Are You Suffering from Smartphone Slump?

By Dr. Dave Edenfield

You see them every day, walking with head down, oblivious to the world around them.  Or you spy them sitting in their cars at stoplights leaning forward as they frantically try to compose themselves before the light changes.  I’m not talking about road rage here.  I’m talking about texting.  While gen xers are particularly prone to partake in this practice on a nearly manic level, I have seen my fair share of baby boomers who have adopted what I have come to refer to as the Smartphone Slump.

While some of the habits of this practice are obvious, others are not. A spin-off of a topic I covered in an earlier blog that detailed the occupational hazard that every man, woman and child is subjected to as we surf the web.

“If you spend a significant portion of your day staring at a computer screen, this is known to lead to forward head and shoulder posture which can cause pinched nerves and degenerative disc disease.  If your monitor sits flat atop your desk, this necessitates that you lean your head forward to read the screen.  Doing this day in and day out sets up a domino effect of sorts caused in part by the pull of gravity on your head.    This head down posture puts strain on the vertebrae of the lower neck, which in turn causes the muscles of the upper back to work overtime in order to compensate.  Over time, the lower cervical vertebrae may slide forward, further curving the spine until sufferers of this syndrome begin to suffer neck pain, tingling or loss o

f feeling in the fingers and persistent muscle ache as the muscles and tendons become tight.” 

http://eliminatepainnow.blogspot.com/2013/06/occupational-hazards-may-be-at-roof-of.html

Smartphone Slump can also be the initiator for head forward posture, which is an unhealthy forward curvature of the neck and shoulders that makes those afflicted seem far older than their age.  Worse still, if left unchecked, this self-inflicted condition can result in much more than poor posture.  Over time everything from loss of balance to nerve damage.  Some sufferers get to the point where it is difficult to keep their chins from coming to rest on their chests.  As a result, everything from neck pain to a loss of mobility can result.  This makes everyday tasks like walking and driving not only arduous, but hazardous.

To determine if you have Smartphone Slump do the following:

1.      Put down the phone.

2.      Stand with your back flat against the wall.

3.      Note whether the back of your head is touching the wall.

If your head does not touch the wall without forcing it to do so you most definitely have Smartphone Slump.  That is the bad news.  Over time your neck muscles have weakened from repeatedly maintaining a head down posture such as that necessary to text.  (People with head forward posture find it extremely difficult if not painful to straighten their neck so that the back of the head touches the wall.) 

The good news is that this is an easily treatable condition.  If you suspect that you or any one you know suffers from this condition, tell them to consult a chiropractor right away.  Not only can a chiropractor correct this problem, they can also show sufferers a number of exercises that are designed to alleviate the muscle strain that this condition can cause before it leads to more serious problems down the road.

There are also a number of exercises that you can perform for a few minutes every day that can help stretch the muscles that become overworked and tight as a result of prolonged periods slumped either in front of a desk or a smartphone.  Below are several that can help correct the situation if done regularly.

  

Corner Stretch

A basic exercise that is important for stretching the chest and shoulder muscles is the corner stretch. It is performed in the corner of a room.

This neck stretch is done as follows:

·         Patients stand approximately two feet back from the corner, facing into the corner.

·         Feet should be together.

·         Forearms are placed on each wall, and elbows are a little below shoulder height (Figure 1).

·         Lean in as far as possible without pain. Patients will feel a stretch in the front of the shoulders and chest (Figure 2).

·         Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds to a minute.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/neck-stretches

The Slouch Overcorrect Procedure

 This exercise helps you find your correct sitting posture. 

      1.   Slouch completely

·           2.   Sit up and accentuate your lumbar lordosis as far as possible. (Hold this posture for a few seconds.)

·          3 Release the strain.

http://www.drsarasolomon.com/oxygen-magazine-blog-if-you-are-slouched-in-your-chair-then-sit-up-straight-and-read-this-by-dr-sara-solomon/

While we are all forced to deal with the demands of an ever more wired world, remember that when it comes to your health, the human body is decidedly old school.

Dr. Dave Edenfield  and Dr. Steven Warfield are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com and http://endyourpain.org who are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives. 

