How to Avoid the Dangers of Shovelling Snow

By Dr. Frank Dallan DC

Being that we live in South Western Ontario, we all know what our winters are like.  Snow, snow, snow and more snow, and there is a good chance that you will have to shovel your driveway at least a few times this year.  Unfortunately, the way in which people shovel their snow tends to put their backs in a very vulnerable position resulting in many snow shovelling back injuries. 

What I’m going to do for you today is give you some proper snow shovelling techniques so that you can avoid those nasty back injuries this winter.

So before we review what proper snow shovelling technique is, let’s first discuss what improper shovelling technique is.

Improper shovelling technique occurs when you bend forward at the waist, scooping the snow, lifting with the back at the waist, and tossing the snow over the side while standing stationary and rotating at the level of your lower back. 

This improper technique increases the work load on your lower back, and can lead to lumbar spine sprain/strain or even worse a herniation of a lumbar spine disc.

Proper shovelling technique is as follows. 

The first thing to remember is to remove the snow more frequently rather than waiting for the snow to pile up. 

The second thing to remember is to choose a proper shovel.  A light weight (good quality) plastic shovel that is non-stick is ideal for light powder snow.  In such an instance you should push the snow from the center of the driveway off to the outer edges of the driveway. 

Try to avoid throwing the snow.  But if you must throw the snow, position yourself directly in front of the area you wish to throw the snow, bend at your knees while keeping your back straight.  Then pick up your load of snow and lift the snow and throw the snow in front of you with your knees and arms while keeping your back straight. 

Avoid rotation at all costs! 

Another key point to keep in mind while throwing the snow is to exhale (breathe out) when lifting and throwing the snow.  This will minimize internal pressures within your body avoiding internal injuries and it will give you that extra strength you may need.

If you feel tired while shovelling the snow, you should take a break for a moment or two every 10 to 15 minutes. 

Remember to dress warm, and wear boots with good treads. 

Happy Shovelling!

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

 I’m Dr. Frank Dallan, educating you to help you educate others !

Feeling Stressed? Then this article is for you.

Avoid stress?  Impossible!  To be alive is to be under stress.  We can either grow, thrive and heal in the face of stress, or be reduced to dullness and disease.  The way we react to stress can be more important than the stress itself. 

Feeling Stressed?

There are three stages we go through when under stress.  First is the alarm reaction where stress hormones are released during a “fight or flight” response.  If the stress remains the stage of resistance occurs where our muscles tense up and blood pressure increases.  If the stress continues then the stage of exhaustion occurs, ultimately leading to disease.

Chiropractic focuses on removing nerve stress from our bodies as we live in a world of chronic stress.  This allows us to adapt better, heal better and get the most out of life!

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL me at The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !

How to Reduce Your Headaches Without Popping Pills

by Dr. Brent Lipke DC

What puts the ache in a headache ?

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year on medications to relieve headaches but none of these drugs correct the cause. 

Headaches can have many causes, one commonly overlooked factor involves spinal misalignment causing pressure on the nerves at the top of the neck that control the blood supply to the head.

Chiropractic research has shown that relieving pressure on the delicate nerves at the top of the spine can decrease the number of headache hours by 69%, reduce migraine episodes by 90%, and decrease medication usage by 94%.

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

 I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !

How to Avoid Ear Infections in Your Child

By Dr. Brent Lipke DC

 Every parent at one time or another has had the heart-aching task of dealing with a child in agony from an ear infection.

Traditionally antibiotics have been given to remedy this.  Yet, research in the Lancet Medical Journal suggests that 88% of children never need antibiotics, and in those that receive them the risk of reocurrence is high.

Chiropractic care, on the other hand has been found to be both safe and effective at decreasing pressure on the nerve supplying the Eustachian tube, which drains the middle ear to the back of the throat.

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  the Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

 I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !

Pregnant? Why you want to see your Chiropractor

By Dr. Brent Lipke DC

If you are pregnant one of the best healthiest things you can do is see a doctor of Chiropractic. 

Another great reason for Chiropractic care during pregnancy is that it is drugless and has no side effects, unlike drugs which can cross the placenta and harm the growing baby. 

Research has shown Chiropractic to help maintain pregnancy, control vomiting, reduce back pain and back labour, reduce premature contractions, shorten labor time by 60% , and reduce drug use by 50%.

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !

How to ease the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

by Dr. Brent Lipke DC

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the occupational disease of the 21^st century.  It involves numbness, weakness or pain in the wrist and hand and is caused by pressure on the nerve entering the wrist.

Traditionally it has been treated by wearing a splint, taking anti inflammatory drugs or with surgery, all having limited success. 

Spinal misalignments are often found in the lower necks of patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.  Nerve compression in the neck can block the flow of nutrients to nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand, making them susceptible to injury.  Chiropractic gently restores proper nerve flow from the neck to the hand correcting the cause of the problem.   

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL me at The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !

How to relieve Sinus trouble

by Dr. Brent Lipke DC

Do you wake up with a stuffy head and mucus in your throat or nose ?  Do you feel as if you always have a cold ?  If so you  probably suffer from sinus trouble.

Typically decongestants, antibiotics, or antihistamines are given to treat the symptoms of sinus congestion but these may have unwanted side effects; such as insomnia, nervousness or high blood pressure.

Chiropractic works to relieve stress on the nerve system which controls your immune system, allowing it to function normally.  This proper function opens the sinuses up allowing them to drain, handling the cause of the congestion and pressure.

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !