Computer Ergonomics for CHILDREN!!!

At least 70 percent of America’s 30 million elementary

school students use computers, according to a recent

New York Times article. As a result of this increased

usage, doctors of chiropractic are treating more young

patients suffering from the effects of working at computer

stations that are either designed for adults or

poorly designed for children. Many children are already

suffering from repetitive motion injuries (RMI) such as

carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic pain in the hands,

back, neck and shoulders.

A recently published study conducted by a team of

researchers from Cornell University found that 40 percent

of the elementary school children they studied

used computer workstations that put them at postural

risk. The remaining 60 percent scored in a range indicating

“some concern.”

“Emphasis needs to be placed on teaching children

how to properly use computer workstations,” stated

Dr. Scott Bautch, of the American Chiropractic

Association’s Council on Occupational Health.

“Poor work habits and computer workstations that

don’t fit a child’s body during the developing years can

have harmful physical effects that can last a lifetime.

Parents need to be just as concerned about their children’s

interaction with their computer workstations as

they are with any activities that may affect their children’s

long-term health,” added Dr. Bautch.

What Can You Do?

 

• If children and adults in your home share the

same computer workstation, make certain that

the workstation can be modified for each

child’s use.

• Position the computer monitor so the top of the

screen is at or below the child’s eye level. This

can be accomplished by taking the computer

off its base or stand, or having the child sit on

firm pillows or phone books to reach the

desired height.

• Make sure the chair at the workstation fits the

child correctly. An ergonomic back cushion, pillow

or a rolled-up towel can be placed in the

small of the child’s back for added back support.

• There should be two inches between the front

edge of the seat and the back of the knees.

The chair should have arm supports so that

elbows are resting within a 70- to 135-degree

angle to the computer keyboard.

• Wrists should be in a neutral position while typing

– not angled up or down. The mousing surface

should be close to the keyboard so your

child doesn’t have to hold the arm out. 

• The child’s knees should be positioned at an

approximate 90- to 120-degree angle. To

accomplish this angle, feet can be placed on a

foot rest, box, stool or similar object.

• Reduce eyestrain by making sure there is adequate

lighting and that there is no glare on the

monitor screen. Use an antiglare screen if necessary.

• Limit your child’s time at the computer and

make sure he or she takes periodic stretch

breaks during computing time. Stretches can

include: clenching hands into fists and moving

them in 10 circles inward and 10 circles outward;

placing hands in a praying position and

squeezing them together for 10 seconds and

then pointing them downward and squeezing

them together for 10 seconds; spreading fingers

apart and then closing them one by one; 

standing and wrapping arms around the body

and turning all the way to the left and then all

the way to the right.

• Your child’s muscles need adequate hydration

to work properly and avoid injury. Encourage

your child to drink four 8-ounce glasses of

water a day. Carbonated beverages, juices and

other sweet drinks are not a substitute.

• Urge your child’s school or PTA officials to provide

education on correct computer ergonomics

and to install ergonomically correct workstations. 

“If your child continues to complain of pain and strain

from sitting at a computer, see a doctor of chiropractic,”

urges Dr. Bautch. “A chiropractor can help alleviate

your child’s pain and help prevent further injury.” 

This information has been reprinted with the permission of acatoday.com

 

Acupuncture what is it? Will it help?

ACUPUNCTURE

 

Acupuncture is a non-drug, non-invasive therapy that

may produce a variety of benefits—from pain management

to helping with nausea associated with

chemotherapy. According to the 2002 National Health

Interview Survey, an estimated 8.2 million Americans

have been to an acupuncturist, and an estimated 2.1

million U.S. adults used acupuncture in the previous

year. Since the use of acupuncture has spread widely in

the U.S. in the past 20 years, researchers are studying

the benefits of acupuncture for many conditions, including

low-back pain, headaches, and osteoarthritis of the

knee.

Acupuncture may be useful as an independent treatment

for some conditions, but it can also be used as a

complement to other healthcare therapies.

