Ergonomics and Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Chiropractors often treat desk workers for aches and pains related to improper ergonomics related to their desk set up and how they sit while they work. It is estimated that every year in the United States more than 65% of occupational illness and 13 billion dollars in losses due to decreased productivity can be attributed to these types of injuries. These types of injuries occur most commonly in people with jobs requiring repetitive actions, awkward postures, low levels of physical activity, poor placement of work equipment, high stress, and high work load.
For most people, following a few basic tips can help to make your work space as efficient as possible.

• Computer work should be limited to 20-25 hours per week maximum.
• Avoid repetitive movements as much as possible
• Position equipment for most common tasks in the most easily accessible areas or your work station. For example, if you use the phone a great deal it should be close by and easy to reach.
• Take frequent short breaks throughout the day
• Frequently change positions while working
• Your computer screen should be positioned high enough so that, when looking straight ahead, you are looking at the top 1/3 of the screen, and angled to reduce glare
• The keyboard should be placed so that it is at the level of your hands with your elbows bent to about 90 degrees and resting comfortably on the armrests of your chair. A keyboard tray can be helpful for this.
• You should be able to use both the keyboard and the mouse while keeping your wrists straight.
• Your chair should be able to swivel to allow you access to the entire desk and should have a lumbar support that fits into the curve of your low back comfortably.
• When seated your knees should be level with, or slightly lower than your hips and your feet should sit on the floor or on a footrest.

If your workstation is proving difficult to adjust or these tips are not enough to help you with work related stress on the neck, shoulders, and arms a chiropractor can assist you in a more thorough evaluation of your work space.

References
Boudreau, Luke A. & Wright, Geoff. (2003). Ergonomic considerations for a patient presenting with a work-related musculoskeletal disorder: a case report. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. Vol. 47(1). Pg. 33- 38
Sizer, Phillip S., et al. (2004). Ergonomic Pain – Part 1: Etiology, Epidemiology, and Prevention. Pain Practice. Vol. 4(1). Pg. 42-53
Sizer, Phillip S., et al. (2004). Ergonomic Pain – Part 2: Differential Diagnosis and Management Considerations. Pain Practice. Vol. 4(2). Pg. 136-162

Promoting Health Through Infant Massage

New moms often find themselves under stress and looking for ways to relax while still spending time with their baby. One great way to accomplish this is through infant massage. Spending time massaging your baby can provide mothers with time to relax with their baby and help calm your child and promote good health. Infant massage can be a great way to encourage bonding between the child and parent, and therefore can be a wonderful way for fathers to spend quality time with their child while giving mothers a much needed break.
Infant massage has been shown to stimulate the skin, muscles, and nerves of the body. This has been shown to help encourage proper weight gain and neurological development in infants in orphanages and also improve immune function in infants in hospital in a variety of studies. In children with special needs, infant massage can be used to help teach children how to deal with sensory stimulation more effectively.
Infant massage strokes can be used to stimulate specific areas of the baby’s body as needed. In children with congestion, massaging the chest and sinuses can help clear these areas, allowing the baby to breathe more easily and sleep more comfortably. Infants with gas or colic can often be very fussy, and parents can become desperate for anyway to calm their child. Massaging the baby’s abdomen can help the child to release painful gas, making them calmer and less fussy.
There are many different techniques that can be used to massage infants. There are a variety of classes available to allow parents to learn to massage their infants. If you are nervous about massaging your child a registered massage therapist or chiropractor experienced in infant massage can help to treat your child and help you to learn techniques to use at home between treatments.
References:
McClure, Vimala; (2000); Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents; Bantam Books; New York

Tension Headaches

Living in a city, I often see patients complaining of headaches. Many people experience pain around their head that feels like their head is in a vise, accompanied by muscle tightness or stiffness in the neck and shoulders. This type of headache is known as a tension headache and is often caused by stress, a lack of sleep, muscular tension, and/or tension in the jaw.

Tension headaches are more common in women than in men and generally affect people between 20 and 50 years of age. They are a very common condition. In fact, tension headaches and migraines account for 90% of headaches that present to medical doctors in North America. With most of us being affected by tension headaches at some point or another the question becomes, what do we do about them?
Tension headaches generally arise from tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders or improper motion in the joints of the cervical spine. As a result, chiropractic care can help greatly with this problem. Chiropractic muscle work or registered massage therapy can help relax tight, tense muscles, while chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper motion to the joints in the neck. Beyond physical care a chiropractor can help you with strategies to manage stress and help with relaxation. They can also prescribe exercises and stretching which has been shown to help reduce the frequency of tension headaches.
Quick Tips:
When a tension headache strikes try gently stretching the neck and dropping your shoulders to relieve muscle tension. An ice pack wrapped in a towel and applied to the back of the neck can also help alleviate headache symptoms. The best way to avoid tension headaches is to find ways to reduce the stress in your life by staying active and doing activities that you enjoy.