Well it is that time again, back to school, and we Chiropractors will be talking and writing about a topic we are very concerned with, backpacks. Many of you parents are aware of a big problem with your children today. Their backpacks are too big and heavy and are literally weighing them down. Children who lug heavy backpacks can later develop more serious physical problems, such as chronic back pain and scoliosis, U.S. researchers reported. One survey found that backpacking students complained of soreness (67.2%), back pain (50.8%), numbness (24.5%), and shoulder pain (14.7%).

A study at Northeastern University found about 70 percent of middle school students who were observed were carrying around backpacks that were harmful to their growing bodies. Until a child is fully grown, the spine is affected by the stresses placed upon it. The American Chiropractic Association and the American Physical Therapy Association both agree that backpacks should weigh no more that 10-15% of a child’s body weight. So if your child weighs 40 pounds, the backpack should weigh 4-6 pounds. Conversely, if a backpack weighs 30 pounds, the child should weigh 300 lbs. I don’t believe either scenario is happening in today’s schools.

Another issue is that backpacks are being worn incorrectly. Using one shoulder strap or wearing them low creates different forces on the back. This will cause muscle imbalances and again lead to many different mechanical problems. A research article by David Pascoe et al. “Influence of Carrying Book Bags on Gait Cycle and Posture of Youths”, found that backpacks worn off one shoulder promoted lateral spinal bending and shoulder elevation. This awkward posture also causes a change in gait, causing a reduction in stride length and an increase in stride frequency. In other words they will walk differently, more steps but cover less ground. This, in turn, puts more stress on the spine and muscles. Theoretically, with a greater number of steps taken, more acute and chronic injuries will occur because of the repetitive mechanical stress associated with foot impact with walking. Interestingly, the children with the most pain carried their packs in their hands.

Now that kids are going back to school, I urge parents to do the following: Buy smaller backpacks, remind your kids to use their lockers, empty the backpack of unnecessary clutter. Consider using backpacks with rollers or ask to get a second set of books for home. More and more books are on line or can be downloaded onto your home computers. Ask your teachers, administrators or PTO organizations on how to get the books you need on a flash drive or DVD. Backpacks with individualized compartments help to distribute weight more evenly. Use both shoulder straps and adjust them to the child’s body.

Our office as I’m sure other chiropractors and physical therapist evaluate backpacks, their weight and proper usage. Click on this link to find out more about Kids and Chiropractic: http://southingtonchiropractor.com/custom_content/45124_kids_and_chiropractic_in_our_office.html

During the upcoming months, we will look at the backpack and how your child is using it, at no charge and make recommendations. I urge you to have their backpacks checked because “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”.

Most of you that have chronic Sinusitis have gone to your doctor for the standard medical treatment for sinusitis. This includes decongestants, antibiotics and antihistmines. While these drugs may alleviate nasal stuffiness, they have limited effects on the sinuses and have side effects such as insomnia, nervousness and high blood pressure.  And they can make the problem worse by thickening the mucus.

The Chiropractic approach is to relieve the stress on the nerous system and body structure which helps your body work more efficiently. This can help the sinuses drain without interference.

Furthermore, the chiropractic approach to sinusitis includes improving the immune system and the respiratory systems. Recent research has shown the White Blood Cells, part of the immune system, are tipped off to invaders by our nervous system.

The Chirorpactic approach is safe, effective and has no side effects. If you are interested in finding out about chiropractic care in our office go to our web site at www.southingtonchiropractor.com. We would love to help you.

Health insurance costs are out of control but Chiropractic care can help. We’re all painfully aware of this inflationary spiral. Monthly premiums are through the roof. Co-payments keep going up and up. Out-of-pocket expenses are so high we often wonder what we’re saving by purchasing health insurance at all.

Every family has been hit hard by these financial burdens but families under Chiropractic care have a little breathing room. If you’re self-employed, your health insurance premiums for adequate individual coverage are close to $1000 per month. These bills are too high for many small business owners, so they opt for catastrophic coverage. These policies still cost $4000 to $5000 per year. If you encounter medical problems, you have to pay up to $5000 or more in out-of-pocket expenses.

What solutions, if any, are available to U.S. citizens? The Federal government may or may not address our crumbling health care system in the next presidential administration. Individuals and families need to take steps on their own to ensure better health. Improved health and well-being always translate into reduced health care costs.1,2

Health-affirming lifestyle choices make a real difference in both short-term and long-term well-being. Old habits may need to be broken. New habits may need to be nurtured. The outcomes will be better health and increased savings by reducing health care expenditures.

Nutrition and fitness are often the primary categories needing improvement. Obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease, and diabetes are a few of the main culprits raising our national health insurance costs. Each of these can be positively impacted by achieving a better diet and engaging in regular exercise. Our office can help with each of these problems. Go to www.southingtonchiropractor.com or www.drcarolgrant.tsfl.com for more information.

Stopping smoking. Reducing alcohol consumption. Replacing soda with water. Cutting-down on snacks. Cutting-down on processed carbohydrates – white bread and white rice. Reducing portion size. Taking all these action steps, progressively and over time, will improve your overall state of health.3

Be in it for the long haul. Change doesn’t happen overnight – it’s a process. We’re talking about a lifetime of good health supported by good habits.

Chiropractic health care is an important part of the process of restoring well-being and reducing health care costs. Regular chiropractic visits help a person stay active and are a key component in returning to fitness. Chiropractic treatment helps to improve flexibility, balance, and stability, increasing your ability to exercise and making it more fun.

Use your chiropractor as a resource as you work on improving your health. Your chiropractor will have many valuable recommendations regarding healthful nutrition and healthful exercise, and will be glad to offer guidance and support in your journey to good health.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, there are two types of Scoliosis and both can be helped with Chiropractic care.  The first type is the functional type.  If a person has had a trauma, a car accident, a fall, the spine can become jammed with a tilt or a twist.  This can result in the pelvis, shoulders or head becoming unlevel.  By adjusting the involved area with gentle Chiropractic care, the jamming can be relieved and the unevenness corrected.  If you are interested in seeing some of the gentle techniques we use in our office go to our website by clicking the link to the right.  These techniques and others are safe and effective for children and adults of all ages.

The second type of scoliosis, the idiopathic type, is treatable but slower and requires a lot of commitment on the part of the patient.  There are certain exercises which require extensive retraining of muscles, stretching of tissue and re-molding of the curves.  While this office can start the process and identify which type of curvature is involved, the extensive re-modeling is done by chiropractors that specialize in scoliosis treatment only.  I would be happy to give you this information as well.  Call our office at 860-620-9523 or send me a message via this site.