Archive for the ‘Health Articles’ Category
Welcome to Chiropractic Life and Wellness Center's Health Articles Archive. Here you can learn more about Chiropractic Life and Wellness Center, Chiropractic, and Dr. Brandon Chorney, today's choice for Chiropractors in New Fairfield, CT. Read Dr. Brandon Chorney's Chiropractic Health Articles for the health of it.
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Feb 7, 2023 | Health Articles
“As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” Have You Ever Noticed That Life Imitates Nature? As I sit in my office and think about the spring season, I look at a picture of a Bonsai tree. On it is a quote from Alexander Pope that says, "A little neglect may breed great mischief."...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Jan 24, 2023 | Health Articles
The roar of an engine! The roar of the crowd! The roar of wind racing by as you hold on and enjoy a day at an amusement park. Life today is fast and we play hard. Unfortunately today’s fast lifestyle can have a traumatic effect on your health. The injury suffered is most often described...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Jan 17, 2023 | Health Articles
Workplace Ergonomics Simply Defined
Workplace ergonomics is the practice of designing or redesigning an area in which a person works to the specific needs and job requirements of that person. Simply defined that for an ergonomic workplace to be created, a proper assessment of the environment must first of all take place so that appropriate changes can be made on the basis of accepted ergonomic principles. The aim is to create a safer and more productive working environment for the employees. It not only creates healthier more productive employees but saves corporations in millions in lost productivity due to illness and injury.
The Three Most Important Basic Ergonomic Principles:
- The stress of any lifting should be taken by the largest muscles to protect the smaller and more vulnerable ones.
- When working, the employee should be able to move comfortably between various correct postures so they do not over-stress one particular part of the body for an extended period. Muscles become fatigued when kept tense for too long, especially if that one posture is poor.
- Joints should move through no more than 50% of their range when performing activities, and preferably be kept in a neutral position. Joints that are overextended can become damaged and susceptible to repetitive stress/strain injuries.
Tips for a Seated Desk Career:
- The height of the desk should be suited to your frame, and everything you need should be within easy reach.
- Your feet should be able to touch the floor, and the angle between your torso and thighs should be 90 to 110 degrees.
- Keep your body straight, head and neck upright, and keep your task directly in front of you. Don’t hunch or slouch.
- The top of your computer monitor should be at your eye level. Your head should be in a neutral position, otherwise any leaning forward can cause pain in the neck and head.
- Your wrists should be straight when typing, and your shoulders and forearms parallel to the floor.
- Anything you read at your desk should be at the same level as though you were reading it on your monitor. Use a book stand or a paper holder.
- Use a headset when talking on the telephone – certainly if you are doing so for long periods. Never use your shoulder to cradle the phone against your ear. This will lead to headaches and neck pain.
- Every 20 or 30 minutes, get up and stretch. It will help you re-energize and re-focus.
- Frequently stretch out your neck, arms, wrists, back, and legs while working. Try neck rotations, fist clenches, arm dangles, and shoulder shrugs.
- Don’t stare at one thing for too long. If your eyes do not frequently shift focus, they will become strained and tired. Take a few seconds to look from objects that are nearby to objects that are farther away.
Mastering the Mouse:
Use your arm and shoulder to move the mouse, not just your wrist. Hold the mouse loosely and keep your wrist straight and relaxed. The edge of your desk is not the best place to rest your wrist; instead, use a gel rest incorporated into the mouse mat. Take regular breaks during each hour to flex your wrists, and to move your arms and shoulders.
Tips for Safe Lifting:
When lifting anything off the floor, bend at the knees, not at the waist. Keep your head up, your neck and back straight, and use your leg muscles to power up to standing. Bending forward at the waist to lift brings your low-back muscles into it, and these can be easily pulled. Keep your elbows flexed and hold the object close in to your body to further minimize back strain.
