Blog | Innate Chiropractic Center

Computer Ergonomics

Ergonomics is a field which is fast becoming popular, because of its focus on designing and providing working spaces and stations, suitable and convenient for humans. The need for ergonomically fit furniture and work environment has become tenfold, because of the highly competitive and stressful work requirements in the industry these days. Absence of ergonomics at work and home puts strain on individuals and they tire out easily. The different muscular pains and strains contracted because of a stressful working environment are treated efficiently by chiropractors.

Computer and Ergonomics

Many individuals spend a major portion of their day working on computers in the office or at home. The long hours spent in front of computers and laptops have a harmful effect on the physical health of an individual, causing different musculoskeletal disorders.

Such individuals run a high risk of contracting back aches, neck pains, shoulder and arm aches and carpal tunnel problems. These medical conditions are very painful and hamper the work of the individual, both at home and in the office.

Ergonomically designed furniture and working environments are specifically constructed with an eye to provide a suitable and stress free work surrounding to individuals, which minimizes the risk of contracting various muscular strains, which ultimately affect the efficiency of an individual.

Individuals experience physical strains, while working on computers, because of their negligence in maintaining a suitable body posture, which results in pains in the back, neck and shoulders. Computers need to be placed in a suitable way to facilitate working, without any strain.

Different musculoskeletal disorders are contracted by individuals, who work on computers and laptops, for long periods of time, without ergonomically fit desk spaces and laptop stands. Computers and laptops need to be positioned according to the ergonomics specified guidelines, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and body posture.

The absence of ergonomically designed computer desk spaces and furniture, results in different painful medical conditions, like:

Carpal Tunnel: The median nerve in the wrist contracts, due to over exertion, which results in a tingling and sometimes numb sensation in the thumb, index and ring finger. In extreme cases, the patient experiences great pain and swelling which requires a few weeks of healing time.

Repetitive Strain Injury: Caused by repeated tasks and forceful exertions, in which the body experiences pain in the back, neck and shoulder area. In some cases, this might also affect the legs and thighs of an individual.

Bursitis: It is a condition which involves the inflammation of the bursa, a sac filled with lubricating fluid which facilitates in movement. It is a very painful condition for the affected individual.

By using ergonomically fit furniture and computer desk spaces, individuals can reduce the risk of contracting different painful strains and muscular disorders. Chiropractors provide effective treatments to the individuals suffering from different musculoskeletal problems.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.png

Dangers of Spine Surgery: What Doctors Won’t Tell You

Low back pain has become a very common occurrence nowadays with over 12 million Americans visiting their doctors with complaints of chronic back pain every year; while over a 100 million visit a chiropractor.

Problems with the spinal column can cause devastating effects on a person’s life. It deprives them of their mobility and flexibility. Even everyday activities become a challenge in some cases. With so many of such cases and the advancements in medical science, it is ironic to see a huge number of people being misdiagnosed and prescribed spinal surgery as the only treatment.

Spinal surgery itself carries around a 20% risk of a failure. Failed spinal surgeries often result in no improvement, worsened pain, and sometimes, even death.

General Physicians, spine specialists and orthopedic surgeons have proven in many cases that they have no clue as to the root causes of back problems. In a review of low back-pain causes, Andrew Frank, a physician in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation concluded ‘Up to 85% of patients with low back pain cannot be given a definitive diagnosis because of the poor associations between symptoms, signs, imaging results and pathological findings’ (BMJ, 3 April 1993).

Risks Associated with Specific Surgical Procedures

Apart from incorrect diagnoses, each type of spinal surgery procedure carries its own set of risks:

Laminectomy

A laminectomy requires removal of parts of a bone, bone spurs and ligaments from the back with the aim of relieving pressure on spine nerves. This procedure can result in a less stable spine, leading to another surgery.

Spinal Fusion

A spinal fusion procedure is the most common type of surgery carried out for back pains. A surgeon joins the vertebrae together to restrict movement between the spinal bones. This in turn limits the stretching of spine nerves.

An incomplete fusion requires the patient to undergo another surgery. Smoking on the other hand, increases the chances of an incomplete fusion to occur.

Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy requires a surgeon to remove a bone from the sides of the vertebrae in an attempt to widen the space for spine nerves.

This surgery can also cause the spine to lose stability.

Disc Replacement Surgery

A damaged spinal disc is removed and replaced by inserting an artificial disk. The introduction of a foreign object into the body always carries a risk of dislocation or breaking, leading to a hardware fracture.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: Flickr – Official U.S. Navy Imagery – A doctor performs surgery.jpg

What To Expect In Your First Yoga Class

Taking a yoga class can be the first step in improving your physical and mental health. As long as you choose wisely and attend a yoga class from a well-trained instructor, your first yoga class should be about helping you understand what yoga practice brings to you.

Most of us are so competitive that we feel as if we should know everything about everything. Please leave this attitude at home. You can look at magazines, watch videos on yoga, and you may have even tried to do some of the poses on your own. This is an excellent start. But, each person brings their own unique body and flexibility to yoga and on any given day that could be different for the same individual.

By sharing that you are new to yoga to your instructor, you give them every opportunity to watch you carefully so that your approach to the poses doesn’t put you at risk for injury. And yes, you can definitely be injured in yoga. Most common injuries include neck, back, knee, and shoulder injuries. If you have any problems be sure to share that with your instructor. A good instructor will ask you if you have any issues, and if you do, they will show you various modifications that will allow you to move through the poses with the class, but with careful attention to what your body needs on that day.

While it’s OK to look at other people to see how they’re doing on a pose, remember they bring their own set of assets and limitations to their yoga practice. What that means is that what they’re doing might not be the best approach for you.

Yoga is truly a individual exercise. And while each time you go to yoga, you can expect to improve, which you will. But you can also expect to do very well one day and the next time you go to yoga to not do as well. That’s just part of yoga practice. It isn’t so much a goal oriented exercise as it becomes a way of life, focusing on breath, easing into a pose, and being in the moment all during your yoga session.

Most studios do have mats, blocks, straps, and blankets if you don’t want to purchase your own equipment right away. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you full freedom of movement. You’ll be doing a lot of bending, so a shirt that stays in place is helpful. Do shower before going and do not wear any perfume or other fragrance. Most yoga studios prefer to use essential oils as part of the yoga experience, but you can opt out of that portion.

The idea of yoga is to help you become strong, flexible, and calm. If your first experience with yoga doesn’t make you feel like you want to go back, try a different studio. There are many types of yoga, and one of them will likely work for you.

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