Let's Get Physical

by Dr. Steven Warfield

Physical therapy (Photo credit: United States Forces - Iraq (Inactive))

Everyone experiences back pain from time to time.  Many times a bit of rest and perh

aps an ice pack is all it takes to make the discomfort go away.  However, when back pain persists for more than a couple of weeks, it’s time to consider some measure of physical therapy. The goal of back pain therapy is to reduce the level of pain, increase function and mobility, and provide education designed to prevent future occurrences.

Back pain therapy may be done through the use of heat/ice packs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) units, Vax-D and ultrasound, as well as more active procedures such as stretching, strengthening, and low impact aerobic conditioning. It usually takes about two weeks to determine a patient’s progress, and hopefully be able to predict the duration of the treatment.

Of course every patient is different, and the duration will largely depend on the individual, the severity of the injury, and how willing they are to work hard towards resolving it. The physicians at The Back Institute are ready to assist you with your back pain therapy and rehabilitation needs.

“I was experiencing pain in my low back which radiated into my hips and legs. The worst problem was my sciatic nerve. The pain running down my right leg was intense. I could only stand for about two minutes. I have had pain for about six months and have not been able to exercise, shop, or do any activities that involved standing. I have had VAX-D, physical therapy, adjustments, and trigger point injections. My low back pain has decreased and my leg pain has also improved. This is a wonderful caring place to be. The staff has been wonderful. I will miss everyone and would recommend VAX-D to anyone.” 

-- Judy Molique

Other Treatments may include:

Vax-D - 50% of adults experience a back or neck injury during their lifetime.  The bad news is that depending upon the nature and severity of the injury, many times this has meant surgery followed by a long, slow, painful recovery.  The good news is that modern advances in medical technology have produced a non-surgical alternative to going under the knife for many people.  Some would call this a miracle.  We refer to it by its trade name: VAX-D.

More precisely called vertebral axial decompression therapy, VAX-D is a computer controlled machine that works by slowly lengthening and decompressing the spine creating a negative pressure within the discs.  This reversal of pressure creates an intradiscal vacuum that not only takes pressure off pinched nerves, but helps to reposition bulging discs and pull extruded disc material back into place. Read more here.

Effective pain relief: Philips TensRelief Pain Management Devices Help Pain Sufferers Lead an Active Life with Less Pain (Photo credit: Philips Communications)

ELECTROTHERAPY– Electrotherapy is the application of micro-electrical current to the body for therapeutic purposes.  This also sounds a bit intimidating at first glance, but electrotherapy is simply the use of several electronic devices that can prevent muscle atrophy and spasms, increase or maintain range of motion, and alleviate pain. EMS gently and safely contracts and relaxes muscles to soothe and help them recover from injury, fatigue and/or soreness.  EMS units work by sending weak electrical impulses that stimulate targeted muscle groups. Read more here. 

MASSAGE - Massage has been used to treat stress and pain for thousands of years.  Written 

references to the effects of massage have been cited in such places as ancient Rome, Greece and Mesopotamia.  While the treatment fell out of favor during the 1940’s, by the early 70’s a new resurgence of the therapy was seen as everyone from celebrities to athletes sung its praises.  Today, massage is an accepted and popular form of therapy with more than 18 million adults in the US and more than 700,000 children having received massage therapy in 2010 alone.

While the term “massage” is uniformly used to describe the manipulation of muscles and soft tissues of the body, there are actually dozens of different forms of massage, including Balinese, Barefoot, Deep Tissue, Metamorphic, Myofascial, Pediatric, Shiatsu, Swedish and Trigger Point, just to name a few.  Many forms of massage are performed while lying down, while others are performed in a seated position.  Specialized massage tables and ergonomic chairs have been designed to allow the patient to relax while the practitioner plies his or her trade.  Specialized tools and massage oils have also been developed to enhance the effects of treatment. Read more here.

In Conclusion

While most of us have been conditioned to rely on pain killers to  combat pain, before you reach for 

that bottle of pills remember that masking the pain and truly alleviating pain are two different things.  If you or someone you know is experiencing chronic back pain, contact a health professional that specializes in helping patients achieve long term pain relief. 

