Posture is important to prevent low back and neck pain.  We have 2 natural curves in our spine; one in our low back or lumbar spine and one in our neck or cervical spine.  If we do not maintain these two natural curves we are causing stress through our spine which may lead to pain.  Here are some tips to maintain your natural curves.

1. Look at the chair you are sitting in.  Does it provide you with enough lumbar support to maintain your lumbar curve?  You may need to add extra support with a lumbar roll.  The roll should be placed at the small curve in your back; not where the back and the bottom of the chair meet.  The lumbar roll can be used in your car, desk chair or on your couch.  Maintaining a curve in your lumbar spine will help to maintain the curve at your cervical spine.

2. Don't sit still.  Be sure to get up and move around every hour for about 2 minutes; take a short walk, stretch, or grab a drink of water.  The longer your sitting in one position the more likely you are slouching or pushing your head forward.  Again causing stress on your back.

3. What is "good" posture?  Over exaggerate your posture; then relax 10%.  This is the posture that you should maintain.  If this seems impossible, think of it as an exercise at first.  Try to maintain it though the rest of this page, or though the commercials while your watching TV.  You are building those postural muscles; they will soon become strong enough that you will have good posture without thinking about it.

A physical therapist can design you a program that will improve your core, upper back or cervical strength that will fit your specific

Ninety percent of individuals surveyed perceive massage as effective in reducing pain, according to the 15th annual consumer survey sponsored by the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®). This number is up from 86 percent in both 2009 and 2010.
 
This increase may be attributed to the increasing number of people who consult doctors and health professionals about massage.
The percentage of all surveyed adults who had a massage in the previous 12 months remained consistent at 18 percent in 2011, the same amount as in 2010.
All survey respondents were asked what they used for pain relief and in 2011, more than 30 percent indicated that they had used massage at some point. This trend has been growing over the last four years:

Americans’ Use of Massage for Relaxation is Declining
30 percent of those surveyed in 2011 sought their last massage for relaxation and stress reduction, down from 42 percent last year. This dramatic reduction is likely a combination of the economic hardships that continue to plague the nation and the increasing perception that health benefits are a main reason for paying for a massage.
Those with a household income of $50K - $75K (the middle income range of those surveyed) had the highest number of massages in the last year, with an average of 6.2 per household, while the highest income range of $100K+ only had 2.8 massages per household surveyed. This nods at the reduction of massage for relaxation and increased use for specific health needs. (Please note that when used under medical supervision, most insurance plans will cover massage therapy as opposed to going to a commercial facility)
Recommending Massage to Others
69 percent of Americans have or would recommend massage therapy to a relative or someone else they know.
 

My name is Jim Pfrogner [age 69] and I have been training with the Power Plate for about ten weeks.  I have an arthritic problem in my lower legs and it has affected my quality of life. Since I've been training I have noticed positive results. This method of developing fitness takes less than 30 minutes with a personal trainer twice a week. Additionally, Dr. Jill Rose, the Kaizen Total Wellness Physical Therapist, works with me weekly and monitors my progress as well as updates my workouts. This is as good as it gets!  I am becoming so fit and my arthritis problem is not nearly as painful as when I first started. I have better balance and ankle stability which has improved my golf game. I totally endorse the Kaizen Total Wellness Program and of course the dynamic Power Plate. Thank you.

About Power Plate®

We all know that DIABETES increases risks of heart disease, strokes, kidney failure and blindness......but have you heard of this one?
 
 
“Type 2 diabetes mellitus and colorectal cancer: Meta-analysis on sex-specific differences ?European Journal of Cancer, 09/25/2011  Evidence Based Medicine
Kramer HU et al. – In both men and women, risk estimates from case–control studies were slightly higher than those from cohort studies. Overall, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a moderate increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in both men and women“
 
At our office, we are more than just a place to get medicine when you are sick. We like to teach and practice wellness. The word “doctor” literally means teacher. We firmly believe in preventive medicine. That is why we employ nutritionists, life coaches, fitness trainers, physical therapist and massage therapists.

www.kaizentotalwellness.com  (941)556-7788
www.drmishner.com   (941)747-2090

Dr. Jill Rose, DPT
Physical Therapist at Kaizen Total Wellness® Center

The Kaizen Total Wellness booth  attracted  health conscious people of all ages last weekend, held at the Senior Expo, Sarasota - Bradenton Convention Center. Interested participants  chose between a balance screening test, BMI Screening (Body Mass Index) , a ten minute chair massage or all three.

Renne Gant, CFP explains the BMI screening. (L)