Apple is holding an event on tomorrow, January 19th to announce their new concept to improve the use of technology in education. It is believed to be centered on digital textbooks, specifically tools to help create interactive e-books—the “GarageBand for e-books,” so to speak—and expand its current platform to distribute them to iPhone and iPad users.

Now this is crucial, not because it can potentially wipe out the classic publishing industry, but rather because it will lighten students book bags! This in turn will help millions of kids and adults to take the load off their backs and help prevent repetitive use injuries. This can be huge and I’m glad Apple is finally listening to me…

Seriously, this can potentially be a big thing. If Apple can revolutionize this industry like they have many others, they can eliminate the publishing middle man. This will bring big cost savings, make it easier to be an author, minimize the difficulty of updating text books, and of course… Make it much, much easier to carry around a bunch of big textbooks.

I look forward to this upcoming announcement and hopefully the revolution of this industry. It won’t be easy for Apple but I’m looking forward to them lightening the load on our backs…

A recent study found that 40% of online consumers use social media for health information. I can personally vouch for that…

I get several comments, wall posts, and personal messages asking all types of questions.  Although Facebook can seem like the major player, overall social media refers to the many online tools that allow people to communicate with each other and share information and resources. Social media can include text, audio, video, images, podcasts, forums and other multimedia platforms.

Many people turn to social networking sites to help them deal with their health problems. It is easier for many to ‘open up’ to their anonymous online friends, especially if they do not want their loved ones to worry about them. People on these Web sites can sometimes offer more objective and impartial advice. However, some of these sites are nothing more than a forum for marketers, and many offer advice that actually is far different from what current clinical guidelines would recommend.

So, be weary of how you use social media for your healthcare. It can be a powerful tool and can allow your friends to make recommendations and suggestions based on their experiences. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely…

Just recently I wrote a couple of articles about two issues that come up on a daily basis. One was how wearing heels can wreak havoc on your ankles, knees and back. The other was about how common it is to experience back pain when pregnant and how chiropractic can help manage that pain. However, it seems that Beyonce did not get the memo. I really should add her as a Facebook friend, her request has been just sitting there in my inbox…

But I hope you have been a little more diligent about your reading and have taken a look at those articles. I can’t stress how so many patients come into the office and say: “I don’t know what’s causing my pain. I haven’t had any falls or accidents”. Remember, most issues are not traumatic in nature. What’s more common is repetitive stress injuries, which is when you have a little pressure over a long period of time. Like wearing heels often or carrying a bundle of joy for nine months.

So Beyonce (and her husband who has to deal with her subsequent complaints of pain) congratulations on your upcoming baby. But please try to limit the heel wearing and make sure you’re getting your spine checked by a Chiropractor. I want her to be able to continue to sing those great songs and dedicate it to preventing back pain. From what I hear, her recent song is about back pain: ‘The Best Thing I Never Had’

The New Year is always a great time to make resolutions and promises that may or may not be kept. But how about making some promises to take care of your spine a little better this year. Here are some not so obvious things you can do now to ensure you stay pain free, healthy and happy in 2012…

1. Clean out your purse and wallet. We tend to keep too much junk. We all know that a heavy purse is a heavy burden on your shoulders and neck. So empty out your purse and make a resolution to do a deep cleaning every month to make sure your carrying the lightest load possible. As for men who carry their wallets in the back pocket, please stop now. Try to change that habit and put your wallet in the front pocket. It causes major pelvic/hip shifts when you sit down (think about sitting on a wedge every day).

2. Do some maintenance on your office chair. Office chairs take a lot of abuse throughout the year. They need maintenance too and this is a great time to do it. Make sure all screws and knobs are tightened and adjust it for your particular height and posture. Also, if you think you might need a better chair, talk to your boss now. Annual budgets usually start in January and you’re more likely to get funds for a replacement now then in October.

3. Flip your mattress. Yes, your mattress should be flipped preferably once a month and rotated the next month. If you have a pillow top, check to see if it’s on both sides. If not, then at least rotate your mattress once a month.

