VOLUME 26 - 2 House Work

Health Tips

Don't Let Housework Be a Pain in Your Back

Household chores can be a pain in the sacroiliac. Unless you're careful, routine activities around the home - washing dishes, vacuuming, even talking on the phone - can strain your back, including the sacroiliac area near the tailbone, and result in debilitating discomfort. But you can protect your back by knowing the right way to go about such activities.

Consider lifting. It doesn't matter whether you're picking up your child or a heavy bucket of water, you need to do it the proper way to avoid injury.

How?

• Bend from the knees, not the waist.
• As you lift, hold the item as close to your body as possible.
• If you have to turn to place it, step in the direction of the turn. That way, you're not twisting your body and straining your spine. Back-

Saving Tips: do's and don'ts for chores and relaxation:

• When you wash dishes, open the cabinet beneath the sink, bend one knee and put your foot on the shelf under the sink. Lean against the counter so some of your weight is supported in front.
• When ironing, raise one foot a bit. Place it on a small stool or a book to take some strain off your back.
• To vacuum, use a "fencer's stance." Put all your weight on one foot, then step forward and back with the other foot as you push the vacuum forward and back. Use the back foot as a pivot when you turn.
• While talking on the phone, don't cradle the phone between your ear and shoulder. That can lock up the spinal joints in the neck and upper back, and cause pain. Instead, hold the phone with your hand or use the speakerphone.
• While watching television or relaxing, don't use the sofa arm as a pillow. The angle is much too sharp for your neck.
• Use a cold pack if your back begins to hurt. Wrap an ice pack in a towel moistened with warm water. The warmth gives way to gradual cold, which likely will alleviate the discomfort. (No ice? Try frozen veggies instead.)
• When working at a desk or computer, change the height of the seat every week. Variation of the angles reduces strain.
• If pain persists for more than a day or two or if you experience numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, see a doctor of chiropractic.

A doctor of chiropractic is an expert in spinal health and can help identify and treat your problem.

SUPPLEMENT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

We have found a great combination of supplements that has helped to stave off colds, flu and other seasonal illnesses. In combination, they provide the support necessary for a good immune response: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Total Leaky Gut, Essential Oils, Vit C, Lecithin, Vit E, 814, 43+, Inositol, Multi Minerals, and timed released Vit C. This combination used over a period of several months has been shown to enhance immune response. All available at the clinic.

What About The Flu?

Had your flu shot yet? You can get your Homeopathic Flu "shot" here for $5.00. Maybe you need to give your immune system a "shot in the arm" without having to get a shot in the arm. We have seen a lot of flu patients who have had shots and still contracted the flu. If the vaccine does not work for you or if you prefer an alternative, the homeopathic combinations of ACONITUM and ECHINACEA work very well. And of course, when you need to do anything with your immune response, remember these items will help:

• Adjustment of the thoracic spine increases the immune response
• Increase drinking water (get pure water)
• Get plenty of REST, not just sleep
• Vitamin C helps
• Exercise stimulates your immune response
• Avoid sugar
• Wash your hands after contact with people and before touching your eyes or mouth

The Rear End Collision

These are becoming more frequent now and you need to know what to do if you are hit from behind or slip into someonw else. Follow these simple rules if you are involved in a car accident and are not hospitalized:

• Stay calm and reduce movements of the spine
• Ice packs on the spine and neck for 5 minutes per hour will help for the first few days
• See your chiropractic physiciain right away - He is the only provider trained to evlauate spinal subluxations

For more information, click here!

In The News
In one year, health care spending in the U.S. increased 9.3% in 2002, totaling $1.6 trillion, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) which analyzes spending in the public and private health care sectors. Drug spending remained the fastest-growing item, a trend that is expected to continue in the next decade. Hospital spending also increased. Consumers also experienced a significant increase in out-of-pocket spending because of increased co-payments and deductibles. "As consumers share more of the increases in cost, the value of health services will be more closely weighed against other purchases, underscoring the considerable value of some services and the discretionary nature of others," wrote CMS authors. The report is published in the January/February 2004 issue of Health Affairs. Associated Press. January 8, 2004.

