I'm hurt but I don't have a health insurance! Please help!!!

Not so fast my friends. Maybe you do and you just do not know it.

Hello, Jacksonville. Today I wanted to talk about car insurance. That’s right, I said car insurance!

Every day I have people coming through my doors who have been injured in auto accidents. All too often, as far as they know, they will have to pay for their medical treatment all by themselves. Fortunately, I have it on good authority that for most of you this just isn’t true! You have help: your car insurance.

Drivers who are insured in Florida are required by law to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection insurance, also known as a ‘PIP’ policy. Note that that is a minimum - you may be carrying more. Who is this money for? It is for you! Florida is a no-fault state, so each person’s car insurance pays for their damages and injuries, regardless of whose fault the accident was.

Here is how it works, in a nutshell: If you are carrying a $10,000 PIP policy and you injure your back, that policy will cover 80% of the cost of your medical bills and 60% of the cost of your lost wages up to $10,000, even if the accident was your fault. Additionally, the policy covers property damage, again with a minimum of $10,000. So that will help out with your car, too.

Basically, if you have car insurance you have a guaranteed cushion of at least $10,000 in case of being injured in an accident. That money can be used for visits to the ER, a physical therapist, or even your friendly neighborhood chiropractor!

One thing you should be aware of: in 2012, the Florida state legislature tightened up the no-fault law to reduce fraud. For less serious conditions, there is now a cap of $2,500 on what you can claim. Also, if you need to make a PIP claim, it is important to act quickly! You have fourteen days to make your claim with your insurance. After that, you lose your chance!

Despite these restrictions, Personal Injury Protection is there to help you, the person injured in an accident, and it can. It doesn’t matter if you were at fault or even if the other driver was uninsured. The PIP policy still kicks in. Your PIP policy can be used to help cover the cost of your medical bills. This is a great advantage for Floridians. So take advantage of it!

Let’s start working on feeling better, Florida!

Yours in health,

Christopher B. Renne, D.C.

Chiropractic Physician

www.activechirocenter.com

Distracted drivers+Cellphones=Whiplash Injuries. Here's what you need to know:

Hello everyone, Dr. Renne here to talk about a very common and very painful injury, the condition commonly known as whiplash. Physicians, of course, have a longer and more complicated name for whiplash: CAD Syndrome, also known as Cervical Acceleration Deceleration.

Wow, doc, those sure are some $10 words. What do they mean?

If you’ve ever been in a fender-bender in your car, there is a good chance you’ve experienced at least mild whiplash. Here is what happened to you: the rapid acceleration and deceleration (remember those words from the scientific name?) of the crash forced your neck to flex beyond the limits of its normal range of motion. As your head was suddenly thrown backward and forward, your cervical spine was hyper-extended. This might have resulted in all kinds of injuries to the vertebrae in your spine or the muscles, joints, and ligaments in your neck.

Now, if you experienced whiplash, the pain, soreness, and discomfort might show up right away. But they might not. Sometimes it takes a day or two to feel the effects. But either way it is definitely no fun! Whiplash can have symptoms you wouldn’t expect, too, sometimes taking the form of headaches, dizziness, shoulder and back pain, or even strange prickling or burning sensations.

Sometimes, the injuries you receive from whiplash may be no worse than a stiff neck in the morning. But when you’re dealing with a potential injury to your spine it’s a good idea not to take any chances. If you think you’ve experienced whiplash, don’t just try to tough it out! You need to see a medical provider. Your friendly local chiropractor is one excellent option!

As a chiropractor, here are the things I check for when a patient comes in with whiplash symptoms:

1. Joint dysfunction and loss of normal range of movement
2. Muscle dysfunction with painful trigger points
3. Faulty movement patterns
4. Herniated discs

If left unchecked, these conditions can lead to chronic pain as well as a loss of range of motion in the neck and shoulders. That’s why we want to get them looked at as soon as possible.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments available. Depending on the nature of the underlying injury, I might recommend chiropractic manipulation, muscle relaxation, muscle stimulation, exercise and physical therapy, or even posture and lifestyle changes. The earlier we start these treatments the more successful they will be!

