May 2007
Stretching to prevent back pain
May/27/07 Filed in: Health
Stretching is very important for your body. I want you to think just a moment about what a dog or cat does when they wake up from sleep. They stretch their whole body and then go about their business. But people commonly role out of bed after hitting the alarm button, take a show and get dressed for work. What you really want to do after just waking up is to slowly stretch your back and your neck. By taking your time and stretching each morning you can help prevent your spine from going out of alignment during the day.
Dr. Kip RodeMaintaining Balance is the Key to a Healthy Spine
May/27/07 Filed in: Health
What do I mean by balance?
What I mean is that when you carry something with your right hand you should periodically carry something in your left hand. This helps balance the load on your spine. One problem women have is that they always carry their purse on one shoulder and not the other. Over time this will cause a misalignment in their spine. So you need to shift your purse to the other shoulder. This is also true when carrying a new born child around. Typically the mother or father will always hold the child on one side. Usually their stronger hand and arm. But you really need to hold the child in the other side as well. Children who have book bags should also wear both shoulder straps rather than carry the book bag on one shoulder. Balancing the load on your spine is important to keeping it aligned.
Dr. Kip RodeHow To Sleep Properly
May/27/07 Filed in: Health
Believe it or not but there are good ways to sleep on a bed and ways that will actually agravate your condition. The best way to sleep on a bed it to lie flat on your back, the second best is on your side and the worst is on your stomach. The reason why laying on your stomach is bad is because you have to turn your head either to the left or to the right so you can breath, and this will actually cause neck problems. Laying on your side is OK if you support your head so that your spine is straight and not tilted up by a big pillow. You also want to put a pillow in between your legs to help support your hips otherwise a you spine might twist. Finally laying on you back is the best because you can evenly support your neck and back. It is best for you neck if you have your head lie flat on the bed, and then roll up a hand rag or small hand towel just enough to support your neck while letting your head lie on the bed. If you have a back condition put some pillows under your knees and this takes pressure off your back
Dr. Kip Rode