Year: 2018

Save the Back! Backpack Safety for Kids

If you didn’t think incorrectly wearing a backpack could lead to certain back issues in children, think again. Each year, it seems kids are developing back problems from incorrectly wearing backpacks. This kind of strain can pose a threat to their physical well-being such as not being able to sleep or sit up straight. But there’s hope for both parents and the children.These backpack tips will help you and your child remember the importance of properly wearing a backpack.

The BackPack Blunder

Backpacks are one of the school essentials that all kids need. They are equipped for storing anything from books to art supplies and lunch containers. And these are often stuffed with items that don’t necessarily belong in a backpack. This makes the backpack heavier and puts unwanted pressure and weight on the child. Your local back pain treatment Aurora chiropractors can offer some guidance if you’re concerned with backpack injury.

Some kids aren’t wearing their backpack properly, and as a result, are experiencing health problems. After a while of improper backpack usage, the child may develop posture problems, muscle and joint pain, and severe back pain. The backpack itself is as important as practicing correct backpack-wearing form. Look for backpacks with wide and padded straps to prevent straining and loss of circulation as narrow straps tend to do. If your child is carrying a heavy load, the rolling backpack is a good alternative. This allows your child to safely roll the backpack to and from school on a set of wheels. Two shoulder straps are recommended to stabilize and balance the body better than one that has only one strap. You’ll also want to look for a backpack with a waist strap. If your child must carry heavy loads to and from school, the waist strap offers extra support instead of the back and shoulders being responsible for the weight. The paddle backpack includes a paddle or board to prevent sharp or hard objects from poking through the backpack while increasing comfort. Lastly, the backpack itself needs to be lightweight.

All of these factors should be considered when choosing a backpack for your child. Another helpful investment if your child is experiencing back pain is to seek chiropractic care for minor adjustments.

Correct Backpack Wearing

Never bend over at your waist. This puts immediate strain on the back and lower back. Bend both knees to bend or remove the heavy backpack. Wear both shoulder straps always, never just one. Wearing your backpack on one shoulder causes strain on the muscles and imbalance in the body. If possible, pack lightly, carrying only the necessary items to take home. School projects that are larger than the backpack should be carried separately or brought in by an adult.

No matter which backpack you choose, correct usage is crucial to prevent injury. Brian Voytecek has been servicing Aurora for over 20 years as your local wellness center Aurora Colorado chiropractor. Get in touch with him today for more helpful tips and guidance!

Your Desk job is Hurting You. Here’s How to Fix It

About 88% of Americans sit at a desk all day. Not to mention the unproductive nature of your job. Sitting for long hours can take a real toll on your health. Besides throwing in the towel, are there ways to make the mundane desk job easier on your mind and body? The answer is yes! Here are some convenient and helpful ways to achieve a productive work day without it sucking the life out of you.

Eat a Full, Healthy Meal

Not just breakfast, but snacking healthy, too. Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. If you are on-the-go and unprepared to eat a full breakfast, you risk disrupting your metabolism. Your primary care physician can guide you to finding the perfect meal plan so you can stay focused and healthy all day. Check with your wellness center Aurora providers to ensure you are on the right track when it comes to overall health.

Sick Building Syndrome

It’s no surprise that the EPA has a name for the air quality in buildings. And if you’re at your desk all day, inside a stuffy, uncirculated building, chances are that you’ve come down with ‘sick building syndrome’. You’re more likely to be susceptible to unhealthy toxic materials and pollutants, especially during the summer. These pollutants cause lung disease and heart problems later on. What’s the cure for this problem? Go out for lunch and any break that you have. If you can take your work outdoors (even in your car at the park!), get to it. Your body will thank you for it!

Long Hours Puts Stress on Your Heart

Yep. Working over 10 hours a day will put you at risk for a heart attack. No job is worth your health. You should keep work at work at a 9-5 basis.

Bad Boss Behavior

Not only do you work long hours at a desk, but you have to deal with an unfriendly boss inflicting orders. Unfair treatment with bosses can lead to loss of sleep, depression, and anxiety. Talk to your boss. Easier said than done, but chances are they would rather work out the details that are causing employee stress then lose a good employee.

Your Down Time Matters

What really matters is how you live your life after work hours. Are you maintaining a healthy eating schedule? Do you exercise regularly? More importantly, are you taking supplements and getting the right care? Regularly scheduled chiropractic adjustments can also help your body realign and get back into place after a long work week.

