National Chiropractic Month Spotlights Technology Injuries
Posted Oct 10 2011 3:49pm
Increase of musculoskeletal injuries due to exorbitant use of technology
Technology may be a good thing but where your body is concerned it just may lead to neck, back, wrist, thumb pain and other musculoskeletal injuries.
Doctors of chiropractic use hands on whole body approach to health and wellness with specific knowledge of the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal pain and injuries.
With the injuries mounting from the growing numbers of persons using technology such as Blackberry’s and texting away non-stop the DC’s are sharing ergonomic and other tips to avoid injuries that will still have you using technology but being healthy while doing it.
Believe it or not you could end up with the Blackberry thumb meaning the joint, wrist pain and inflammation caused by overuse of any personal digit whether it is the thumb or index finger. Do not ignore the pain for if let untreated it could lead to severe pain, weakness and in some cases disability.
What causes this condition? The thumb joints performing the same action constantly. That constant tapping and flicking just does not help. X-rays and examine will determine if the condition is present. Conventional practitioners usually order rest of the thumb or splinting and anti-inflammatory medications. Chiropractic treatments may include order rest of thumbs, thumb strapping and gentle stretches or target massage.
Constantly texting and noticing neck pain you just may have text neck which is caused by poor posture when using those mobile devices. Your body is hunched over with your head drooping forward and your shoulders rounded as you are texting away. Chiropractic treatments include a neck adjustment called cervical manipulation which will loosen the joints in the cervical vertebra of the neck. This manipulation can also decrease pain produced by a pinched nerve and muscle spasms.
Chiropractic suggestions to avoid this condition include sitting up straight and bringing your arms up in front of your eyes so you do not have to look down to see the screen.
For those of us who type away all day on that keyboard that forget important things like proper posture and keeping our wrists straight could develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is one of the most costly work related injuries today. Patients with CTS in their lifetime will pay around $30,000 in medical costs and lose hours of work due to absences.
CTS develop when the median nerve (runs from forearm into hand) becomes compressed in the carpal tunnel (a narrow tunnel at the end of the wrist comprised of bones and soft tissues like nerves and tendons). This compression can end up in pain, weakness and/or numbness in hands and wrists which circulates up to the forearm. Burning, itching and numbness are just some signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.
CTS need to be diagnosed and treated early. A chiropractic exam of the hands, arms, neck and shoulders can determine if the symptoms are associated to daily activities or an underlying disorder. Chiropractors can also do other testing specifically to produce the symptoms of CTS.
Chiropractic treatment includes joint manipulation, mobilizing the hand and wrist, stretching and strengthening exercises, soft tissue mobilization techniques.
Proper posture and movement as instructed by your chiropractor can help.
Over 30 million schools now use computer technology for their students resulting in more chiropractors seeing children who are suffering the effects of working at computer stations designed for adults. Many children endure repetitive motion injuries like CTS along with chronic pain in neck, hands and back.
Dr. Scott Bautch, member of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health stated Emphasis needs to be placed on teaching children how to properly use computer workstations.”
Chiropractic care is still the most favored approach in alternative therapies.
Chiropractic care is for all ages from the very young child to seniors. More and more parents now are realizing the importance of spinal health and are now adding chiropractic care to their children’s regular care regimen.
Chiropractic care is not to replace pediatric care but as additional care. Pediatricians and doctors of chiropractic do work well together to give the child the best possible health care.
There have been dozens of studies substantiating chiropractic care for children in the areas of back and neck pain but other studies have also shown chiropractic care can be effective for other conditions such as asthma, colic, ear infections, bed wetting and learning disorders.
Come in once or twice a month to see your chiropractor even if you are feeling to keep your spine healthy and feel great.