4. Check your shoes. Do you know when you should throw away a pair of shoes? Is it only when they’re falling apart? No, check the bottom of your shoe for un-even wear and tear. Normally, your shoe will wear on the back, outside edge of the bottom. Wear is normal but when the wear and tear is not even from left to right shoe, then it might be a time for change.

5. Stretch on days you don’t workout. Dentist have done a great job of promoting “Dental Hygiene” well it’s about time us chiropractors really start stressing “Spinal Hygiene”. But you can’t brush your spine clean like your teeth? No, but you can stretch! Stretching is a great way to make sure muscles are not pulling and putting pressure on your spine. We all know a good stretch feels great. Don’t wait until you’re in pain to stretch. You should stretch in the morning (after a long night of immobility) and at night time (after a long day of daily activities). Morning and night, kind of like brushing your teeth…

There are hundreds more of these little things you can do to prevent problems from arising but let’s try to keep things simple and easy. New Year’s resolutions can be difficult to keep up with but can pay huge dividends if you are able to make these changes permanent…

Chiropractic During Pregnancy

I hear a lot (particularly from male patients) that it’s their ‘big belly’ that is causing their back pain. Weight actually is a small factor in back pain but it can be a big one when you “SUDDENLY” put on a lot of weight. Like when you get pregnant… So, It shouldn’t be a big surprise that given all the extra weight,  postural and hormonal changes occurring during a typical pregnancy, that at least half of all women experience back pain when pregnant.

With an increase of 20-to-40 lbs on the abdomen, the spine and pelvis are placed under a lot more strain than usual. Not only that, these detrimental postural forces continue after the birth, as the new mother has to lift and carry her baby.

More and more women are discovering that chiropractic care during their pregnancy can help ease the stress on their spine, facilitate an easier and less traumatic labor, and ensure that their baby can pass through the birth canal and into this world with minimal risk of a birth injury.

The negative effects of pregnancy on the female body increase steadily over the nine months of the pregnancy. Using chiropractic along with yoga, stretching, and relaxation techniques during pregnancy can effectively prevent physical damage to the joints and surrounding ligaments. Left unattended, the ligaments can become excessively stretched, limiting their ability to support and stabilize the spine during movement.

The following studies highlight some of the common problems and chiropractic treatment options available to the pregnant mother. Considering that drug-based care is too dangerous for the expectant mother and her unborn fetus, the only safe approach to preparing the mother’s body for birth is drug-free chiropractic care.

What Percentage Of Pregnant Women Suffer From Lower Back Pain During Labor?

While 79% of non-chiropractic patients suffer from lower back pain during labor, only 28% of chiropractic patients experience pain.The authors concluded that “women who underwent chiropractic treatment had significantly less chance of experiencing back labor.” (Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 1991)

What Is The Greatest Contributor To Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy?

Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy. (Family Practice Resource Journal 1991)
A retrospective review of 100 consecutive pregnancies, involving 94 women receiving prenatal care was conducted. Back pain was reported to the physician in 23 cases. Eleven of the 23 met diagnostic criteria for sacroiliac subluxation. After chiropractic manipulative therapy, 10 of the 11 women (91%) had complete relief of pain and exhibited no signs of sacroiliac subluxation.

Low back pain during pregnancy. (Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998)
Of 862 women who answered the questionnaires, about half developed some degree of low back pain. Seventy-nine women who were unable to continue their work because of severe low back pain were referred for orthoneurologic examination. The most common reason for severe low back pain (78% of cases) was dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints (aka sacroiliac subluxation).

How Effective Is Chiropractic For Pregnancy-Related Lower Back Pain?

Back pain during pregnancy and labor. (Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 1991)
84% of patients receiving chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy reported relief of back pain during pregnancy. There was significantly less likelihood of back labor when spinal manipulative therapy was administered during pregnancy.

Chiropractic manipulation for low back pain of pregnancy. (Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health 2006)
94% of pregnant women suffering from low back pain note significant relief with chiropractic care. The author concluded, “chiropractic care may be effective for reducing the intensity of low back pain of pregnancy.”