The philosophy of acupuncture

One of the oldest healing arts, acupuncture originated in

China and other Asian countries thousands of years

ago. Acupuncture practitioners believe that all illness is

caused from interference with the flow of energy, also

called chi, and imbalance of two opposing and complementary

forces within the body: yin, the cold and passive

aspect, and yang, the hot, active, and excited

aspect.

To restore the balance between yin and yang and to

unblock chi, acupuncture stimulates specific points of

the body through several techniques, including insertion

of hair-thin metal needles through the skin. In Chinese

medicine, chi is believed to flow through pathways

(meridians) in the body, which are accessible through

more than 350 acupuncture points. Western medicine

explains the effect of acupuncture through stimulating

nerves, muscles, and connective tissue, which

increases the body’s natural activity to regulate pain and

increase blood flow.

Before your visit

• Ask your doctor of chiropractic or another

health care provider for a referral. Some

doctors of chiropractic practice acupuncture,

too.

• Ask people you trust for recommendations.

• Check online referral listings of national

acupuncture organizations.

• Check the acupuncturist’s credentials. A

license is required to practice acupuncture;

however, education and training standards, as

well as license-obtaining requirements, vary

among states. Most states require non-physician

acupuncturists to pass an exam through

the National Certification Commission for

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

• Interview the provider. Ask what the treatment

involves, how likely it is to be effective for your

condition, and how much it will cost.

• Check with your insurance company to find out

if the treatment is covered by your insurance.

During your visit

During your first office visit, the acupuncture

practitioner may ask you for details related to your

health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. Be sure to tell

the provider about all treatments or medications you are

taking and all conditions you have. Ask how many visits

the treatment will take approximately.

While acupuncture providers may have different styles,

a typical visit—which usually lasts about 30 minutes—

includes an exam and assessment of your condition,

insertion of needles, and advice on home care. Before

the needles are placed, you will lie down on a comfortable

surface face down, face up, or on your side,

depending on where the needles will be inserted.

Usually the procedure isn’t painful; however, you may

feel a brief, sharp sensation when the needle is inserted

and when it reaches the correct depth. Sometimes, the

needles are gently moved or stimulated with electricity

or heat. Each treatment may require the insertion of as

many as 12 needles, which stay in place for 5 to 20 minutes.

Benefits and risks

Just as with other therapies, acupuncture has benefits

and risks. On the benefit side, acupuncture:

• Has few side effects

• Can be a useful complement to other therapies

• Is becoming widely available

• Helps control certain types of pain

If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners,

acupuncture may not be for you.

Acupuncture treatment is experienced differently by different

people—some report feeling energized by treatment;

others feel relaxed. Most report feeling no or minimal

pain from the insertion of the needles. Soreness

and pain during treatment can result from improper

needle placement, a defect in the needle, or the movement

of the patient. Some experience bleeding or bruising

at the needle sites.

If acupuncture is not provided by a properly qualified

practitioner, however, potentially serious side effects

can occur. Acupuncture needles, which are regulated by

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, should be sterile

and non-toxic, and should come in single-use packages

labeled for use by qualified providers only. Some

complications have been reported from inadequately

sterilized needles. Inappropriately delivered treatment

can result in infections and injured organs. These risks,

however, are low when acupuncture is provided by a

competent, certified practitioner..

Chiropractic Care for moms-to-be

Chiropractic Care! How can it benefit the Moms-to-be?

 

 

As many new mothers can attest, the muscle strains of

pregnancy are very real and can be more than just a

nuisance. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds,

combined with the increased stress placed on the body

by the baby, may result in severe discomfort. Studies

have found that about half of all expectant mothers will

develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies.

This is especially true during late pregnancy,

when the baby’s head presses down on a woman’s

back, legs and buttocks, irritating her sciatic nerve. And

for those who already suffer from low-back pain, the

problem can become even worse.

