How To Pick The Best Backpack For School
Houston Chiropractor Comments: This is the time of the year that parents start to look for school backpacks for their children. These backpacks, while necessary for carrying all their school supplies, tend to be poorly designed for the size of the students. The backpacks often place an excessive strain on their necks and upper backs. Over a period-of-time, the extra weight can distort the natural spinal curvatures.
This distortion can lead to:
- Rounding of the shoulders
- Causing irritation and muscle strain of the rib cage and spinal joints
- Cause the child to lean forward which can reduce their balance and make them more susceptible to falls
The problems with the backpack can be made worse by only utilizing one strap. Doing this causes the child to lean to one side and puts the muscles under non-symmetrical strain.
There is not a consensus among doctors on the correct amount of weight that a child can carry or the perfect backpack design, but parents should use common sense in choosing the best backpack for your child.
Look for backpack design features that help reduce the chance of back pain:
- Lightweight material (canvas as opposed to leather)
- Two padded, wide (2-inches), adjustable shoulder straps on the backpack
- Padded back
- Individualized compartments
- Hip strap, waist belt, or frame to redistribute the weight of the backpack from the shoulders and back to the pelvis
- Wheels so that the backpack can be pulled rather than carried
- Consider using a separate bag for the child’s laptop or other heavier electronic items
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Does Dehydration Affect Your Spine?
Houston Chiropractor Comments: As the weather heats back up here in Texas, we run the risk of becoming dehydrated by not making sure that we drink enough water and fluids. This can cause a variety of health concerns.
Our body is composed of up to 50% water and when you are not properly hydrated, you can begin to suffer from dehydration. Typically, you will first notice headaches and dizziness, but it can also result in back and joint pain.
Dehydration has a direct affect on our spine, since it pulls fluids from all areas of the body to support the brain. This leaves the joints, discs, and other connective tissues weak and unable to properly support and cushion the bones. Water helps to hydrate discs located between your vertebrae in your spine and prevents your tendons, ligaments, and muscles from becoming stiff and tight.
If you have chronic dehydration that has affected your spine, it can take 1-2 months to properly rehydrate your discs. You cannot just drink more water for a day or two and correct the problem, you will pee out the extra water before it gets absorbed. It needs to be a gradual increase and then maintained.
Make sure to drink water, milk, or fruit juices before you feel thirsty. Snack on water-rich fruits like melons and berries and minimized drinks like sodas.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
How To Improve Your Health And Fitness In 2024
Houston Chiropractor Comments: As a new year begins, people have goals of improving themselves. A common goal is to improve one’s health and fitness. As a doctor of chiropractic, this is the one that I hear about the most.
To help your spine and prevent injuries you should do activities that increase your strength and your flexibility.
For anyone who has been a patient of mine, I always emphasize flexibility. The more flexible you are, the less likely you are to sprain or strain a muscle or ligament. Some good ways to increase your flexibility is through stretching, Pilates, yoga, or tai chi. The benefit of this is to allow the muscle and joint to go through their full range of motion. Like the adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” that is true of your muscle and ligament elasticity.
To strengthen your body, you need to do any activity that makes you work harder than normal. You can either use your body weight for exercises or use some form of resistance. For body weight training you can do push-ups, sit-ups, squats, cycling, or stair climbing. For resistance exercises you can use weights or resistance bands.
Gradually build up the time that you are strengthening your body. Have a goal of performing the exercises and stretches both for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week. Mix in some aerobic activities such as walking or running for 20 minutes a day and you will have a good foundation for your health and fitness.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Thanksgiving
Houston Chiropractor comments: This is the time of the year that we reflect on people and events and we give thanks. Sometimes it is easy to think of all the wonderful blessings that we have been given and other times we need to think hard to find positive events.
After being in practice since 1990 here in Clear Lake City, TX, I realize just how blessed I am.
First, I am thankful for my family. Without their support and encouragement, I would not have been able to follow my dream of being able to help patients get well without the need of drugs or surgery.
Second, I am thankful for my amazing employees. Having a small group of assistants that have each worked for several years has greatly eased my stress. One employee has worked here for 16 years! Their input and feedback have been invaluable.
Finally, I am thankful for all my wonderful patients. Knowing that thousands of patients have trusted their health to me and referred their friends and families is heart-warming. I have also enjoyed having several of you becoming friends as well. I have been able to learn about other countries and cultures as well as differing views of society.
Thanks again for a wonderful 2023 and looking forward to an equally enjoyable 2024.
Ward Beecher DC
The Chiropractor’s Effect On Emotional Health
Houston Chiropractor Comments: An aspect of chiropractic care that most people do not expect is the effect that we can have on a patient’s emotional health. The effect is similar to what some people feel when they get a massage, the emotions just come out. It can be very cathartic for the patient.
When I was an intern during my chiropractic training, several of us noted that a patient would start laughing or crying after we worked on a muscle or performed a chiropractic adjustment on them. This because some patients tend to store their stress and tension in specific muscles or areas of the spine.
Over time I have noticed that if a specific injury keeps someone from doing the things they like, that area has a greater probability of storing emotional trauma. Patients that have had a chronic joint problem that caused them to stop playing their favorite sport will sometimes have an emotional release when they are finally able to move their joint and return to the sport that they love. One of the more common areas is when people have repeatedly twisted their ankle. When we can restore their joint range of motion or breakup the scar tissue in their ankle or calf muscles the tears of joy are very rewarding.
The most extreme emotions I have noticed are from patients that have been taking care of a loved one for months or years. They have so much stress and tension built up in their body that when it is finally released the emotions just flow out. This is another part of the healing process, but most people do not like to talk about.
