your back begins to hurt. Wrap an ice pack in a towel moistened with warm water. The warmth gives way to gradual cold, which likely will alleviate the discomfort. (No ice? Try frozen veggies instead.)
- If pain persists for more than a day or two or if you experience numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, see a doctor of chiropractic.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
How to Select Athletic Shoes
Too many people choose fashion over function when purchasing athletic shoes, not realizing that poor-fitting shoes can lead to pain throughout the body. Because footwear plays such an important role in the function of bones and joints—especially for runners and other athletes—choosing the right shoe can help prevent pain in your back, hips, knees, and feet.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the very best athletic shoe—every pair of feet is different, every shoe has different features, and overall comfort is a very personal decision. For this reason, it is recommended that you first determine your foot type: normal, flat, or high-arched.
The Normal Foot
Normal feet have a normal-sized arch and will leave a wet footprint that has a flare, but shows the forefoot and heel connected by a broad band. A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls slightly inward to absorb shock.
Best shoes: Stability shoes with a slightly curved shape.
The Flat Foot
This type of foot has a low arch and leaves a print that looks like the whole sole of the foot. It usually indicates an over-pronated foot—one that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls excessively inward (pronates). Over time, this can cause overuse injuries.
Best shoes: Motion-control shoes or high-stability shoes with firm midsoles. These shoes should be fairly resistant to twisting or bending.
The High-Arched Foot
The high-arched foot leaves a print showing a very narrow band—or no band at all—between the forefoot and the heel. A curved, highly arched foot is generally supinated or under-pronated. Because the foot doesn’t pronate enough, usually it’s not an effective shock absorber.
Best shoes: Cushioned shoes with plenty of flexibility to encourage foot motion. Stay away from motion-control or stability shoes, which reduce foot mobility.
When determining your foot type, consult with your doctor of chiropractic. He or she can help determine your specific foot type, assess your gait, and then suggest the best shoe match.
Shoe Purchasing Tips
Consider the following tips before you purchase your next pair of athletic shoes:
• Match the shoe to the activity. Select a shoe specific for the sport in which you will participate. Running shoes are primarily made to absorb shock as the heel strikes the ground. Tennis shoes provide more side-to-side stability. Walking shoes allow the foot to roll and push off naturally during walking, and they usually have a fairly rigid arch, a well-cushioned sole, and a stiff heel support for stability.
• Shop late in the day. If possible, 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.
• 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. 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.
How Long Do Shoes Last?
Once you have purchased a pair of athletic shoes, don’t run them into the ground. While estimates vary as to when the best time to replace old shoes is, most experts agree that between 300 and 500 miles is optimal. In fact, most shoes should be replaced even before they begin to show signs of moderate wear. Once shoes show wear, especially in the cushioning layer called the midsole, they also begin to lose their shock absorption. Failure to replace worn shoes is a common cause of injuries like shin splints, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
These health tips are provided by the American Chiropractic Association.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the very best athletic shoe—every pair of feet is different, every shoe has different features, and overall comfort is a very personal decision. For this reason, it is recommended that you first determine your foot type: normal, flat, or high-arched.
The Normal Foot
Normal feet have a normal-sized arch and will leave a wet footprint that has a flare, but shows the forefoot and heel connected by a broad band. A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls slightly inward to absorb shock.
Best shoes: Stability shoes with a slightly curved shape.
The Flat Foot
This type of foot has a low arch and leaves a print that looks like the whole sole of the foot. It usually indicates an over-pronated foot—one that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls excessively inward (pronates). Over time, this can cause overuse injuries.
Best shoes: Motion-control shoes or high-stability shoes with firm midsoles. These shoes should be fairly resistant to twisting or bending.
The High-Arched Foot
The high-arched foot leaves a print showing a very narrow band—or no band at all—between the forefoot and the heel. A curved, highly arched foot is generally supinated or under-pronated. Because the foot doesn’t pronate enough, usually it’s not an effective shock absorber.
Best shoes: Cushioned shoes with plenty of flexibility to encourage foot motion. Stay away from motion-control or stability shoes, which reduce foot mobility.
When determining your foot type, consult with your doctor of chiropractic. He or she can help determine your specific foot type, assess your gait, and then suggest the best shoe match.
Shoe Purchasing Tips
Consider the following tips before you purchase your next pair of athletic shoes:
• Match the shoe to the activity. Select a shoe specific for the sport in which you will participate. Running shoes are primarily made to absorb shock as the heel strikes the ground. Tennis shoes provide more side-to-side stability. Walking shoes allow the foot to roll and push off naturally during walking, and they usually have a fairly rigid arch, a well-cushioned sole, and a stiff heel support for stability.
• Shop late in the day. If possible, 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.
• 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. 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.
How Long Do Shoes Last?
