The Negative Potential of Technology on Your Health.

It seems that people with a technology device in hand reading, texting, taking a selfie and all in the name of immediate social response.  Combine this with the overstuffed, improperly worn backpacks and we are setting ourselves up for a critical storm.  These poorly worn and over used devices are putting undue stress on our spine and nervous system affecting the structure, function and physiology of our bodies.  

The spine is made up of 24 vertebrae.  When positioned and functioning properly, the spine is designed to resist the heaviest of loads.  Take away the ideal position combined with repetitive static loads and the spine becomes weakened and subject to premature wearing, pain, and stiffness. The compromised tissues structure over time will increase our susceptibility to sudden injury and even sickness.

Research found that abnormal spinal health and posture leads to an imbalance in hormones. A study from 2014 cited that repetitive poor posture, particularly of the head and neck caused LOW T(testosterone), reduced serotonin, increased cortisol and more. In the 2014 study, published in the Surgical Technology International Journal, billions of people were found to be using cell phone devices daily. Stresses on the spine from constantly looking down at a cell phone is very damaging to short and long term health. This study evaluated forward head flexion stress on the human spine and corresponding body function. The findings were remarkable: 

*The study assessed the forces placed on the spine as the head is tilted forward into worsening posture.

*The study evaluated the stress using an average head weight of 13.2 pounds

*The weight added to the spine dramatically increases when flexing for varying degrees. 0° increased weight on the neck by 10 to 12 pounds. 15° increased weight on the neck by 27 pounds. 30° increased the weight on the neck by 40 pounds. 45° increased the weight on the neck by 49pounds. And 60° increased the weight on the neck by 60 pounds.  Can’t grasp the significance of 60 pounds? Imagine carrying an 8-year-old around your neck several hours per day.

*Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. The stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries.

*Good posture is defined as ears aligned with the shoulders and shoulders retracted. With proper alignment, spinal stress is diminished.

*Good posture was associated with much more than just bad backs or bad necks. Good posture helped increase good hormones. Good posture was linked to higher testosterone, increases in serotonin, decreases in cortisol, and increased feelings of power. Poor posture is associated with reductions in testosterone levels, reduced serotonin, increased cortisol, and reduced feelings of power.

*Poor posture occurs with the head in a tilted forward position and the shoulders drooping forward in a rounded position.

*An average person spends 2 to 4 hours a day with their heads tilted forward for reading and texting on their smart phones, amassing 700 to 1400 hours of excess, abnormal cervical spine stress per year. It was also noted that a high school student may even spend an extra 5000 hours in poor posture per year.

Beyond spinal and muscle injuries, improper posture influences all aspect of human performance through the endocrine system. As evidenced through research, poor posture negatively influences levels of testosterone, serotonin, cortisol, and feelings of power.  Bad posture has been linked to a host of other medical problems, including headaches and other neurological problems, depression, constipation, and heart disease. At a minimum, constant slouching is likely to cause a lot of chronic pain.

As technology continues to govern more and more of societal functions, the need for practitioners who positively influence posture increases. Unfortunately, most of society still believes that poor posture is more of a cosmetic issue than a health issue. Because of this, awareness and education is the key to making change. 
 

Chiropractors are key leaders to improving quality and longevity of life in all men and women by improving the health and function through postural alignment.

Quick tips to minimize the costly damages of technology and backpacks.

1.                   Limit use of technology

2.                   Maintain proper posture while using technology & backpacks

3.                   Do regular spinal postural stretching and movement exercises

4.                   Drink the proper amount of daily water

5.                   Stand, stretch and move regularly 

If you feel problems are persisting find a chiropractor to do a postural analysis to assess the potential damages and discuss options for correcting the problem.

Yours in Better Health

Dr. Russell Heller

                                       

 Surgical Technology International Journal 2014 Nov;25: 277-9. Hansraj, KK.

All is Not Lost to Respiratory Viruses Like COVID-19 (Corona Virus)

As with all viruses they are diseases of opportunity.  In other words they infect when given the opportunity in a receptive host (body) that is less than healthy. This is proved by the fact that we are surrounded by germs and viruses everyday yet only occasionally if seldom get sick.  So, the person best equipped to take care of you is you. Keeping your body and immune system as healthy as possible. Your routine through the day can have a great impact on your body's resistance to viral infections.

Here are some tips from our friends at NCMIC to help you and your family feel safe and ready to face the world.

In General

Wash, wash, wash your hands. Did you know soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizer
(and apparently easier to find right now)? To really get rid of any germs, wash for at least 20 seconds – which just happens to be how long it takes to hum Row-Row-Row Your Boat three times.

