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RAKING AND YOUR BACK
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Raking leaves on a clear autumn afternoon may sound like an appealing way to get some exercise. And, in fact, it is. But it can also be grueling and potentially hazardous work. Here are some steps that chiropractors suggest you take to make raking a productive, not painful, activity.
As with any strenuous activity, you should warm up a bit, with some walking, jogging in place and stretching. When raking, stand up straight. Don’t strain to reach forward. Rake in what some call the scissors position, meaning you start with the right foot forward and the left back, and switch foot positions every five minuets or so. This limits the likelihood of repetitive motion injury. Do the same with your hand positions on the rake.
When you’re picking up piles, bend at the knees, not at the waist. Keep your back straight. Don’t overdo it. Whatever the cleanup job, don’t try to do it all in one day. You’ll put undue stress not only on your back, shoulders, hips and knees, but also on your heart. A doctor of chiropractic can not only treat you for injury, but can also advise you on ways to avoid injury.
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CHIROPRACTIC MAY HELP ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER
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A pilot study, published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (www.jvsr.com), suggests that chiropractic care may help adults suffering from concentration problems and attention deficit (ADD/ADHD).
The study was performed by Yannick Pauli, DC director of the Centre Wellness NeuroFit in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Pauli is a chiropractor specializing in wellness neurology.
The connection between attention, a process occurring in the brain, and chiropractic, which is generally associated with spinal health, is not readily obvious to most people. Yet, the research emphasizes the direct link between the spine and brain activity.
The articulations and the muscles of the spine are rich in mechanoreceptors, which are sensors that send information to the nerve system. “Each time we work with the spine, we activate neurological circuits in the direction of the brain and bring the nerve system into balance,” the researcher says.
According to Matthew McCoy, DC, editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Researc, “this preliminary study is exciting. It is part of an increasing amount of research suggesting that chiropractic care may be an effective natural choice for people suffering from ADD/ADHD. It offers the possibility of a new option for millions of children and adults that are seeking to manage their conditions naturally.”
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HOW A PAIN IN THE NECK COULD BE BAD FOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
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Chiropractors have long known that tackling pain and stiffness by “adjusting” the neck can also lower blood pressure – but the reasons were never clear. Now a team led by Professor Jim Deuchars has examined pathways between the neck and the brain to show how the neck muscles could play a crucial role in controlling pressure, heart rate and breathing.
Their study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, provides the first evidence for a role for these connections in influencing brain regions which control body functions that we don’t need to think about, such as breathing and blood pressure.
The propose that nervous signals from the neck could play a key role in ensuring that adequate blood supply is maintained to the brain as we change posture, such as from lying down to standing up. Where such signaling fails, we can suffer problems with balance and blood pressure.
The findings offer a clear rationale for manipulative treatments: “Reports from chiropractic journals say that adjusting the neck region helps to reduce blood pressure in some people,” Prof Deuchars explained. “By identifying the pathways we can see why these treatments might work and it could also explain why some people suffering whiplash injuries may experience a change in their blood pressure.”
“The work also contributes to understanding postural hypotension – fainting which can be caused by standing up too fast. The neck muscles could be a part of the system which normally prevents this from happening by sending signals to the brain upon neck movement that posture has changed.”
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By William L. Hill, D.C.
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The following articles are brought to you as a community service by Hill Chiropractic. |
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