We commonly ask patients in our clinic to describe to us the way in which a health concern arose for them.  Many times they will describe a specific action that they performed at home doing a chore, a certain movement in a sporting event, or an accident that occurred at work.  However, our doctors have noticed a growing trend of patients stating certain postures or repetitive motions leading to the start of their physical complaints.  “We attribute this to the fact that people are working longer hours in a single position and performing more specialized repetitive tasks than they used to five to ten years ago,” states Dr. Nathan Zachor.

Working in one position for prolonged periods such as sitting at a computer desk, driving long distances, and standing on an assembly line are examples of one type of occupational injury that results from “postural strain”.

Another type of work injury results from repeatedly performing one or two tasks multiple times over the course of time at work.  Examples of “repetitive motion” injuries that occur at work include typing which can lead to carpal tunnel of the hands or lifting and twisting boxes which may lead to disc injury.

“There’s a common notion that work injuries always result from traumatic accidents.  It has been documented that “postural strain” and “repetitive motion” injuries are strongly associated with and commonly result from workplace exposure.

Numerous studies have documented that doctors of chiropractic return patients to work faster, have increased patient satisfaction with care, and reduce costs associated with treatment and disability for work injuries in comparison with other healthcare providers.  There is a common misunderstanding that we hear from our patients that they were told that they need to seek evaluation and treatment from the company medical doctor or nurse case worker.  The fact is that you may seek any healthcare provider for your evaluation and treatment.  You may be asked to be evaluated by another provider at the request of your employer.  However, you are not required to continue treatment with that provider or a provider that the doctor refers you to.

Our doctors are certified in many of today’s latest techniques for treating musculoskeletal injuries that result from the workplace, such as…

-Exercise and Functional Rehabilitation

-Joint Manipulation and Mobilization

-Active Release (ART) and Graston Techniques

-Cold Laser Therapy

If you have a health concern that you would like to discuss with one of our doctors, please call our clinic at 434-2221.  One of the doctors will be available to discuss your health questions and concerns.

Japanese researchers have found home-based exercises to be more effective in the treatment of chronic low back pain than prescribed NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). While NSAIDs can reduce inflammation and pain, they are a form of passive care that fails to address functionality issues such as limited motion, muscular weakness and muscular imbalances, not to mention the many negative side effects associated with NSAID use. Home-based exercises are not only natural and far safer, they specifically address functional issues and deficiencies in a proactive manner. And thus, it goes to reason that both men and women (mean age of approx. 42 years) who participated in the home-based exercises versus the NSAIDs during the 12-month study experienced more significant improvements in both reported low back pain and overall disability.

New research indicates vitamin D may be effective at reducing infections and colds. In this new study, researchers found that a group of young military men who supplemented with 400 IU’s (international units) daily for 6 months versus those who supplemented with a placebo experienced a significantly higher likelihood of having no days missed from work due to a respiratory illness. Moreover, of those taking the vitamin D supplement half remained healthy during the 6-month study as compared with approximately just one third of those taking the placebo. While more studies are needed, this new research does appear to indicate some benefits of vitamin D in reducing sickness or at least, the severity of sickness. It should be noted that vitamin D when taken in higher dosages is toxic and negative side effects can and do occur beyond 2,000 IU’s per day.

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to those suffering from autism. However, past research hasn’t been able to provide evidence that antidepressants are actually useful for those diagnosed with autism. A recent U.S. government funded study reported that antidepressants, more specifically Celexa, was no better than a placebo for improving repetitive behaviors in children with autism. Researchers have now completed a new review of this study along with six other related studies present in the medical literature. Their findings – there was no evidence that antidepressants were any better than a placebo at reducing repetitive behaviors or any other symptoms in children suffering from autism. According to the researchers who conducted this recent scientific review of medical literature, there is no basis for recommending the routine use of antidepressants in the treatment of austism.