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TEN MOST COMMON HEALTH COMPLAINTS
The National Center for Health Statistics compiled the ten most common
health complaints patients reported as the principle reason for visiting
their doctor in the year 2000.
1. Cough - 22.4 million visits
2. Throat - 17.5 million visits
3. Skin rash - 13.37 million visits
4. Vision dysfunction - 12.97 million visits
5. Knee problems - 12.53 million visits
6. Back problems - 12.45 million visits
7. Stomach problems - 12.28 million visits
8. Earache or ear infection - 11.29 million visits
9. Hypertension - 10.4 million visits
10. Depression - 10.04 million visits
From Forbes.com
SPECIAL OFFER ON A VERY SPECIAL COMPUTER MOUSE
The Zero Tension Mouse is on sale this month. This ergonomically
designed mouse is usually 79.95 plus $7.00 S&H. Until the end of
December, you may purchase the Zero Tension Mouse for only $60.00
including S&H (only currently certified ART providers may make this offer
through their offices). View it on the web at www.zerotensionmouse.com.
This is the only mouse that relaxes all the muscles that cause Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome! Call our office today to order!
STRENGTH TRAINING AND LOW BACK PAIN
Back pain is ubiquitous. Studies show that 7-8 out of 10 people will have
low back pain sometime during their lives. At any given time, 15-20% of
Americans suffer from low back pain costing us $56 billion per year. It
is the most common cause of disability in Americans under age 45.
Most back pain is mechanical in nature. This means that the cause is
related to posture, muscle strength, flexibility, disc degeneration, and
arthritis that cause dysfunction in the motion of the spinal joints and
may inflame the spinal nerves. This mechanical dysfunction can be
addressed by strength training.
Strength training will:
· Overcome the structural weakness of the lumbar spine
· Improve blood flow thereby improving cellular nutrition to allow
healing
· Improve bone density of the lumbar vertebrae
· Reduce the need for surgery
· Dramatically decrease health care costs
In unpublished data from 2 major airline, low back injury costs were
reduced by over 70% by following a strength training program focusing on
increasing the strength of the low back muscles.
From National Strength and Conditioning Association Journal, December 2003
Please call our office to start your strength-training program today! 301-622-9000
FOOD LABELS AND SUGAR: DON'T BE FOOLED
Sugars are an intrinsic part of many health foods like the sugars in
fruit. However, last year the World Health Organization recommended
that no more than 10% of calories should come from sugars that are not
inherently part of a food. Unfortunately, the average American eats
about twice that amount. Make sure you read the food label. Juices,
for instance, have a tremendous amount of sugar. It is much better to
just eat fruit. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that giving
babies juice filled bottles/boxes just invites tooth decay and weight
gain.
Sugar can be listed on food labels under the following names:
· Corn syrup Crystalline fructose
· Dextrose Fructose
· Fruit-juice concentrates Glucose
· High fructose corn syrup
· High maltose corn syrup
· Honey lactose Invert sugar
· Lactose Malt
· Maltose Molasses
· Sucrose Syrup
From Consumer Reports January 2004 pp.14-15
SHOVEL SNOW CORRECTLY THIS WINTER!
· Don't shovel if you have had serious spinal, lung, or cardiovascular
problems, or are out of shape.
· Do some simple warm-up exercises (walk in place) and stretch to
limber up before shoveling.
· Dress warmly in layers, and wear an extra-long sweater to protect
the lower back.
· You may want to wear a support/weight belt.
· Always stand erect and bend from the knees, not the waist.
Handle small to moderate loads of snow.
· Draw in the belly button as in Pilates when you are lifting the snow.
· Whenever possible, push rather than lift the snow. Deposit it nearby
rather than trying to throw it over a wide area.
· Use the arms, legs, feet, and thighs in a coordinated effort.
· Stop if you feel pain, get dizzy or out of breath.
WARNING: MERCURY IN FISH
Last week, the FDA and the EPA worked on their first recommendation on
the risks of eating fish contaminated with mercury. Mercury can cause
neurological damage in developing fetuses and your children. The
recommendation stated that women who are pregnant, planning to become
pregnant or nursing should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or
tilefish. Other adults can eat up to 12oz. per week of other types of
fish as long as no one type is consumed more than once per week. For
more information see:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fishadvice/advice.html
SPECIAL PRODUCTS WE OFFER
· Custom Orthotics
· Carolla's Bees Wax: the best foot and hand ointment we've found
· The Stick: the ultimate warm-up and cool-down tool
· Interactive Health Massage Chair:
http://www.interhealth.com/consumer/massagechairs/htt10crp/index.html
· Stetch-Out Strap: flexibility strap
· Biofreeze: pain relief rub
· Traumeel: homeopathic analgesic rub
· Citricidal: grapefruit seed extract
· Fitness balls
· Heel lifts
· Foam rollers
HAVE A HEALTHY AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!
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Maryland Sports Injury Center