Boyd Chiropractic Clinic

Hello! It seems like forever since our last post, but we are here and OPEN! We are following the masking requirements, social distancing, and cleaning the rooms between patients. If you are feeling the stress of working from home, working on your home, or just missing us - we are ready for you! :)

Backpack Safety Tips









Back pain is pervasive among American adults, however it is not uncommon among children and teens either. In a new and disturbing trend, young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

"In my own practice, I have noticed a marked increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back, neck and shoulder pain," said Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of ACA's Council on Occupational Health. "The first question I ask these patients is, 'Do you carry a backpack to school?' Almost always, the answer is 'yes.'"

This new back pain trend among youngsters isn't surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks - often slung over just one shoulder. According to Dr. Bautch, a study conducted in Italy found that the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man, or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy backpacks to school, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a result.

According to Dr. Bautch, preliminary results of studies conducted in France show that the longer a child wears a backpack, the longer it takes for a curvature or deformity of the spine to correct itself. "The question that needs to be addressed next is, 'Does it ever return to normal?'" Dr. Bautch added.

The results of these types of studies are especially important as more and more school districts - many of them in urban areas - remove lockers from the premises, forcing students to carry their books with them all day long.

The problem has become so widespread, in fact, that some states have passed legislation that would force school districts to develop ways of reducing the weight of students' backpacks. ACA believes that limiting the backpack's weight to no more than 10 percent of a child's body weight and urging the use of ergonomically correct backpacks are possible solutions.

What Can You Do?
ACA offers the following tips to help prevent the needless pain that backpack misuse could cause the students in your household.
•Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
•The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
•A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child's back.
•Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry-and the heavier the backpack will be.
•Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.
•Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child's shoulders.
•The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child's body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.
•If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child's teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.
•Although the use of rollerpacks - or backpacks on wheels - has become popular in recent years, ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, consider visiting a doctor of chiropractic (DC). DCs are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use a gentler type of treatment for children. In addition, DCs can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.

» For more information on prevention and wellness, or to find an ACA chiropractor near you, visit www.acatoday.org/patients, or follow us .

American Chiropractic Association > Patients

Yes, Ken. We do accept that insurance. Please call us for an appointment.

With Spring right around the corner, (at least on the calendar), you are probably anxious to get started on your outdoor projects! Remember to always stretch before you get started, whether bending over to pick up litter in the yard, sticks from the crazy winter winds, or pulling the weeds that never take a break! Here’s a quick list to help you get started:
Garden Fitness Stretches
• Before stretching for any activity, breathe in and out, slowly and rhythmically; do not bounce or jerk your body, and stretch as far and as comfortably as you can. Do not follow the “no pain, no gain” rule. Stretching should not be painful.
• While sitting, stretch your leg out in front of you, knee straight, and prop your heel on a step. Then lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of the thigh, or the hamstring muscle. Hold this position for 15 seconds. Do this once more and repeat with the other leg.
• Stand up, balance yourself, and grab the front of your ankle from behind. Pull your heel towards your buttocks and hold the position for 15 seconds. Do this again and repeat with the other leg.
• While standing, weave your fingers together above your head with the palms up. Lean to one side for 10 seconds, then to the other. Repeat this stretch three times.
• Do the "Hug your best friend" stretch. Wrap your arms around yourself and rotate to one side, stretching as far as you can comfortably go. Hold for 10 seconds and reverse. Repeat two or three times.
• Finally, be aware of your body technique, body form and correct posture while gardening. Kneel, don't bend, and alternate your stance and movements as often as possible to keep the muscles and body balanced.

It's that time of year when you're looking for a last minute gift idea. Everyone can make use of Biofreeze. From athletes to those holiday activities (shopping, wrapping, baking) that need done before the big day, it helps calm the ache. Biofreeze is a perfect stocking stuffer. We have ice packs, lumbar supports for the back, sit back rests for the car or office chair. Also check out our line of Standard Process and Nordic Natural products. When you're not sure what the recipient would like ~ gift certicates are always the right size! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Doctors and staff!

Fall is here, along with falling leaves! 🍁🍂🍁. If you are feeling the effects of cleaning up the yard, an adjustment will help you feel your best!

Summer is here!! Time for an adjustment to keep you feeling your best and enjoying all the warm weather has to offer. 😎

We're here at the Gannon University Wellness Fair! If you're in the area or part of the Gannon family, come check us out. There's prizes to be won and some fun spinal games!

October is almost here and that means it's Spinal Health Month!

The office will be buzzing with fun activities.

