tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 %ISSUE_DATE%T09:25:32-07:00 Consumer products, technical information and opinion. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55704 2012-01-15T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-15T12:00:07-07:00

For this issue, I interviewed Timothy Wegscheid, DC, who provides on-site chiropractic care and ergonomic assessments at the Minnesota Zoo.

By Joseph J. Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC For this issue, I interviewed Timothy Wegscheid, DC, who provides on-site chiropractic care and ergonomic assessments at the Minnesota Zoo. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55694 2012-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

No matter how well we've mastered our skills as chiropractors and no matter what techniques we use in our practice, our patients' patterned postural habits between office visits can dictate the level of success of our treatment plans.

By Tim Brown, DC No matter how well we've mastered our skills as chiropractors and no matter what techniques we use in our practice, our patients' patterned postural habits between office visits can dictate the level of success of our treatment plans. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55619 2011-11-04T12:00:32-07:00 2011-11-04T12:00:07-07:00

Just weeks before World Spine Day (Oct. 16), Straighten Up, the spinal health initiative launched in 2004, announced that its three latest activity modules, "Upper Body Series," Doorway Stretch" and "Bed Backs," had been finalized following Delphi review and subsequent minor revisions.

By Editorial Staff Just weeks before World Spine Day (Oct. 16), Straighten Up, the spinal health initiative launched in 2004, announced that its three latest activity modules, "Upper Body Series," Doorway Stretch" and "Bed Backs," had been finalized following Delphi review and subsequent minor revisions. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55496 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

I hope the future chiropractor will be recognized for slowing down the degenerative process. I think we can all agree that joint hypermobility can lead to degeneration in the joints. If we recognize this, then one of our treatment goals should be addressing hypermobility in the joints. Improving or restoring optimal muscle length via motor control strategies will help slow the path to degeneration.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB I hope the future chiropractor will be recognized for slowing down the degenerative process. I think we can all agree that joint hypermobility can lead to degeneration in the joints. If we recognize this, then one of our treatment goals should be addressing hypermobility in the joints. Improving or restoring optimal muscle length via motor control strategies will help slow the path to degeneration. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55374 2011-06-03T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-03T12:00:07-07:00

In previous articles, I have written about normal postural alignment versus abnormal postural alignment, and how abnormal postural alignment can be detrimental to muscle function, is aesthetically unpleasing and might contribute to joint pain. Now let's discuss lengthening, dynamic mobility and strengthening exercises that can help improve faulty posture related to excessive thoracic kyphosis.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB In previous articles, I have written about normal postural alignment versus abnormal postural alignment, and how abnormal postural alignment can be detrimental to muscle function, is aesthetically unpleasing and might contribute to joint pain. Now let's discuss lengthening, dynamic mobility and strengthening exercises that can help improve faulty posture related to excessive thoracic kyphosis. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55349 2011-05-20T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-20T12:00:07-07:00

Chiropractors share an irony with many health care practitioners – the physical demands of their work place them at risk for the same musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) they treat in their patients. For some of us, the first injury occurs before our careers even begin. Students in chiropractic college can suffer upper-extremity injuries from repetitive adjusting techniques performed before they have the necessary endurance to handle the workload or the experience to use techniques that require the minimum amount of effort.

By Lauriann Greene, CEAS, Richard Goggins, CPE, LMP and Jennifer Hess, DC, MPH, PhD Chiropractors share an irony with many health care practitioners – the physical demands of their work place them at risk for the same musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) they treat in their patients. For some of us, the first injury occurs before our careers even begin. Students in chiropractic college can suffer upper-extremity injuries from repetitive adjusting techniques performed before they have the necessary endurance to handle the workload or the experience to use techniques that require the minimum amount of effort. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55301 2011-03-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-26T12:00:07-07:00

I attended the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society's 54th Annual Conference in San Francisco this past summer as both a certified professional ergonomist and a diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Occupational Health. To my great pleasure, the conference included a session titled "Occupational Safety: The Past, Present and Future," organized by Dr. Thurman Lockhart, that included the "legends" of industrial ergonomics and the creators of the "most used" risk assessment tool for manual materials handling and back injury prevention of all time.

By David P. Gilkey, DC, PhD, CPE, DACBOH; guest author for Joseph J. Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC I attended the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society's 54th Annual Conference in San Francisco this past summer as both a certified professional ergonomist and a diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Occupational Health. To my great pleasure, the conference included a session titled "Occupational Safety: The Past, Present and Future," organized by Dr. Thurman Lockhart, that included the "legends" of industrial ergonomics and the creators of the "most used" risk assessment tool for manual materials handling and back injury prevention of all time. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55231 2011-03-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-26T12:00:07-07:00

Patients often ask me, "What causes bad posture?" I often hear myself answering with something like, "How many hours do you spend at work each day?" The patient responds with, "On average, about eight to 10 hours," to which I say: "During your work time, you probably sit unconsciously in a slumped posture and in improper body positions. Some people just engage in repetitive movements. Either way, this can create muscle imbalances leading to poor posture." For those patients who really "get it," I might add, "I think that the mind and body communicate and that psychological distress from work, family, finances (or whatever else I have heard them share with me) shows up in our posture."

