Chiropractic works great for neck and back problems, but it is highly effective for the entire body. Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is becoming a widespread health issue with so many working on computers, devices, phones, etc. Chiropractic is perfect for treating CTS. It relieves pain, loosens/stretches the ligaments, and promotes healing without meds. �
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Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel is diagnosed as a repetitive stress injury. This is a condition that affects the hands and wrists. The most common symptoms include:
Tingling
Numbness
Weakness in the middle, index, and thumb
Pain in the wrist/hand
Gets worse at night
It is found in:
Hairdressers
Office workers – typing, writing, filing, etc.
Mechanics
Cashiers
Those who perform repetitive hand motions throughout the day
It is estimated that around 3% of adults will deal with CTS at some time in their lives. Around 50 percent of workplace injuries are attributed to CTS. Research has shown that job occupation plays a large role in how it develops. �
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The carpal tunnel lies on the front side of the wrist. Here is where the blood vessels, nerves, and tendons necessary for the hand to move and work reside. The carpal tunnel can become inflamed, damaged, or strained with added pressure on the area compressing the arteries and nerves. This is when CTS develops. It starts slowly with symptoms gradually worsening as the condition progresses.
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How chiropractic helps
There are 3 primary ways that chiropractors treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Manual Adjustment of the:
Upper spine
Arm
Wrist
If the spine is out of alignment it could contribute and exacerbate the carpal tunnel. Chiropractic utilizes spinal manipulation to realign the spine to its correct position. These adjustments are performed by hand, but special devices, instruments, tools, rollers, etc, could be used during the treatments. A chiropractor will make adjustments to the arm and wrist, as well. �
� Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses low energy sound or high energy sound. The sound waves are highly focused and penetrate the body�s tissue at a very deep level. These waves are quite effective in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and relaxing the muscles. It could be used as a stand-alone treatment or along with chiropractic treatment. �
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Wrist Supports
Wrist supports are used to keep the wrist properly aligned with the rest of the arm to reduce pressure and compression. It can be used as a preventative measure against carpal tunnel. A chiropractor could go with this option if the individual does repetitive work that could contribute to the condition. �
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This is usually done in conjunction with regular chiropractic care. When treating carpal tunnel, a chiropractor could suggest certain therapeutic exercises and a dietary change to help promote optimal wellness. This is to help the individual get the most benefits from the treatment and to help prevent the condition from worsening, as well as, other conditions. �
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Posture
Proper posture is essential for optimal health, well being, can help avoid age-related conditions and allows the organs room to operate properly and efficiently. Posture can be affected in different ways. Sustaining an injury is one in which the body compensates by listing to one side or hunching over to relieve the pain.
Another reason is slouching. Those of us that just don�t stand and sit up straight through bad habits, lack of exercise, improper diet, medication, and the list goes on and on. Whatever the reason, poor posture will gradually lead to:
Back pain
Headaches
Increased risk of injury
Decreased flexibility
Decreased mobility
It can cause the body to age quicker. However, in most cases, even those with extremely poor posture can find help and return to a high quality of life. Chiropractic has shown to help many regain a straight, healthy posture.
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Postural Conditions
There are postural conditions that chiropractic is very helpful in alleviating, include:
Forward head posture – usually associated with mobile devices
Kyphosis
Scoliosis
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Treatment
A chiropractor will:
Discuss the problem/s you are experiencing
Listen to the complaints
Find out when the problem started
Go through events or work that could have contributed to the problem
Thoroughly evaluate the medical history
Observe the way you sit, walk, bend, and movearound
A chiropractor will request x-rays and assess the alignment of the spine. If necessary a neurological or orthopedic test could be done to ensure that there is no underlying condition or injury that is causing the problem.
They will ask you to stand straight and possibly take measurements to determine if there is any visible deviation from the optimum posture. They will then ask you to move and bend while they test the range of motion, mobility, flexibility along with muscle strength and length. �
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Posture Plan
Once the assessments are complete the chiropractor will discuss the best treatment option available. They will walk you through the adjustments that will be performed along with other therapies they might recommend. The best course of action to relieve any pain will be discussed, as well as get your spine into proper alignment improving posture. They will also talk to you about stretching exercises and things to do at home. They could also discuss:
Sleep positions
Diet
Work area adjustments
Exercise
Weight loss
Chiropractic focuses on whole-body treatment. This means addressing lifestyle changes and getting the individual into optimal shape. Basic chiropractic adjustments can help improve posture within a few sessions.