If you’ve been in a car accident, or had a fall, or been in any kind of physical collision where your head was jerked around, you are at risk for whiplash. If you start experiencing neck pain, shoulder pain, soreness, tingling, numbness, headaches, dizziness, prickling or burning immediately afterward or within a few days, don’t wait! Please see a medical provider ASAP!

If you think you may have experienced whiplash, come in and see us. The phone number to setup an appointment is (904) 398-4860.

Yours in health,  

Christopher B. Renne, D.C.

www.activechirocenter.com

904-398-4860 office

Is Massage Therapy really worth the cost?

Hello Jacksonville! I know that many of you come through the doors of Active Medical & Chiropractic because you are looking for a drug-free way to manage your back pain. Patients often tell me that the hands-on therapeutic services we provide like massage therapy really help to reduce their pain.

Well this week a new report has come out that says science backs this up! The Group Health Research Institute in Seattle recently performed a study of 401 back pain patients. Their study demonstrated that massage therapy was just as effective at relieving lower back pain as a combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and weekly physical therapy, the standard treatment for this condition. All of the participants in the study had experienced at least three months of pain, and their pain did not come from a specific event such as a car accident.

The study compared the standard treatment to both relaxing (or ‘Swedish’-style) massage and deep-tissue structural massage. The results were the same in both cases, with patients reporting a decrease in pain and an increase in their ability to perform exercises over the course of a year.

Not only did the study participants who received massage treatment improve just as much as those who received medication, they also appeared to improve a little bit faster. That’s right, massage therapy worked more quickly than drugs. That’s quite a result!

Frankly, it’s not news to me that regular massage therapy makes my patients feel better. I see it every day! But it’s great that studies like this are bringing the benefits of massage to more people’s attention.

If you’d like to schedule a massage session for yourself, just give us a call. Our phone # is (904)398-4860. We want you to start feeling better, faster. Today!

Yours in health,

Christopher B. Renne, D.C.

Chiropractic Physician

www.activechirocenter.com

Easy stretching tip for the spinally challenged among us....

Hey Jacksonville, Dr. Chris from Active Medical &Chiropractic here with a quick tip on stretching out your back. You don’t have to wait to visit our office to start working on sore lower back muscles. There are some techniques you can use in the comfort of your own home. And one of them uses some items you’d never expect: two tennis balls and a roll of duct tape!

Putting this together is pretty simple. Take two tennis balls and place them side-by-side, and then wrap them in duct tape until you have nice duct-taped wrapped peanut that will hold together. “Okay doc,” you say, “I’ve got this weird contraption, now how do I use it?”

You put your duct-tape peanut on the floor and lie on top of it, face up and knees bent. The tennis balls should be oriented parallel to your waist and in the middle of the curve of your lower back.

Once you’re more or less comfortable in this position, it’s time to do some exercises! Raise both arms straight up and point your fingers towards the ceiling. Keep those elbows straight!

Now, take one of your arms and slowly lower it over your head so that it is parallel to the ground. You should still be keeping your arm fully outstretched. It’s okay to move your neck if you need to.

Hold this position for several seconds and then slowly return your arm to its original position. Now repeat the same motion with your other arm. Repeat this process four more times.

While you are moving your straightened arms up and down, the tennis balls should be working into your lumbar spine like the knuckles of a massage therapist, helping to loosen and soften the muscles. Try it and see for yourself!

You can use this technique to help alleviate lower back pain, and practicing it daily could help prevent future pain as well.

Of course, if you are in a lot of pain and need to see a professional, please give us a call! 

And as always, take care and be well, Jacksonville!

Yours in health,

Christopher B. Renne, D.C.

Chiropractic Physician

www.activechirocenter.com

Public Health Alert.....Please read and Share!