Dr.’s Steven Warfield and Dave Edenfield offer the most advanced treatments forback pain, sciatica, neck pain, whiplash and headaches. They also treat auto accident victims with state-of-the-art technologies. If you or anyone you know suffers from herniated discs, degenerative discs or spinal stenosis,  visit http://endyourpain.org

The Lowdown on Lower Back Pain

By Dr. Dave Edenfield

When it comes to the masses, lower back pain doesn’t discriminate.  Common to people of all ages, both sexes and every racial, economic and social strata, more than 95% of the population is forced to deal with this condition at some point in time.   For the fortunate the pain may subside within a day or so.  For others, chronic pain can be something that they will be burdened with for the rest of their lives. 

The costs in the US alone totals close to $50 billion per year when you factor in everything from 

treatment and surgery to pain pills and lost wages.  Studies show that lower back pain is the number one cause of occupational disability worldwide.  It is also regarded as the second most debilitating neurological condition in the US next to headache.

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Since dealing with back pain can be so problematic, the first line of defense is prevention.  Typically lower back pain begins with loss of flexibility leading to a sudden muscle or ligament strain.  Caused by lifting a heavy object improperly, quick movements or twisting of the spine can overtax the tissue’s ability to stretch, ultimately resulting in everything from strain to microscopic tears that then manifest themselves as pain.  This pain can range from mild discomfort or a dull ache to disabling pain depending upon the extent and location of the injury. Injuries that involve either the nerves or the lumbar discs can be particularly debilitating.  The best advice I can give to anyone who experiences lower back pain is to curtail all physically activity immediately.  The last thing you want to do is to make an already bad situation worse.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The architecture of the lower back is much more complicated than most people realize.  Spinal vertebrae along with their associated discs form a framework over which are attached the tendons, muscles and soft tissues.  All of these structures are controlled and monitored by a series of highly sensitive nerves that travel from the lower back down the legs and into the feet.  Damage to any of these structures can cause pain not only in the damaged areas, but this pain can also radiate to other parts of the body. 

While lower back pain can occur at any age, certain types of injuries are more typical with certain age groups.  While the elderly are more susceptible to pain caused  by joint degeneration, younger adults particularly those in the 30-50 range are more likely to experience pain due to ligament or disc injury.  To determine the cause and proper treatment of lower back pain your chiropractor will need to conduct an examination, part of which will involve asking you to describe the location and severity of pain, an orthopedic and neurological exam and X-ray imaging may also be in order.

 As a rule, lower back pain can be broken down into three categories:

1.    Axial lower back pain – Relegated to the lower back only, this pain can become severe enough to preclude normal activities, such as standing or walking.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that for many patients this kind of pain is typically short lived if treated promptly.  (Typical treatments can take from one to three months.)

2.    Sciatica is the next most common lower back problem.  Caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, this kind of lower back pain is characterized by pain that radiates to the leg, buttock, or foot.

3.    Low back pain with referred pain - Like sciatica this condition involves back pain that radiates to the groin, buttock and/or upper thigh.  But in this case it rarely extends below the knee. 

Making the Pain Go Away

Depending upon the category and severity of the injury, your chiropractor may bring a number of treatment modalities into play in order to make the pain go away, including spinal manipulation, spinal decompression such as Vax-D, and cold laser technology and various other therapeutic treatments. He or she will also prescribe various exercise and stretching routines that can not only speed your recovery but also prevent a relapse. Since lifestyle and environmental factors can also come into play, there are a number of triggers that you can learn to avoid, such as:

•        Weight Gain

•        Poor Posture

•        Sports that produce repetitive stresses

•        Lifting with the back as opposed to the legs

•        Chairs with poor or no lumbar support

•        Wearing high heeled shoes

If you or anyone you know is experiencing back pain, have them talk to a doctor of chiropractic to discuss treatment options.  A number of chiropractic offices such as ours even offer a free initial consultation, examination and x-ray if medically necessary to make it possible for people of all income brackets to seek help, alleviate pain and avoid complications. 

Dr. Dave Edenfield  and Dr. Steven Warfield are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com and http://endyourpain.org who are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives. 

Nothing to Sneeze At

by Dr. Steven Warfield

You know its allergy season when you walk outside only to find that your car has changed from blue to green overnight.  That yellow patina coating your paintjob is composed of millions of microgametes (plant sperm cells) that erupt from plants every spring.  While unsightly, this plant powder is easy enough to hose off your car.  If that was the worst that pollen could dish out then we would all breathe a sigh of relief.  However, therein lays the rub.  It is by breathing in this powder that causes many of us to sniffle and sneeze as allergy season kicks into overdrive.