After the body is in alignment you will feel more energetic, healthier, and happier. The body is an intricate machine and when one part is out of order it begins to affect all the other parts. Chiropractic can improve overall health and wellness. We want to get your body functioning more effectively and efficiently and feeling better.
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Chiropractic Podcasting: Why Chiropractic Works
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The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Companies are doing what they can to keep operations moving and workers employed. Those that are able to work-from-home are doing so. But working from home is new to many and creates new challenges of converting an area in the house, apartment, etc, to become the workspace.
Back pain is common whether at the office or at the house. Everyday activities like the way you sit or lift can cause back pain if you�re not careful. At the house, it can be easy to lose track of time working. However, sitting with the wrong chair, at an improper height is not great for the body and overall health.
Working from Home and Back Pain
You probably thought you�d be comfortable working while lounging in bed or slouching on the sofa. However, after a few hours,�you would have a sore back, neck, or shoulders muscles. Working on a laptop for hours daily�at the kitchen counter or hunched over a coffee table and not sitting at a table or desk with a proper chair can lead to pain.�The best way to reduce and avoid back/neck pain is to make a few changes to the workstation.
Setting Up The Workspace
A comfortable workspace will increase productivity and physically help you feel good.
Working comfortably for hours, maintaining proper posture, it would be wise to invest in practical office appliances that can support physical well-being. Proper office ergonomics include:
The correct chair height
Footrest
Working desk posture that keeps muscles and joints comfortable
Choosing the ergonomic office chair is important, considering you will be using it for back support. Office chairs are not a one size fits all. The choice could be the difference between having continuing back pain or improving comfort, health, and overall productivity.
Ergonomic Back Support
Despite the adjustable ergonomic chair, you might still have back pain while working. Consider the following because it might not be the chair that�s not working.
Keep Moving Around
Step counts could take a dive when working from home. Exercise and stretching at regular intervals are extremely important to protecting the spine throughout the day. Remembering to do this at home can be harder than working in an office environment. Use an automatic reminder on the phone. Our bodies need regular low-impact aerobic activity. It provides the tissues with vital blood flow and helps minimize back pain.
Be Sure To Check Your Posture
The spine is not fixed in abnormal positions. Sitting and slouching forward for a long time will contribute to back pain. The advantages of sitting straight:
Keeps the Joints Aligned
Keeps the Bones Aligned
Supports the Muscles
Supports the Ligaments
Prevents Muscle Fatigue
Sit all the way back in your chair and take full advantage of the lower back support. The knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle with the feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.
Proper Screen Height
The height of the computer screen should not be too high or too low. Your eyes should aim at the center of the screen without having to crane your neck up or down. It should be directly in front to avoid tilting or turning your head. A laptop should be raised anywhere from 5 to 10 inches to provide the proper height.
Speaker Setting
Don’t go for the multitask when it comes to the phone. Having the phone between your neck/shoulder and working at the same time can lead to stressing your back and hurting/injuring the muscles. Turn on the speaker or use a headset to avoid the awkward neck position.
Breathe Deep
Proper breathing keeps the body and the muscles in the mid and lower back nicely relaxed. Improper breathing can make the nervous system react, causing pain or discomfort. Breathing exercises can be a way to target lower back pain/s. No special equipment is needed and can be done anywhere, anytime. Concentration is the key. Inhale and bring the navel towards the spine and then exhale. This exercise will engage the core muscles and will support the upper body.
Keyboards and mice come in all sorts of colors and styles, which is great but for those that work on a computer for a job, using the right type is essential to prevent injury keeping the hands, wrists, and arms healthy and moving.