Dr. Chris here, reaching out from you to share results from a recent study released back in July by the Federal Drug Administration. As many of you know, my practice centers around treating pain disorders with non-medical treatment options. However, my practice also employs a script pad carrying medical specialist and we happily provide medication to our patients who need this treatment. So, do not take the following as some form of attack against my allopathic colleagues! Painkillers Like Ibuprofen Increase Risk for Stroke and Heart Attack
Studies have shown that over-the-counter NSAID pain killers like Ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib, and naproxen can potentially cause users to have a heart attack or a stroke. (1) New labeling being required by the US Food and Drug Administration on the packaging of NSAIDS will warn users of these possible side effects, along with advising them that their risk of heart failure is increased if they take these drugs. The new labels will include the fact that these heart problems can occur as soon as the initial weeks of use of the NSAIDS. They will also say that heart failure, heart attack, and stroke can affect people using NSAIDS who have no history of heart issues, and no genetic predisposition toward heart disease. People who already have heart issues or who have certain risk factors for heart disease have a higher probability of suffering heart failure, heart attacks, or strokes with NSAID usage, though. Studies seem to show that higher doses of NSAIDS increase possible heart failure or damage. NSAIDS have been used for years to treat fever as well as the pain from arthritis, headaches, abdominal cramping, and the discomfort from viral diseases. Source: (1) FDA.gov, online July 9, 2015 Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2015 If you are unsure what to do when you are in pain, please contact your primary care provider for help. If you still need assistance, feel free to contact me directly at jaxchiro@gmail.com. As always, thank you for taking the time to thoughtfully read this week's blog entry. Be well! Dr. Christopher B. Renne Chiropractic Physician Active Medical & Chiropractic 4111 Atlantic Boulevard Jacksonville, Fl 32207 (904) 398-4860 www.activechirocenter.com

Millions of Airbags RECALLED!

Hello everyone! If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that because I see so many patients who have been in car accidents, driver safety is a big concern of mine!

With that in mind, I wanted to draw your attention to a huge recall announced this summer by the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Takata, the company that has made the airbags in tens of millions of cars and trucks for decades, has discovered that a number of them are defective and need to be fixed or replaced.

How big is this recall? It’s pretty big! It affects 34 million vehicles, about one out of every seven in the United States, and includes cars from 11 different auto makers! That makes it the biggest recall of all time.

Airbags are designed so that if a vehicle is involved in a collision while moving at 30 mph or more, a propellent will ignite, immediately deploying and inflating the airbag, and cushioning the head and body of the driver and passenger. But there are reports that in some vehicles the propellent that Takata used could actually send metal shrapnel flying through the car. Yikes!

It’s important that you find out if any vehicles you own are affected. the NHTSA is sending out letters but you don’t have to wait. On this NHTSA webpage you can find links to pages for most of the major automakers where you can plug in your VIN number and see if your vehicle is affected.

If your vehicle is one of the many affected, you should contact the manufacturer about what steps to take to service it. The NHTSA says it is still safe to drive affected vehicles. It does not recommend disabling the airbags yourself.

I recommend that everyone find out if your vehicle is involved in the Takata airbag recall. I also suggest that you tell your friends and neighbors about this. Protecting your family is so important, and never more than during the summertime when you are most likely to be on the road traveling!

Stay safe out there!

Yours in health,

Christopher B. Renne, D.C.

Chiropractic Physician

www.activechirocenter.com 

Hola, mis amigos latinos aqui en Jacksonville, Florida

Doctor Renne qui, su quiropractico en Jacksonville, Florida con imformacion importante.


Que hacer despues de un accidente de automovil?

1. Llame al 911 

Infórmeles de la situación. Quizás necesite a la policía y la ambulancia y ellos le podrán ayudar con las dos. Sin interesar que dice el otro chofer, llame a la policía. La policía están en la obligación de averiguar y hacer un reporte. Quédese en el lugar del accidente hasta que la ayuda llegue. 

