Happy Spring to all! And while I’m still upset that I was cheated out of a good snowstorm this winter- it will still be good to be able to get back outside and resume somewhat “normal activities” now that the mask mandates and Covid restrictions have begun to ease.
With the onset of warmer weather comes the natural uptick in physical activities. Projects like clearing debris from the yard, painting the shutters, cleaning out the garage, or planting those tulip bulbs bring the natural onset of back and neck pains and stiffness which usually follow the lazy winter months of sitting on the couch and binging seven seasons of Yellowstone! Spring months also herald the return of outdoor sports activities such as baseball, lacrosse and track and field. These pursuits also add to the incidence of injury to our spines and other joints. No wonder then that many professional athletes now turn to chiropractic care for injury prevention. So much so that all 32 professional football teams in the NFL now employ a Doctor of Chiropractic on their staff as well as most of the Major League professional baseball teams.
It is also fitting then that April is heralded as National Injury Prevention Month- and who better to lead the way but Chiropractors. By getting regular chiropractic care it has been shown to not only reduce the risk of getting hurt but keep your body functioning at a higher level to perform those activities.
Understanding Why Injuries Occur
Misalignment of the spine can lead to unnecessary tension in one part of the body rather than the equal distribution of pressure. Improper alignment of the spine and pelvis can occur after sitting for long periods of time and is common for those working in an office. So to can repetitive stress movements such as those that occur daily with laborers like construction workers and plumbers. Doing the same movement over and over like hammering a nail or screwing in a fixture on an assembly line can also add to instabilities leading to more neck and back pain.
Often however, there is a combination of these underlying factors involved in an incident that results in problems. When we look for underlying causes, we may find problems in one or more of these areas:
-
Job tasks and procedures: look at the way jobs are designed to ensure they are safe and practical
-
Work environment: poor work area set up, poor ergonomic chairs or dangerous slippery floors.
-
Management and organization: inadequate safety programs, poor communication, or no involvement by management
-
Individual worker or workforce: inexperienced or inadequate training, fatigue, or stress can all add to increased injuries.
Chiropractic Treatments for Preventing Injuries
In order to combat these problems, in our office we use varying treatments to increase strength and flexibility which are some ways we can help achieve the following benefits:
1. Reduce pain- With specific chiropractic adjustments along with the use of physical therapy- chiropractic care will help reduce the pain, improve function, and help the body heal itself.
2. Improve range of motion- Injuries that occur in the neck or back may cause stiffness and a loss of overall flexibility. Chiropractic treatments such as spinal manipulation and adjustments, trigger point therapy, electrical stimulation, and traction are all used to improve flexibility and restore normal range of motion.
3. Reduce inflammation- When parts of the body are injured and misaligned, inflammation is typically the body’s natural response. Inflammation can be characterized by pain, swelling, and sometimes even loss of function in more severe cases. Chiropractic adjustments have proven to reduce inflammation in the joints and also enhance your body’s natural ability to raise the levels of certain anti-inflammatory agents, essentially helping it to heal on its own.
4. Relieve stress- Often, getting injured on the job can lead to a buildup of emotional stress, which can be just as detrimental to the body as the actual injury. Over time, stress can lower the immune system, which makes the body more vulnerable to diseases. Stress can also cause a person’s muscles to tense and contract leading to more pain. Chiropractic adjustments release all the tension held in the muscles, which immediately relaxes the body and increases blood circulation
As we enter the month of April, remember that the key to treating any injury is to prevent it from occurring in the first place! When we warm up properly, use proper posture and ergonomics, and utilize chiropractic care along with stretching and strengthening exercise-we can keep our bodies functioning better. And that means better quality spring cleaning, gardening, and spring activities for everyone! Enjoy the beautiful weather that is to come and remember to keep moving!
