Work
injuries, according the National Safety Council, most recent reports,
state:
3.7 million American workers suffered disabling
injuries last year.
Work injuries cost Americans $146.6 billion per year. That amounts
to $1,060 per worker.
Getting the proper medical care and getting you back to work as quickly
as possible is Dr. Ryan’s approach to treatment.
Often the weekend activities you enjoy most can cause
severe pain.
Yard work, cleaning out the garage, working on the
car, rearranging the furniture, even golf or softball, can lead
to muscle strains, pulled or torn ligaments, swollen joints or inflamed
discs.
What are you doing wrong?
Dr. Ryan says a major cause of back injury is
bending forward and attempting to straighten up when your body
is twisted. But injuries from incorrect bending and lifting can
be prevented. To bend and lift in a smooth, coordinated movement,
your back tissues, pelvis and leg muscles must be flexible and
lengthened, and you need good abdominal tone.
Here's what you
can do to minimize your chances of injury:
- Warm up by marching in place or riding a
stationary bike to increase circulation and get your muscles warm.
- Stretch the muscles you'll be using for at least 15 minutes
before lifting or bending.
- Think about the task at hand. Concentrate on the size,
weight, distance and direction of the object to be lifted.
- Bend your knees, tuck your pelvis forward, and lift the
object smoothly, close to your body and straight up with no twisting.
- Release the object the same way you lifted it, with a
deep knee bend and the object close to your body. Practice this
technique and you'll avoid most accidents and injuries.
- If you hurt from a strain, call Dr. Ryan for an adjustment!
Dr. Ryan believes in working with you to overcome your
back pain. He will talk to you about its cause and make sure you understand
your rehabilitative exercises. Dr. Ryan has treated thousands of lower
back pain patients, and most of them have been able to avoid lower back
surgery and stay on the job.
If you're experiencing back pain, call Dr. Ryan to
arrange for a consultation. If you suffer from headache or neck problems you should know that slumping forward at work while you are writing, reading or working at
the computer increases the weight of your head on your neck muscles
three to four times what it is when you're sitting up straight. He can help you determine if chiropractic care is appropriate
for your condition.
The strain from your head to your neck equals from
30 to 40 pounds -- that's four sacks of potatoes! Your neck has a big
job: holding up your head all day, week after week, year after year.
No wonder your neck, shoulders and back get tired! Give them what they
need to alleviate the stress and strain -- a chiropractic adjustment
from Dr. Ryan.