2. Consiga información

Identifique al chofer o choferes de los autos involucrados. Asegúrese en conseguir del otro chofer: (1) nombre, dirección, y número de teléfono, (2) marca, modelo, y ano del otro auto, (3) nombre de la aseguradora, agente, y número de póliza, (4) lesiones o dolores de la otra persona, (5) cualquier cosa que le diga la otra persona acerca del accidente. Identifique a testigos del accidente y lo mas antes posible consiga sus nombres, direcciones, y números de teléfono. Los testigos van a ser muy importante para probar su caso. 

3. Tenga cuidado con sus comentarios 

La policía le va a preguntar como sucedió el accidente y usted debe de cooperar con ellos. Pero recuerde que mucho de lo que diga va a estar en el reporte policial. Comentarios que haga, después podrían ser usados en su contra. Solamente dígale al policía como sucedió el accidente. Solo diga lo que sabe. No especule. 

4. Consiga ayuda medica 

Si no se lo llevan del lugar del accidente en ambulancia, asegúrese de ir a un doctor para una evaluación inmediata. Aunque usted crea que no ha sufrido lesiones como resultado del accidente, quizás le ha podido pasar algo. Busque ayuda médica lo mas antes posible. No se sorprenda si se siente bien en el lugar del accidente pero después le comienzan los dolores. Algunas veces la adrenalina que es producida por el estrés del accidente puede hacer parecer de que no sufrió ninguna lesión. No espere en buscar ayuda médica creyendo que los dolores se van a ir solos. Para la aseguranza, las personas con lesiones buscarían atención médica rapidamente. Si usted no busca ayuda médica, la aseguranza va a decir que no sufrió ninguna lesión y usara eso en contra suya. Si esta cansado de vivir con dolor de espalda o cuello, no solo oculte los síntomas con píldoras, elimine la causa del dolor. 

Llamenos ahora mismo al para identificar la causa de su dolor y ayudarlo(a) a mejorar rapidamente. Llamenos 24/7 904-707-5186 

Tambien puede visitar nuestro sitio web www.activechirocenter.com

Gracias, amigos para su tiempo y atencion. Quiro estar su quiropractico y su doctor. 


Saludos,


Dr. Chris Renne, D.C.
Active Medical & Chiropractic
4111 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, Fl. 32207
904-398-4860 oficina
904-707-5186 24 hora linea de ayuda

Just Be Happy, people!

Hello Jacksonville, Dr. Chris Renne here. For today’s blog post I wanted to step outside my usual boxes of chiropractic and physical medicine and talk about… happiness! How can someone make themselves happy?

Now, you might think that this is a question for philosophers, not medical providers, but in recent years science has started trying to figure out what it is that makes happy people tick. No, no one has come up with a ‘happy pill’ yet, but experts have identified a few key traits that most happy people have in common. Most happy folks, it turns out, have cultivated five unique skills: they are able to savor the moment, thank those that matter to them, aspire to meaningful goals, give generously of themselves, and empathize with others.

Let’s take a look at each of these ‘happiness skills’ in a little more detail!

Savoring the Moment

How much of your day do you spend rushing around, thinking about what you have to do next? Experts say that happy people focus their attention on the present moment, and that doing so helps them reduce stress and negative thoughts. Here is a simple way to practice being ‘in the moment’: every time you sit down, exhale five long, slow breaths. As you do so, think about your inner experiences since the last time you did your five long, slow breaths that day. Use these moments to refocus, collect yourself, and relax.

Thanking Those Who Matter

It’s easy to focus only on the things in your life that need fixing. An attitude of thankfulness can make you mindful of the good stuff in your life instead of just the bad stuff. Who can you thank for making your day a little bit better? Don’t forget to be thankful for the little things too - a sunny morning, a fluffy pet, a pain-free day - even when no-one in particular is responsible. Focusing on the good things in your life will improve your mental outlook.

