How your phone is suffocating you

Chances are you're watching this while leaning over a device or slumped back in a chair. The position may be causing you pain, even if you don't feel it. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the effect "text neck" is having on our bodies.

With the boom in technology that has young children to older adults engaged we are just scratching the surface of the side-effects. The best bet is to improve your overall strength with some focus on the upper back muscles. Increased muscle tone will improve your posture and make holding your head less fatiguing.
Chiropractic care and massage will also ease your ills especially if your work requires extensive computer use.

Dr. David Marcon

Have YOU got text neck?

How hunching over your phone puts 60 lbs of extra pressure on the spine

Do you spend hours hunched over your phone, checking texts, tweets and emails?

Do you also suffer from neck and back pain? If so, the two may well be related.

New research has found that slumping to read a text or study a selfie can put undue pressure on the neck, leading to a sore back. This is because bending the neck increases the pressure put on the spine.

Bending the head at a 60 degree angle to look at a phone screen puts 60 lbs – or 27kg – worth of pressure on the cervical spine, the part of the spine above the shoulders, the study found.

At more than four stone in weight, that is heavier than the average seven year old.

The extra pressure put on the neck leads to early wear and tear and the person may eventually need surgery, experts said.

Led by Dr Kenneth Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, researchers found the amount of force on the neck increases with the degree it is bent.

Tilting the head by 45 degree adds the force of 49lbs – or 22kg – to the neck, A 30 degree neck tilt equals 40lbs – or 18kg – , while a mere 15 degrees puts an extra 27lbs – 12kg – on the spine.

Writing in the study, the researchers said: 'The weight seen by the spine dramatically increases when flexing the head forward at varying degrees.'

HOW TO PROMOTE GOOD POSTURE 

• Put a sign at eye level in front of your desk reminding yourself to gently squeeze your shoulders together and not to slump when you are sitting.
• Smile. Positive 'facial posture' plays an essential part in signaling an upward lift in our mood.
• Eating 200mg of oily fish twice a week will help to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Stretch every so often at your desk. Place your hands behind your head, squeeze your elbows together and gently movebackwards until you feel a stretch in the tight area of your upper back.
• Persist. Retraining your muscles to keep you in an upright position can seem like hard work at first, but the more you practise, the more natural it becomes.

The loss of the 'natural curve' of the cervical spine leads to increased stress on the neck, they added.

They said: 'These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration and possibly surgeries.'

The concluded: 'While it is nearly impossible to avoid the technologies that cause these issues, individuals should make an effort to look at their phones with a neutral spine and to avoid spending hours each day hunched over.' 

The study will be published in the upcoming issue of journal Surgical Technology International.

According to the researchers, bad posture is when the head is tilted forward and the shoulders drop forward in a rounded position.

Good posture was defined as having ears aligned with the shoulders and the shoulder blades retracted. 

Previous studies have linked bad posture to a number of health problems, including back pain, weight gain, constipation, heartburn, migraines, and respiratory conditions.

In September, researchers from New Zealand found slouching also has an effect on mental health, making a person depressed, angry, even killing their libido.

Good posture, on the other hand, has been shown to optimise physical and mental health.

Experts advise that sitting up straight allows blood and oxygen to flow freely around the body, and leads to good digestion. 

It can also trigger the brain to send out more happiness molecules known as endorphins into the blood, while also reducing the stress hormone cortisol.  

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2839455/Why-hunching-phone-gives-pain-Image-shows-tilting-head-puts-four-STONE-extra-pressure-neck.html#ixzz3JeVjYgxD
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Dr David Marcon
463 Ohio Pike; Suite 104
Cincinnati,Ohio 45255
513-474-1111
www.marconchiropractic.com

Study Shows Chiropractic Offers 94% Success Rate for Neck Pain Sufferers

In our chiropractic office located in the Professional Center at the Beechmont Racquet & Fitness Club, it is not uncommon to see people who are suffering with neck pain. Unfortunately, some of our patients tried to “wait it out” to see if their neck pain would go away on its own (which it didn’t). However, a study published inThe Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy suggests that engaging in chiropractic care is a better solution as 94% of sufferers can experience relief—even after just one week!