Your desk job doesn’t have to take years off of your life. Find balance between work and serenity and get a chiropractic adjustment. Your local chiropractor in Colorado can ease the stress of your desk job through simple adjustments when necessary. Contact Brian Voytecek to receive a consultation today!

4 Techniques for Tennis Elbow

This painful condition is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles, causing jolting pain through the arm and elbow. It effects normal daily habits such as typing on the computer, driving a vehicle, and even cooking meals. Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is common among people ages 30-50 but it can affect anyone at any age. If you or someone you know is experiencing pain related to the elbow, this could be tennis elbow and you should speak to you doctor right away.

What is Tennis Elbow and is it Preventable?

In short, tennis elbow is a painful condition that is brought on by overuse of the elbow. It causes inflammation of the tendons and forearm muscles outside of the elbow. Damage to the joints occur over time as your habits allow for repetitive movement of the arm. While it’s difficult to prevent tennis elbow because many individuals’ life and work habits, it is possible with strategic techniques. Squeeze and release exercise will strengthen the wrist and muscles around the elbow. In the hand of the arm that is injured, squeeze a tennis ball for two to three minutes. Another way of finding relief and prevention is through elbow and wrist stretching exercises. This can be done by simply lifting a can of food with your wrist and bend your elbow to your chest several times a day.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care has been known to help many individuals live a pain-free life. And a recent study has shown that chiropractic care has a positive effect on those experiencing tennis elbow. Contact your local wellness center Aurora Colorado chiropractor for more details on how chiropractic care can relieve this pain.

Duck Grip Massage

Instead of using your whole hand, using your non injured hand, use your fingers in a ‘Duckbill’ grip to massage the lower part of your injured forearm. This is more aggressive than using your whole hand and you’ll want to contract your forearm muscles as you massage.

Fist Squeeze

Simple movements such as clenching your fists can easily help alleviate the pain and pressure brought on by tennis elbow. You can grab a ball or pillow to squeeze. Whatever will offer resistance when you squeeze.

Towel Twist

This may be a simple daily movement that you perform with your wash cloths, but the mere motion can really alter the pain of tennis elbow. In both of your hands, hold a loosely rolled up dry towel. Move your hands as though you’re wringing out the towel. Be sure you keep your upper body relaxed. This consistent wringing motion strengthens the muscles where there’s pressure in the elbow.

Don’t let tennis elbow keep you from living your life. Contact Brian Voytecek, your local chiropractor in Aurora for more information today!

What’s Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & How Chiropractic Care can Help

You may be aware of carpal tunnel and how it can severely affect a person’s way of life. Perhaps you are the person dealing with it on a regular basis. The pain can be so overpowering that you’d think it was something more severe. Over time, if not treated, carpal tunnel can worsen, causing crippling effects to the body and overall health. Studies have shown that people who have carpal tunnel and receive chiropractic care has made a demonstrable difference and outcome in the conclusion. Let’s take a look at how chiropractic care can help those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel and You

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes numbness and tingling in the hand and arms and is caused by a compression of the nerve in the carpal tunnel (the narrow passageway of your wrist). Symptoms often include numbness in thumb or index finger and in your hand, from the wrist up to arm. The ‘shake out’ method is often used by carpal tunnel patience to relieve the pain and discomfort. Many people experience weakness in relation to carpal tunnel where you tend to drop items that you’re holding. You need to contact your care provider if you experience such things. They may recommend a chiropractor in Aurora CO.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Assuming you have been diagnosed and are in the proper treatment process in early stages of carpal tunnel, your doctor may suggest therapy through chiropractic care. Your primary should examine your hands, shoulders, arms, and neck for symptoms and disorder. A spinal manipulation can be done in order to help alleviate the pain of carpal tunnel. While it’s encouraged to rest the area of infection, the idea is to use chiropractic care as a means of relief without the need for surgery. Adjustment take time to and are accustomed to each person.

Perhaps you don’t know the root of the cause for why you have carpal tunnel in the first place. A reliable chiropractor in Aurora CO will lead you in right direction. It could be computer usage, auto accidents, the use of power tools, or even playing an instrument such as the piano. In addition to chiropractic care, your chiropractor can show you techniques to alleviate symptoms, from icing the area to wearing an arm bracing for support. You don’t want to put pressure on the median nerve. Chiropractic care is non-invasive and includes natural treatment (without surgery) to healing.

Are you looking for chiropractic therapy for your ailments? Let the experts at Voytecek help. We help patients with numerous ailments from sports injuries to auto accidents. Call today to schedule your appointment!

