Neck Pain After Sitting At Your Computer?

You sit down at your computer, ready to put in a full day's work and make some serious headway on your projects. You know you'll easily be spending 8 to 10 hours sitting in front of the computer.
You've set up your computer workstation as effectively as you can figure. Your keyboard is appropriately placed in front of you and your monitor is directly in front of you at eye level. So why will your neck start to hurt? Why will your effectiveness be destroyed by the nagging, aggravating neck pain that seems to show up more and more frequently?

If you are regularly spending a lot of time in front of a computer, you have to realize that your body is going to begin to change and adapt to take on this frequent activity. Your front neck muscles are slowly growing shorter and tighter, while the muscles in the back of your neck are growing longer and weaker.

The back muscles are also growing full of spasm and knots while they are forced to hold up your ten pound head for hours at a time. You would think they would grow stronger from having to hold your head up all the time, but it just never seems to work that way. As they get longer, they are growing weaker, and the job of holding up your head becomes increasingly difficult.

The best options are to do exercises and activities that will counteract the extended computer usage. The rule of thumb is to spend time stretching the front of your neck and strengthening the muscles in the back. This same rule applies to anyone looking to improve posture.

To stretch the front of the neck, turn your head slightly to one side, about forty-five degrees. If you turn your head to the right, you are stretching the left and vice versa. Place your right hand on left side of your chest and pull down gently as you tilt your head back. Stop immediately if you feel sharp pain or any dizziness.

To strengthen the back of the neck, the easiest route would be with a neck exercise machine. Some health clubs have them, but they are more of a specialized device. You can also fold up a towel and place it against a wall. Put the back of your head against the towel and push into it. Hold for a few seconds and release. This is an isometric contraction.

If you are unable to complete some of these movements, or you find that you can't painlessly move your head backwards, it may be time to visit a chiropractor. The chiropractor will perform a spinal adjustment and restore the normal movement of your spine.

Your neck shouldn't hurt just because your sitting in front of your computer. You've got to work and pain can be a nuisance, but it doesn't have to be there with a little effort.

Chiropractic for Runners, Joggers, and Walkers

Scientific research demonstrates that chiropractic care may enhance running performance in both recreational runners as well as professional athletes. Dr. Bagley focuses on teaching runners, joggers and walkers how to ward off injury before it occurs. When injury does take place, chiropractic offers all-natural solutions, which allow athletes to avoid surgery and medication.

Along with regular chiropractic visits, the doctor often recommends the following to prevent exercise-related injuries:

• Proper Shoes: Running and walking shoes are designed specifically for different foot types in order to reduce injuries. "Running in the correct footwear matched for foot type may have a greater influence on mechanics when runners become exerted." (Gait Posture 2006;24.) That's why having your feet examined and your running shoes professionally fitted is important for injury prevention.
• Shoe Replacement: Track your mileage. After 350-550 miles it's time for a new pair. For runners/walkers who log 25 miles per week replace your shoes every three to four months.
• Stretching & Yoga: You should perform stretching exercises on a regular basis -- as well as just prior to and following a run. Ask the doctor for specific exercises geared toward your unique circumstances. Practicing yoga regularly is a fantastic way to keep muscles well stretched.
• Strengthen: Strengthening the muscles in the front of the calf and hamstrings, to counteract tight calves and quadriceps, prevents shin splints by reducing tension exerted on the tibial bone.
• Posture and Foot Position: When running or walking, concentrate on your posture. For running the idea is to keep your center of gravity in front of your foot strike -- not behind it. Also, avoid landing on the heel or ball of your foot. When walking, concentrate on keeping your chin up and being tall and straight, keep your stomach activated and tight, and your hands should not be clenched.
  

Call our office today to schedule a full physical and learn how chiropractic care can keep your body going at peak performance.

Need a chiropractor in St. Louis? Please consider Vital Force Clinic. Call 314-596-4070.