Once you have purchased a pair of athletic shoes, don’t run them into the ground. While estimates vary as to when the best time to replace old shoes is, most experts agree that between 300 and 500 miles is optimal. In fact, most shoes should be replaced even before they begin to show signs of moderate wear. Once shoes show wear, especially in the cushioning layer called the midsole, they also begin to lose their shock absorption. Failure to replace worn shoes is a common cause of injuries like shin splints, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
These health tips are provided by the American Chiropractic Association.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Exercise Good Judgment While Enjoying the Outdoors with Baby
From biking and hiking to walking and jogging, today's parents are keeping fit and bonding with their babies in the process. With an array of products unheard of a generation ago - like baby carriers, joggers and trailers - even the tiniest among us are enjoying the great outdoors. But while these items can make life easier and more enjoyable for both parent and child, they can be the cause of pain and injury if not used properly. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) urges you to exercise caution and good judgment while exercising with your baby.
Biking
When biking with a child on board, use a trailer, a rolling ride-along that hitches to the back end of a bike. It is a much safer option than a carrier, a "passenger" seat that sits directly on the bike, according to Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of ACA's Council on Occupational Health. Dr. Bautch prefers trailers because of their added stability. He cautions that carriers can decrease a bike's stability, possibly causing it to topple and injure both the parent and child.
To further ensure the child's safety while biking, keep the following tips in mind:
- The trailer must be equipped with a harness that can be placed over the child's
body. The harness should be complicated enough that the child cannot unhook it or
wiggle out of it.
- A screen that covers the front of the trailer will add an extra line of protection
against stray pebbles and other flying objects.
- Be sure to select a trailer that has large, bicycle-style tires, which will add
stability and ease to your ride.
- Protect your child's head with a sturdy, adjustable helmet that can be sized to
fit properly. If the helmet rests too high, it will expose part of the child's
head, leaving it susceptible to injury.
- Bike only on smooth surfaces for optimal control.
- Only an experienced rider should attempt to bike with a child on board at all. And
even then, the rider should practice with a ride-along trailer for two weeks
before riding with a real child - in an effort to get a feel for the strength and
coordination necessary to maneuver the bike.
Jogging
If you wish to go for a jog and bring your child along for the ride, the baby jogger is your best option. A baby jogger is a rolling pushcart that a parent can jog behind, using handlebars to maneuver. Here are some rules of thumb to consider:
- Make sure the handlebars of the jogger are both large and adjustable, so that they
fit comfortably into your hands for complete control. The handlebars should be
kept as upright as possible.
- Handbrakes and a locking mechanism are a necessity.
- Look for a jogger with a good shoulder harness to keep the child secure.
- Large, bicycle-style tires offer more control and stability.
- A screen over the front of the jogger adds to its safety by deflecting stray
flying objects.
- Jog only on smooth surfaces.
Backpack-Style and Front-Side Baby Carriers
For parents who prefer walking or hiking with their little ones, a backpack-style or front-side baby carrier could be for you. Dr. Bautch cautions, however, that there are risks involved with carrying an infant on your back in a backpack-style carrier. "The cervical spine of a child less than one year old is not fully developed. It is important at that age that the head does not bob around. The backpack-type carrier is not ideal because the parent cannot watch to make sure the child's head is stable. A front-side carrier is better for a very young child," explains Dr. Bautch.
Dr. Bautch also urges you to think about the following:
- A backpack-style or front-side carrier decreases a parent's stability when walking
or hiking. It is critical that a parent gets into shape before attempting to use
one of these products.
- Since these carriers will change the feel of walking or hiking quite a bit, they
should not be used by beginning walkers or hikers.
- If using a backpack-style or front-side baby carrier, make sure to select one with wide straps for your shoulders and waist. This will help distribute the carrier's weight evenly. The shoulder straps should fit comfortably over the center of your collarbone.
- The carrier should include a harness to keep the child stable.
- Once you place the child in the carrier, check to make sure there is no bunching of material against the child's body, particularly on the back, buttocks and spine. Isolated, uneven pressure like this can produce pain.
Baby Slings
The "baby sling" is becoming more and more popular for its versatility of positions and comfort. But if you wish to use a baby sling, keep in mind that it is intended only for very young infants and follows these tips:
- A baby can become very hot inside the sling, so be mindful of the temperature around you. Also, make certain the baby's breathing is clear and unobstructed by the sling's material.
- Never run or jog while carrying a baby in any backpack-style carrier, front-side carrier or baby sling. A baby's body is not adjusted to the cyclic pattern that is a part of running and jogging. This motion can do damage to the baby's neck, spine and/or brain.
