Archive for May, 2010
The Importance of Good Posture
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It’s a great time to be alive, isn’t it? Science and technology have literally put the world at our fingertips. And, in addition to the unlimited access we all have to information and communication, there are computer games, video games, and round-the-clock TV shows. Unfortunately, the “pros” of most things arrive hand-in-hand with the “cons.” Now, there are plenty of “cons” to be addressed here, but as a chiropractor, I’m going to focus on the adverse effect that our bad posture is having on our musculoskeletal system, not only while we’re engaging in these activities, but even after the work and play is done. All you need to do is to take a look at the majority of teenagers to see that posture, in general, is in a slump.
Why is posture so important? Poor posture causes headaches, neck pain, and back pain, just for openers. And, since the back bone is (eventually) connected to the hip bones and knee bones, bad posture can create a lot of painful movement from your head to your toes.
Joe Donofrio, dean of clinical services at Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, offers some great posture tips. Check them out at goupstate.com
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“Re-Inventing” Activity
Posted by: | CommentsIf you’ve been reading my blogs, you know that as a chiropractor I am very concerned about excess weight and obesity when it comes to people’s health in general, and my patients’ health in particular, especially since I observe first hand every day the damaging effects to the musculoskeletal system that take place when a person carries around unneeded, and therefore unhealthy, poundage. The damage begins early and affects young and growing bones structures as well as those that are on the other end of the spectrum and aging. So, I was very happy, indeed, when I read today on nationalpost.com that U.S. schools and childcare programs could be required (by law!) to include daily exercise as part of the new National Physical Activity Plan released on Monday.
It is no secret, though still shocking, that two-thirds of adult Americans and one-third of children are either overweight or obese. Obviously, along with a poor diet, inactivity is taking its toll on the U.S. population. Most research shows that both adults and children absolutely need at least one hour of moderate physical activity a day to stay healthy and to keep from gaining weight. And, in addition, regular exercise helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardio-vascular diseases. (Plus, regular exercise stimulates the brain and promotes learning!) The NPAP plan, along with changing medical school curricula and adding guidelines for doctors on counseling patients, local regulations will “encourage” the construction of sidewalks, playgrounds, and parks, and (hurray!) a return of organized exercise in schools.
Nancy Brown, Heart Association CEO, stated: “Unfortunately, nearly a quarter of the U.S. population does not participate in any physical activities.” It is vital to get our country back on track moving the human body as it was designed to move. And, it is important to start early by encouraging our children to be active once again, as children used to be before video games, computers, and 24-hour TV programs. Putting PE back into our children’s daily school activities will not only help them to get and stay healthy, it will help them to get and stay smarter, too!