Pets and Pesticides: Questions of Safety

There is a lot of evidence to support the use of flea and tick pesticides directly on our dogs and cats. The question is where the safety information is coming from. Obviously the manufacturers of these agents would tout their products safety but there is growing concern. On the Public Integrity Website, there are numerous reports of animal and human incidents related to pesticide. Unfortunately, these can range from skin irritation to death. Two years ago when my husband and I adopted Zeus, our big black lab, we decided right away not to use the spot treatment pesticides. Although I have concerns for him, my main concern was the contamination to us and the house. Now that we have the twins, we will continue to avoid using these products. What we use instead is a natural product called Cedarcide. This product is made from natural cedar oil and is non-toxic and perfectly safe. I actually also use it on myself when I’m going to be outside to keep the mosquitoes away. If you don’t mind smelling like a cedar tree it’s a great alternative to the toxic chemicals on you and your pet and even DEET which humans use. In the summer I spray Zeus every few days.

Need a St. Louis Chiropractor? Please call our office for your no obligation consultation today!

Tips for a Healthier Commute

According to a 2007 Gallup poll, the average commuter spends nearly 200 hours per year driving to and from work. Are you spending hours a week behind the wheel? If so, commuting may be chipping away at your overall well-being. Prolonged sitting coupled with the vibrations produced by the tires hitting the road can wreak havoc on the spine. Driving may also be emotionally stressful and exact a psychological toll. Dr. Bagley at Vital Force Clinic is concerned about the effects of commuting on patients' health and offer suggestions to help.

Keep up with Chiropractic care.

Hit the road rested. A healthy commute starts the night before with adequate sleep.

Sit comfortably. Move the driver's seat as close to the steering wheel as is comfortable, and fine-tune seat position so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips.

Make the most of red lights. Try rolling or shaking out your shoulders at each stop.

Enjoy soothing scents. Research shows that lavender and rosemary scents decrease levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. (Psychiatry Res 2007;150:89-96).

Breathe deeply.

Get a gentle grip of the steering wheel.

Make your car a haven. Remove trash daily.

Fuel your body. Nuts and dried or fresh fruit are travel-friendly options.

Drink smart. Choose herbal tea or water for the drive. Stay hydrated without the jitters.

Take a musical journey. Music is said to soothe the savage beast -- and it can also soothe the stressed-out commuter.

Learn on the road. Try an audiobook or podcast on a topic that will enrich your life.

Rest your eyes. Shift your focal point occasionally. This lessens the risk of eye strain and tension headaches.

Keep a positive attitude. Let that other car merge in front of you.

Buddy up. Carpooling is also good for mental health.

MRIs Often Lead to Unnecessary Back Surgery

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in detecting several health problems. However, a growing trend in many medical clinics is to conduct an MRI scan on patients with back pain, even when serious conditions are not suspected, and before trying conservative, non-surgical management. Dr. Bagley at Vital Force Clinic is concerned about this trend and wants all individuals with back pain to be fully informed about this situation.

Researchers speculate that this problem with the widespread use of MRI for back pain diagnosis is that the scans, which visualize soft tissue like the spinal discs and muscles, frequently identify anomalies that are not necessarily the cause of a person's back trouble. The result? A skyrocketing rate of unnecessary surgeries.

For instance, many cases of disc herniation do not cause pain. A person may indeed have back pain, and have a herniated disc, but the two are often unrelated. In these cases surgery can do far more harm than good.

One study pointed out that "evidence suggests that MRIs may often be ordered unnecessarily. ... More studies are needed to examine the appropriateness with which imaging procedures and non-invasive/minimally invasive treatments are utilized, and their effect on patient outcomes." (Pain Med 2006;7:143-50.)

Unless you are in an emergency situation, schedule an appointment with our office before considering spinal surgery.

Need a St. Louis Chiropractor? Contact Dr. Bagley at 314-596-4070.

MSG: The Danger Lurking in Your Cabinet

When I mention MSG to my patients they usually say "Oh I don't eat Chinese food." Well sorry to say but Chinese food is the least of my worries. This harmful chemical really is lurking in almost all processed foods that we eat. Some common examples are soup, crackers, candy, lunch meat, bread, seasonings, bouillon cubes, and even many "health foods."

MSG is put into foods to enhance the flavor. I'm guessing because it is in so many of the processed foods that it really does a good job. The problem with it is the side effects. This website explains that MSG is tricking the taste buds into sending the signals that we are eating a healthy protein rich food. Unfortunately for us it may even make us overeat that food and make us overweight. So how in the sea of MSG containing foods do you avoid this additive? Well that's where it gets complicated.