Pollen Predates People

While some people have allergies to pollen, you have to take into consideration that pollen has been 

Pollen from a variety of common plants: sunflower (Helianthus annuus), morning glory Ipomoea purpurea, hollyhock (Sildalcea malviflora), lily (Lilium auratum), primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) and castor bean (Ricinus communis). The image is magnified some x500, so the bean shaped grain in the bottom left corner is about 50 μm long. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

around a lot longer than human beings.  In fact, not only have pine trees been around for hundreds of millions of years (did dinosaurs have allergies?), but the oldest living examples of trees are bristlecone pines some of which are estimated to be more than 4,600 years old.   While certain kinds of pollen cause people problems every year, this is not what pollen was intended to do.  It all has to do with reproduction.

So why are some people allergic to pollen while others are not? 

“The real question, according to Susan Waserman, professor of medicine in the division of clinical immunology and allergy at McMaster University in Canada, is not "Why pollen?" but "Why allergies at all?" Humans typically become allergic to things we're frequently exposed to as children. Pollen is one of those things; in the spring, a cubic meter of air can contain thousands of pollen grains, so we're inhaling them fairly constantly. But we're also routinely exposed to food and pet hair as kids, and we commonly develop allergies to those, too.” http://news.yahoo.com/why-pollen-allergies-common-195446150.html

The main reason that allergic reactions take place is due to the way our immune systems react to foreign substances.  Or, should I say overreact?  Designed to defend us from disease, the body’s immune response isn’t exactly hardwired into our system.  It actually learns what is and is not a threat.  This learning process occurs for the most part when we are children when we are all exposed to a myriad of bacteria and viruses. 

Every time the immune system detects the presence of an invading organism, it produces antibodies that transport the attacker to white blood cells which trigger the release of histamine.  This works fine when the offending organism is a bacteria or virus.  However, if the invader is pollen, the immune system can get carried away.  This is what causes allergies; the body misinterpreting a harmless organism as an invader.  Once your system designates pollen, dust or cat dander as a marauder, there’s no going back.  You’re saddled with the allergy for the rest of your life.

Some people even later in life can acquire sometimes life threatening allergic reactions to such things as certain kinds of food that can cause them to go into anaphylactic shock, which can block their airways resulting in suffocation. 

According to Susan Wasserman, the real reason that so many people have allergies these days has to do with inadequate exposure to bacteria and viruses during early childhood. “Thanks to modern hygiene including such things as antibacterial soap, pasteurized milk and more, kids aren’t exposed to nearly as many microbes as they once were.  As a result, their immune systems have fewer opportunities to learn how to discriminate between dangerous pathogens and harmless things like pollen. People whose immune systems are no longer busy fighting infection can become unregulated and allergic.”

This year in particular has proven to deliver a particularly heavy dose of pollen. Currently it is pine and oak pollen that is causing the most problems for allergy sufferers.  Later in the 

season will come ragweed pollen.  Other than popping antihistamines and carrying a hefty supply of Kleenex, what else can allergy sufferers do to cope?

Why Chiropractic Care is Nothing to Sneeze At

While traditional medicine simply treats the symptoms, chiropractic care is designed specifically to enable the immune system to work more efficiently.  One of the reasons that the body can have an allergic reaction is due to the fact that nerve interference can cause the immune system to overproduce histamine.  Since the nervous system controls immune response along with virtually every other reaction in the body, any imbalance can result in miscommunication between the brain and the body. 

While chiropractic treatment does not treat allergies directly, studies have shown that the nervous system has a direct link to the functionality of the immune system.  Chiropractors work to align the spine which in turn relieves stress on the nerves.  This in turn allows the immune system to work more efficiently which makes it easier to fight off infection while recognizing and not overreacting to allergens.

Antihistamines work by drying out the mucus membranes.  Chiropractic care works by allowing your body to better identify and deal with allergens.  Besides, long term antihistamine use can itself prove dangerous.  In a May 1994 Journal of the National Cancer Institute, it was noted that several antihistamines including Claritin, Hismanal and Atarax had been proven to cause cancerous tumors in rats to grow faster.  And unlike antihistamines whose side effects can include dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and confusion, chiropractic care have none of the side effects.