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB Patients often ask me, "What causes bad posture?" I often hear myself answering with something like, "How many hours do you spend at work each day?" The patient responds with, "On average, about eight to 10 hours," to which I say: "During your work time, you probably sit unconsciously in a slumped posture and in improper body positions. Some people just engage in repetitive movements. Either way, this can create muscle imbalances leading to poor posture." For those patients who really "get it," I might add, "I think that the mind and body communicate and that psychological distress from work, family, finances (or whatever else I have heard them share with me) shows up in our posture." tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55184 2011-02-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-02-26T12:00:07-07:00

Do you ever feel weird when new patients come in who have been to other chiropractors and say, "Adjustments only provide temporary relief"? I'm sick of hearing it. Don't get me wrong: I love seeing new patients, but I feel bad that this person almost gave up on chiropractic care altogether! Most chiropractors I meet are warm and caring, and they have a curious presence about them. The overwhelming majority genuinely want people to get better.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB Do you ever feel weird when new patients come in who have been to other chiropractors and say, "Adjustments only provide temporary relief"? I'm sick of hearing it. Don't get me wrong: I love seeing new patients, but I feel bad that this person almost gave up on chiropractic care altogether! Most chiropractors I meet are warm and caring, and they have a curious presence about them. The overwhelming majority genuinely want people to get better. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55161 2011-02-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-02-12T12:00:07-07:00

Falls are a common cause of morbidity and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and trauma-related hospitalizations in the United States. In a recent study, fall-related injuries accounted for 6 percent of all medical expenditures for people age 65 and older in the U.S. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the year 2000, falls among older adults cost the U.S. health care system more than $19 billion. With the population aging, the number of falls and the costs to treat fall-related injuries are both expected to increase.

By Meridel I. Gatterman, MA, DC, MEd Falls are a common cause of morbidity and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and trauma-related hospitalizations in the United States. In a recent study, fall-related injuries accounted for 6 percent of all medical expenditures for people age 65 and older in the U.S. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the year 2000, falls among older adults cost the U.S. health care system more than $19 billion. With the population aging, the number of falls and the costs to treat fall-related injuries are both expected to increase. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55091 2011-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

Chiropractic has now reached its 115th year. During that time, many things have changed, of course, but the mission to get sick people well without drugs has been the course that remains unchanged. Gone are the days when chiropractors were sent to jail for practicing medicine without a license and scope of practice was limited to cricks in the neck or back pain. The modern-day chiropractor is a primary health care provider, a portal of entry to the health care system, with a plethora of techniques and modalities at their disposal. Today's chiropractor uses a whole-body approach and effectively helps patients with a myriad of health conditions ranging from headaches and nutritional issues to arthritis, musculoskeletal problems and even systemic health issues.

By Adam Silk, DC Chiropractic has now reached its 115th year. During that time, many things have changed, of course, but the mission to get sick people well without drugs has been the course that remains unchanged. Gone are the days when chiropractors were sent to jail for practicing medicine without a license and scope of practice was limited to cricks in the neck or back pain. The modern-day chiropractor is a primary health care provider, a portal of entry to the health care system, with a plethora of techniques and modalities at their disposal. Today's chiropractor uses a whole-body approach and effectively helps patients with a myriad of health conditions ranging from headaches and nutritional issues to arthritis, musculoskeletal problems and even systemic health issues. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55044 2010-12-02T12:00:32-07:00 2010-12-02T12:00:07-07:00

Briefly tell us about yourself and how you decided to become a doctor of chiropractic. When I was a young child, I always had a penchant for talking to people in wheelchairs, wanting to touch them. My Mom was a bit mortified and would remind me that it was not very polite, and would end up apologizing for her little girl. As early at that, I knew that somehow or another, when I grew up I wanted to work with people with pain or disability.

