Your health news update from ChiroVoice
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August 2011 |
Natural Sleep Solutions
Historically, sleep problems have been relegated to a therapist and a couch, with a picture of Sigmund Freud hanging in the background. Sleep disorders have been difficult for health care practitioners to assess, since typically they happen in an unconscious state. Find natural strategies to help improve your quality of sleep, here. |
Building Your Own Weight Belt
 Why has the use of belts for lifting declined in both industrial and athletic weight lifters? The short answer is that lifting belts are not necessary for spinal protection and may impede the development of intrinsic stabilizing muscles and optimal functional motor patterns. Research shows that much of the value that has been attributed to weight-lifting belts was perceived, not real. One study shows that the perception of protection and increased performance is responsible for improved performance, not the actual function of the belt. In essence, a weight lifting belt increases the amount of weight that lifters are willing to lift, not how much they can lift. There is an internal corset in each of us that protects our spine when we lift, bend and twist. This corset is our internal weight belt, and it becomes more supportive and reactive with training. To active your internal weight belt, you need to stiffen or brace (contract) your abdominal muscles. Practicing core stiffening during simple athletic motions will train your body to perform this bracing during more complex movements.
Using a weight lifting belt may (or may not) increase the amount you can lift by a few pounds, but it will impair the development of your internal weight belt and therefore hinder your movements and activities outside of the gym.
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Carpal Tunnel
 Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most expensive of all work-related injuries. Over his or her lifetime, a carpal tunnel patient loses about $30,000 in medical bills and time absent from work. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and prevention methods for CTS, here. |
Help Advocate for Expanded Access to Chiropractic for Our Veterans
Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), recently introduced the Chiropractic Care to All Veterans Act (H.R. 329), a bill similar to legislation that was overwhelmingly passed by the House in 2010, but was not considered in the Senate. H.R. 329 would require the VA to have a chiropractic physician on staff at all major VA medical facilities by 2014. You too can help ensure chiropractic care is available to the brave men and women who have served our country. H.R. 329 needs cosponsors to increase the likelihood of this effort's success. Simply click here to urge your legislator to cosponsor H.R. 329!
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