An Apple A Day?

Does An Apple A Day Keep The Doctor Away?

We have all heard the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Is there some degree of truth to it? Apples are loaded with antioxidants which are very beneficial to our health. Antioxidants guard against cell damage and provide protection against several diseases; diabetes, asthma, and lung cancer. Apples contain more antioxidants than any other fruit. A recent study conducted by Cornell University concludes that by eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables might be a significant factor in reducing the risk of developing brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. A single apple contains the same antioxidant properties as 1500 milligrams of vitamin C, and researchers agree that the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables are better than those available in supplements.

Ergonomic Tips

Ergonomic Tips

When lifting…
When lifting from the floor, keep your back straight and
lift with the legs. Do not bend over at the waist and lift
with the muscles of the low back. Your body is more
easily injured in this position.
Keep the object being lifted close to your body.
Keep your elbows flexed.
Keep your head up and your neck straight as you lift.

When working with a computer mouse…
Don’t move the mouse with just your wrist.
Use your entire arm and shoulder.
Don’t rest your arm on the edge of the desk while
manipulating the mouse.
Hold the mouse loosely.
Keep your wrist relaxed. Don’t hold it up or down;
instead, hold it in a neutral (straight) position
Move away from the mouse several times per hour
and move your wrists, arms, and shoulders around

Dr. Benjamin A. Caruso

Fairport Chiropractic

1157 Fairport Road

Fairport, NY 14450

Disc

Sometimes Discs Can Be A Real Pain!
They may slip, slide, herniate, or rupture but they have an important job to do. Often likened to shock absorbers, intervertebral discs act as cushions to keep the vertebrae from rubbing against one another. Made up of a tough outer layer and a gelatin-like center, they are held in place with ligaments. But what happens when you have a slipped, torn, ruptured or herniated disc (terms for the same condition)? Sometimes cracks develop in the outer disc layer. When this happens, some of the material in the disc center may leak or bulge and press on spinal nerves and cause pain. The two most common areas for disc involvement are the cervical (neck) area and the lumbar (low Back) spine. Disc problems in the lumbar spine are the most common cause of lower back pain. General wear and tear, traumatic injury to a lumbar disc and chronic improper lifting techniques are common causes. However, it is natural for discs to degenerate with age, so any type of strain or twisting movement can cause damage. A genetic predisposition may also exist. Disc problems respond well to chiropractic care and are one of the biggest conditions we treat.

The Purpose Of Pain

The Purpose Of Pain

If you have back pain, headaches or other muscle and joint pains or know of someone who does, making the pain go away is a major goal. But what is the purpose of pain? It turns out there are some very important reasons why we are equipped to sense pain. Dorland’s Medical Dictionary, used by health professionals around the world, list more than 34 different ones! Pain causes you to pay attention to something that’s not working right. It is a warning that a limit of some type has been reached; that the body is not equipped to or cannot adapt further. So in many ways pain is a good thing, it is a warning. We get into trouble only when we misinterpret the pain, or think we can simply make it go away without attending to the underlying cause. Our immediate goal is to relieve the pain as quickly as possible, but more importantly our primary interest is the cause of the pain. Covering up the pain may be convenient but is costly in the long run. We want to correct the cause of the problem so that the pain does not keep reoccurring and joint degeneration and muscle changes do not set in. We stress our backs and necks everyday and if not properly maintained arthritic changes will develop.

Research

Current Research

Two of the most common areas that chiropractors treat are the neck and low back. Injuries to these areas are some of the most common seen in healthcare in general. A recent study looked at effective ways to treat the injuries to these areas. More specifically, the study compared spinal manipulation versus medication for those suffering from a recent bout of neck pain. Most often people with neck pain will at first utilize medication to control the pain they are in. However, there is little research to prove what treatment method is best for the patient. Mechanical neck pain is a common condition that affects an estimated 70% of persons at some point in their lives. Participants in the study had neck pain and received either medication or spinal manipulation for their treatment. At the end of the study, it was concluded that for participants with acute and sub-acute neck pain, spinal manipulation was more effective than medication in both the short and long term. It is important to remember that options are always available when it comes to dealing with pain. Patient centered care is the top priority.

Did You Know

Did You Know…

· Blood travels more than 60,000 miles each day through the body.

· Oatmeal is a common ingredient in many topical skin applications.

· The average brain weighs about 3 lbs., but more than 2 lbs. of that is water.

· When you blink an eye, you move over 200 muscles.

· Green tea contains catechins, flavonoids which kill germs and help reduce the sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

Fish Prevents Fat

Fish Prevents Fat

Now there is more evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can reduce heart disease. In particular, eating fish seems to reduce the fat deposits on artery walls. A recent study conducted with 223 heart disease patients is revealing. One group received a fish oil concentrate and the other took a placebo. After two years, researchers compared their findings of the two groups. Not only did those taking fish oil have fewer heart related problems, their heart imaging showed twice as much improvement as the placebo group. Fish with the greatest supplies of omega-3 include salmon, mackerel, herring and trout. If you are a vegetarian, a small amount of flaxseed can be substituted.

Tips To Avoid Back Pain

Tips to Prevent Back Pain

  • Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
  • Remain active—under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
  • Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
  • Warm up or stretch before exercising or physical activities, such as gardening.
  • Maintain proper posture.
  • Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
  • Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
  • Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
  • Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.

Dr. Benjamin A. Caruso

Fairport Chiropractic

1157 Fairport Road

Fairport, NY 14450