Tips to cure your back injuries

Back pain is something that does not cure itself, and you are probably here because like so many others, you need help taking care of your back. Relax, we have written this article to help those who are in need of help when dealing with back injuries. In this article we have explained, how a person can cure back related injuries.

Rise from bed every morning, stretch first and then raise up slowly, then your legs should be swung to the floor while your arms support you. When this is the way you arise from bed, you stand a better chance of avoiding spinal problems. Some people with chiropractic issues think they should avoid all exercises. Not only is this false, but some exercising is actually good for the back; it helps strengthens muscles in the back. So, if you have chiropractic issues and would like to exercise, a good solution is to wear a back brace and listen to your body when it says it has had enough.

Your footwear can make or break you when it comes to chiropractic problems. Wearing the wrong footwear does not allow the spine to stabilize itself. In turn, this can cause a heap of problems in your back. Ideally, a good pair of sneakers is the way to go. Also, avoid heels at all costs.

Try using the “90/90 rule” when working at a desk. Knees and elbows need to be bent 90 degrees. Keep your feet on the floor directly under your knees instead of under the chair. This prevents hamstring strain. The computer monitor needs to also be at or above your eye level. Looking down at the screen can strain your neck.

Ask your doctor to recommend stretches that would be good for between visits. Being in chiropractic care means you should be doubly serious about maintaining the best overall health possible. Stretching between adjustments can really be a help. You’ll start feeling better quicker, and that’s definitely why you went to the chiropractor in the first place.

Don’t just choose the chiropractor closest to you. It may be tempting to opt for the shortest drive, but it’s better to opt for quality instead. A good doctor is worth the extra time in your car. Too often people find that with just a little extra time they could have had a much better experience. To find a reputable chiropractor, look for one who limits his practice to the conservative handling of back discomfort as well as other musculoskeletal issues. Ask your general practitioner for a referral to one that fits this criterion and has a reputation for being trustworthy. This will weed out a lot of the quacks.

Now that you read the above article, it should be simple to get the chiropractic care you need with the solid advice that was given. There are things you can do today that will actually start to heal your back pain, but it is important that you begin right away. Feel better, and follow the tips and advice given here.

Need a Chiropractor? Read & Follow these Top Tips before You Select One!

Having back related problems can really slow a person down. But you already probably know that or you would not be here. If you are in need of solid chiropractic tips that will help you feel good again, you have come to the right place. Below are many great tips that come directly from experts on back-related problems so keep reading.

1. Focus on your sleeping position if you suffer from back pain issues. Put the pillow underneath your head and shoulders. Place a rolled up towel below your neck and knees to maintain the natural curve of your body. In addition, be sure that your mattress is supportive and comfortable.
2. If your back feels sore or tight, apply ice and heat to the area that hurts. If you use heat, try using moist heat such as a moist heat pad or a warm shower which is more beneficial. You can also wrap a heating pad with a damp towel and turn on the pad to create moist heat.
3. Acid reflux, gas and heartburn can be caused by a misaligned spine. The nerves running through the thoracic area of the spine control the stomach functions and can cause these and other digestive disorders. If you’re facing any digestive issues along with back issues, it could be a sign of a misaligned spine. Immediately get in touch with a chiropractor. When a chiropractor adjusts your spine, the nerve flow to the stomach is aligned which helps improve your digestion.
4. If you are visiting a chiropractor regularly, track your progress over the first five sessions. If you aren’t seeing any improvement at all after these first few visits, you are probably wasting your time. Look for another expert and give them a try of at least three sessions.
5. Any chiropractor who is seeing you for the first time should take X-rays to determine if any bones are broken and if there is a noticeable misalignment. The first appointment should include a review of your medical history, a discussion about your current problems as well as a plan to deal with these problems.
6. Chiropractic care focuses on your skeletal & nervous system and the functioning of your brain. The central nervous system and brain control all the functions of your body so regular chiropractic care can lead to excellent overall health. When your central nervous system is functioning properly, all of your autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing and digestion work unimpeded.
7. When choosing a chiropractor, avoid chiropractors who regularly order or perform x-rays of their patients. Most patients who see a chiropractor do not need these x-rays. Be particularly wary of x-ray examinations of the whole spine. The diagnostic value of this practice is doubtful and it also involves a great amount of radiation.

As stated in the above article, many people deal with back issues each day but it is very important that you get them quickly taken care of otherwise it could lead to permanent damage. Take the tips from above, practice them at home and make sure your back gets back to feeling in tip-top shape. Now is a great time to start on a good chiropractic care routine so get going!