Monday, August 19, 2013

The Chiropractor

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

8 in 10 people will throw out their back at some point in their life. When this happens it can cause severe pain throughout the entire body and can even prevent people sitting upright or walking. Roughly 6% to 12% of United States citizens use chiropractors for back or neck related pain and discomfort. Today on Make-It-Safe Monday we are going to cover the chiropractic industry and discuss how it may help you relieve back discomfort.

The study chiropractic was founded in 1895 by magnetic healer Daniel Palmer in Davenport, IA. It was not long after that he opened the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Palmer’s son Bartlett eventually took over the school and helped to promote chiropractors and increase the school’s attendance. Chiropractors have consistently been at odds with the medical community because there is no scientific evidence that proves its effectiveness other than patient’s claims. It did not help that it was originally touted as a cure all for the human race. For years medical professionals have looked at chiropractic as a pseudo-science and have accused chiropractors of being quacks committing fraud. Even if there is no scientific evidence millions of people will tell you that the pain relief provided by a chiropractic adjustment is very real.

Chiropractors are not medical doctors but do receive Doctorate in Chiropractic and are required to be licensed by the state in which they do business. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation to treat patients with back or neck pain. It is universally believed by chiropractors that there is a direct relationship between the nervous system and the spine. When vertebrae in the spine become misaligned it causes pressure on nerves that cause shooting pain through the back, limbs, and head. Spinal adjustments are a rapid low pressure jolt meant to push the spine past the typical range of movement, but not to the point to cause damage. The movement is meant to realign the spine and repair the structure of the spinal column. Chiropractors have multiple techniques to adjust the spine to relieve the pressure. Some of the most common techniques for joint manipulation involve relaxing of muscles, controlled breathing, specialized drop tables, spring loaded tools and pressure applied with the hands to “crack” or “pop” the spine.

Spinal adjustments are considered generally safe when done by a trained chiropractor. People with pre-existing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, unstable joints or spine and neck injuries should always consult their physician before seeing a chiropractor. Prices for a single adjustment typically range from $40 to $60. This can be a very cost effective for someone that throws out their back and only requires 2 or 3 adjustments. If your chiropractor is suggesting 20+ appointments to eliminate your pain it may be in your best interest to contact an orthopedic doctor. Your pain may be caused by damage to disks or ligaments that a chiropractor is not qualified to diagnose.

Next time you are in too much pain to roll out of bed grab your phone and schedule an appointment with your local chiropractor. Pain relief may be faster and cheaper than you could have ever imagined. The best way to stop back pain is taking preventative steps by stretching, regular strengthening exercise, practicing proper lifting techniques and taking advantage of tools such as the Lift’n Buddy.

Thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday

Brad Lindemann
Sales Coordinator, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company

Monday, August 12, 2013

Might be Time for a Vacation

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY
Do you ever get the feeling like you are a workaholic? You answer your forwarded phone at all hours of the night and never miss an opportunity to check your email. You find yourself taking on a larger work load but you’re getting less and less done. It is very easy to get stuck in a rut both personally and professionally as the human brain will normally fear change from its regular routine. It is important that you step away from your typical day-to-day activities and give yourself a rest. Just as the mind and body need sleep every night, they also need an extended break where you can divert your attention away from work. Today on Make-It-Safe Monday we will be covering the importance of taking a vacation.
Stress related to work is an overlooked detriment to your health. Not giving your body some time off can cause both physical and mental distress. Studies have shown a direct correlation between people who do not take regular vacations and health problems such as a weakened immune system or an inability to maintain bodily functions. Constant mental stress can lead to a loss of sleep or anxiety. The likelihood of making poor decisions will increase while decreasing your self-confidence. The combination of any of these will often compound the stress causing individuals to become increasingly irritable, adversely affecting the relationships with the people around you. Extreme mood swings will dominate your personality leading to unnecessary arguments at work and at home which will keep escalating the stress. These symptoms can ultimately lead to depression, workplace injuries or even fatalities if no action is taken.

By taking a week or two of vacation allows you to remove yourself from your situations that are troublesome. You will be able to view your world from another perspective and may be able to find solutions to problems that you have been too busy to address. This is a great time to spend with friends and family improving relationships that may have suffered due to your absence. Plan a vacation where you can focus on relaxing. Vacations filled with overly coordinated events or excursions can lead to even more stress. Find something that puts your mind at ease like reading a book, golfing, napping by the pool or getting a massage. If you need to stay in contact with work, schedule 30 minutes of the day to respond to emails or phone calls otherwise your laptop and phone should be out of sight and out of mind.

Remember that your well-being is just as important as your career.  Take some personal time for yourself; your body and your family will be thanking you. Most importantly, if you missed an important phone call or were absent at a meeting it is not the end of the world. I can guarantee the sun will still come up tomorrow.

Thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday

Brad Lindemann
Sales Coordinator, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company