During pregnancy, a woman’s center of gravity almost

immediately begins to shift forward to the front of her

pelvis. Although a woman’s sacrum—or posterior section

of the pelvis—has enough depth to enable her to

carry a baby, the displaced weight still increases the

stress on her joints. As the baby grows in size, the

woman’s weight is projected even farther forward, and

the curvature of her lower back is increased, placing

extra stress on the spinal disks.

While these changes sound dramatic, pregnancy hormones

help loosen the ligaments attached to the pelvic

bones. But even these natural changes designed to

accommodate the growing baby can result in postural

imbalances.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends the

following tips for pregnant women:

Exercise

• Safe exercise during pregnancy can help strengthen

your muscles and prevent discomfort. Try exercising

at least three times a week, gently stretching before

and after exercise. If you weren’t active before your

pregnancy, check with your doctor before starting or

continuing any exercise program.

• Walking, swimming, and stationary cycling are relatively

safe cardiovascular exercises for pregnant

women because they do not require jerking or

bouncing movements. Jogging can be safe for

women who were avid runners before becoming

pregnant—if done carefully and under a doctor’s

supervision.

• Be sure to exercise in an area with secure footing to

minimize the likelihood of falls. Your heart rate

should not exceed 140 beats per minute during

exercise. Strenuous activity should last no more

than 15 minutes at a time.

• Stop your exercise immediately if you notice any

unusual symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, dizziness,

nausea, weakness, blurred vision, increased

swelling, or heart palpitations.

Pregnancy Ergonomics

 

• Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees

to take pressure off your lower back. Full-length

“body pillows” or “pregnancy wedges” may be helpful.

Lying on your left side allows unobstructed

blood flow and helps your kidneys flush waste from

your body.

• If you have to sit at a computer for long hours, make

your workstation ergonomically correct. Position the

computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or

below your eye level, and place your feet on a small

footrest to take pressure off your legs and feet. Take

periodic breaks every 30 minutes with a quick walk

around the office.

 

Nutrition

 

Eat small meals or snacks every four to five hours—

rather than the usual three large meals—to help keep

nausea or extreme hunger at bay. Snack on crackers

or yogurt—bland foods high in carbohydrates and protein.

Keep saltines in your desk drawer or purse to help

stave off waves of “morning sickness.” Supplementing

with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid a day before

and during pregnancy has been shown to decrease the

risk of neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida.

Check with your doctor before taking any vitamin or

herbal supplement to make sure it’s safe for you and

the baby 

Health and Safety

 

• Wear flat, sensible shoes. High or chunky heels can

exacerbate postural imbalances and make you less

steady on your feet, especially as your pregnancy

progresses.

• When picking up children, bend from the knees, not

the waist. And never turn your head when you lift.

Avoid picking up heavy objects, if possible.

• Get plenty of rest. Pamper yourself and ask for help

if you need it. Take a nap if you’re tired, or lie down

and elevate your feet for a few moments when you

need a break  

How Can Chiropractic Help?

Before you become pregnant, your doctor of chiropractic

can detect any imbalances in the pelvis

or elsewhere in your body that could contribute to

pregnancy discomfort or possible neuromusculoskeletal

problems after childbirth.

Many pregnant women have found that chiropractic

adjustments provide relief from the increased

low-back pain brought on by pregnancy.

Chiropractic manipulation is safe for the pregnant

woman and her baby and can be especially

appealing to those who are trying to avoid medications

in treating their back pain. Doctors of chiropractic

can also offer nutrition, ergonomic, and

exercise advice to help a woman enjoy a healthy

pregnancy.

Chiropractic care can also help after childbirth. In

the eight weeks following labor and delivery, the

ligaments that loosened during pregnancy begin

to tighten. Ideally, joint problems brought on during

pregnancy from improper lifting or reaching

should be treated before the ligaments return to

their pre-pregnancy state to prevent further muscle

tension.