By Joseph J. Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC Briefly tell us about yourself and how you decided to become a doctor of chiropractic. When I was a young child, I always had a penchant for talking to people in wheelchairs, wanting to touch them. My Mom was a bit mortified and would remind me that it was not very polite, and would end up apologizing for her little girl. As early at that, I knew that somehow or another, when I grew up I wanted to work with people with pain or disability. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54964 2010-10-21T12:00:32-07:00 2010-10-21T12:00:07-07:00

Most of the time when we think of a winged scapula, we simply think of weak serratus anterior muscles. But the longer you are in practice, the more you notice posture and become a better "muscle whisperer." And then you begin to realize so much more. Let's explore the posture impairment of winged scapula as it relates to the serratus anterior, rhomboids, lower trapezius, and pectoralis muscles.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB Most of the time when we think of a winged scapula, we simply think of weak serratus anterior muscles. But the longer you are in practice, the more you notice posture and become a better "muscle whisperer." And then you begin to realize so much more. Let's explore the posture impairment of winged scapula as it relates to the serratus anterior, rhomboids, lower trapezius, and pectoralis muscles. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54920 2010-09-20T12:00:32-07:00 2010-09-20T12:00:07-07:00

Life West faculty member and principal investigator, Dale Johnson, DC, and his research team at Life Chiropractic College West have initiated a case series examining the effectiveness of combining ergonomics and chiropractic intervention for the management of musculoskeletal disorders in knowledge workers.

Life West faculty member and principal investigator, Dale Johnson, DC, and his research team at Life Chiropractic College West have initiated a case series examining the effectiveness of combining ergonomics and chiropractic intervention for the management of musculoskeletal disorders in knowledge workers. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54855 2010-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2010-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

When your practice is about meeting needs, the market is wide open to you. But to meet human needs, you have to reach people where they are. Why not market where people spend 47.5 hours of their week, on average? Injuries from overexertion, repetitive motion, and slips and trips cost U.S. employers $20 billion in 2007. These types of work injuries are best treated by you, the doctor of chiropractic, because your educational experience best qualifies you to do so.

By Elizabeth Auppl When your practice is about meeting needs, the market is wide open to you. But to meet human needs, you have to reach people where they are. Why not market where people spend 47.5 hours of their week, on average? Injuries from overexertion, repetitive motion, and slips and trips cost U.S. employers $20 billion in 2007. These types of work injuries are best treated by you, the doctor of chiropractic, because your educational experience best qualifies you to do so. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54845 2010-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2010-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

Let's discuss normal shoulder resting posture so we can determine if there is a link between a postural deviation and pain. Static postural analysis is performed before range-of-motion examinations, orthopedic testing, movement pattern assessments and palpation analysis. When I perform a static posture evaluation, I focus on subtle asymmetries or deviations from normal patterns to aid my diagnostic decisions and treatment transition decisions (passive care to active therapy). I allow myself the time to pause and focus on what I see posturally before beginning other procedures. The changes I see in static posture and functional-movement assessments, visit to visit, help me navigate through the treatment process.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB Let's discuss normal shoulder resting posture so we can determine if there is a link between a postural deviation and pain. Static postural analysis is performed before range-of-motion examinations, orthopedic testing, movement pattern assessments and palpation analysis. When I perform a static posture evaluation, I focus on subtle asymmetries or deviations from normal patterns to aid my diagnostic decisions and treatment transition decisions (passive care to active therapy). I allow myself the time to pause and focus on what I see posturally before beginning other procedures. The changes I see in static posture and functional-movement assessments, visit to visit, help me navigate through the treatment process. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54719 2010-06-17T12:00:32-07:00 2010-06-17T12:00:07-07:00

According to Dr. Al Sears, muscle is the first physical sign of aging, in the sense that people who age well are often well-muscled, which protects them from age-related ailments including pain and disease. I think this is correct, but I would add that I think one of the first physical signs of aging is also poor posture. Forward head carriage is observed when the chin goes forward. From my experience, when the head starts to go forward (anterior shift), people start to look older. Prolonged sitting can cause muscle imbalances in the neck and shoulder that lead to the "poked chin" posture. Once forward head posture starts, the shoulders may start to round, thoracic kyphosis becomes accentuated, the sacral base may shift, and/or the pelvis distorts. The end result: occipital misalignment.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB According to Dr. Al Sears, muscle is the first physical sign of aging, in the sense that people who age well are often well-muscled, which protects them from age-related ailments including pain and disease. I think this is correct, but I would add that I think one of the first physical signs of aging is also poor posture. Forward head carriage is observed when the chin goes forward. From my experience, when the head starts to go forward (anterior shift), people start to look older. Prolonged sitting can cause muscle imbalances in the neck and shoulder that lead to the "poked chin" posture. Once forward head posture starts, the shoulders may start to round, thoracic kyphosis becomes accentuated, the sacral base may shift, and/or the pelvis distorts. The end result: occipital misalignment. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54612 2010-04-22T12:00:32-07:00 2010-04-22T12:00:07-07:00

The need for chiropractic care has significantly increased with advances in mobile technology, and the reality that the public at large is constantly "connected." About two years ago, I started to notice that more and more young people were coming to my office and presenting with similar complaints. They all had neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, or numbness and tingling into the upper extremity.