Not only does the chiropractic adjustment help increase the joints range of motion, it can help reduce the tension in the muscle, and allow endorphins to be released to aid in the complete healing of the patient.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
School Sports Physicals
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: As we get closer to the fall school activities starting, we wish to remind Intermediate and High School students and parents that we perform the required Preparticipation Physical Evaluation at our office. The charge for this examination is only $20. Please call the office at 281-286-1300 to schedule.
Here are the links for the (2) forms that are needed. Please fill out the medical history form before arriving.
Thanks,
Ward Beecher DC
Movement is Medicine
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: In my 34 years of being a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), the main thing that I have learned about health, longevity, and recovering from injuries; is that movement is medicine.
When I first started treating patients in 1989, it was not uncommon for them to come to my office after being told to have a week of bedrest for their low back pain from their medical doctor. Their pain had not gotten any better and they were getting frustrated. What I noticed was that the sooner they started moving around, the sooner they started getting relief. By the early 1990’s we started seeing the surgeons and PT’s trying to get the patient moving as quickly as possible after surgeries.
I then started having my patients perform some stretches and exercises on a regular basis to prevent a reoccurrence of their problem. While it does not prevent a person from injuring themselves, it does make the recovery quicker and easier.
There are several ways to make sure that you are moving currently. A common thing nowadays is to have a fitness tracker that counts your daily steps. This challenges you to reach your steps goal every day. Several businesses promote taking walk breaks instead of coffee breaks. Taking a 10-minute break to walk around a building or office complex can greatly reduce your stress, improve your circulation, and give you mental clarity. It is common now for people to have standing desks or exercise ball chairs. These allow you to work on balance and core strength.
Find ways to increase your movement daily. This can be from taking the stairs instead of an elevator. Parking in the back of a car lot instead of up front. Sitting on the floor instead of a soft chair. Ride your bike when you can. Find any excuse to move just a little more. Your body will thank you later. 😊
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Health Benefits of Chiropractic
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: As the new year begins, people set their goals and make resolutions. One of the main goals tends to be making healthier choices. People want to eat better, drink less alcohol, exercise more and generally improve the quality of their lives.
This is where Chiropractic care comes in. 😊
Research has found that chiropractic adjustments may be an effective treatment for various forms of neck and/or back pain. Seeing a doctor of chiropractic may also lower your need to take pain relievers or undergo more invasive treatments like surgery.
Chiropractic care can improve your posture. Standing up straight will allow you to feel more energetic and vibrant.
Spinal adjustments from a chiropractic doctor have been shown to minimize migraines and neck related headaches.
Regular chiropractic care has been shown to reduce pain and improve range of motion of your spine and other joints. This will help to reduce symptoms of chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.
Many patients notice an improved immune function. When the nervous system has a lot of irritation, it can lower the body’s ability to fight of infections. Removing that irritation allows the body to operate at its maximum potential.
Many patients report improved digestion, lowered blood pressure and better asthma control with regular maintenance adjustments.
Another benefit is healthier pregnancies. Through the years we have helped dozens of women to have less discomfort during their pregnancy and easier deliveries of their baby.
Finally, by easing the spinal tension and related pain you are able to relax and enjoy a more peaceful slumber.
If you wish to experience the pleasure of health, schedule a chiropractic appointment today.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Benefits of Spicy Food
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Being the son of a Cajun mother and married to a Cajun wife, I have always been exposed to spicy food… and loved it. I also took it for granted. I assumed that most food from around the world was seasoned and spicy also. Living in Houston had exposed me to several other cultures and I always enjoyed their spicy food.
Recently I read several articles that explained the health benefits of spicy food. I was glad to read that the food that I enjoy eating was also good for me. At least some of it. 😉
Several spices such as turmeric, garlic, ginger, cinnamon and chili have many health benefits.
A study from Harvard in 2015 showed that eating spicy food six or seven days a week lowered mortality rate by 14%. This occurred even if you only ate the spicy food one time a day.
Several studies have shown that certain spices can raise your resting metabolic rate and also suppress your appetite. Turmeric has also been shown to suppress fat tissue growth.
In Ayurvedic medicine, ginger and garlic have been used for their anti-inflammatory properties. A compound in turmeric, curcumin, may reduce inflammation in the body.
In chili peppers there is a compound called capsaicin which has been shown to slow and kill cancer cells.
Cumin and turmeric help to kill bacteria with their strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
There are other benefits, but this should give you the idea that adding spice to your meals will have several benefits. Enjoy the benefit of “kicking it up a bit” with spices.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Working Safely From Home
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Times are not good or bad, they are different. That phrase was taught to me when I was younger and it is still true today. The world that we live in is constantly changing and we must adapt. While we are coping with the COVID-19 virus, many people are either working from home or not working at all. This leads to poor work habits and a change in our normal routine.
Since the coronavirus has placed large portions of the country on lockdown, we have been staying open to ease the strain of neck and back injuries from the hospitals and urgent care facilities. I have had people injuring their necks and backs from poor home office ergonomics. People are using their coffee tables or beds as desks and spending 8 hours hunched over in awkward positions. Some people are lying on their couches watching the television all day.
Even when working from home, proper ergonomics must be maintained. Working at a proper desk is beneficial. Some people will benefit from an adjustable standing desk like a Varidesk or an Airlift. You can also use a laptop stand that will help elevate your screen to eye level. This is helpful with the increase in home video conferencing.
Make sure to take time to stretch your neck, back and wrists. We have videos of these stretches on our website (www.BeecherChiropractic.com.) and on our YouTube channel under Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. This will help to minimize your neck fatigue, back strain and carpal tunnel symptoms.
Finally take some time to exercise. Try and do some form of exercise for at least 20 consecutive minutes. This not only will help your fitness, but it will help to lessen your stress and allow you burn some of those extra calories that you have been eating. 😉
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
