How Prevalent is Back Pain in Your Kids?

There have been many studies that indicate that most adults (80%) will have back pain at some point in their life, but not much has been studied in kids, until recently.

The severity and course of back pain is poorly understood in adolescents. A study was designed to determine the prevalence and two-year incidence, as well as the course, frequency, and intensity of pain in the neck, mid back, and low back (spinal pain). The study was reported in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders in May 2014.

The researchers studied 1,300 5th and 6th graders aged 11-13 in Denmark and followed them for two years.  They found a baseline of spinal pain prevalence of 86%.  What was interesting is that the frequency of pain was strongly associated to the intensity of pain.  That is, that those who reported relatively infrequent back pain also reported that the pain was not too intense; whereas those who reported more frequent back pain also reported that it was more severe.

After two years, the researchers found that the pain was likely to progress from one to more locations, from less frequent to more frequent, and from less intense to more intense.

There are a number of possible causes for back pain in children, teens and young adults. One thing that may lead to back pain is the regular use of a backpack that is too heavy or worn improperly. Many Salt Lake City students are overwhelmed by the weight of their textbooks and other school supplies that they must carry each day. It is also commonly popular to wear backpacks slung over one shoulder, with the straps adjusted too low, or in other ways that can contribute to developing back pain. Other risk factors may include poor posture, athletic injuries, or too much time spent hunched over a computer, phone, or tablet.

Given these results, it is important to have your pre-teen and teenagers checked.  Whether your kids are sedentary or more active and athletic, they may be prone to neck and back pain.  At The Joint Cottonwood Heights, we offer free spinal screening for your kids, bring them in and let us help them improve their overall health.

Could texting KILL you?

We have known for many years that texting and driving causes impairment similar to drinking and driving and is associated with nearly 4000 deaths per year from car accidents.

Chiropractors have also known for years that when people adopt a hunched-over posture while using phones or tablets, they tend to develop a forward head posture that causes neck and back pain and spinal dysfunction.

Now a new study by the UK United Chiropractic Association (UCA) says that texting and using mobile devices for long periods of time could lead to a lower life expectancy. Poor posture could pose as big a risk to a person's health as obesity. They showed that the hunched-over, forward head position constricts breathing and blood flow, making the heart work harder.

UK United Chiropractic Association (UCA) Study Shows Link between Texting and Lower Life Expectancy

The new research suggests a link between forward-leaning postures that people use while texting, going online, sending emails and playing video games, and hyperkyphosis, which is associated with pulmonary disease and cardiovascular problems.

The study suggests that when someone drops their head and rounds their shoulders while looking at a phone or tablet, it is harder for them to take a full breath because of the restriction to their muscles.

In addition, the ribs cannot move properly so the heart and lungs cannot function to their full effectiveness.

More often than not, people do not know they could be doing serious long-term damage to their body because the short-term effects are not as noticeable, the study says.

It's only later in life that the effects are noticeable and can seriously affect the quality of life.  The biggest fear is that young people, who are by far the heaviest users of mobile technology, will develop irreversible problems that may lead to early death.

Chiropractic procedures to help with texting-related posture

In my practice I have noticed that the increased prevalence of forward head posture problems has coincided with the explosion of smart phone, tablet and laptop use for work and leisure.

The study compares the risk of early death from poor posture to the risk of having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30, which places and individual in the obese range. Currently some estimates claim that obesity is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in this country. It is startling to consider that poor posture from texting can equal that risk.

We live our lives in such a way that oftentimes we are ruled by technology and we use our phones, tablets and computers so frequently that it is easy to overlook the effects it is having on our posture. 

The good news is that we all have a degree of control over this issue.  We can limit the time we spend on our mobile devices, and we can bring them to eye level to reduce the poor posture.

The recommendation that we make here at The Joint Cottonwood Heights is that you come in for a postural evaluation and appropriate chiropractic treatment to improve forward head posture and help lower the associated risks.

~ Dr. Hendricks

How can Chiropractic Boost Your Metabolism to Lose Weight?

Most people in Utah would give a lot to increase their metabolism. Having a high metabolic rate enables one to burn fat and lose weight fast with the least amount of exertion. Metabolism is the rate by which the body produces and consumes energy and calories to support life. There are several factors that affect the metabolism of a person, such as the amount of muscle tissue in one’s body, the frequency of the meals one consumes, genetics, the digestive system, stress levels, personal diet, and activity levels.

 

Metabolism slows down when there is a loss of muscle because of not enough physical activity, when there is the tendency of the body to cannibalize its own tissue because there is not enough food energy to sustain it, and as a result of the decrease of physical activity that comes naturally with old age.

It is obvious that metabolism decreases along with age, but it is possible to counter the effects. The amount of muscle a person has is a very strong determinant in the ability to burn calories and shed fat. So it goes without saying that physical activity is essential. This is where chiropractic adjustments can have the greatest effect.  Regular adjustments improve the mobility and function of the spine and other joints in the body which make it easier to exercise and remain active to build lean muscle tissue.

Another key is to match the amount of eating to the amount of activity one has.

·         Eat breakfast. Many people ignore the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Metabolism can slow down considerably if breakfast is eaten during mid-morning or if one waits until the afternoon to eat.

·         Avoid processed sugar. Sugar enables the body to store fat. It is recommended that a person consume food that helps sustain an even level of blood sugar. Additionally, physical activity 2-3 times a week is important to stabilize blood sugar.

·         Increase water intake. Water flushes out toxins that are produced whenever the body burns fat. The majority of bodily functions involve water, and lack of water causes its systems to decrease in speed, this produces unneeded stress as a result.

·         Get regular chiropractic adjustments based on your chiropractor’s recommendation. Adjustments can help improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and increase the success and comfort of your body as your state of health increases.

·         Eat smaller meals. It is advisable to consume 4 to 6 small meals that are timed 2 to 3 hours apart, and include more energy foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains. Salt Lake City has many great food options, locally sourced farmer’s markets, and interesting restaurants to help you plan your meals accordingly.

·         Never skip meals. People tend to skip meals in order to lose weight, which is a big mistake since it slows down metabolism.

·         Ditch the stress! Stress, be it physical or emotional, triggers the release of a chemicals in the body that decrease metabolism. Also, most people tend to eat excessively when stressed.

So take advantage of regular chiropractic adjustments to assist you in being more physically active, watch your diet, get enough sleep and takes steps to reduce your stress and you will be able to burn more calories because your metabolism will be on fire!

NFL testimonials about the benefits of Chiropractic care for Athletes in Salt Lake City

For more information go to www.saltlakecitychiropractor-thejoint.com

Chiropractors from The Joint Salt Lake City treating Football Players

Salt Lake City Chiropractors treating High School Athletes show 85% redu...

The Joint Salt Lake City treating Football Players