Newsletter

Chiropractic-A History Lesson
Restoring better spinal joint function is an old idea.  Early Egyptian hieroglyphics show crude spinal manipulation techniques.  Even Hippocrates of ancient Greece was aware of the importance of the spine for good health.  Later, “bonesetters” of medieval times were quite successful in relieving pain and many other types of health complaints.  What would begin in 1895, the practice of chiropractic, was the use of specific spinal adjustments instead of generalized manipulations of spinal joints.

D. D. Palmer of Davenport, Iowa, “discovered” chiropractic on September 18, 1894.  He was searching for the cause of disease and had explored many types of healing methods.  One day, Palmer examined a man by the name of Harvey Lilliard.  Mr. Lilliard was a janitor working in Palmer’s office building and had been partially deaf for many years.  Palmer discovered a lump in his neck from a misplaced spinal bone.  Palmer convinced Lilliard to allow him to “adjust” or restore the bone to its proper position by using his hands.  Soon thereafter the janitor’s hearing was restored and chiropractic, as we know it today, was born.

c. 1994 William D. Esteb

Pulling Weeds, Not Muscles, Is the Way to Garden Fitness

Many homeowners trade in their treadmills this time of year for exercise of the garden variety. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) says bending, reaching and digging in the garden can provide a great workout, but can cause muscle injury if precautions are not taken.

"A warm-up and cool-down period is just as important for gardening or doing yard work as it is for any other athletic activity," says Dr. J. Michael Flynn, ACA's Chairman of the Board. "Stretching during those periods is essential to prevent injuries, pain and stiffness." The following are a few easy stretches for getting the most out of your gardening workout:

·          Weave your fingers together above your head with your palms up.  Lean to one side for 10 seconds to stretch the upper body, then reverse. Repeat two or three times.

·          "Hug your best friend:" Wrap your arms around yourself and rotate to one side, as far as you can go. Hold it for 10 seconds. Then reverse. Repeat two or three times.

·          Stand up and put your right hand against a wall or other stable surface. Bend your left knee and grab your ankle with your left hand. Pull your heel toward your buttocks to stretch the quadriceps muscles at the front of your thigh. Hold that position for 20 seconds, relax and do it again. Repeat with the other leg.

·          Stand up and prop your heel on a back door step or stool with your knee straight. Bend forward until you feel a slight pull in the muscle at the back of the thigh, called the hamstring. You may need to stabilize yourself by holding onto a garage door handle or a sturdy tree branch. Hold the position for 20 seconds, then relax. Do it once more, then repeat with the other leg.

If you are already feeling the aches and pains of gardening, there are ways to alleviate the pain: apply a cold pack during the first 48 hours of symptoms or a heat pack after 48 hours; but if pain persists, consider visiting Dr. Obert.