Be sneeze- and cough-courteous. Coughing or sneezing into the inner crook of your arm catches the droplets that would otherwise end up in the air or on the surfaces around you. The COVID-19 virus is transmitted through droplets, not through breathing, so this is important.

Save the mask for Halloween. The benefit of a mask is that it controls the outbound expression of germs when someone coughs or sneezes. If you’re healthy, a mask won’t be very effective in preventing the spread of germs. If you’re sick and need to be out in the world, a mask can help protect those around you from the germs you send out when you cough or sneeze.

Don’t touch your face! The easiest way to get sick (with any kind of virus) is to introduce germs from your hands to mucus membranes – like your eyes, nose and mouth.

Netflix and chill. If you’re not feeling well (whether it’s coronavirus or an old-school cold) please stay home, cuddle with your dog and catch up on your favorite show.

Out in the World

Wipe it out. Many of us do this anyway, but grab one of those wet wipes at the grocery store entrance to clean the cart (buggy for you southerners) handle.

Declutter! A clean desk or counter makes it easier to run a cleaning cloth across.

Personal space. Keep at least 3 feet between you and someone who is sneezing or coughing.
 
Sharing = caring? Not right now! We’re usually all about sharing, but for now the kindest thing you can do is avoid sharing food, drinks, even lotion or sanitizers – and the germs that ride with them.

Breathe in, breathe out. Ventilation is a good thing. Weather and location permitting, crack a window.

Taking Care of Yourself

Be on your best behavior. Keep yourself in good shape by getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking lots of water and
eating nutritious foods. A stressed body is a weak body, so manage your stress through exercise, meditation or conversation with a trusted friend.

Self-care matters. Caring for yourself is the best thing you can do for your overall health.

Websites

For additional trusted resources about the coronavirus, we recommend these websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus

Corona Virus, Spanish Flu and Chiropractic

Listening to the news reports one can not help but believe that we are all doomed to fall victim to the Corona virus making its way out of China.  Yes, it seems to be quite virulent and mortality from it is higher than typical viruses;  however, as with most viruses our best defense is to use proper hygene and keep our immune system supported.  Healthy immune function is important for everything from the cold and a runny nose, to influenza, cancer, and heart disease.  This entails getting adequate sleep, eating right (avoiding over consumption of processed foods and their additives, watching our sweetener intake), drinking plenty of fluids  and consuming vitamin C and D which have been shown to improve the resistance of the immune system.

As I thought about this, it reminded me of an historical chiropractic point.  Chiropractic came into its own during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919. (<-This link downloads a PDF)  Chiropractic historians have marked the 1918 Flu Pandemic as a major factor in the success and proliferation of the chiropractic profession as a whole.   During the time before the take over of healthcare by the pharmaceutical industry, chiropractic was actually licensed and utilized to treat many infectious disease and disorders; even polio up to the 1950’s.   As mentioned above, the best defense is a strong immune system.  So how did chiropractic help?  Multiple studies show the positive benefits of the chiropractic adjustment  here and here.  

Specifically, chiropractic has been shown to  reduce the production of pro inflammatory substances in the body,  stimulate the production of immune boosting white blood cells and enhance their activity.   Spinal adjustments have been found to increase and even kick off the production immunoglobulins which act as anti bodies against disease causing organisms.

How effective was chiropractic in its efforts against the Spanish flu?  In Davenport, Iowa, 50 medical doctors treated 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. Throughout Iowa, excluding Davenport, 4,735 patients were treated by chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases.   Epidemic reports show that in New York City, during the influenza epidemic of 1918, out of every 10,000 cases medically treated, 950 died.  The same reports show that chiropractors cared for 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths.  In Oklahoma there is a clear record showing that chiropractors were called in 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for the patients, and finally gave them up as lost. The chiropractors saved all but 25 of these “lost” cases.  National figures show that 1,142 chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for influenza during 1918, with a loss of only 54 patients.  These figures clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic care in helping our bodies fight against disease.

This is only one aspect of the amazing benefits of chiropractic.  Numerous studies and research have shown profound affects of the adjustment on the musculoskeletal system, neurology, hormonal balance, immunology and even psycho-emotional states by way of modulating the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and its effect on the body, all with virtually no negative side effects.

I would urge you to consider putting the powerful effects of chiropractic care into your wellness regime before you need to depend on the medico-pharmaceutical establishment for crisis care.  We welcome all patients, whether you are looking for an alternative or addition to your medical care.