By Dean Fishman, DC, CFE, AHFI The need for chiropractic care has significantly increased with advances in mobile technology, and the reality that the public at large is constantly "connected." About two years ago, I started to notice that more and more young people were coming to my office and presenting with similar complaints. They all had neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, or numbness and tingling into the upper extremity. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54530 2010-03-12T12:00:32-07:00 2010-03-12T12:00:07-07:00

When performing a posture assessment, be as accurate as you can and keep chart notes to make your posture evaluation a reproducible measurement. Posture evaluations become an objective measurement that can drive treatment decisions.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB When performing a posture assessment, be as accurate as you can and keep chart notes to make your posture evaluation a reproducible measurement. Posture evaluations become an objective measurement that can drive treatment decisions. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54518 2010-02-26T12:00:32-07:00 2010-02-26T12:00:07-07:00

Chiropractic occupational health consultant Dr. Scott Donkin of Lincoln, Neb., is featured in this issue's occupational health forum. Dr. Donkin is an internationally published author, chiropractor, lecturer and business consultant, and the producer of a variety of multimedia educational programs on health and wellness. He regularly consults with government agencies on safety practices, with companies on ergonomic and health issues for employees, and with manufacturers of such products as office furniture, bedding, pillows, airline seats; and was recently chosen to serve as the national spokesperson for the Panasonic line of massage chairs.

By Joseph J. Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC Chiropractic occupational health consultant Dr. Scott Donkin of Lincoln, Neb., is featured in this issue's occupational health forum. Dr. Donkin is an internationally published author, chiropractor, lecturer and business consultant, and the producer of a variety of multimedia educational programs on health and wellness. He regularly consults with government agencies on safety practices, with companies on ergonomic and health issues for employees, and with manufacturers of such products as office furniture, bedding, pillows, airline seats; and was recently chosen to serve as the national spokesperson for the Panasonic line of massage chairs. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54434 2010-02-12T12:00:32-07:00 2010-02-12T12:00:07-07:00

A literature review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo or active-treatment controlled trials concludes that low-level laser therapy "reduces pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain" and compares favorably with other forms of therapy for neck pain - particularly pharmacological interventions. The authors of the review study, published in the Lancet, note that clinical benefits take place when laser therapy is administered as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with an exercise/stretching program, and that adverse effects from treatment are mild and similar to placebo.

By Peter W. Crownfield, Executive Editor A literature review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo or active-treatment controlled trials concludes that low-level laser therapy "reduces pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain" and compares favorably with other forms of therapy for neck pain - particularly pharmacological interventions. The authors of the review study, published in the Lancet, note that clinical benefits take place when laser therapy is administered as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with an exercise/stretching program, and that adverse effects from treatment are mild and similar to placebo. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54409 2010-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

As Straighten Up coordinator, I recently made back-to-back breakthrough presentations at two global conferences: the Global Network Conference of the Bone and Joint Decade in Washington, D.C., Oct. 22-24, 2009; and the World Health Organization's 7th Global Conference on Health Promotion in Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 26-30, 2009.

By Ron Kirk, DC As Straighten Up coordinator, I recently made back-to-back breakthrough presentations at two global conferences: the Global Network Conference of the Bone and Joint Decade in Washington, D.C., Oct. 22-24, 2009; and the World Health Organization's 7th Global Conference on Health Promotion in Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 26-30, 2009. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54397 2010-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

Tough economic times and promises of health care reform are major causes of concern for the profession. With reform moving toward a "safety net" package of evidence-based protocols that will keep citizens alive, we cannot expect all aspects of our current practices to be a part of the new system, if at all. If chiropractors are included in such a basic health care plan, it will likely be for manipulative therapies only. With external events outside of our control, now is the time to plan for additional complementary ways of delivering wellness services to our patients.

By Michael Sears, DC, IAYT Tough economic times and promises of health care reform are major causes of concern for the profession. With reform moving toward a "safety net" package of evidence-based protocols that will keep citizens alive, we cannot expect all aspects of our current practices to be a part of the new system, if at all. If chiropractors are included in such a basic health care plan, it will likely be for manipulative therapies only. With external events outside of our control, now is the time to plan for additional complementary ways of delivering wellness services to our patients. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54015 2009-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2009-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

"Doctor, what type of mattress do you recommend?" Surely this is one of the most often asked questions posed by your patients over the years. If your office is anything like our office used to be, you usually recommend they look for a moderately firm, non-pillowtop mattress that comes with a free-trial period. From there, the patient heads off to shop unprepared for the mattress store "wolves" who lie in wait.

By James Edwards, DC "Doctor, what type of mattress do you recommend?" Surely this is one of the most often asked questions posed by your patients over the years. If your office is anything like our office used to be, you usually recommend they look for a moderately firm, non-pillowtop mattress that comes with a free-trial period. From there, the patient heads off to shop unprepared for the mattress store "wolves" who lie in wait.