For purposes of this study, researchers split sixty-four subjects into two separate groups. Both groups participated in cervical spine nonthrust manipulation (which is when we work on your neck area), receiving two sessions each, and they were also asked to do some exercises at home. In addition, the second group engaged in thoracic spine thrust manipulations (your thoracic area is your upper and middle back) to see if this helped relieve their neck pain. The results?

Thirty-one of the thirty-four people assigned to the second group—or, 94%—showed “significantly greater improvements” in the level of neck pain they were experiencingand they noticed reduced disability in that area of their body. And this was only after one week, or two sessions, of treatment!

So, if you are experiencing neck pain, you don’t have to sit around, hoping that your discomfort leaves on its own. Call Marcon Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Cincinnati, Ohio today so that you can begin to experience relief as soon as possible!

David Marcon, DC
463 Ohio Pike, Suite 104
(Below Beacon Orthopedics on Beechmont Avenue)
513-474-1111
www.marconchiropractic.com
 

Your Headaches Might Be Caused by Neck Dysfunction

Do you ever experience neck stiffness or pain with your headaches? Recent research suggests that neck and head pain are more related than you think.

 

 

One study examined whether headaches and cervical spine impairment were linked in patients with head pain. Of the patients evaluated, 90% had cervicogenic headaches, or headaches linked to neck pain. Furthermore, the severity of patients’ headaches impacted the range of motion in their necks. This study demonstrates the strong relationship between cervical spine (neck) impairment and cervicogenic headaches.


Visit a chiropractor in your area to determine whether your headaches are related to impairment and pain in your neck.





Hall TM, Briffa K, Hopper D, Robinson KW. The relationship between cervicogenic headache and impairment determined by the flexion-rotation test. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy. 2010 Nov-Dec; 33(9):666-71.

Written by: Marissa Luck on September 21, 2014.
Last revised by: Michael Melton

 

 

David Marcon, DC
463 Ohio Pike, Suite 104
Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
513-474-1111
www.marconchiropractic.com

 

Prescription Painkillers Deadlier Than Heroin

As rates of prescription painkillers soar, new research from theAmerican Journal of Public Health reveals just how deadly opioids can be. Media reports on these deaths focus on doctor errors and websites selling the drugs, but researchers from McGill University in Canada are finding something else.

What they found was that in 2010, prescription painkillers resulted in more than 16,000 deaths in the US, reports Medical News Today. That number was greater than the amount of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined – and there was little influence from websites and doctor errors.

The big problem is in how the painkillers work. They do decrease pain but in the process, the drugs bind to the same receptors in the brain that create a ‘high’; a sense of euphoria. These same receptors are also linked to addiction and physical dependence. This is why many people on prescription painkillers end up seeking their next dose – to feel the euphoria.

In fact, in 2010 over 12 million people used prescription painkillers without a prescription or because they wanted to get high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These drugs also automatically cause you to slow down and relax to the point of sedation. That may seem like a good thing, but when your breathing slows down so much, you can end up in cardiac arrest.

Those likely to die from painkillers were people who combined them with other drugs and alcohol, and those who were taking the strongest, long-lasting opioids such as oxycodon.

One way to decrease the continually growing number of people on painkillers is to go right to the source of pain and address the issue. Many people take opioids for soft tissue injuries or spinal conditions; yet, these drugs are totally avoiding the primary goal – to heal the affected tissues.

Chiropractic manipulation of the spine and joints alleviates discomfort by decreasing compression of spinal nerves and allowing the affected body part to receive the proper nervous system influence that stimulates healing. Numerous studies have shown for example that patients who only receive care from a medical doctor for their back or neck pain don’t experience the same benefits that patients under chiropractic care do. For instance, one studyfrom The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that patients with chronic lower back pain reported more improvements and a greater satisfaction with their treatment after one month compared to patients treated by a medical doctor.

The answer to the increasing deaths from painkillers seems quite obvious – involve chiropractors more often in medical treatment plans – and watch the potential victims return back to performing a vital role in the community.

 Photo by The Javorac via Creative Commons

Reference

King NB. Determinants of Increased Opioid-Related Mortality in the United States and Canada, 1990–2013: A Systematic Review.  American Journal of Public Health, doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301966, published online 18 June 2014, Abstract.

