BackWords » tip o’ the day http://backtogether.org/blog a weblog for backtogether - simple, safe and effective back pain relief for couples and individuals Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:34:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 B.T.T.o.D: Regular eye exams can help your back & neck!?!? http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/10/06/b-t-t-o-d-regular-eye-exams-can-help-your-back-neck/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/10/06/b-t-t-o-d-regular-eye-exams-can-help-your-back-neck/#comments Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:10:03 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=1304 I had several visits with a patient who had neck pain which she related to computer use. If you’ve checked out my recent posts on Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Daily, you’ve seen my suggestions on making your home and workspace more back friendly. This patient had taken all of my suggestions, and modified her desk space- altering the height and position of her monitor and keyboard, optimized her chair, etc… and she still had neck pain.

I did not identify any significant mechanical problems with her neck- so I sat her down in front of my computer and had her browse the internet for a few minutes (checking out some of her favorite posts here on BackWords!) Almost immediately, I was able to see what the problem was- she was squinting at the screen, and craning her neck forward to see it better. I quickly asked her when her last eye exam was, and she told me ‘more than 4 years ago.’

She had an eye exam, got her prescription changed, and her neck pain went away.

Get regular eye exams!

-Andy


]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/10/06/b-t-t-o-d-regular-eye-exams-can-help-your-back-neck/feed/ 0 B.T.T.o.D: Diet rich in calcium, vitamins D & C and weight bearing exercise will help prevent osteoporosis. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/03/06/b-t-t-o-d-diet-rich-in-calcium-vitamins-d-c-and-weight-bearing-exercise-will-help-prevent-osteoporosis/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/03/06/b-t-t-o-d-diet-rich-in-calcium-vitamins-d-c-and-weight-bearing-exercise-will-help-prevent-osteoporosis/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:51:59 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=790 Osteoporosis is one leading cause of back pain as some people age.  A diet high in calcium, vitamins C & D, combined with regular weight bearing exercise (something as simple as walking will do) will go a long way towards preventing the ravaging effects of osteoporosis. There are other factors involved, so before to get regular check ups with your family physician, internist or OBGYN.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Andy

Beautiful lake Kinneret, Jordan River Valley, Israel.

Beautiful lake Kinneret, Jordan River Valley, Israel.

]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/03/06/b-t-t-o-d-diet-rich-in-calcium-vitamins-d-c-and-weight-bearing-exercise-will-help-prevent-osteoporosis/feed/ 0 B.T.T.o.D: Keep a diary of your back and neck pain. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/23/b-t-t-o-d-keep-a-diary-of-your-back-and-neck-pain/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/23/b-t-t-o-d-keep-a-diary-of-your-back-and-neck-pain/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:05:45 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=765 One of the most useful tools for understanding your back & neck pain is the pain diary. Each day, keep a small list of one word descriptions of your activities for the day (office, tennis, groceries, sex, etc…) along with a subjective rating of your pain level (0= No pain, 10= Worst pain ever) both in the morning and in the evening. Over a few weeks, look for patterns in your pain- occasionally you will find simply by changing the order of your week’s activities, or better spacing those activities which cause you the most pain, you can reduce your overall level of discomfort.

Try it- you may be surprised at what you find!

-Andy

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]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/23/b-t-t-o-d-keep-a-diary-of-your-back-and-neck-pain/feed/ 0 B.T.T.o.D: Take your prescription medications as directed.. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/01/19/b-t-t-o-d-take-your-prescription-medications-as-directed/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/01/19/b-t-t-o-d-take-your-prescription-medications-as-directed/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:40:48 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=554 There is a frequently held belief, that if a little is good- more MUST be better, and you would be shocked how many patients adopt this stance with pain medications. Always take medications as directed. If you are not getting the results you are looking for, contact your physician.

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