Tips for Fall Raking and Mowing from Baltimore Chiropractor

Don't look now, here come the leaves!

Before you start up the mower or reach for the rake this fall, consider the possible consequences: upper or lower-back strain, neck strain and pain in the shoulders. The twisting, turning, bending, and reaching of mowing and raking can cause injury if your body is not properly prepared.

Here are a few tips to help prevent the needless pain yard work may cause:

1. Do stretching exercises before, during and after your yard work.
2. When raking, use a "scissors" stance: right foot forward and left foot back for a few minutes, then reverse, putting your left foot forward and right foot back.
3. Bend at the knees, not the waist, as you pick up piles of leaves or grass from the grass catcher. Make the piles small to decrease the possibility of back strain.
4. Keep normal curves in your lower back when you lift. A straight back is actually putting you at more risk for injury, contrary to what you may have been told in the past.
5. When mowing, use your whole bodyweight to push the mower, rather than just your arms and back.
6. Drink lots of water, wear a hat, shoes and protective glasses. And if you have asthma or allergies, wear a mask.
7. If you do feel soreness or stiffness in your back, use ice to soothe the discomfort. If there's no improvement in two or three days, give us a call at Baltimore Back and Pain Center.

If you are experiencing any type of pain, please come visit us at Baltimore Back and Pain Center for a complimentary evaluation with Dr. Michael A. Dorn, Jr. DC and receive a free 30 minute hydro-massage. Call our office in Baltimore today at 410-662-4476 to schedule your free chiropractic evaluation.

Arm and Hand Numbness. What Does it Mean?

Even if you are healthy, it's fairly common to wake up, once in a while, with your hands or arms feeling numb. This may not mean you have a serious health problem, but it shouldn't be ignored. The numbness and tingling, that creepy crawly feeling - or pins and needles - is a fairly common symptom in the arms and hands. There are a number of causes which can include:

• A “pinched nerve” in the neck or low back
• A “pinched nerve” in the carpal tunnel at the wrist
• A body-wide condition, such as diabetes or thyroid problems, among others
• Lyme Disease

The most common cause would be the “pinched nerve” in the neck or low back, with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) being the second most common for hand symptoms. With today’s computer driven world placing excessive stress on the wrist, it can cause swelling and irritation which then “pinches” on the nerve as it passes through the wrist bones. “Pinched nerves” in the neck and back are most commonly associated with spinal disk problems which can include protrusion or rupture.

Remember, out of all your body systems, your neurological system is the most sensitive, so it pays not to ignore any unusual signs and symptoms in that area. The most important thing is to obtain a proper diagnosis so that the most effective treatment protocol can then be followed. Call the Baltimore Back and Pain Center today at 410-662-4476 if you have numbness or tingling in your hands (or feet) and let's get to the bottom of this with the correct diagnosis followed by proper treatment.

Backpacks Without Back Pain

Summer is winding down and the kids are heading back to school in Maryland this month. When buying - and later - using a backpack, keep these points from the American Chiropractic Association in mind:

• Make sure that the backpack weighs no more than 5-10% of your child's body weight.
• Purchase a backpack with adjustable straps so it can be properly fitted to your child’s body. The backpack should never hang more than 4” below the waistline.
• Purchase backpacks with wide, padded shoulder straps. Urge your child to use both shoulder straps, or at least alternate shoulders throughout the day.
• Purchase backpacks with individualized compartments - this helps position the content more effectively.
• If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher or principal. Ask if your child could leave their heaviest books at school.

Best wishes to your kids for a successful school year from Dr. Michael A. Dorn, Jr., DC and the staff at Baltimore Back and Pain Center!