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Web Changes
This is where we'll announce the most recent
additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's
changed, take a look here first.
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| HEALTH TIPS ON TRAVELING Read this
article from the ACA about traveling and how you can avoid some of the
related problems. |
| We now have the Confidential Patient Information Form online so that
patients can download, print, and fill it out in the comfort of their own
home. No rushing to complete the form in the clinic. You will
have access to all the data that you will need to complete the form.
Fill it out at home and relax when you arrive at our clinic. See the
link below. |
Links to Items of Interest
As a service to our patients and
friends we have listed some links to some of our favorite Web sites. You may
find further information at these Web sites concerning chiropractic.
Recent Media Coverage of
Chiropractic
LEGISLATION WOULD GIVE VETERANS DIRECT ACCESS TO
DOCTORS OF CHIROPRACTIC
Arlington, Va. (Feb 23, 2005) - The American Chiropractic
Association (ACA) today applauded Congressman Bob Filner, D-Calif., for
re-introducing legislation to provide veterans with direct access to a doctor of
chiropractic through the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) health care
system. Originally introduced last year, the "Better Access to Chiropractors to
Keep our Veterans Healthy Act" is one of several legislative initiatives the ACA
and Rep. Filner are pursuing to ensure unimpeded access to chiropractic care for
the nation's veterans.
In the past, segments of the federal bureaucracy have been reluctant to
implement directives from Congress regarding chiropractic care. The bill (HR
917) seeks to send a message to opponents of chiropractic - inside and outside
of the government - that America's veterans will not be denied the chiropractic
care they need and deserve.
"Our nation's veterans deserve the best health care this country can offer,
and chiropractic care is an integral component of that care," said ACA President
and U.S. Navy veteran Donald J. Krippendorf, DC. "The ACA is proud to work
together with Congressman Filner - a powerful and effective advocate for
veterans - to protect the rights of doctors of chiropractic and their patients."
The Filner bill (HR 917) seeks to amend Title 38 of the United States Code
to permit eligible veterans to receive direct access to chiropractic care at
Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics. HR 917 states that "The
Secretary [of Veterans Affairs] shall permit eligible veterans to receive needed
[health care] services, rehabilitative services, and preventative health
services from a licensed doctor of chiropractic on a direct access basis at the
election of the eligible veteran, if such services are within the state scope of
practice of such doctor of chiropractic." The measure goes on to directly
prohibit discrimination among licensed health care providers by the DVA when
determining which services a patient needs.
Congressman Filner is a senior member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
He represents California's 51st Congressional District, including Imperial
County and a portion of San Diego County and the communities of Bonita, Brawley,
Calexico, Calipatria, Chula Vista, El Centro, Heber, Holtville, Imperial, La
Presa, National City, San Diego, Seeley and Westmoreland. In 2004, the ACA
presented Congressman Filner with its Veterans Health Care Leadership Award.
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Travel Aches and Strains Can Be a Pain In Your Back
Traveling can be rough on the body. Whether you are traveling alone on
business or on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours
in a car or an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore.
"Prolonged sitting can wreak havoc on your body," says Dr. Scott Bautch,
immediate past president of the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA)
Council on Occupational Health. "Even if you travel in the most
comfortable car or opt to fly first class, certain pressures and forces
from awkward positions can result in restricted blood flow. One of the
biggest insults to your system from prolonged sitting is the buildup of
pressure in the blood vessels in your lower legs. Contracting and
relaxing the muscles helps the blood flow properly."
Dr. Bautch and the ACA suggest the following tips and advice to fight
the pains and strains of travel before they occur.
Warm Up, Cool Down
Treat travel as an athletic event. Warm up before settling into a car or
plane, and cool down once you reach your destination. Take a brisk walk
to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles.
In the Car:
| Adjust the seat so you are as close to the steering wheel as
comfortably possible. Your knees should be slightly higher than your
hips. Place four fingers behind the back of your thigh closest to
your knee. If you cannot easily slide your fingers in and out of
that space, you need to re-adjust your seat.
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| Consider a back support. Using a support behind your back may
reduce the risk of low-back strain, pain or injury. The widest part
of the support should be between the bottom of your rib cage and
your waistline.
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| Exercise your legs while driving to reduce the risk of any
swelling, fatigue or discomfort. Open your toes as wide as you can,
and count to 10. Count to five while you tighten your calf muscles,
then your thigh muscles, then your gluteal muscles. Roll your
shoulders forward and back, making sure to keep your hands on the
steering wheel and your eyes on the road. |
| To minimize arm and hand tension while driving, hold the
steering wheel at approximately 3 o'clock and 7 o'clock,
periodically switching to 10 o'clock and 5 o'clock.
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| Do not grip the steering wheel. Instead, tighten and loosen your
grip to improve hand circulation and decrease muscle fatigue in the
arms, wrists and hands.
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| While always being careful to keep your eyes on the road, vary
your focal point while driving to reduce the risk of eye fatigue and
tension headaches.
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| Take rest breaks. Never underestimate the potential consequences
of fatigue to yourself, your passengers and other drivers. |
In an Airplane:
| Stand up straight and feel the normal "S" curve of your spine.
Then use rolled-up pillows or blankets to maintain that curve when
you sit in your seat. Tuck a pillow behind your back and just above
the beltline and lay another pillow across the gap between your neck
and the headrest. If the seat is hollowed from wear, use folded
blankets to raise your buttocks a little.
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| Check all bags heavier than 5-10 percent of your body weight.
Overhead lifting of any significant amount of weight should be
avoided to reduce the risk of pain in the lower back or neck. While
lifting your bags, stand right in front of the overhead compartment
so the spine is not rotated. Do not lift your bags over your head,
or turn or twist your head and neck in the process.
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| When stowing belongings under the seat, do not force the object
with an awkward motion using your legs, feet or arms. This may cause
muscle strain or spasms in the upper thighs and lower back muscles.
Instead, sit in your seat first, and using your hands and feet,
gently guide your bags under the seat directly in front of you.
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| While seated, vary your position occasionally to improve
circulation and avoid leg cramps. Massage legs and calves. Bring
your legs in, and move your knees up and down. Prop your legs up on
a book or a bag under your seat.
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| Do not sit directly under the air controls. The draft can
increase tension in your neck and shoulder muscles. |
Safe Travel For Children:
| Always use a car seat in a car when traveling with children
below the age of 4 and weighing less than 40 pounds.
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| Ask the airline for their policy on child car seat safety. Car
seats for infants and toddlers provide added resistance to turbulent
skies, and are safer than the lap of a parent in the event of an
unfortunate accident.
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| Make sure the car seat is appropriate for the age and size of
the child. A newborn infant requires a different seat than a
3-year-old toddler.
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| Car seats for infants should always face the rear. In this
position, the forces and impact of a crash will be spread more
evenly along the back and shoulders, providing more protection for
the neck.
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| Car seats should always be placed in the back seat of the
car-ideally in the center. This is especially important in cars
equipped with air bags. If an air bag becomes deployed, the force
could seriously injure or kill a child or infant placed in the front
seat.
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| Make sure the car seat is properly secured to the seat of the
vehicle and is placed at a 45-degree angle to support the head of
the infant or child.
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Chiropractic Care Can Help...
"If you follow these simple tips, you can enjoy pain-free, safe travel,"
says Dr. Bautch. "If you do experience pain and stress on your back,
doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat
problems of the spine and nervous system."
This article courtesy of:
The American Chiropractic Association; you can visit them at
www.acatoday.com.
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