Overuse can cause painful musculoskeletal disorders like:
There are a variety of ergonomic designs for these devices. Keyboard designs include four separate key areas:
The alphanumeric area with letters, numbers, and control keys
An area with cursor keys
Numeric keypad
Function keys or the ‘F’ keys
Keyboard Key Combinations or The Mouse
Basic typing and many other actions can be performed on the keyboard using the:
Function keys
Cursor keys
Control keys
Keyboard macros
Pretty much all of these actions can be done with the mouse. Many users operate the computer with the mouse instead of using the key combinations.
To obtain correct posture when working align the center of your body with the center of the keyboard area used the most or during a task.
Keyboard Layout
The layout follows the original ASDF design from the first typewriter.
From the beginning of this design, there was a realization that angling and splitting the keys would reduce the bending of the hands. The first split keyboard typewriter was manufactured in 1886.
The idea of splitting and angling the keys was implemented into ergonomic keyboard designs with the alphanumeric keys being separated at an angle into two sloped sections. For a� non-touch typist, this can be difficult to use, as some keyboards only angle the keys without splitting into halves.
The split design reduces the sideways bending of the hand but also important is the reduction of vertical bending.
However, this can be overcome by taking some simple steps like:
Flattening the keyboard feet on the desk can keep the hands flat
Putting the keyboard on a vertical tilted tray can also help improve the hands’ posture
Keyboards are available in left and right-handed styles
Choosing a Mouse
The shape along with the location of the mouse in relation to the keyboard is important for maintaining a healthy hand posture. Here are some considerations when choosing a mouse. The mouse buttons should:
Have easy clickability
Is easy to move around/feels natural
The screen cursor should move accurately with your movements
There are mice with programmable buttons allowing you to control additional functions. Important things to check:
Make sure the size and shape of the mouse feels natural in your hand
Hold the mouse in a neutral position meaning your hand should not be bent up, down or sideways
Position and operate the mouse with your upper arm relaxed and close to your body, and don’t reach too far forward or too far out to the side
There are keyboards with a separate numeric pad that allows the mouse to be located closer to the keyboard. Some keyboards include a cursor positioning device like a trackball, touchpoint or touchpad. These types eliminate having to reach for a mouse. However, it is a good practice to mix it up using the keyboard for certain operations and the mouse for others. This allows different muscles and ligaments to work while the others take a break.
The Ideal Setup
All keyboards and mice are designed differently. The key is to find well-made products that are built with ergonomic injury prevention as the focus. You can use trackballs, touchpads, and pen mice instead of a regular mouse.
Find what works for you, is ergonomic, comfortable and easy to use and will keep your hands in a neutral posture. If you do a lot of typing and mouse movement, your hands are going to get tired even with top designed keyboards and mice. Take frequent short rest and stretch breaks to let your muscles recover. The stretching exercises should include the:
Wrist
Forearm muscles
Shoulders
Neck
Upper back muscles
Working like this will protect you against over-use injuries.
Carpal Tunnel Chiropractic Treatment
NCBI Resources
Chiropractic care is one of the most common forms of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Foremost, a doctor of chiropractic will evaluate the extent of the condition as well as diagnose the individual to determine any underlying cause behind the condition. Through a series of chiropractic adjustments and manual manipulations, the hand, wrist, and arm are adjusted to reduce the pressure around the median nerve, and ultimately reducing the symptoms.
Creating a healthy, safe ergonomic work environment is important to protect your back, neck and whole body. Just by taking simple breaks and enhancing your workspace with a sit-stand desk will protect your spine and general health.
Break Taking
Working in the same position and using the same muscles, joints, and ligaments for hours is not good for any part of your body. Ergonomists are lifestylescientists that design spaces/equipment/tools to reduce discomfort, fatigue, and injury, agree that taking frequent and brief rest breaks is essential for total and optimal body health. And, it�s not just your legs that need a break every now and then.
At work, start practicing:
Eye breaks:Looking at the computer screen for a long time changes how the eyes work. What happens is you blink less and expose the eyes to the air. Therefore, every 15 minutes look away from the screen for a minute or two to a distant area that is at least 20 feet away or further. This allows the muscles in the eye to relax. Also, blink your eyes real quick for a few seconds. This refreshes the tear ducts and clears dust from the surface of the eyes.
