Ask the Pro

My daughter is experiencing a lot of back pain and I am certain that much of it is being caused by her backpack. Besides lightening the load, is there anything she can do?

At the start of every school year we se more and more kids with neck, shoulder and back pain as a result of over weight packs or improperly worn packs. Let’s start by getting them the correct backpack. First, a good pack should be function first and fashion second. Find a pack that is sturdy, or slightly rigid, but is padded on the portion that rests against the spine. A pack that is slightly rigid in construction and padded will protect that back and will force the items inside to sit properly. Make sure the pack has wide padded shoulder straps as this will help distribute the weight evenly. Look for a pack that has at least one waist strap and if possible a chest strap. Using a waist and chest strap keeps the weight from shifting when you move as well as distributing more of the packs weight. Finding a good pack is half of the equation, here is how it should be worn to help prevent injuries. A pack should not be carried on one shoulder or below the waist. Both of these positions put undue stress on the shoulders and back. Proper position is always above the beltline. If your child is to small in stature to allow for this fit, consider a small carry on luggage style case with wheels. Lastly, the loaded pack should not weight more than 10% to 20% of the child’s weight, depending on their stature and muscular build. We recommend always erring on the side of lighter or heavier. If after making these corrections the problem persists it is very possible that some musculoskeletal damage or misalignment has been caused. This will need to be corrected through chiropractic and or massage therapy so that the musculoskeletal system can regain its normal function.

My chair at work is uncomfortable and I find it hard to sit up straight. Do you have any suggestion?

Unfortunately, today’s lifestyle involves long periods of sitting either at work, during the commute, watching TV or at the computer. A sitting position is most likely to develop poor postural habits, hunching or slouching. This forward shift in weight increases stress on muscles, joints and discs, which in turn increases pain in the lower back and legs. Having a proper lumbar support helps to promote good posture by filling in the gap between your lower back and the chair. Proper support will allow your body to maintain correct posture for a longer period by giving the back muscle s a bit of a break. Some other tips to improve posture: 1) your eyes should be level with the computer. 2.) Knees should be bent at a right angle, use a footrest if necessary. 3) Elbow supports that keep your arms at a right angle help to decrease strain on the neck and upper back. 4) Remember to stand, stretch and walk at last 1-2 minutes every half hour. Should your problem persists or if you would like more information regarding ergonomics please call our office.

Why should I get adjusted if I am feeling fine?

Regular chiropractic adjustments (yes – even when you’re feeling “fine”) are beneficial because they keep your body functioning at an optimal level. They can also cut down on the number of symptoms (i.e. painful neck or low back) you may experience. Even though you may not feel it, you may have a subluxation in your spinal column. Subluxations cause stress on the nervous system and make it harder for your body to fight infection and disease. You may “feel fine” but have no energy, sleep poorly or are tired. You may “feel fine” but have aches, pains, headaches or backaches. Why wait for something to go wrong before you attend to your health? Regular chiropractic care will help you listen to your body’s subtle signs of sickness and stay in touch with how you really feel.

My 10 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with a slight scoliosis. Is there anything that can be done to help correct this?

The cause of scoliosis is not completely understood, however, there are chiropractic and massage therapy treatments that work to facilitate a more normal spinal development. Scoliosis is a condition seen in 3-5 of every 1000 children and affects girls between the ages of 10-16, seven times that of boys of the same age. Chiropractic treatment involves adjustments of the vertebrae that are turning or twisting, essentially assisting the bone in a more normal developmental process. In conjunction with this chiropractors will prescribe certain strength and flexibility exercises. These exercises are designed to strengthen the weak side of the spine and create flexibility on the tight side of the spine. This helps create a better balance in the muscles, which again helps in the spinal development. Massage Therapy can also be beneficial for scoliosis. Massage Therapy works to release the muscle on the inside or concave side of the spine in order to reduce the tension of the muscles that are pulling the spine. Early detection is key to preventing years of suffering, however if a scoliosis is determined you must act immediately to help hold the line on its development. If you have concerns about your child’s spine please contact us for a free screening.

I was told orthotics might help my back, is this true and how?

It is absolutely true. Everything we do, standing, walking, or even cycling is transferred through the feet.

We are able to prevent leg, hip, and back pain with orthotics because when we aid the feet in absorbing shock we prevent that shock from traveling upward thoughout the body. gThe feet also work as the first supportive structure for everything we do. The natural curve of the foot works as a shock absorber or spring,. Not every foot is the best at absorbing that shock. Flat feet lack this ability conversely high arches have to much putting arch placing extrat stress on the muscles between the heel and toes. A custom orthotic works to give flat feet a natural curve. For those with high arches, it adds support to the arch preventing undue stress to the muscles on the bottom of the feet. For those with neutral arches orthotics are a great way to increase the foots shock absorbing abilities.

Can I receive massage therapy, while under chiropractic care?

You should always consult your chiropractor before you begin another treatment or therapy. It is important that you, your chiropractor, and your massage therapist are all working in unison. When combined, chiropractic and massage have a potential to restore and maintain your health more quickly, effectively and completely. The benefit of seeing your chiropractor and massage therapist at the same time are: Chiropractic adjustments are often easier and last longer because the muscle around the joint has greater circulation and is more relaxed. Your chiropractor and massage therapist can work together to provide a treatment plan that will work more quickly and thoroughly, because both can work in the field of expertise. Chiropractic and massage work wonderfully as preventative care as well. Periodic adjustments restore normal nerve function, alignment and mobility while regular massage can release adhere muscle. Together they can help keep your body moving freely without restrictions that can cause pain or discomfort and help you achieve optimum health.

I play golf at least 2x per week, but lately I have developed a pain in my wrist and elbow. I have seen chiropractors in the past for my back, but is there anything they can do for wrists or elbows?

Yes! Most people think that chiropractors can only make adjustments to the back; however there are those of us who have gone for extensive education and certification so that we can manipulate the bones in the extremities. When looking for a chiropractor to adjust your extremities make sure that they are a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner or CCEP for short. Many times the pain you feel in the arms or legs can be attributed to a misaligned bone; this can cause nerve impingement or a compression at the articulating surfaces of the joint. Adjusting the bones of the hands, arms, and legs frees these nerves and decompresses the joints thereby decreasing your pain. So yes, we can help you with your pain and hopefully we just might add a few yards to your drive as well.

Are children or preteens too young for therapeutic massage?

Absolutely not. In fact, massage can benefit youth with a variety of things such as improving sports performance, alleviating injuries and correcting posture, just to name a few. Kids spend hours at desks, playing sports, and lugging heavy packs around so it should be no surprise that they experience musculoskeletal problems. In my practice I see a number of kids because of these factors and in many cases the conditions that I treat a child for are the same conditions that I am treating their parent for. When a parent brings their child in for the first time, I go through the same evaluation process and testing procedures that I use for all of my clients. The only difference is that I spend extra time explaining how massage is performed, this helps to alleviate any anxiety or misconceptions they may have. If it’s preferred a parent may stay in the room during the massage. In summary, it’s never too early to start on the road to good health and wellness, by starting early we can detect and eliminate small problems before they become large ones later in adulthood.

Unwin Chiropractic and Wellness Center