What Is The Likelihood Of Recurrent Pain In Future Pregnancies?

Follow-up of patients with low back pain during pregnancy. (Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998)
Women with severe low back pain during pregnancy have a very high risk for recurrent low back pain of a similar intensity during a subsequent pregnancy.

By reducing the physical stresses on the muscles and joints of the spine and pelvis, chiropractic can be a safe and natural approach to alleviating pain while minimizing the risk of future problems. Light, low-force techniques can used throughout the entire pregnancy and serves as a safe and effective method for easing the burden of pregnancy and reducing the need for potentially dangerous drugs.

This week the FDA banned the sale and use of a specific home massage unit (ShoulderFlex Massager). It’s one of those that you lie on top and it has these fingers that rotate and rub on your neck. Well, it turns out there was a death in Broward County (a doctor none the less) linked to strangulation using this machine. Her necklace got caught in the rotating fingers and strangled her.

While I’m sure that this was a fluke incident and there is no need to panic about most other home massage units, there is something we must all be cautious about when using these. For me, when discussing the use of these with patients, I always have to deal with people thinking these are the magic bullet that will release all their tension.

The real problem comes from over use of these machines. You can get caught in a little cycle of ‘pain-pleasure-pain’. What happens is that most people will use these for too much time because initially it feels good but due to the mechanical nature of the pressure, it can bruise or even cause soft tissue damage. So, you’ll feel better but shortly after the pain returns and might be worse. And then they use it again… Cycle continues…

My recommendations for any home massager or chair massage is to use it sparingly and in little spurts. Limit any vibrating or percussive pressure to 10-15 minutes max. Also, I usually recommend to stay away from these if you’ve recently developed a new problem or had something traumatic happen. It can be like rubbing a new blister and causing it to pop.

And finally, these units are meant to just help relieve some minor tension and should not be used as the only treatment for any condition. Remember, there is no magic bullet…

If you lived through Hurricane Andrew, then you more than likely cringe when the news starts talking about a storm in the tropics. I can’t help turn down the local news stations coverage of every storm out there but I can help in ensuring you stay healthy during a hurricane watch. Although I don’t think Hurricane Irene will impact us much, this is a great opportunity to go over seven tips to making sure you take care of your back during a this stormy season.

1. Don’t Stress Out

Stress is the pre-cursor to pain. Once you begin to stress toward an event your body begins to produce epinephrine, which causes an increase in heart rate and subsequently blood pressure. Once your blood pressure has gone up, your muscles begin to contract and will eventually lead to spasm.

2. Shutter in Spurts

When putting up shutters, take your time!!! With all the great media storm coverage, we usually have enough time that you can put up your shutters in phases. This means, don’t start on the front and go all the way, without stopping till your done. Do 2-3 windows at a time and then do something different that is not so physical. If you go all the way through, by the time you get to the end your muscles are tired and more likely to give out and cause you injury.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is the time your body uses to recover. Don’t stay awake late watching the same weather report, which doesn’t change after 11p.m.

4. Drink Water, Water & More Water

Your body needs a lot of water normally to function properly. In times of stress or when your routine has changed, you may accidentally decrease your water intake. When your water intake decreases, your muscles get deprived of fluid and become prone to spasm. As a general guide, you should drink half your body weight in ounces.

5. Be Careful in the Yard

One of the things that should be done before a storm is to clear your yard of debris. Yard furniture can be heavy and difficult to move. Always get help moving something big or heavy. Lift objects with your knees instead of bending over. And always stretch your muscles for 5-10 minutes after any physical activity.

6. Stay Active

During a storm alert you may have the tendency to sit down and watch TV for long periods of time. Inactivity and slouching on a sofa may lead to joint problems. Stay active and move around. Try not to alter your exercise routine. Go for small walks to keep muscles active and alleviate some stress and tension.

7. Keep Your Spine Aligned

When you get adjusted your body is able to function better and is more likely to handle a stressful situation easier.