Some gyms across the U.S. are hoping to gain an edge over their competition by introducing information on diet as part of membership. Some gyms are handing out nutrition books to members; some are holding healthful cooking classes taught by local chefs or cookbook authors; and some are even pairing members with dietitians who accompany the member to restaurants and grocery stores to personally teach how to read labels and eat more healthfully. The Flagship Athletic Club in Eden Prairie, MN, have opened an in-house restaurant so that members can take food with them after a work-out and avoid the fast food temptation. The restaurant also has nutrition classes, cooking classes, and wine tastings. "People want to see results when they join, and we have to teach them they're not going to get results if they don't have an eating strategy," said Nanette Pattee Francini, co-founder of The Sports Club/LA chain. "Fully 50 percent of fitness is how you eat," she added. The Associated Press. January 8, 2004.

CURRENT RESEARCH
Cervical radiculopathy treated with chiropractic flexion distraction manipulation: A retrospective study in a private practice setting Background Although flexion distraction performed to the lumbar spine is commonly utilized and documented as effective, flexion distraction manipulation performed to the cervical spine has not been adequately studied.

Objective To objectively quantify data from the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to support the clinical judgment exercised for the use of flexion distraction manipulation to treat cervical radiculopathy. Design and setting A retrospective analysis of the files of 39 patients from a private chiropractic clinic that met diagnostic criteria for inclusion. All patients were diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy and treated by a single practitioner with flexion distraction manipulation and some form of adjunctive physical medicine modality.

Main outcome measures The VAS was used to objectively quantify pain. Of the 39 files reviewed, 22 contained an initial and posttreatment VAS score and were therefore utilized in this study. Results This study revealed a statistically significant reduction in pain as quantified by visual analogue scores. The mean number of treatments required was 13.2 ± 8.2, with a range of 6 to 37. Only 3 persons required more treatments than the mean plus 1 standard deviation.

Conclusion The results of this study show promise for chiropractic and manual therapy techniques such as flexion distraction, as well as demonstrating that other, larger research studies must be performed for cervical radiculopathy. Schliesser JS, et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. November/December 2003, Vol. 26, No. 9.

WE GET LETTERS
"I am impressed with the website and the information contained in the newsletters. If the HMO's could work as well as the Chiropractic community, we would all be in better shape. Thanks for the update."

Our patients get in the news. Randy and Melissa were on the front page of the Deseret News Sports section for climbing a bunch of mountain peaks. 70 peaks in five years and atop one was their engagement. We are honored to have them as patients and their committment to fitness is inspiring.

Please provide your input on the newsletter and the web page.

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL OFFERS
Family Vouchers are now avilable on request. Give any family member or close freind a voucher for a compimentary consultation and spinal examination, spinal screening, blood pressure screen, or body composition screen. Click Here and ask for a family voucher to be sent to you.

We have a new exercise program sheets for all parts of the body. These protocols range from simple stretching for increased range of motion to resistive movements for strength and rehabilitation. We can print simple descriptions for you at your next visit. Arth Aid - Detox now at bulk rates. Many people are requesting several pouches at a time for consistent relief. We have a bulk rate. Call to ask how you can save.

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MONTHLY REMINDER PLAN
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OUR STAFF
Dr. Bruce Gundersen - Chiropractic Orthopedics
Dr. Brandon Tinlin - Chiropractic Pediatrics and Homeopathy
Kate Robbins - Accounts
Curtis Gundersen - Office Manager
Laura Hill - Assistant
Bethany Burt - Accounts Assistant
Julia Mortimer - Records
Lou Gundersen - Courier

To Schedule an appointment, katerobbins@chpdc.com or call 801-272-8471.

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