BackWords » tip of 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: Let your glasses be your guide. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/12/15/b-t-t-o-d-let-your-glasses-be-your-guide/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/12/15/b-t-t-o-d-let-your-glasses-be-your-guide/#comments Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:32:24 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=1368 Here’s a nice simple one for those of you who are getting new computers or workstations for the holidays: When you are positioning all of your equipment, use your glasses to help figure out the height of your computer screen. By placing it so that the arms of your eyeglasses are parallel to the floor, you can be certain your neck will be in a neutral position when working, or on line.

Check back later this week for great tips for breastfeeding mothers, as well as a review of a wonderful sexual aid for folks with back pain.

Thanks for stopping by!

Andy

]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/12/15/b-t-t-o-d-let-your-glasses-be-your-guide/feed/ 0 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: Wearing heels? Keep ‘em low, or keep ‘em wide, keep ‘em supportive…… http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/06/03/b-t-t-o-d-wearing-heels-keep-em-low-or-keep-em-wide-keep-em-supportive/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/06/03/b-t-t-o-d-wearing-heels-keep-em-low-or-keep-em-wide-keep-em-supportive/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:01:38 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=1052 I almost hate to talk about shoes in the midst of all of this Sex and the City hyperhype. If I hear the words ‘Manolo Blahnik’ one more time, I may need therapy. But the truth is, high heels get somewhat of  a bad rap in discussions about back pain. You always hear about how wearing these shoes or those shoes caused back pain, but there are some things you can do to prevent this from happening to you. When you are considering how shoes might affect you, there are a few things to consider:

-If you need to wear heels for work, or an occasion- try to keep them no higher than 1 to 1.5 inches in height. Higher than this, and you will alter your pelvic tilt, and compromise your body mechanics.

-If you must wear heels higher than that, try to stick with ones that have a wider, more supportive heel (mules for example.) These will provide lateral support and put you at less risk than stiletto types.

-There are no dress shoes (for women or men) that are particularly supportive, so really try to wear them only when you need to. Good shock absorption and arch support can to a lot to protect your back from harm. I love when I see folks walking to work in a suit wearing sneakers, and changing into their shoes when they get where they are going.

As a guy who wears cowboy boots most of the time, I take my footwear seriously!

Just a few thoughts. Be Well!

-Andy

Honestly- these shoes are HEINOUS!

]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/06/03/b-t-t-o-d-wearing-heels-keep-em-low-or-keep-em-wide-keep-em-supportive/feed/ 0 B.T.T.o.D: If you have a choice, push rather than pull when moving a heavy object. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/04/13/b-t-t-o-d-if-you-have-a-choice-push-rather-than-pull-when-moving-a-heavy-object/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/04/13/b-t-t-o-d-if-you-have-a-choice-push-rather-than-pull-when-moving-a-heavy-object/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:02:32 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=909 Your body mechanics are such that you place yourself at higher risk for back injury when pulling a heavy object rather than pushing. If you must pull, try to utilize the most stable base you can- utilizing your legs rather than your back.

BT Signature

]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/04/13/b-t-t-o-d-if-you-have-a-choice-push-rather-than-pull-when-moving-a-heavy-object/feed/ 0 B.T.T.o.D: Follow any bodywork with healthy intake of water! http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/03/15/b-t-t-o-d-follow-any-bodywork-with-healthy-intake-of-water/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/03/15/b-t-t-o-d-follow-any-bodywork-with-healthy-intake-of-water/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:23:41 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=822 Any time you have bodywork done, be it Osteopathic treatment, Massage, Chiropractic- it doesn’t matter what- be sure to consume plenty of water that day. Manipulation of the soft tissue can stimulate areas of the lymphatic system, releasing all sorts of cellular waste.  A healthy amount of water will help flush those waste products out of your system.

Be well!

-Andy

BT Signature

]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/03/15/b-t-t-o-d-follow-any-bodywork-with-healthy-intake-of-water/feed/ 1 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: Follow a round of golf with a ‘recovery period’ as though you were weightlifting. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/24/b-t-t-o-d-follow-a-round-of-golf-with-a-recovery-period-as-though-you-were-weightlifting/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/24/b-t-t-o-d-follow-a-round-of-golf-with-a-recovery-period-as-though-you-were-weightlifting/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:26:37 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=772 If you do not play golf, you probably don’t recognize how strenuous it can actually be. The lumbar spine and shoulders are subjected to tremendous torque, and the whole ‘drive’ portion of the game is a ‘ballistic’ exercise-  meaning there is instantaneous generation of enormous energy.

Be sure to hydrate before hitting the links, and take a few minutes to stretch.

Follow a round of golf with good hydration (not the cocktails you may be tempted to have) a good, high protein meal, and adequate rest to give your body the opportunity to recover (the length of time needed to recover varies from person to person- the simple rule is to wait until most of your muscle soreness has resolved.) This will ensure that you will be able to play throughout the season.

As the weather warms up here in the Northern Hemisphere, look for more tips and articles on getting the most pain-free experience out of Spring-Summer sports.

Enjoy,

Andy

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]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/24/b-t-t-o-d-follow-a-round-of-golf-with-a-recovery-period-as-though-you-were-weightlifting/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: Get your kids a rolling book bag. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/12/b-t-t-o-d-get-your-kids-a-rolling-book-bag/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/12/b-t-t-o-d-get-your-kids-a-rolling-book-bag/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:33:26 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=723 I know, I know- your kids will say they will look dorky if they have a roller. I tell my daughter she will look dorkier walking around lopsided because of the damage to her back carrying around a hundred pounds of books. They make cool looking ones, and you will save your children from potentially serious back problems.

Enjoy your weekend!

-Andy

The skilled touch of a loved one can have a greater, longer lasting effect on back pain.

The skilled touch of a loved one can have a greater, longer lasting effect on back pain.

]]> http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/12/b-t-t-o-d-get-your-kids-a-rolling-book-bag/feed/ 0 B.T.T.o.D: Keeping your wallet in your back pocket will shift your sacrum and pelvis, and cause you back pain. http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/01/b-t-t-o-d-keeping-your-wallet-in-your-back-pocket-will-shift-your-sacrum-and-pelvis-and-cause-you-back-pain/ http://backtogether.org/blog/2010/02/01/b-t-t-o-d-keeping-your-wallet-in-your-back-pocket-will-shift-your-sacrum-and-pelvis-and-cause-you-back-pain/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:20:31 +0000 DrKirschner http://backtogether.org/blog/?p=617 If you see today’s blog post, you will read about how small things have big effects. Here is one thing so many people- men in particular- do, that can cause all sorts of low back discomfort. Keep your wallet in your front pocket or in a bag or briefcase.

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