CHOICES NEWSLETTER

September 21, 2006

Welcome to CHOICES, Gutrich Chiropractic and Naprapathy's Newsletter

Keeping you up-to-date in the constantly changing and expanding field of complementary health care. Forward to a friend!

Get in Shape to Tackle Your Yard

Before you rev up the lawnmower or reach for the rake, consider the possible consequences: back strain, neck strain and pain in the shoulders.

Just as playing football or golf can injure your body, the twisting, bending, and reaching of mowing and raking can also cause injury if your body is not prepared. Like an athelete, if you leap into something without warming up, the chances of injury are greater.

Tips to Avoid Injury

1) Do stretching exercises, without bouncing, for 10 to 15 minutes during the course of your work. Do knees-to-chest pulls, trunk rotations, and side-bends with hands above your head and fingers locked. Take a short walk to stimulate circulation. When finished, repeat these exercises.

2) Stand as straight as possible, and keep your head up as you rake or mow.

3) When raking, use the “scissors stance”: right foot forward and left foot back for a few minutes, then reverse.

4) Bend at the knees, not the waist, as you pick up piles of leaves or grass.

5) When mowing, use your whole bodyweight to push the mower, rather than just your arms and back.

6) If your mower has a pullcord, don’t twist at the waist or yank the cord. Instead, bend at the knees and pull in one smooth motion.

7) Drink lots of water, and wear protective gear, such as a hat, long pants and gloves.

If you feel soreness or stiffness in the back, use ice to soothe the discomfort. If there’s no improvement in two or three days, call us for advice.
>adapted from the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association<

Steroids and Adolescents

As a new school year is starting, so is training for school sports. Many young atheletes turn to steroids when they think they need a competitive edge. It is important to know the signs and effects steroids have on the body.

Anabolic androgenic steroids are derivatives of testosterone and have many side-effects. The common signs are: increased weight gain in a short amount of time, puffy or bloated facial features, acne, mood swings, irritability and aggression.

Many adolescents find steroids in certain supplements obtained on the web, most of which are illegal. They can be taken in pill, powder or injectable form.

Steroids have a damaging effect on many organs of the body. As many as 80% of individuals who use certain kinds of steroids have developed liver disorders. Cholesterol is affected, with increases in bad cholesterol (LDL)and decreases in good cholesterol (HDL) common. Hypertension and decreased immunity are also common. Tumors have been reported with steroid use that include carcinoma of the prostate and leukemia.

It is important to note that using steroids won’t make you a better athelete. They build muscle, but do not improve skills such as reflexes, hand-eye coordination, balance or reaction-time.

Chiropractic can help to improve athletic performance naturally through spinal manipulations that improve the mechanical function of your body and joints. This, in turn, helps the body move and react more efficiently. Chiropractors can also teach proper training techniques and use nutrition to help you achieve your greatest potential.