Aspiring to Meaningful Goals

It can be easy to get stuck in dead-end thinking in which you believe nothing about your life will ever change. Replace this negative mindset by giving yourself goals that have specific, achievable steps. Checking off the steps towards a goal feels rewarding and exciting, and it will help you take a proactive attitude towards your life. The key is to pick goals that will be meaningful and rewarding to you, but are achievable.

Giving Generously of Yourself

When life is challenging, thinking of others may not be the most obvious solution; but experts find that many happy people practice volunteering their time and talents no matter what they are going through. Doing this can help you see what other people have to offer and give you a fresh perspective on your own problems. Plus, it will lift the spirits of those you help as well as your own, so it is really a win-win!

Empathizing With Others

Empathy could be defined as the ability to understand and respond to another person’s unique feelings and experiences. While you might think that this is something that some people are simply able to do naturally, it can in fact be learned and practiced. The first step is to communicate with others and try to understand their point of view. By focusing your attention on the needs of others, you can break out of a self-focused mindset and improve your relationships. Experts say that the development of empathy is one of the most important skills for personal and professional success.

How Will Your Pursue Your Happiness?

So how can you start making yourself a little happier? Maybe start with those goals! What about setting yourself a goal to do thirty minutes of moderate exercise three times a week? Or eating healthier, fresher foods? Or practicing mindfulness breathing exercises? Whatever you do, I hope you find happiness and contentment.

Yours in health,

Christopher B. Renne, D.C.

Chiropractic Physician

www.activechirocenter.com

Golf Anyone?

Hello again, Dr. Renne here to talk about a very important subject: golf! I love golf, and not just because it’s a lot of fun to play. As a medical provider what I like about it is that it encourages people to get outside and walk! And regular distance walking is very beneficial to the body, especially compared to sitting indoors in front of a desk or a TV all day.

However, if you suffer from lower back pain, playing golf can stop being a joy and become a chore instead. If you are at risk for back pain, whether due to injury, a chronic pain condition, or age, I strongly encourage you to take some simple, preventative measures to keep lower back pain from ruining your game:

• Warm up and limber up: Going straight to the tee at 7 AM and whacking away with your driver is a recipe for a pulled muscle. Loosen up your back first by rotating your torso in each direction, hugging each knee to your chest in turn, and trying to touch your toes. Take a few gentle practice swings as well before you really hit the gas.
• Practice good technique: A golf swing involves applying a great deal of torque (force) and torsion (twisting) to your lower back. If this isn’t performed properly, it can result in a great deal of stress and lead to injuries and even degenerative disc conditions. Work on a smooth, fluid swing which distributes the load evenly across your spine. This will prevent wear and tear on your back, and as a bonus, it might even improve your score!
• Watch out for the golf bag: Bending over to pick up a heavy golf bag can put a lot of stress on the lower back. Some golf bags can stand upright on their own, which makes them easier to pick up, so you may find that this is a worthwhile investment. When carrying your golf bag I recommend using dual straps that distribute the weight evenly over your back instead of just carrying it over one shoulder.
• Exercise regularly: Is your weekly golf game the only exercise you’re getting? Take up a low-impact aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary biking, and do this three times weekly for 30-40 minutes. This conditioning will help keep your body loose and functional during your golf games.

If you are already experiencing low back pain, there are steps you can take to get yourself back in the game. Stretching and flexibility become even more critical, since people suffering from chronic low back pain tend to lose mobility. Make sure you are stretching not just before your game, but on a daily basis. If you would like to work out a routine of helpful stretches and exercises, come in and our helpful staff will show you how!

I also strongly encourage you to get involved in a regular, low-impact exercise routine. In fact, I discussed several such options in my last blog post, including: walking, stationary biking, step machines, elliptical trainers, and water therapy. Again, the key is to perform such an exercise several times a week and for a long enough period to elevate your heart rate. Regular aerobic exercise will make you feel better and allow healing to begin within injured joints, muscles, and discs.

