Newsletter - August 2009
Some Travel Advice for this holiday period
Travel can be hard on your body. Even though you are off on a well earned holiday, the travel to get to your destination can mean long hours in a car or an airplane. There can also be delays and problems which leave you feeling stressed, tired and uncomfortable.
Prolonged sitting can build up pressure in the blood vessels in your lower legs. To help prevent this, contract and relax the muscles in your legs, this will help your blood to flow properly. Whenever possible get up and move around, stretch your whole body. When you get to a break or the end of your journey try to have a short brisk walk.
If you are travelling by car make sure your seat position is as comfortable as possible. Try using a back support. Do not hold the steering wheel too tightly and move your hand positions between position one - 3 o’clock and 7 o’clock and position two - 10 o’clock and 5 o’clock. Remember to take regular breaks in order to avoid the consequences of fatigue.
If travelling by plane, take care lifting your bags into the overhead lockers and do not twist your head and neck whilst put the bags in place. Whilst in your seat try put your feet on a book or bag to change position a little. Massage your calves and move your legs up and down. Try rolling up a sweater and placing it behind your neck or into the small of your back to provide better support.
Remember that you may have to carry or pull your cases for quite long distances, you may also have to lift them onto or off conveyor belts etc. So check you can manage their weight and that they are not too awkward for you to manage.
Hopefully having taken some precautions you will have a wonderful holiday. It is so much better to avoid problems, however, if they do arise please remember that Chiropractic Care can help and we are here to help and advise you.
Last month The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE ) *** advised GP’s to offer chiropractic for treating back pain.
If you have an Injury – do you apply heat or do you apply ice?
ICE
Ice should be used on an recent onset injury, for example an ankle or knee strain following a trip or fall. This type of injury usually results in redness, tenderness to touch, swelling and pain. Most professionals recommend the use of ice for these injuries as it restricts blood flow to the area and helps to reduce swelling and pain. The best type of pack is one that can mold itself to the injured area, for example, a gel pack, a plastic bag filled with ice or a bag for frozen peas or other small vegetables.
A rough guide is to apply the ice pack for around 15 minutes, on a number of occasions during the first couple of days following the injury. Do not leave the ice on too long on each occasion as it can cause frostbite so allow the skin to return to it’s normal temperature between each application.
HEAT
Heat should be applied on longstanding (chronic) injuries. Heat causes increased blood flow to the area and relaxes tense muscles and muscle spasms. Heat can be applied by sitting in a warm/hot bath, or taking a hot shower. A hot water bottle wrapped in a cover or in a towel can also be used, but care should be taken that the bottle is not too hot as skin can be burnt.
WARNING: Do not apply heat if there is swelling or redness and please check with your chiropractor before applying heat to your spine as spinal nerve roots are sensitive and increasing the blood flow may make the problem worse.
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