MSG can be part of other additives and therefore called many different things. Here is a "shortened" list of some of the most common names I have found that could contain MSG:
MSG, Gelatin, Calcium Caseinate, Monosodium glutamate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), Textured Protein, Monopotassium glutamate, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP), Yeast Extract, Glutamate, Autolyzed Plant Protein, Yeast food or nutrient, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Caseinate, Autolyzed Yeast, Vegetable Protein Extract, Senomyx, Modified Food Starch, Maltodexrin, Natural Flavoring.

Ok it wasn't that short but believe me the list goes on. So what can MSG do to you? Well it makes different people react different ways. One common way is that it causes headaches. That could actually be a symptom of what is really going on. Free glutamic acid (a component of MSG) acts in the brain as an excitotoxin. An excitotoxin is a chemical transmitter excite your brain cells to death. Sounds like loads of fun right? Well in the book "Excitoxins: the taste that kills" Dr. Russel Blaylock explains this process in detail along with how some other nasty substances like artificial sweeteners do the same thing.

So how do I stay away from this substance? Well the truth is I sometimes go out to eat and I sometimes to eat it unknowingly. But what I focus on is that I generally am aware and stay away from it. If you stay on the outsides of the supermarket (fruit, veggies, meat, eggs... etc) and avoid the processed foods in the isles you are generally safe. I used to also keep a list of the common names for MSG in my purse but now I know them pretty much by heart. There are some good manufacturers out there who do not use these additives so I've just learned to buy from them. Do your best and you'll be healthier for it!

Need a St Louis Chiropractor? Give us a call today!

Natural Ways to Avoid the Flu.

So It's that time of year when the days are getting shorter and if you live in St. Louis, its rained more here in October than ever recorded. All of that combined makes it prime season for colds and the Flu.

Have you ever asked yourself why are Fall and Winter considered the flu season? Many people have speculated it has to do with the close proximity of people indoors which transmits germs. New research being done refutes those previous claims. When it's cold and rainy what do people normally want to do? Stay inside and warm. So what are they missing? Sunlight! For years now we have been thinking of the sun as our enemy but the truth is we can't live without it. The truth is that Vitamin D is naturally made by our amazing bodies when our skin is exposed to sunlight. When we are inside for the colder and darker months we actually have a vitamin D deficiency. Now we have enough vitamin D in our diets usually to keep us from getting rickets but not enough to keep us healthy. Vitamin D plays a key role in keeping our immune system functioning.

The recommendation that I've heard many times is a few minutes of direct sunlight on skin without sunscreen is needed. So what does that mean? What if its cloudy? So I discovered this fabulous calculator that takes many factors like time of year, skin color, latitude and longitude, time of day and even surface that you are on.

So on an overcast day like today I calculated what I would need for adequate vitamin D and it was OVER AN HOUR! I'm not going to be able to be outside that long today so I'm going to supplement with a liquid vitamin D3 supplement.

So here are my recommendations for cold and flu season to keep your immune system healthy.

1. Keep you nervous system working in tip top shape through specific chiropractic adjustments when needed. Only your doctor of chiropractic is trained to find and remove misalignments that could be causing nervous system stress. When the nervous system is giving the body the correct signals the immune system responds correctly.

2. Vitamin D3 supplementation when adequate sunlight is unavailable. Some sources are saying 35 IUs(international units) of vitamin D3 per pound of body weight. So for an individual that weighs 200 lbs that's 7000 IUs per day!

3. Keeping your hands washed and avoiding contact with your eyes, mouth, and nose. That doesn't mean you need to disinfect your hands, just plain old soap (not antibacterial) does the job and those hand sanitizers don't do the job and are quite toxic.

4. Reducing or removing the sugar in your diet (including white breads, pastas, and starches) has a positive effect on the chemistry in your body. Also aerobic exercise gives the immune system a boost.

So if you follow these easy natural steps it will give your immune system the boost it needs to not only get through the cold and flu season but enjoy it because you feel so great!

Need a St Louis Chiropractor? Give us a call today!