Here are a few fun facts about the spine to get the month rolling...

1. The spine contains more than 120 muscles

2. An average spinal cord weighs 35 grams

3. Astronauts can return from space up to 3% taller due to cartilage in the spinal column expanding in the response of microgravity.

Check in later for some more fact and health tips throughout the month!

Are you noticing poor posture in your children?

Did you know that heavy school bags, video games, and texting all cause poor posture?
Buying a school bag with good back support this school year and making sure handheld devices are at eye level all help to combat bad posture!

Can you guess how many bones are in the jar? 😀

Want to know if you should use ice or heat on a specific injury? Check out this convenient information table to find out:

Boyd Chiropractic Clinic is celebrating 20 YEARS in business! Be on the look out for some fun activities that are happening at the clinic in the month of July!

Dont Forget that BIO Freeze or a Gift Card make awesome stocking stuffers. Stop in today, Christmas will be here before you know it.

It is that time of year again. Boyd Chiropractic is collecting non-perishable food items that will be placed in food baskets for Christmas. We will be collecting through December 14, 2015. Help us take a moment to help others enjoy a holiday meal just as we like too.
For those who donate a box of cereal, your name will be put in for a drawing to receive a prize.
Please check the dates on the products, they do not accept out of date products.
We at Boyd Chiropractic appreciate your generosity, and wish you the best of the up coming holidays.
Please feel free to stop in any time during our office hours.

cliparts.co

Nutrition Week....Water....Did you know that.....
-Your body weight is approximately 60% water?

Water protects your tissues , spinal cord and joints.
-Regulates body temperature
-Water helps to protect the spinal cord and it acts as a lubricant and cushion for your joints.

Water helps your body remove waste.

Water aids in digestion.

Prevents dehydration.

So......What is the recommended amount of water that you should intake daily?

Happy Spinal Health Month!

5 Common Causes of Neck Pain (and How Chiropractic Can Help)

By Editorial Staff

Neck pain can be acute (short term) or chronic (recurring or persisting for months and even years), but regardless, when you're in pain, relief is the first thing on your mind. Just as important as relief, of course, is finding the cause and ensuring you avoid the behavior / action that brought the pain on in the first place.

Here are five common causes of neck pain – and why doctors of chiropractic are well-suited to relieve the pain and determine the underlying cause.

1. Poor Posture: Leaning over a desk all day or slouching in your office chair? You're bound to develop neck pain eventually, if you haven't already. Do this quick test: In an upright or seated position, round your shoulders and back (poor posture). Does it impact your neck as well? Exactly!

2. Monitor Madness: Staring at the computer screen for hours at a time? That's not good for your health (or sanity), but from a neck pain perspective, it's madness, particularly if the screen height forces you to crane your neck up (too high) or extend it down (too low).

3. Sleep Issues: Ideally, we spend a third of our day sleeping, so your sleep habits – for better or worse – can have a dramatic effect on your health. With regard to neck pain, anytime you sleep in an uncomfortable position, particularly one that stresses your neck musculature (think about side-sleeping while grabbing your pillow tightly, sleeping on your stomach with your arms out in front of you, or even sleeping on your back, but with a pillow that doesn't adequately support your neck), you risk neck pain.

neck pain - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark 4. Technology Overload: We may spend a third of our day sleeping, but we increasingly spend the other 16 hours typing, texting, tapping and otherwise interacting with our smartphones, tablets, etc. Bottom line: bad for your neck. One doctor has even coined the phrase, "text neck," to describe the neck pain that can result from this constant technology interaction.

5. The Wrong Movement: Twisting, turning, stretching and stressing your neck is an easy way to cause neck pain. While the muscles in the neck are strong, they can be strained, sprained and even torn, just like any other muscle.

It's important to note that beyond these common causes, various other health issues can also contribute to or directly cause neck pain, including fibromyalgia, cervical arthritis or spondylosis (essentially spinal arthritis), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), infection of the spine, and even cancer. The good news is that a doctor of chiropractic can help identify which of these or the above causes is to blame.

When neck pain strikes, most people turn to a temporary solution first: pain-relieving medication. But that's not a permanent solution, of course, and it doesn't address the cause of the pain at all, which could be something relatively minor – or more serious. What's more, research suggests chiropractic spinal manipulation is actually more effective than over-the-counter and prescription medication for relieving both acute and subacute neck pain.

Suffering from neck pain? Then give your doctor of chiropractic a call. They'll help you relieve your pain and determine the cause so it doesn't return.

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