Posture and Electronic Devices

E- devices such as phones tablets and laptops often have a huge impact on posture and then pain presentation in the chiropractic and osteopathic clinic.
What happens to our posture?
The arms are held away from the body increasing muscle activity
The arms are held in internal rotation
The thumb is encouraged to be adducted
The shoulders roll forward and up
The pec,
Massage

Injury prevention strategy

  1. Get assessed by a trained practitioner for any biomechanical dysfunction or malalignment that predisposes you to injury
  2. Fitness program incorporating
  • Strength (core and general)
  • Flexibility ( not too much )
  • Aerobic fitness

3. Diet

  • Include protein
  • Include carbohydrates
  • Include fruit and vegetables
  • Some supplements where needed fish oil (1500mg/day),
Man working at Standing Desk

Standing desks

Sitting for long term has caused much of the morbidity associated with back pain.

What are the alternatives and how do they stack up?
1. Fit balls:
Pro: good for short term change >30 minutes
        Can activate core if person can do this
Con: needs to be sized for the person and then the desk therefore risking further aggravation
         No back support leads to slumping and further strain
          Not an automated core activation activity person still requires education
2.

Shoulder injuries

Shoulder injuries

Injuries to the shoulder (gleno humeral) occur frequently as a result of direct acute injury or chronic overuse injury. The dysfunction in the shoulder however, becomes established via poor muscle balance and incorrect posture. This is usually reinforced or caused by poor ergonomics (refer to ergonomics section) and incorrect training methods.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics

Ergonomics refers to the relationship of the body to its environment. Essentially it is the study of methods used for the preservation of health and efficiency at work and activities of daily living. People who work in ergonomically designed environments and have correct posture

  • tire less quickly
  • are less stressed by poor environmental conditions
  • are less likely to get injuries
  • feel better
  • work more effectively

Poor posture may lead to

  • back pain
  • neck pain
  • headache
  • arm pain
  • repetitive strain injury (RSI)
  • eye strain

A trained practitioner will be able to analyse through history taking,

Back Pain Relief

Lower Back Pain case

A 42 year old female presented to the clinic with acute low back pain (LBP) and right leg radiculopathy. She has noticed the LBP for 6 months now, initially sporadic but now more constant.

She bent over to pick up a pen off the ground 3 days ago and felt her back seize and a sharp stabbing pain referred down her right leg.

chiropractor

Hip and Lower back pain (LBP)

Case study: Hip and Lower back pain (LBP)

Presentation: Female 32 years of age presented with acute onset R hip pain and chronic but now acute LBP

History: intermittent runner since the age of 18 with episodes of LBP and not bad but some ongoing R hip pain. The patient is now 4 months into training for a half marathon in 3 months.