September is just around the corner! That means your children will be looking towards a fresh start to the school year. A great way to start off is easing your children into a physically active lifestyle in order to stay fit, help with concentration, and maintain a healthy spine as they grow. Unfortunately, in Canada,
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Kids are heading back to school! That means many of them will be walking and carrying their backpacks to class filled with books and homework. As exciting as this time of year is, it’s important to remember those backpacks can actually cause back pain if they’re not worn or packed correctly. This school year, we
Kids are heading back to school! That means many of them will be walking and carrying their backpacks to class filled with books and homework. As exciting as this time of year is, it’s important to remember those backpacks can actually cause back pain if they’re not worn or packed correctly. This school year, we
If you’ve been following the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games you’ve probably seen the amount of rigorous training and physical strain the athletes endure to compete in their sport. In previous blog posts of our Back Series, during the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, we’ve focused on the importance of preventing injuries with
As Canada shines at the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, the chiropractic profession continues to support the health of athletes and other volunteers alike. In fact, nearly 140 chiropractic volunteers are onsite supporting the Games this summer! Often, chiropractors, as part of the healthcare team, not only help manage injuries but enhance athletic performance.
The musculoskeletal (MSK) system is made of an intricate network of muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments that help us perform the activities of daily life. It enables our physical movement as well as providing form, support and stability to our bodies. Injuries to any of these structures, or a combination of these, can cause
Driving with good posture will help you avoid back pain. This is especially true when you drive for a long distance, but you should get in the habit of good posture even on short trips. Here are posture tips specific to driving.
Relax Your Shoulders
Many people tense their shoulders while driving. This causes neck pain, shoulder aches and other, similar problems. Take a moment when driving to observe your body position and note whether or not you are scrunching your shoulders or leaning forward. Be conscious of letting your shoulders relax naturally every time you observe that you are tensing up.
Watch Your Grip
Gripping the steering wheel the whole time you are driving does not make you a safer driver and puts you at risk for aching muscles, particularly in the arms and wrists. Let your hands remain relaxed while holding the steering wheel. The only time a tighter grip is required is when you are making turns.
Adjust Seating and Steering
Good driving posture does not mean simply sitting up straight. In fact, a slight incline to the seat is better because it distributes your weight more evenly, putting less pressure on your spine. Adjust your seat so that you are just slightly inclined backward and that your knees are slightly lower than your hips. Your feet should reach all pedals easily without effort. In addition, your steering wheel should be angled and close enough that you do not have to hyper-extend your arms to reach it as this creates tension in the shoulders.
Avoid Slouching
While it is good to relax and remain comfortable while driving, slouching is not the answer. It might feel comfortable in the beginning, but slouching places stress on your muscles and bones, especially the lower back and sides. If you are slouching on longer drives, soon you will find you will need to change positions frequently to avoid pain. Look at the angle of your body. You should be only slightly reclined with your knees slightly lower than hip level rather than drawn up and your shoulders should be relaxed and even. Placing one arm on the window ledge tends to put your whole body slightly off center and should be avoided.
Years of driving with poor posture eventually takes a toll, but it is never too late to correct your posture. If your back pain keeps you from enjoying your drives or from living life to the fullest, book an appointment today at Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic by calling 780-455-2112.
Concussions can be a common form of injury, affecting between 5 and 10 percent of all athletes1. At times, symptoms of a concussion can be overlooked by players, coaches and parents; however, the reality remains that a concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously to prevent long-term consequences. Athletes should seek
As part of the medical services for the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games in Toronto this summer, there are nearly 140 volunteer chiropractors working alongside other healthcare professionals to help manage musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries among athletes. Chiropractic care as part of the medical services team can help manage MSK injuries and enhance performance to ensure