Bulletins
Welcome to Melrose Chiropractic's Health News, Notes and Quotes. We have selected the following categories and news items below because I believe they can help educate you about the importance of good health and the benefits of chiropractic.
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CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Research shows that adjustments can lower blood pressure!
"We conclude that restoration of Atlas (upper cervical vertebrae) alignment is associated with marked and sustained reductions in blood pressure similar to the use of two-drug combination therapy".
Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Hypertension Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
J Hum Hypertens, 2007 May:21(5):341-2
Take the Stress Out of Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are among the most common work-related illnesses in the U.S., affecting hundreds of thousands of people each year. Frequently associated with computer use, RSIs can cause pain and discomfort in the neck, back, arms and hands. They are also quite expensive: The Department of Labor estimates that carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive-strain disorders cost more than $20 billion a year in time lost from work and worker's compensation.
A series of experiments published in a recent issue of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback show how working on a computer can alter a person's posture breathing patterns, and how proper training can reduce the incidence of RSI in the workplace. In the first study, 18 computer users were hooked up to a monitoring system that measured their muscle tension and breathing rate while working at a PC. The monitoring session found that when users became more immersed in their work, they tended to elevate the shoulders and breathe faster. Muscle tension in all of the muscle groups increased, especially the muscles in the upper back opposite the hand that used a computer mouse. In addition, users often continued working without taking breaks, which would have relieved some of the tension and reduced the risk of developing a repetitive strain injury.
In a separate experiment, the researchers trained a group of computer users in muscle relaxation and breathing techniques, then compared them with a group of workers who did not receive training. After three training sessions, the computer users reported significantly decreased symptoms of repetitive strain compared to the untrained workers. Trained users relaxed their necks and shoulders more often, breathed from the diaphragm rather than the chest, and took more frequent breaks.
If you use a computer, there are several steps you can take to reduce, or even eliminate, the risk of repetitive strain injury. Take regular breaks and stretches. Organize your office equipment so it is ergonomically correct. And of course, talk to your doctor about specific exercises and other habits you can adopt to keep RSIs out of your workspace.
Reference: Peper E, Wilson V, Gibney K. The integration of electromyography (SEMG) at the workstation: assessment, treatment and prevention of repetitive strain injury (RSI). Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback June 2003.
Repetitive stress injuries are one of many injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system. To learn more about musculoskeletal health, visit: www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/musculoskeletal
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SPORTS & FITNESS
A Narrow Focus
People diet for many reasons. Maintaining sound health may be the most important reason, but many people also diet to look good, or to fit into a particular outfit. If you are simply eating less to attain this goal, you might be taking the wrong path to getting leaner.
A study released earlier this year in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise investigated the response of abdominal fat related to exercise by young men. Thirty obese men (average age: 20 years) were examined before and after four months of disciplined training in the Singapore Armed Forces, and compared to another 30 men of similar age and body composition not undergoing training. Researchers also focused on overall fat mass, muscle mass and percentage of body fat based on skinfold measurements.
Besides losing an average of 26 pounds during training, the soldiers also maintained their muscle mass, which remained unchanged. Most importantly were the significant reductions observed in waist and hip circumference through fat loss, and the relationship between them. Waist circumference was reduced significantly more than hip circumference - 14% compared to 8%.
In other words, fat loss was clearly the most pronounced around the waistline due to working out. This may not be the case for weight loss from dieting alone, which can also cause the loss of some muscle mass. The most successful long-term dieters often cite one common element to their success: an ongoing exercise regimen. Be sure to combine an exercise program with your diet for not only lasting results, but also fat loss focused on your midsection.
Reference: Mayo MJ, Grantham JR, Balasekaran G. Exercise-induced weight loss preferentially reduces abdominal fat. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2003:35(2), pp. 207-213.
For more tips on sports and exercise, check out: www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/sports.html
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ERGONOMICS & ORTHOTICS
Half of Computer Users May Develop Pain
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 1997, 92 million American adults used a computer, almost 40% of all households had a computer, and half of employed adults worked on a computer on the job. Dozens of studies have evaluated musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders of the hands and arms in computer users, yet the long-term effects of numerous hours at the keyboard remain uncertain.
To determine the incidence of conditions developing from workplace computer use, over 600 recently hired employees who used computers at least 15 hours per week were asked to complete diaries on the hours they worked, hours they spent on the computer, and presence of symptoms in their necks, shoulders, hands, and arms for up to three years. Researchers sought those with symptoms requiring medication or scoring high on a pain scale; the results of their study were published recently in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
Over 50% of the workers suffered from musculoskeletal symptoms in their first year at the new job. Almost one-third suffered a new onset of neck or shoulder symptoms, and a quarter of the individuals suffered new onset of symptoms in the arms or hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the best-known conditions related to long-term keyboard use, was surprisingly one of the least likely disorders seen in this study - only 1% of the workers developed it. Women and those over age 30 were most likely to exhibit symptoms from computer use.
If you spend many hours in front of a computer, either at work or at home, be sure to use the proper form and follow basic guidelines to avoid injury: Maintain an upright posture; keep your keyboard even with or slightly below elbow level; be sure your mouse and other devices are within easy reach; and be sure to get up and walk around regularly to stretch and get the blood flowing to your extremities.
Reference: Gerr F, Marcus M, Ensor C, et al. A prospective study of computer users: I. Study design and incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2002:41(4), pp. 221-235.
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WOMEN'S HEALTH
Obesity May Contribute to Cervical Cancer
Obesity has been linked to a multitude of health problems, from increased blood pressure and heart disease to sleep apnea, breathing problems and gallstones. In women, excessive fat has been shown to increase levels of estrogen, which can lead to the development of endometrial cancer, a condition that affects the lining of the uterus.
Height and weight can also contribute to endometrial cancer, and they are risk factors for cervical cancer, whereas the role obesity plays in cervical cancer remains uncertain. To test whether obesity may lead to an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, investigators evaluated a variety of potential risk factors in 560 women: 124 diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (a type of cervical cancer linked specifically to high estrogen levels); 139 with squamous-cell cervical cancer; and 307 women who did not have cancer. Among their findings:
* Women who were heavier, had a high body mass index (BMI) or had fat that was concentrated in the midsection were far more likely to have adenocarcinoma.
* Women with a BMI greater than 30 (considered clinically obese) and "apple-shaped" women (those with high waist-to-hip ratios) were both twice as likely to develop adenocarcinoma.
* Women with high BMIs had more advanced stages of adenocarcinoma when they were diagnosed with cancer, even if they received regular Pap smears.
Although larger studies are needed, these results support the theory that obesity, like height and weight, may lead to the onset of some types of cervical cancer. Women who are obese should speak with their physician about ways to lose weight and the benefits of a healthy, low-fat diet, and receive more frequent Pap smears to detect the early signs of adenocarcinoma.
Reference: Lacey JV, Swanson CA, Briton LA, et al. Obesity as a potential risk factor for adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix. Cancer Aug. 15, 2003: Volume 98, Number 4, pp.814-821.
For more information about women's health issues, go to: www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/women.html