Micro-breaks: These are breaks that are less than two minutes and perfect to utilize between office jobs. Most people work in bursts rather than continuously. So in between these bursts�take a rest in a:
Relaxed
Flat
Straight posture
These breaks are short but perfect for stretching, standing up, and moving around, or switching to a different task like making a phone call or making some copies, etc. These types of breaks are a break from using the same set of muscles over and over.
Rest breaks: These you want to do every 30 to 60 minutes. This is the break to, get up, move around, and do something else non-office related. Go get a beverage, quick conversation with a coworker, or take a walk around the office or building. As long it’s within reason. This allows your body and mind to empty and workout different muscles. Practice this and the feeling of tiredness will be a thing of the past.
Exercise breaks: This is purely a stretching and gentle exercise break to do to relieve muscle fatigue. These should be done every one to two hours.
Ergonomic software: It is easy to lose track of how long you’ve been working. There is software that monitors how long you’ve been on the computer and will alert you to take a break at different intervals and offer easy ergonomic exercises to keep your muscles loose and in top office shape.
Ergonomic Products
There are plenty of products out there to improve your workplace environment and promote top spine health. Consider an ergonomic chair, computer accessories, or sit-stand desk to help maintain proper posture.
These products can be adjusted and customized to your needs. They encourage healthy long-term habits that can reduce and prevent various types of injuries. Sit-to-stand desks allow transition from sitting to a standing position. Varying your posture throughout the day is highly beneficial to general health and even helps to burn extra calories.
These ergonomic products are for creating a healthy/safe work environment. Therefore take some time to research the product you are interested in before buying.� Here are a few questions to think about:
Do the manufacturer’s claims make sense or are too good to be true?
Is there evidence that can support their claims?
Is it a cheap knock-off? Knock off products should be avoided as they can worsen and create more injuries. However, when it comes to the brand name products, don’t go for the fully loaded models that could cost quite a bit, instead find something in the middle but that still meets ergonomic standards.
Are you comfortable using the product?
What do experts/reviews say about the product? If it’s not recommended then don’t use it.
Some products can feel strange or uncomfortable because they make you change the way you work. Don’t panic, as this is the point of the product that you have to get used to. But it will be beneficial to your overall health. However, if a product continues to feel uncomfortable or causes pain after short use, then discontinue using and try something else.
Improving spinal health and hygiene at work is as simple as taking breaks for light stretching, walking around, and utilizing ergonomic office products to stay fit and injury-free. Whatever you choose, understand how your back and neck are moving/functioning during the workday/night by using ergonomic practices that will keep your body/mind healthy and prevent office injuries.
Control *FOOT MOTION & POSTURE* with Functional Foot Orthotics | El Paso, Tx (2019)
NCBI Resources
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that�s been in existence for many years. Keeping their work environments safe and efficient and traditionally concerned with factory workers, ergonomic professionals have expanded their work to include all types of workers from laborers to seniors to office workers & students.
It looks for means to improve our environment to lower the risks of illness and harm, enhance productivity, and improve the caliber of our work life.
Ergonomics in the work place. Back pain is one of the most frequent work-related injuries and is often brought on by ordinary work activities like sitting in an office chair or heavy lifting.� the study of the workplace as it relates to the worker – helps prevent back pain and back injury and help maintain a healthy back.
The objective of an ergonomics program in business is to adapt the workplace to a specific worker, determined by the job description, required tasks, and physical make up of the employee performing these tasks.
Non-accidental injury, where pain occurs as a result of normal activities and needs of the task. This might occur from sitting in an office chair or standing for too long in one position.
Accidental injury results when an unexpected event triggers injury during the task. A load that changes as it is being lifted, and fall and a slip or hitting one’s head on a cabinet door or slips are typical examples. These injuries can jolt other joints, back, and the neck with consequent muscle strain or tearing of soft tissue at the back.
Occupations which are physically demanding and require repetitive lifting (such as in nursing or heavy industry) are at greatest risk for both non-accidental and accidental spine injury. For instance, a number of health workers have problems because patients are of weight and different stature with needs. Often, the patients need help changing position, rising from a chair and walking. Similarly, the physical effort needed to release a trapped individual or save a life is unpredictable. The same problems occur in the building industry where consistencies of tasks are a challenge.