Take Care of Yourself
Finally, don't forget about your own health and comfort. When lifting a child to place him or her into a trailer or jogger, exercise caution. Don't bend from the waist, but begin in a 3-point squat and implement a two-stage lift that consists of a) pulling the child up to your chest and then b) lifting straight up with your leg muscles. Stay as close to the car seat or trailer as possible and place the child into it without reaching, stretching or twisting. The further the child is from your body, the more strain you will place on your spine and musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic Care Can Help
If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from these or other outdoor activities, call your doctor of chiropractic. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages, and can provide health tips for you and your children that will make enjoying outdoor activities safer and more enjoyable.
Biking
When biking with a child on board, use a trailer, a rolling ride-along that hitches to the back end of a bike. It is a much safer option than a carrier, a "passenger" seat that sits directly on the bike, according to Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of ACA's Council on Occupational Health. Dr. Bautch prefers trailers because of their added stability. He cautions that carriers can decrease a bike's stability, possibly causing it to topple and injure both the parent and child.
To further ensure the child's safety while biking, keep the following tips in mind:
- The trailer must be equipped with a harness that can be placed over the child's
body. The harness should be complicated enough that the child cannot unhook it or
wiggle out of it.
- A screen that covers the front of the trailer will add an extra line of protection
against stray pebbles and other flying objects.
- Be sure to select a trailer that has large, bicycle-style tires, which will add
stability and ease to your ride.
- Protect your child's head with a sturdy, adjustable helmet that can be sized to
fit properly. If the helmet rests too high, it will expose part of the child's
head, leaving it susceptible to injury.
- Bike only on smooth surfaces for optimal control.
- Only an experienced rider should attempt to bike with a child on board at all. And
even then, the rider should practice with a ride-along trailer for two weeks
before riding with a real child - in an effort to get a feel for the strength and
coordination necessary to maneuver the bike.
Jogging
If you wish to go for a jog and bring your child along for the ride, the baby jogger is your best option. A baby jogger is a rolling pushcart that a parent can jog behind, using handlebars to maneuver. Here are some rules of thumb to consider:
- Make sure the handlebars of the jogger are both large and adjustable, so that they
fit comfortably into your hands for complete control. The handlebars should be
kept as upright as possible.
- Handbrakes and a locking mechanism are a necessity.
- Look for a jogger with a good shoulder harness to keep the child secure.
- Large, bicycle-style tires offer more control and stability.
- A screen over the front of the jogger adds to its safety by deflecting stray
flying objects.
- Jog only on smooth surfaces.
Backpack-Style and Front-Side Baby Carriers
For parents who prefer walking or hiking with their little ones, a backpack-style or front-side baby carrier could be for you. Dr. Bautch cautions, however, that there are risks involved with carrying an infant on your back in a backpack-style carrier. "The cervical spine of a child less than one year old is not fully developed. It is important at that age that the head does not bob around. The backpack-type carrier is not ideal because the parent cannot watch to make sure the child's head is stable. A front-side carrier is better for a very young child," explains Dr. Bautch.
Dr. Bautch also urges you to think about the following:
- A backpack-style or front-side carrier decreases a parent's stability when walking
or hiking. It is critical that a parent gets into shape before attempting to use
one of these products.
- Since these carriers will change the feel of walking or hiking quite a bit, they
should not be used by beginning walkers or hikers.
- If using a backpack-style or front-side baby carrier, make sure to select one with wide straps for your shoulders and waist. This will help distribute the carrier's weight evenly. The shoulder straps should fit comfortably over the center of your collarbone.
- The carrier should include a harness to keep the child stable.
- Once you place the child in the carrier, check to make sure there is no bunching of material against the child's body, particularly on the back, buttocks and spine. Isolated, uneven pressure like this can produce pain.
Baby Slings
The "baby sling" is becoming more and more popular for its versatility of positions and comfort. But if you wish to use a baby sling, keep in mind that it is intended only for very young infants and follows these tips:
- A baby can become very hot inside the sling, so be mindful of the temperature around you. Also, make certain the baby's breathing is clear and unobstructed by the sling's material.
- Never run or jog while carrying a baby in any backpack-style carrier, front-side carrier or baby sling. A baby's body is not adjusted to the cyclic pattern that is a part of running and jogging. This motion can do damage to the baby's neck, spine and/or brain.
Take Care of Yourself
Finally, don't forget about your own health and comfort. When lifting a child to place him or her into a trailer or jogger, exercise caution. Don't bend from the waist, but begin in a 3-point squat and implement a two-stage lift that consists of a) pulling the child up to your chest and then b) lifting straight up with your leg muscles. Stay as close to the car seat or trailer as possible and place the child into it without reaching, stretching or twisting. The further the child is from your body, the more strain you will place on your spine and musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic Care Can Help
If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from these or other outdoor activities, call your doctor of chiropractic. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages, and can provide health tips for you and your children that will make enjoying outdoor activities safer and more enjoyable.
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