For some of us, once we reach a certain age we may develop conditions such as spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis. If this happens to you, you need to take extra care on the links. Consider using a golf cart to get around and modifying your golf swing for a lower-impact stroke. I also highly recommend low-impact water therapy as an exercise in this case.

From your chiropractor’s perspective, golf is a game with a lot of health benefits, as long as you take care of your body - especially your lower back! With care, you should be able to enjoy the back nine for many years to come.

Yours in health,

Dr. Christopher B. Renne

Chiropractic Physician

4111 Atlantic Boulevard

Jacksonville, Fl. 32207

www.activechirocenter.com

Low impact exercises for the spinally challenged among us

Hey Jacksonville, Dr. Renne here. As promised, here are additional tips and exercises that are designed to get in shape safely and with minimal insult to your back.

If you have experienced chronic back pain then you know it can discourage you from getting up and moving around a lot. In particular, it might stop you from doing what we call ‘aerobic’ exercises such as walking, running, biking, and swimming. And you need that kind of exercise!

You might think that aerobic exercises wouldn’t have much to do with back pain, but in fact they can be highly beneficial to sufferers. Aerobic exercise allows blood and nutrients to reach tissues and muscles in your back, promoting healing. It can also reduce stiffness in your joints. The key to achieving these benefits is elevating that heart rate and keeping it in an age-dependent target zone for at least 20 minutes at a time!

Chronic back pain patients who are able to do regular aerobic exercise experience a bunch of benefits: they have fewer episodes of lower back pack pain and those episodes are shorter; they are more likely to stay functional and be able to carry out everyday activities; they have better control over their weight, which decreases stress on their joints and spine; they produce more endorphins, which are natural painkillers; and they experience fewer symptoms of depression, a common side-effect of back problems.

“That’s great, doc,” you might say, “but I’m really hurting! I can’t exactly go run a 5K!” Not to worry! There are plenty of low-impact aerobic exercises that you can start doing right now to get on the road to better health. Here are a few:

• Walking: Walking is great! Most people can do it, you can do it almost anywhere, and no special equipment is necessary. You can even do it on a treadmill in your own home. Studies show that walking 2-3 miles three times per week can greatly contribute to increased spine health.
• Stationary biking: If you are the kind of person that prefers riding a bike, you have more options than ever before. Many gyms offer popular ‘spinning’ classes and there are a wide variety of upright and reclining stationary bikes that can be purchased for your home. You can probably find a perfectly good used bike at a steep discount. And then you can ride while you read a book or watch TV!
• Step machines and elliptical trainers: These machines are somewhere between the treadmill and the stationary bike. You step on pedals or steps, causing them to move along a continuous oval, which is a lower impact motion than stepping onto a hard surface. These machines provide an excellent aerobic workout and can be less jarring than walking. Many of them also provide an upper body workout by giving the arms something to do as well.
• Water therapy: Perhaps the lowest impact of all forms of exercise are water exercises, since water’s natural buoyancy counteracts gravity’s pull on your spine and joints. You probably associate water with swimming laps, which is of course a great aerobic workout, but did you know that you can also lift weights and do stretching in the water? Patients who wouldn’t normally be able to participate in activities such as bicep curls or tricep kickbacks are often able to do so in water. For those in too much pain to tolerate mats on a hard floor or the elderly, I highly recommend water therapy.

Whatever level of physical ability you are currently at, there is a low impact aerobic exercise that you can do. I encourage you to find what that is and start doing it regularly. Before too long you’ll find yourself working up to activities you never knew you were capable of!

If you don’t currently have an aerobic exercise regimen, come in and talk to us. We will show you some exercises that will work for you, fit with your lifestyle, and not exacerbate your back pain. Let’s get you back on the road to recovery.

Yours in health,

Christopher B. Renne, D.C.

Chiropractic Physician

www.activechirocenter.com

To check out other helpful blog posts, click here: http://www.activechirocenter.com/index.php?p=398237

Postural pain bringing you down? This may help....

Hello everyone, Dr. Renne here to talk about how you can reduce back pain in your everyday routine.

