Tips for Long Flights

Tips for Long Flights

Sitting for prolonged periods of time while traveling on a long airplane flight can put extra stress on the spine and nervous system causing pain and discomfort. Here are a few tips to prevent and alleviate that discomfort on you next flight to that vacation destination.

• 1.      Choose an Aisle Seat – This will allow you to get up easily during the flight to stand up and walk up and down the aisle to keep your blood flowing and muscles loose.
• 2.      Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water before and during the flight to prevent muscle spasms and headaches.
• 3.      Pack Light – Prevent injury by avoiding lifting heavy bags at the airport or during your travels after the flights.
• 4.      Bring Pillows – Bring a neck pillow along to support the neck during the flight and a small pillow to put behind your back to support the lower back.
• 5.      Remove your shoes – Kick your shoes off to allow your body to be more comfortable during the flight.
• 6.      Get Adjusted – Before a flight, ensure that you get adjusted to allow your body to have optimal spinal positioning. After flying, get adjusted as your body has been stressed from long periods of sitting in and upright position and the neck tilting from one side or to the other.

Dr. Joelle Johnson is located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer T4R2C3 www.family1stchiro.ca

403-347-3261 to book your appointment. 

Saline Nasal Wash

Saline Nasal Wash

With cold and flu season upon us already this is something that is really helpful and quite easy to do.
The practice of saline nasal wash or lavage (called Neti in the yoga tradition) is a time honored folk remedy for a variety of respiratory complaints, as well is a simple and effective tool for maintaining nasal health. The technique is simple, and if practiced correctly, provides gentle and immediate relief of nasal congestion.

The keys to comfortable nasal lavage are concentration and temperature. The solution should have the same salt concentration as your tears (0.9%) and be warmed to normal body temperature or a bit warmer. If the salt concentration is too low or too high, the experience can be very unpleasant (like getting water up your nose when you are swimming). Water that is too cool will cause the nasal membranes to swell, defeating the purpose of the wash. Water that is too hot will burn the sensitive nasal mucosa.

The solution should be prepared with water and a pure, non-iodized salt. Canning and pickling salt is pure (99.95% NaCl), cheap, and readily available (you can buy it at any supermarket that carries canning supplies). Kosher salt is an acceptable alternative, as well as sea salt.
The amount of salt you need to add will depend upon both the volume of water you use and the texture of the salt you select (the coarser the grind, the more you need). 

1 scant teaspoon canning and pickling salt
2 cups filtered water

Pour about 1/2 cup of this solution into a Neti pot or squeeze bottle. (A Neti pot is a small ceramic vessel, shaped like an Aladdin's lamp that is specifically designed for nasal lavage. Neti pots are available in some health food stores and yoga supply shops.  Bending over a sink, hold the spout to one nostril, tilt your head and pour the solution through so it flows out the other nostril. After rinsing, gently blow the loosened mucus out and repeat as needed. If you prefer, the same solution can be used in a spray bottle.

It may be very difficult to get past the initial revulsion and fear of choking, but once tried it can be both comfortable and soothing.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca. 

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) most commonly known as damage to nerves, tendons, tendon sheaths, muscles, joints of the wrists, forearm, elbow, shoulder and neck. Repetitive Strain Injuries can be confusing in that patients don’t understand the symptoms related and the causes or even more importantly how can it be treated.

Causes of RSI

Repetitive Strain Injuries occur through overuse, poor posture and/or poor technique particularly while using the hands. Repeated awkward or forceful tasks for sustained periods of time are major factors causing RSI. Workers do not make the connection between their aches and pains developing in the work place or in the field. Repeated vibrations, forceful impacts or compressions for periods of time cause microscopic tears in the tendons and muscles. Over time the sheaths around the tendons start to chafe causing tendons to become inflamed. Inflammation of the sheath compresses against adjacent nerves, which compromises the nerves nearby.  

Symptoms of RSI

Symptoms of RSI can range from discomfort to excruciating pain. Symptoms occur in the fingers, palm, wrist, forearm, shoulders, and neck. Pain in one area of the body may radiate to other connecting parts. General symptoms include:

-Aching or shooting pain (May be strongest at night).
-Tingling and burning sensations.
-Clumsiness of hands (loss of ability to grasp items, impaired thumb and finger dexterity).
-Swelling of hand and wrist.
-Hands feel cold.
-Wasting of Muscles at the base of the thumb.
- Stiffness or restricted movement.

Common Types of Repetitive Strain Injuries

Tenosynovitis
Rapid, repetitive, and repeated twisting movement of the forearms and hands. Patients that do a lot of keyboard work, and/or using tools such as pliers can tenosynovitis. Tenosynovitis and tendonitis sound similar. The difference is that tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons. While Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendon sheaths usually in the hand or wrist.
DeQuarvain’s Syndrome

This is a type of tenosynovitis that is known as “trigger thumb” or “Washerwoman’s Sprain”. It also affects the sheath common to the two tendons of the thumb just above the wrist. This repetitive strain injury is caused by repeated trigger-like movement involving the wrist.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Carpel tunnel is tingling, numbness and/or weakness in your hand due to pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Carpel tunnel is the small space in your wrist that the median nerve and several tendons runs from you forearm into your hand.  The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers. This area becomes compromised when there is repetitive finger movement, pinching and squeezing of fingertips, excessive use of the index finger, hand exertions with bending and twisting of the wrist, and overly tight grip for long periods of time.

Chiropractic for RSI
Chiropractic is an effective treatment option for RSI. Our Chiropractic physicians will conduct an interview, review medical history, and perform a thorough examination. If diagnosed with RSI, the Chiropractor will set up a treatment plan specific to your situation, and needs. So if you suffer from pain in fingers, hand, wrist, forearm, shoulder, neck, or back seek a chiropractic physician. The sooner you do, the better you will feel.

Dr. Elton Clemence practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness at 142 Erickson Drive. www.family1stchiro.ca


Call 403-347-3261 for a consultation today