Written by: Donna Schwontkowski on July 2, 2014.
Last revised by: Marissa Luck

Chiropractic Cuts Headache by 50%

Cervicogenic headaches, or headaches that originate in the neck, are usually more than a little bothersome. Not only do they cause you a decent amount of pain, but they can also reduce your quality of life – especially if you start avoiding certain events or activities you used to love due to the hurt. Fortunately, according to a study published in The Spine Journal, relief may be just a few chiropractic visits away.

Researchers took 80 people who suffered with regular, chronic cervicogenic headaches and split them up into two groups, with some individuals participating in eight weeks of light massage and the rest receiving spinal manipulation therapy for the same amount of time. Then each group was split yet again with some members receiving treatment once a week and others receiving double that amount, or twice a week sessions, totaling 16 visits all together.

Individuals treated by a chiropractor were more likely to see a 50% improvement in the amount of pain they were experiencing. They also experienced a 50% reduction in headache frequency compared to the group who had light massage. Additionally, the gains experienced by the subjects who received 16 chiropractic adjustments were only slightly higher than those who received eight adjustments.

Reference

Haas M, et al. Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Spine Journal. 2010; 10: 117-128.

Prescription Painkillers Deadlier Than Heroin

As rates of prescription painkillers soar, new research from the American Journal of Public Health reveals just how deadly opioids can be. Media reports on these deaths focus on doctor errors and websites selling the drugs, but researchers from McGill University in Canada are finding something else.

What they found was that in 2010, prescription painkillers resulted in more than 16,000 deaths in the US, reports Medical News Today. That number was greater than the amount of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined – and there was little influence from websites and doctor errors.

The big problem is in how the painkillers work. They do decrease pain but in the process, the drugs bind to the same receptors in the brain that create a ‘high’; a sense of euphoria. These same receptors are also linked to addiction and physical dependence. This is why many people on prescription painkillers end up seeking their next dose – to feel the euphoria.

In fact, in 2010 over 12 million people used prescription painkillers without a prescription or because they wanted to get high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These drugs also automatically cause you to slow down and relax to the point of sedation. That may seem like a good thing, but when your breathing slows down so much, you can end up in cardiac arrest.

Those likely to die from painkillers were people who combined them with other drugs and alcohol, and those who were taking the strongest, long-lasting opioids such as oxycodon.

One way to decrease the continually growing number of people on painkillers is to go right to the source of pain and address the issue. Many people take opioids for soft tissue injuries or spinal conditions; yet, these drugs are totally avoiding the primary goal – to heal the affected tissues.

Chiropractic manipulation of the spine and joints alleviates discomfort by decreasing compression of spinal nerves and allowing the affected body part to receive the proper nervous system influence that stimulates healing. Numerous studies have shown for example that patients who only receive care from a medical doctor for their back or neck pain don’t experience the same benefits that patients under chiropractic care do. For instance, one study from The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that patients with chronic lower back pain reported more improvements and a greater satisfaction with their treatment after one month compared to patients treated by a medical doctor.

The answer to the increasing deaths from painkillers seems quite obvious – involve chiropractors more often in medical treatment plans – and watch the potential victims return back to performing a vital role in the community.

 Photo by The Javorac via Creative Commons

Reference

King NB. Determinants of Increased Opioid-Related Mortality in the United States and Canada, 1990–2013: A Systematic Review.  American Journal of Public Health, doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301966, published online 18 June 2014, Abstract.

Written by: Donna Schwontkowski on July 2, 2014.

David Marcon, DC,CCSP

Marcon Chiropractic & Wellness Center

463 Ohio Pike, Suite 104

Cincinnati Ohio 45255

(513) 474-1111

Neck Adjustments Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

Most people with chronic headache depend on medication to get by, but a recent study reminds us of the power of drug-free treatments.



Cervicogenic headache is estimated to affect between 20-25% of the adult population, but because the symptoms often mimic migraine and tension-type headache, the diagnosis can be easily overlooked.

This headache type is caused by musculoskeletal impairments in the cervical spine, or neck, that cause pain at the base of the skull or above the eyes. Patients also often report dizziness and lightheartedness. Both invasive and non-invasive treatments are available for CGH, but more research was needed to confirm the effectiveness of non-invasive approaches.

