Montpelier Family Chiropractic Newsletter Our free monthly e-newsletter is designed to be used as a resource for our patients in discovering and empowering them to make the best choices for their health and wellbeing.
	Montpelier Family Chiropractic 16022 Newfound Hills Lane Montpelier, VA 23192 Ph1: 804-883-3000 Fax: 804-883-7247 Theresa Neiss email - website The theme of our very first newsletter is exercise and getting in shape this spring.		Announcement		Other articles in this months newsletter: PLANT AND RAKE WITHOUT THE ACHE! Dr. David Koivuranta [ read article ] Stretch, Rattle and Roll Michael Stefano [ read article ] Try Exercise Instead of Surgery for Back Pain Dr. James Bogash [ read article ] The Endless Benefits of Exercise Dr. James Bogash [ read article ] Good Posture Leads To Good Health Dr.George Traitses [ read article ]
			Refer a friend this spring and you will both get a free Fitness Ball after their first appointment.
			Health Articles and More!
			PLANT AND RAKE WITHOUT THE ACHE! Dr. David Koivuranta email - website Every season, our bodies take on new tasks. From the shovelling of snow in winter to the mowing of the lawn in summer, our outdoor work and overall hobbies may change. Spring is no exception. The Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) recognizes this small but important fact of life and prepares information for the public to address the varying activities of the year. This spring, they have compiled some meaningful and important information along with some suggestions to get us through the coming gardening and yard work season. It is my pleasure to share some of their thoughts with you. According to the OCA, most gardening and yard work injuries are preventable. To prevent back pain and other injuries it is recommended that you warm-up your body by stretching the muscles and joints. Along with this comes the warning that correct lifting techniques should be employed along with the correct tools and a reasonable work schedule, i.e. not doing too much at once. At the same time, gardening and yard work are both great physical activities. At a rate of 300 calories per hour, making sure your yard is vibrant and pleasant can mean shedding extra pounds of unwanted weight. Over a season, you may find you are able to do more and perhaps in less time as you become more fit. To aid in the process, be sure to warm-up (gentle walk and movement of all the body’s joints) before the yard work and to cool down after you are done with some stretching (see your family chiropractor, massage therapist or a personal trainer to ensure you are properly doing your stretches). Changing positions often, alternating tasks and drinking plenty of water are also suggested. Computer workers and physical labourers will tell you that it’s tough to do the same task over and over throughout the day. Break up repetitive tasks by switching arms or taking several rests during each hour of work. Gardening and yard working tools often require repetitive actions that can lead to joint dysfunction and irritated nerves that can not only hurt you physically, but also lower your level of overall health. Alternate the frequency and intensity of your activities to keep you smiling a bit longer in the sun. After your yard is the talk of the town, make sure your aches and pains do not persist. If the work is new or you’re not generally active, you will be sore for a couple days afterwards, but this should disappear. If, however, the discomfort lasts for more than 48 hours or if you notice a change in your ability to move freely, it’s time to visit a chiropractor for some advice and a thorough check-up. To treat these problems properly so that they do not cause future health concerns is a must, not to mention chiropractic care is an excellent means to early detection of back related problems. Here’s a handy pneumonic to make sure we all have HEALTHY BACKS for our spring activities: H – have the right tools for the task at hand E – ensure you drink plenty of fluids A – alternate between light and heavy jobs L – lift correctly H – heavy loads should be shared Y - your feet should be protected with supportive shoes B – before you start, warm up your muscles A – avoid muscle strain, learn the right techniques C – change positions frequently K – kneel to plant and weed S – spinal check-ups can help keep your back healthy It’s with good intentions we tend to our gardens and yards. Don’t let good intentions lead to bad problems. A little bit of well-invested time to take heed of what our bodies need can save us a lot of grief in the long run. Afterall, what good is a beautiful yard if you’re not able to enjoy it? So remember “plant and rake without the ache.”
			About our Practice
			We welcome you to our clinic! We are a family oriented practice. We are here to help you reach your health care goals and encourage you to take an active role in the process. We use a variety of techniques and look at all aspects of your life to find a plan that works best for you. Care is taken with every patient we see. You are the reason we are here, You are like family to us, we will treat you with integrity and the best possible care.