Mastering Your Health
Chiropractors specialize in the mechanics of the body and the impact of poor posture and repetitive activities has on your overall health. If you would like to know more on how to apply correct ergonomics into your work place or environment, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Jan 10, 2023 | Health Articles
One of the essential factors when leading a healthy lifestyle is a healthy spine. Many people overlook the benefits of a healthy spine and those who suffer from back pain are generally less healthy than those who do not. There are many problems associated with back pain, both financial and psychological, however these can be...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Jan 3, 2023 | Health Articles
The fastest growing health problem in the modern world is obesity. Obesity contributes to increases in the risk of other diseases and is putting an extreme strain on health budgets throughout the world. The financial implications that are associated with obesity are huge. Here are just a few statistics: Approximately 17% of all medical costs...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Dec 20, 2022 | Health Articles
Buckle up, our traveling season is upon us. Despite the saying “getting there is half the fun”, planes, trains, and automobiles can put a real strain on our holiday fun this season. So let’s start this season off right, and follow these tips to survive the physically demanding prospect of traveling to your holiday destination even if your final destination is to just relax.
The Warmup
Travel should be looked on as a form of strenuous exercise that requires a period of warming up and cooling down. Warmup and stretch before you travel, and cool down with a brisk walk when you arrive to reinvigorate your hamstring and calf muscles.
Highway Miles
- Seat Comfort: Adjust the seat so you are as close to the wheel as you can be while still feeling comfortable. Keep your knees just a little bit above the hips.
- Back Support: Use a back support if the seat does not provide adequate support by design. A lumbar support will help reduce the risk of lower back pain and injury. A proper fitting support should be widest between the lowest ribs and the waist.
- Keep Alert and Avoid Stiffness: Exercise your legs while driving to keep the blood flowing and limit any swelling or pain. We recommend counting to 10 while spreading your toes wide then counting to 5 while tightening your calf muscles. Follow this process with each of mucsle groups including your thigh muscles and your glutes (butt). Don’t forget to roll your shoulders back and forward (keeping your hands on the wheel!) along with stretching your neck.
- Hands On the Wheel: Alternate holding the wheel with your hands at the 2 and 7 o’clock positions, and then the 10 and 5 o’clock positions.
- Avoid Vice Grip: Try not to grip the wheel too tightly. The vice grip will reduce your circulation and increase fatigue in the muscles of your hands, wrists and arms.
- Look Around: Vary your focal point to reduce eye strain and headaches, but keep your eyes on the road and don’t you dare text!
- Rest Stops: Take frequent breaks from driving; remember that fatigue behind the wheel can be extremely dangerous.
Sky Miles
- Onboard Luggage: Bags that are heavier than 5-10% of your body weight should ideally be checked in rather than carried on. But sometimes the added price out weighs back safety, so if lifting heavy bags into overhead compartments make sure you stand directly in front of the overhead and do not stretch or twist your back or neck when lifting.
- Another Luggage Space to Fill: Under the seat luggage should not be forced in using feet or hands while standing, which can cause muscle spasms given the confined and awkward space between the seats. Instead, sit down first, then push it in using both your hands and feet.
- Now the Ergonomically Incorrect Seats: Airline seats are incredibly spine-unfriendly. Our suggestion for long haul air travelers is that when you are investing in a neck roll to also invest in a lumbar roll. Can’t find one? Grab a small hand towel that you can roll and place in the small of your lower back.
- Keep It Moving: While traveling move about in your seat frequently to keep the blood flowing and guard against cramps and pins and needles. Massage your thighs and calves, then push up with your toes to shift your knees up and down. Use a bag to raise your feet higher.
- Air Flow: Don’t blast yourself with the overhead air vents which can cause your neck and shoulders to tense.
Car Seats and Kids:
- Use an approved car seat appropriate to the age of the child when traveling in a car.
- Infant car seats should always face rearwards so that any impact is spread around the back and shoulders and not taken directly by the neck.
- A car seat should not be used in the front seat of a car where an airbag could deploy into it. Similarly, if the rear doors or the rear of the front seats are equipped with airbags, position the child seat in the center of the rear seat to avoid it being hit by any of them.
- Secure the car seat as per instructions and make sure it is properly fixed in place and cannot shift. The seat should be at a 45-degree angle to properly support the child’s head.
- Traveling by air, take your FAA approved car seat. Small children will be safer in a car seat rather than your lap. Your back will also thank you.
Get Bonus Miles
Before you head out to your travel destination, this season make sure to add a spinal health checkup to your list of preparations! We will make sure you are in tip-top condition so you may enjoy every minute of your holiday!
