Back belts do not necessarily protect you from sprains and strains when you lift items. The National Institute for Occupational Safety Health found in a recent study that workers who use back belts don’t fare any better than nonbelt wearers in terms of supporting their backs.

Some researchers believe that wearing the belt gives workers a false sense of security. Although some studies have shown that back belts cut injuries by one-third, most other research support NIOSH’s findings. The best bet in protecting your back is proper training and safer work areas. If you have any questions about proper lifting techniques you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Glenn Loebig by calling 703-757-5817. —adapted from the Atlanta Constitution

Soft tissue injuries are hardly soft if you’re the one suffering from pain, swelling, redness, and heat. This type of injury can last up to six weeks! But, the first 72 hours are the most critical to the healing process, according to Dr. Auchter. During this period, treatment is directed at reducing the inflammation and involves the use of rest, ice compression, and elevation. In addition, it’s important to increase the circulation to the area of injury. Treatment includes the use of alternating hot and cold, light massage, ice massage, and gentle range-of motion exercises. Manipulation can have a beneficial therapeutic effect on the healing process of soft tissue injuries. Many of our patients believe that movement is bad during the healing process. Nothing could be further from the truth.In fact, studies have proven that movement seems to be the common essential factor for soft tissue reconditioning after an injury. Call 703-757-5817 to find out more information about Soft Tissue Injuries and schedule an appointment with Dr. Jen Auchter @ Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab.

People are pretty nonchalant about safety when it comes to using ladders.  But injuries from ladders could be potentially fatal.  The first step in protecting yourself from injury is proper set up.  Keep these tips in mind:

Before you climb a ladder:

• Make sure no overhead obstructions and power lines are in the way.
• Lock or block nearby doors to keep people from suddenly or accidentally bumping the ladder.
• Keep the area around the ladder base free of clutter.
• Rest the ladder base on a solid, level surface.
• If you’re working outdoors or in the grass, use a large board to level the surface and keep the ladder from sinking into soft ground.
• Tie a straight ladder as close to the upper support point as possible.
• Make sure the ladder extends three feet beyond the roof’s edge or support point when using a ladder to reach a roof platform.
• Make sure stepladders are fully open and the spreader is locked.
• Never use a ladder outside during strong winds or stormy weather.

 

If you’re not careful, slouching at a desk all day or tapping away at a computer keyboard can lead to painful and disabling strains in your wrists, shoulders, elbows, and back.  Dr. Glenn Loebig urges you to turn over a new leaf, and follow some simple advice that will make the year more enjoyable and less painful.

“We used to believe that occupations like construction caused most on-the-job injuries,” said Dr. Loebig  “However, someone who works at a computer is putting considerable stress on their wrists, shoulders, neck and spine, and this can cause some really painful work-place injuries.”

Legs "work" from the hips and provide our main means of locomotion. They permit us to participate actively in work, sports, leisure time activities, etc. Hips and legs help us bend and stretch; they support our weight.

Legs are "tools," a near-necessity in the routine of living and making a living. Legs do a tremendous job of functioning as extra doors, moving, pushing, pulling, and picking up objects, plus a thousand-and-one other actions and gestures. And what directs our legs to do all of these things - and more? Nerve impulses emanating from our brains!

In today's age of health and fitness, more and more kids are involved in sporting activities. Although being part of a football, soccer or Little League team is an important rite of passage for many children, parents and their children could be overlooking the importance of proper nutrition and body-conditioning needed for preventing injuries on and off the playing field.

"The majority, if not all, sports are good, provided that the child prepares appropriately," says Dr. Carl Heigl, president of the American Chiropractic Association's Council on Sports Injuries and Physical Fitness. "Without proper preparation, playing any sport can turn into a bad experience. There are structural and physical developmental issues that need to be taken into consideration before children undertake certain sports."

Spring is thawing out the winter chill, and it’s time again to think about road trips— for business and pleasure.  If you don’t want to add more to the pounds you’ve accumulated over the winter hibernation, keep these rules in mind to eat healthier on the road:

Pack along a variety of nutritious foods.  Don’t rely on fast food to carry you through the trip.  Instead pack veggies and fruit for energy, as well as high-protein foods like tuna, low-fat cheese, and low-fat peanut butter on saltines.

• Take deep breaths.

• Take a walk outside of the office.

• Say no to what you don’t have time to do.

• Leave work on time!

• Lower demands you put on yourself.

• Ask questions and communicate with coworkers.

• Take care of taxing tasks in the morning to get them out of the way.

• Look at large projects as a series of steps to complete one by one.

• Laugh at least once a day.

• Live for today.  Don’t dwell in the past or worry about the future.

• Take care of yourself. . .

VISIT LOEBIG CHIROPRACTIC AND REHAB

Many of us go through each day typing on a computer, bending or lifting items, gardening, taking care of our children and playing sports.  If not done properly, these activities can cause pain or injury which may become chronic if left untreated.

“Back pain is pervasive in our society.  Eighty percent of us will suffer from it at some point in our lives, and fifty percent of us will suffer from back pain this year alone,” said Dr. Glenn Loebig of Loebig Chiropractic and Rehab.  “Low-back pain is the most common work complaint experienced by Americans today.  Many Americans today are health and body conscious.  We want to look and feel our best by taking care of our bodies – exercising, getting regular dental and eye exams and by getting enough sleep.  In doing so, we ignore the focal point of where much of the pain associated with our daily activities originates – our spine,” Dr. Loebig added.

What about your children?  Have you ever considered bringing them in for a chiropractic checkup? Surprisingly, the first stress placed on a child’s spinal column is during the birthing process.  Equally surprising is the fact that 26% of children surveyed at school reported a history of back pain.

A child’s spine is frequently subjected to repeated forces in the process of learning to walk as well as a multitude of childhood mishaps, sports related injuries, and postural strains.  Many adults that come to a chiropractor’s office show evidence of childhood in-juries to their spine that are a contributing factor for their pain today.  This is why it is important to have your child’s spine checked regularly for any signs of spinal imbalances or misalignments.