If you're someone who is living with chronic back or neck pain, your daily routine can get pretty complicated — appointments, insurance paperwork, time off work, treatment regimens to follow, etc. While these are important aspects of managing your pain and recovery process, there are simple things you can do (or avoid doing) every day to help your condition. Good posture and body mechanics (the way you perform your activities all day, everyday) can leave you feeling more like yourself at the end of your day!

Support your spine while sitting at your desk or in your car

Sitting for prolonged periods of time can be a major cause of back pain. Sitting is a static posture, which can add a tremendous amount of pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs. Even worse is sitting in a slouched-over or slouched-down position! This can overstretch the spinal ligaments and increase the pressure on your spinal discs.

Sitting with your back relatively straight and with good support is essential to minimize the strain on your back. You need to provide your lower back with support for the inward curve of the lumbar spine, especially when you sit for prolonged periods of time. Here are a few tips for good posture and support for your lower spine while sitting at a desk or while driving:

• Make sure your chair is set up so your knees are bent at about a 90° angle. Two fingers should slip easily between the bottom of your thigh and the chair.
• The backrest of your chair should push your lower back forward slightly. If it doesn’t, try placing a small pillow, rolled up towel, or orthopedic support on your chair.
• Your buttocks should be pressed against the back of the chair, and your back should be straight.
• It's a good idea to have arm rests on your office chair that place your elbows at a 90-degree angle.
• Place some support under your feet to elevate them slightly and take some of the load off of your lower spine. Sit with your knees slightly higher than your hips to eliminate much of the pressure on your lumbar spine.
• Don’t sit on anything that would throw your spine out of alignment. (Take that wallet out of your back pocket!)
• Don't slouch or slump in your office or car seat—this puts extra pressure on your spine and stress on the lumbar discs. Use the back of the chair to provide support for your back.
• Sit up straight and keep your chin pulled in (avoid keeping your chin and head thrust forward).
• Sit as close to your desk as possible.
• Your computer screen or reading materials should be at eye level.

Some people prefer furniture that promotes more muscle activity, such as a Swedish kneeling chair, standing desk, or a Swiss exercise ball, rather than a chair that provides complete support. Purchasing a good ergonomic office chair that provides optimal back support may also be helpful.

On the phone a lot?  Consider investing in a headset to take the strain off your neck, or try using the speakerphone. Avoid cradling the phone on your shoulder.

If you are in a great deal of pain, try to avoid driving. If possible, have someone else drive, and lie down in the back seat with your knees slightly bent. You can place a blanket or pillow under your knees to support them, as well as a small pillow under your head.

Move about during the day

A healthy body can only tolerate staying in one position for relatively short periods of time. You may have noticed this on an airplane, at your desk, or at a movie theater when sitting is uncomfortable after just a short time. Even with correct posture, holding the same position slowly takes the elasticity out of the tissues; over time, stress builds up and causes discomfort. This is normal!

Keep your joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons loose by moving about and stretching on a regular basis throughout the day:

Stand up while talking on the phone. Try standing with one foot slightly in front of the other, or placing one foot on something a few inches off the ground; avoid standing straight with your knees locked.

Stretch your hamstrings twice each day. To help you remember to do this on a regular basis, link the stretching to a part of your daily routine, such as when you brush your teeth in the morning and evening, or when you first get to work and before you head home. Flexible hamstrings will significantly reduce the stress on your lower back.

When you return to your seat after moving around, use an alternate posture for just a few moments and some of the tissue elasticity needed to protect your joints will return.

Paying attention to your posture and movement throughout the day and while sleeping at night will help you manage your pain and maintain good spine health.

If you would like to talk with us about how you might improve your posture and support your back in your everyday activities, give us a call at (904) 398-4860.

Yours in health,

Dr. Christopher B. Renne

Chiropractic Physician

4111 Atlantic Boulevard

Jacksonville, Fl. 32207

www.activechirocenter.com