So if allergy symptoms have you sniffing and sneezing, instead of reaching for that bottle of pills talk to your local chiropractor.  Your sinuses will thank you.

Dr. Steven Warfield and Dr. Dave Edenfield  are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com and http://chiropractor-orange-park-fl.com who are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives.  

Are You Running Yourself Ragged?

By Dr. Steven Warfield

Running is a great way to stay in shape.  It promotes heart health and muscle tone, while decreasing blood pressure and even spurring weight loss.  On the flip side, it can also result in a number of injuries brought about by the fact that the human body was never designed to run on concrete.  So on today’s blog I thought I’d cover the pluses and minuses of running.

Have a Heart

Without a doubt, running is one of the best things you can do for your heart.  It not only strengthens the heart muscle, but it also lowers your blood pressure and increases HDL cholesterol levels which helps stave off heart disease. As your cardiovascular system becomes stronger, it will pump more blood and oxygen to the rest of your body, which results in increased endurance and deceased body fat.

Studies have also shown that rigorous exercise strengthens the bones and stimulates the production of white blood cells that are crucial to fending off disease.  Improved circulation helps deliver these microscopic disease fighters faster to the places where they are most needed.  It is also known that cardiovascular exercise such as running can significantly reduce your risk of cancer.

Now for the flip side of the coin.  Many runners suffer from repetitive motion injuries caused by running on unyielding or uneven surfaces, inadequate running shoes, and running up steep slopes.  Statistics tell us that more than 70% of runners (whether professional or amateur) will sustain some kind of injury at one point or another in their lives. Some of the injuries will be the result of stress to their legs or joints, while others involve their backs.  Everything from shin splints to tendonitis and/or stress fractures are common complaints with runners.

Break a Leg

Stress fractures as the name implies are characterized by a crack or break in the bones of the leg or foot  that are caused primarily by repetitive stress. (In older patients it can also be caused by Osteoporosis.)  That is the definition of the term.  However the causative factors can be a bit more complicated.  Stress fractures while affecting the bones are in many cases triggered by an imbalance of the muscles. For instance, a weak or overworked muscle can cause increased stress on an adjacent bone.  Sometimes an imbalance of the back can interfere with the nerves that actuate the muscles of the legs or feet.  As the runner continues on his or her way, the miscommunication combined with the repetitive nature of running can ratchet these stresses up to the point where the bone can no longer sustain the load. 

Are You Pulling My Leg?

Another common source of pain in the lower leg, particularly one that begins nearly as soon as you start running is shin splints. Typically this condition begins as a dull ache in the front of the lower leg. Upon closer inspection the knee may appear swollen and inflamed as well.  Also known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), shin splints can be caused by a number of triggers, including everything from worn-out shoes, running on rough or uneven terrain or even not running for a long period of time.  In short, anything that causes a sudden increase in muscle activity in the calves can result in shock that the tibia is forced to absorb.  If left untreated, shin splints can result in stress fractures. (Women are two to three times more likely to have stress fractures resulting from shin splints then are men.) 

Treatment of MTSS includes rest, as well as putting ice packs on the affected area.  It is also important to allow any swelling to subside before returning to full activity.  Your chiropractor may also recommend a number of exercises that strengthen the lower leg and hip muscles.  It is also imperative that individuals stricken with shin splints gradually return to full activity in order to avoid a relapse. 

Tendonitis Anyone?

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel of the foot. When this tendon becomes stressed and inflamed, people (particularly runners) will experience everything from pain in their heel, to swelling and tenderness in the ankle, along with stiffness of the joint.  Like stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis can be brought on by misalignments in the back.  Unlike them, the pain associated with tendonitis is worst at the start of exercise only to lessen as the workout progresses.

Treatment for the condition revolves around resting the ankle and applying cold to reduce inflammation.  Just as with MTSS, it can take months to heal Achilles tendonitis, during which time you need to gradually ramp up your activities in order to avoid relapse and/or complications.

Run Away

Icon Runners MillaSagradaFamilia2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Runner’s knee is a painful condition that can develop in anyone that overworks their knee joint.  Typified by a dull ache that develops around the knee, the pain is most pronounced when either bending or twisting the leg.  This condition can be caused by a number of factors, including direct trauma to the knee (such as that caused by a fall), misalignment of the kneecap, overstressing of the tendons, or even flat feet.  While the being predominantly relegated to runners, runner’s knee can also strike any athlete that does a lot of knee bending or jumping, such as cyclists, soccer players, football players and basketball players.