A recent study included a meta-analysis of six randomized, controlled trials on the effects of manual therapies for CGH. The interventions assessed included therapist-driven cervical manipulation and mobilization (neck adjustments); self-applied cervical mobilization; cervico-scapular strengthening; and therapist-driven cervical and thoracic manipulation.

Patients in all but one study reported a decrease in disability and pain after these treatments, as well as an improvement in function. The researchers found that a combined treatment of therapist-driven cervical manipulation and mobilization, along with strengthening exercises, were the most effective for minimizing pain.

These results add to previous research demonstrating the efficacy of a combined chiropractic and exercise treatment for CGH. Before you reach for medication for your headache, consider seeing a chiropractor who can help to diagnose and treat your headache once and for all.

References

Jull G, Trott P, Potter H, et al. A randomized controlled trail of exercise and manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache. Spine 2002; 27(17):1835-1843.
Racicki S, et al. Conservative physical therapy management for the treatment of cervicogenic headache: a systemic review. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy 2013; 21(2): 113-124. 

Written by: Marissa Luck on January 28, 2014.on January 27, 2014.

David Marcon, DC
463 Ohio Pike, Suite 104
Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
513-474-1111
drdave@marconchiropractic.com
www.marconchiropractic.com 

Ease office neck pain with two minutes of daily exercise

A new study presented at the World Congress of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in Denver found that office workers doing two minutes of exercise a day reported lower levels of neck and shoulder pain after 10 weeks.

Here a few things that I took away from this piece:

1. Two minutes of resistance exercise reduced perception of pain in the neck/upper back in office workers as much as twelve minutes of the same resistance exercise. Therefore, more exercise is not necessarily better.

2. The reduction in pain perceived by the office workers was only 1.4 on a 10 point scale. This is not enough improvement to stimulate office workers to continue the exercise plan despite the mere 2 minutes a day. In our microwave society, changes have to be more dramatic to entice the masses to consistently do anything.

3. When determining a set of symptoms is musculo-skeletal, and more importantly related to reduced muscle tone, muscular endurance is the antidote. Developing muscular endurance is best served with daily exercise.

When diagnosing the root cause of any set of symptoms, it is extremely important to understand that pain is a small part of the equation. In office workers it would be very important to determine if the condition is predominantly mechanical or are there co founding issues that preclude the body from functioning on a high level. Diet, Sleep, Drug regimen-most Americans are taking an average of 2 prescriptions as well as Over-the-Counter medications. These and many more scenarios relate to accumulation of inflammation and the inability of the body to heal itself which can contribute to joint pain and discomfort.

Dr David Marcon
Work Smarter Not Harder!
Cincinnati, Ohio
www.drdavidmarcon.com

Duke University endorses Chiropractic Care for Headaches

Duke University Headache's & Chiropractic

Chiropractic Deemed An Effective Treatment for Cervicogenic Headaches

In a large study conducted in 2001 by Duke University's Evidence-Based Practice Center for Clinical Health Policy Research

a goal was set to identify and summarize from controlled trials, the efficacy of behavioral and physical treatments for tension-type and cervicogenic headaches.

Different studies from everything from traditional medical intervention, to acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, relaxation techniques and biofeedback were looked at.

Amongst many of the conclusions, the study summarized that: "If effective and available, non-drug treatments may be the first choice for most patients and may also be well suited for the significant minority of patients who: (a) have poor tolerance of pharmacological treatments; (b) have medical contraindications for pharmacological treatments; (c) experience insufficient relief from, or are unresponsive to, pharmacological treatment; (d) wish to become pregnant (or are nursing); (e) have a history of long-term, frequent, or excessive use of analgesic or abortive medications that can aggravate headache problems; or (f) simply prefer to avoid medication use".

Conclusions With Regard to Chiropractic:

Cervical manipulation was associated with significant improvements in headache outcomes in trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck dysfunction and headache.

Adverse effects are uncommon with manipulation, and this may be one of its appeals over drug treatment.

Manipulation is effective in patients with cervicogenic headaches...


Dr David Marcon
Working Smarter Not Harder!
Cincinnati, Ohio
www.drdavidmarcon.com