Office Chair Back Injuries
Individuals who sit most of the day, like those working in a computer while sitting in an office chair, are also at high risk for non-accidental spine injury. Office ergonomics, or computer ergonomics, can help minimize the risk such as the dangers associated with prolonged sitting in an office chair, and carpal tunnel syndrome, such as lower back pain, neck strain, and leg pain.
Office Chair: Ergonomics To Reduce Back Pain?
This guide summarize the use of ergonomic concepts, mechanical apparatus and decent body mechanics (biomechanics) that can contribute to reducing back injuries in the work environment for several jobs. Significantly, staying strong, physically fit and flexible improves the probability of preventing back injuries.
There are certain basic ergonomic tips which may help an employee avoid back pain or back injury:
Develop a job description based on the forces within a particular work environment, the time spent performing the task and the biomechanics (which define human moves and seated posture in an office chair) used in the task.
Use body posture as a tool which may be changed to fit the job demands with minimal stress on the muscles, ligaments, bones and joints.
Learn and use proper body mechanics to restrict extra mechanical stress in completing the job.
Maintain fitness and flexibility and create a reserve of strength.
Identifying Poor Posture And Risks
Many potentially harmful situations that lead to back injury can be identified and avoided by following four basic rules of thumb:
Prolonged static posture is your enemy. The healthy body can only tolerate staying in one position for around 20 minutes. That is sitting at a movie theatre, in a desk in an office chair, or on an airplane becomes uncomfortable after a short time. Standing in one area, such as standing on a floor at an assembly line tends to cause back pain. Holding the same position gradually reduces elasticity in the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the back). Stress builds up and causes discomfort and/or leg discomfort back.
The remedy is simple. Whether you are sitting in an office chair or standing in a line, change positions frequently. Just move. Stand or sit, stretch, have a short walk. After returning to the standing or sitting posture, use an alternate posture for only a couple minutes and some.
Frequent or repetitive stretching to the end range of motion or embarrassing, angled positions can liquefy the joints. Unlike jobs that need seating in an office chair, jobs that require motion can cause discomfort. Such tasks involve lifting overhead lifting from the floor, moving loads, or utilizing force or twisting while managing material and which signal back injuries might be on the way.
Heavy loads offer greater risk. It is important to have the proper tools or get help if the job requires moving objects.
Fatigue�from sitting in an office chair, from work or from insomnia can make people move more awkwardly. If one is overtired or feels fatigued, it is advisable to avoid lifting heavy objects alone or quickly.
These ergonomic rules of thumb will help the worker and their backs. Otherwise the worker is at risk of sustaining or aggravating a back injury.
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that’s been in existence for many years. Keeping their work environments safe and efficient and traditionally concerned with factory workers, ergonomic professionals have expanded their work to include all types of workers from laborers to seniors to office workers & students.
In addition, it looks for means to adjust our environment to lower the risks of illness and harm, enhance productivity, and improve the caliber of our work life.
The Goals of Ergonomics
The profession of ergonomics has two main concentrations (which frequently overlap):
1. Industrial ergonomics – occasionally called work-related biomechanics – is concerned with the physical aspects of work including force, position, and repetitive movements.
2. Human factors ergonomics looks as the psychological features of work like mental anxiety and decision-making.
The aims of ergonomics contain the following:
Reduce work-related injury and illness
Help include workers’ compensation costs for companies
Enhance the standard of work
Reduce absenteeism
Help companies comply with government regulations regarding work surroundings
Ergonomics professionals include:
Engineers
Security professionals
Industrial hygienists
Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Nurse practitioners
Chiropractors
Occupational doctors
How Ergonomics Enhances Work & Safety
The association between work injury and illness is old. It is even believed that Ancient Man concerned himself with developing the right tools that allowed for the efficiency and least amount�of distress.
Now, we continue to look for ways to boost the relationship between our “tools” and�our jobs. One means to do that is to look at the risk factors in the workplace. These are able to be divided into 3 areas: physical characteristics, environmental features, and workplace hazards.
1. Physical Characteristics Of Work:
Bearing
Drive
Repetition
Duration
Recovery time
Velocity/acceleration
Heavy exertion that is dynamic
2. Segmental Vibration Environmental Characteristics Of Work:
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