Typical symptoms of the condition are pain around or behind the kneecap, pain when bending the knee, or pain when walking, squatting, kneeling, running or sitting.  While in severe cases surgery is needed to remedy this condition, the good news is that in minor to moderate cases, resting, icing and elevating the knee along with stretching and strengthening exercises can help speed recovery.  Along with treatment, your chiropractor may also recommend wrapping the knee and/or adding arch supports to your shoes.

While running can be a terrific way to ward off illness and stay in shape, the most important thing to remember is not to overdo it.  By pacing yourself and dealing with any aches or pains that crop up during or after a run you can maximize the benefits of running and minimize the damage done.  Because the last place you want to run to is the doctor’s office.

Dr.’s Steven Warfield and Dave Edenfield offer the most advanced treatments forback pain, sciatica, neck pain, whiplash and headaches. They also treat autoaccident victims with state-of-the-art technologies. If you or anyone you know suffers from herniated discs, degenerative discs or spinal stenosis,visit http://chiropractor-orange-park-fl.com/ & http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com

Weed 'Em and Reap

How to Keep Spring Cleaning from Giving You an Aching Back

By Dr. Dave Edenfield

Spring is in the air.  With it come thoughts of gardening to many Floridians.  Unlike those in more northern climes who have spent the winter shoveling snow, for the most part we in Jacksonville have had a bit of a hiatus these past few months.  While this gives us reasons to gloat, what it can also do is set us up for undue physical stress once we start wheeling out lawn mowers, edgers, rakes and blowers.  My advice to those who have a green thumb is to take a bit of advice from their friendly neighborhood chiropractor.  Don’t let the growing season wind up planting you firmly in my office.

Here are a few things to do before, during and after yard work:

1.           Start off with a good stretch.  Yard work taxes virtually every muscle and sinew in your body.  Just like any athlete, before you get off the bench and get into the game, you need to limber up.  Ten minutes or so of stretching can save you days of aches and pains afterwards.
2.       Stay hydrated – I know this sounds elementary, but most people do not drink enough fluid when working outdoors.  Carrying a little bottle of water around is okay if you only plan on doing a little pruning.  If you intend on really getting a jump on your garden by spending several hours in the yard, think pitcher.  Not only will this help you avoid dehydration, but it will also help your system flush the acids that your muscles create when they are worked hard. 
3.          Lift with the legs as opposed to the back.  Whether you are planting a shrub, toting a bag of leaf litter or pulling weeds, most people make the mistake of using their backs as opposed to their legs when lifting.  Instead of leaning over when you need to heft a heavy load, get up close and personal and then lift straight up by bending your knees and keeping your back straight.
4.          Pace yourself – Instead of doing a marathon session in your yard, break the tasks down into a number of sessions and take breaks of at least twenty minutes between each session.  Better still, schedule the project over several days.  The weeds aren’t going anywhere and neither are you if you cripple yourself on your first go at yard work. 
5.         Wear shoes as opposed to flip flops.  Many garden implements could double as lethal
   
   weapons. Even something as innocuous as a shovel or rake can tear up your toes if it is dropped on them.  Not to mention the kind of damage a stick or a stone coughed up by a lawn mower or string trimmer can cause. 
6.         Whenever you have a choice between bending or kneeling, choose the latter. Buy either a set of knee pads or a cushion to kneel upon whenever you are weeding.  Or sit on an overturned bucket.  Your knees will thank you.
7.         Soreness is a common after effect of yard work.  It only becomes problematic if it fails to abate after 24-48 hours.  If you not only feel sore but experience any of the following symptoms, consult your doctor right away: Shortness of breath, dizziness, cold sweats, chest pain, pounding headache or muscle spasms.

The joys of the season of renewal should be a time to enjoy all the simple pleasures that come with more daylight, warmer weather, and balmy breezes.  Don’t let your zeal to embrace the rights of spring derail your health before you even get started.  Take the time to plan your activities and acknowledge the stresses that come with exerting yourself in the great outdoors.  Then all you’ll really have to deal with this spring are your allergies.

Dr. Dave Edenfield  and Dr. Steven Warfield are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com and http://endyourpain.org who are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives.