Posts Tagged ‘Low Back Pain New Fairfield CT’
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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 solved by taking good care of your spine. Many people suffering from long-term back pain are made to take time off work and can experience large financial losses, as well as these losses some people can suffer from the psychological problems that are associated with the healing process for long-term back pain.
Around 80-90% of the population will suffer from some form of back pain in their lifetime. People who frequently lift heavy objects, those who smoke or have had a previous episode of back pain, are more likely to experience back pain.
Due to the fact that so many people suffer from spinal pain, it is extremely important to take good care of your spine and keep it as healthy as possible. By simply following lifting, posture and healthy lifestyle guidelines, you can help to keep your spine in good shape.
Here are some spinal health tips recommended by the American Chiropractic Association:
Healthy Diet and Exercise
- People who are overweight or obese can suffer more back pain as the extra weight they carry can put unwanted pressure on the muscles, ligaments and tendons in your back.
- A healthy diet and regular exercise is the most efficient and effective way to reduce your weight.
- You should always consult with your Doctor before beginning any new exercise program.
Standing
- When you are standing, try to keep one foot slightly in front of the other, and bend your knees slightly. This position can help to relieve the pressure on your low back.
- Try to avoid bending at the waist for prolonged periods of time. Your lower back muscles can become deconditioned in this position, which often leads to pain.
Lifting
- Whenever you are lifting an object, try to avoid twisting. One of the most dangerous movements for your spine is twisting, especially while lifting.
- If the item you are lifting is too heavy, pushing it is easier on your back than pulling it. Avoid using your back and upper body when pushing the item, try to use your legs.
- If you need to lift a heavy item, get somebody to help you.
Sitting
- Keep your knees slightly higher than your hips, with your head up and back straight.
- Avoid rolling your shoulders forward.
- Try to maintain the natural curve in your low back.
Carrying
- When lifting heavy objects, try to keep them as close to your body as possible.
- Carrying two smaller objects, one in each hand, is much easier to handle than one large object.
Reaching and Bending
- When you are reaching for an object above shoulder level, stand on a stool. If you strain to reach such objects you can not only hurt your mid-back and neck, but you can also bring on shoulder problems.
- Never bend over at the waist to pick up items from the floor. Instead kneel down on one knee and get as close as possible to the item you are lifting. Keep the other foot flat on the floor and then pick the item up.
- To stand keep the item close to your body, and lift with your legs, not your back.
Sleeping
- There are many positions that add extra pressure to your spine while sleeping. One of these positions is stomach-sleeping which makes it difficult to maintain a neutral position of your spine. This position puts pressure on joints and muscles, which can irritate nerves and lead to pain, numbness, and tingling.
- Try placing a pillow in between your legs when sleeping on your side, this can help to reduce the pressure on your spine.
- Never sleep in a position that hurts your spine. More often than not, your body will tell you which position is best.
Give Up Smoking
Smokers suffer from more back pain than non-smokers, and they also heal a lot more slowly when they experience an episode of back pain. This is owing to the chemicals in tobacco smoke that restrict the blood flow to the tissues in and around your spine.
There is no guarantee that these instructions will keep you free of back pain, however it will certainly help to reduce the risk of developing it. If you follow these simple steps you will experience the benefits of a healthier spine. Just give us a call and see what our Chiropractic team can do for you!
by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Nov 8, 2022 | Health Articles
Back pain needs a good defense and offense just like a top-rated basketball team. Whether we are high caliber athletes or weekend warriors, it’s time to stop defending the backcourt and invest in the proper shoes to avoid future injuries. This way we can make the slam dunk of the season – without any lasting consequences.
Fashion Over Function – Crazy Hang Time
The majority of people choose fashion over function when purchasing athletic shoes. This need for style can often lead to poorly fitting shoes which will not only leave you with painful feet at the end of the day but pain throughout your body too. Because footwear plays such an essential role in the function of bones and joints, you choosing the right shoe can help prevent pain in your back, hips, knees, and feet.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the perfect athletic shoe—every pair of feet is different, every shoe has various features, and overall comfort is a very personal decision. For this reason, it is best if you first determine your foot type: normal, flat, or high-arched. Below is a quick description of the various types of feet.
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 wide 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. 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. Stay away from highly cushioned, highly curved shoes, which lack stability features.
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 a chiropractor and their amazing team. He or she can help determine your specific foot type, assess your gait, and then suggest the best shoe match or suggest an orthotic to help keep your body in balance.
Top Purchasing Tips
Consider the following tips before you purchase your next pair of athletic shoes:
- Match the shoe to the activity. Select a shoe specifically for the sport in which you will participate. Running shoes are primarily made to absorb shock as the heel strikes the ground. In contrast, 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 stiff heel support for stability.
- If possible, shop at a specialty store. It’s best to shop at a store that specializes in athletic shoes. Employees at these stores are often trained to recommend a shoe that best matches your foot type (shown above) and stride pattern.
- 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.
- Have your feet measured every time. It’s important to have the length and width of both feet measured every time you shop for shoes since foot size often changes with age and most people have one foot that is larger than the other. Also, many podiatrists suggest that you measure your foot while standing in a weight-bearing position because the foot elongates and flattens when you stand, affecting the measurement and the fit of the shoe.
- 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 ten minutes to make sure it remains comfortable.
When Should I Retire My Shoes?
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 are optimal. Most shoes should be replaced even before they begin to show signs of moderate wear. Once the shoes show wear and tear, especially in the cushioning layer, they also start to lose their shock absorption. Failure to replace worn shoes is one of the leading causes of injuries like shin splints, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
Questions?
Our team wants to help you defeat back pain on and off the court of life. Call us and let us help you slam dunk a victory in better health!
by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Oct 4, 2022 | Health Articles
Autumn season is upon us! Our senses come alive as many of us are beginning to enjoy the sight of the beautiful and majestic colors displayed on our trees, the touch of coolness in the air, and the smell of bonfires. We know the beauty is short-lived for the beautiful trees soon lose their leaves ...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Sep 27, 2022 | Health Articles
Fall is here! The first days of school have come and gone. Now the once excited kids bend over or strain shoulders to hold the overly heavy backpacks that contain their school books and folders. Unfortunately these over filled backpacks are heading our future generations into early back pain, neck pain, headaches and disease processes. According to ...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Aug 30, 2022 | Health Articles
We are in full swing of the 21st century with all its benefits but also alarming detriments. All correspondence is now primarily virtual. Interactions between humans, may it be business, casual acquaintances and worse, our more intimate partners has now become smart technology hands-free operations based. With so much time spent in our virtual ...
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