Tag Archives: injury

Wellness Care Means Optimum Health

wellnessWellness care is a general term we all have heard but I’m going to explain what it really means. This type of care begins by you taking responsibility for your own health. Everyone has their own unique needs in order to experience optimal well being. This being said, some people need to correct diet and weight issues, while others need to become more physically fit and exercise more. Other people have diseases that are genetic such as heart disease, diabetes, back pain, headaches, etc., and some just want to slow the aging process as much as possible.

The point I want to get across to you is that there is no “quick fix”.  Below I will discuss a list I have compiled of factors you need to look over and see how they are addressed or not addressed in your own life.

1. Education– Know why you are having pain, discomfort, problems sleeping, weight issues etc.

2. Mobility – If joints and muscles of the body are not operating in their full, normal range or if muscles have become soft from disuse, optimal energy cannot be experienced. These issues are to be addressed by specific training or exercise that can be taught and performed in a home program.

3. Diet- This means eating well, not less and finding the correct balance for you.

4. Vitamins- The American Medical Association came right out and said that “Everyone needs extra nutritional supplements”.  This is important considering many prescription medications produce loss of specific vitamin combinations. Many people have also chosen to remove certain foods from their diet but have not considered the need to supplement for the missing nutrients.

5. Body Movement-  Do something you enjoy that requires body movement. This doesn’t mean you have to join a gym. Just get out there and move! There is not one activity worse for you than smoking tobacco, but the consumption of excess food and alcohol can become the second worse activity you choose.

I enjoy talking with patients during their visits to find out what they are missing in their life in regards to activity, nutrition, vitamins and sleep. Everyone has unique lifestyles so I enjoy helping each patient find ways to make small changes or modifications to their life to improve it.

By Dr. Dana Laridaen, D.C.

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How Does Sitting Cause Injury?

Poor posture and inactivity are two factors involved in the creation of Repetitive Stress Injuries. Every muscle, joint, ligament and tendon work together to hold the body upright in the correct alignment to support the head and allow for full motion. When a person sits at a computer for hours at at time the body can actually break down. Sitting at a desk while looking at a computer or driving for a prolonged period of time can cause a person to lose the natural C-curve in their neck from forward head position, rounding their shoulders, and hunching their back. When this happens, joints misalign, muscles become strained and inflame, and nerves can be irritated. When this process continues for days and weeks at at time injuries can occur.

Most people believe you have to be involved in an automobile accident or significant injury in order to have debilitating injuries. This I have found is not true at all. Most of my patients are victims of “computer neck,” which causes constant or frequent tension in the upper trapezius muscles and neck muscles. The constant strain on these muscles caused from prolonged sitting at computers can cause headaches, neck pain, and even worse, tingling and numbness in the arms.

Muscles become stiff and sore from lack of oxygen, and weak from lack of use. When your joint-stabilizing muscles are weak, the tendons and ligaments work harder to compensate for the lack of activity by the muscle. When this occurs, the tendons and ligaments stiffen which leads to eventual misalignment of the joint. A person who has weaker muscles due to lack of exercise is easily injured and takes longer to heal.

It is important to strengthen the muscles that are involved in keeping your posture straight and properly align the neck. Once the joint is misaligned it is important to get it adjusted back into the right position to allow the muscles to relax.

If this reminds you of yourself or any of your co-workers make sure you address the issue. The longer the problems persist the longer the healing time will be. Chiropractors commonly treat conditions caused by “computer neck.”


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