Dr. Dave's 1st Blog Post: Ergonomics and You

Hi, I’m Dr. Dave. As the “other half” of Boulevard Natural Healing Arts (Dr. Jeanne being the other!), I’ll be popping up this blog from time to time to offer up thoughts on my areas of expertise. 

Today's topic: Ergonomics! 

Almost everything I needed to know about ergonomics I learned from my piano teacher in the 4th grade. 

For those of you that didn’t take piano lessons, the basics are sitting up straight, not looking down at your hands, and keeping your wrists straight or “floating” over the keys.  

The funny thing is... typing at a computer and playing the piano are almost the exact same motion.  Now, this formerly free advice has turned into the big business of ergonomics. Who knew my piano teacher was so ahead of her time?

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is a fancy name for how your body moves and supports itself with the use of muscles, ligaments and bones in relation to mechanical supports and tools.  (I.e.: sitting at a computer.)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you are most likely sitting at your computer incorrectly right now. This is by no fault of your own - most people don't even know that they are, or... that sitting at a computer incorrectly can put you at risk for health problems, including fatigue, body discomfort, headaches and emotional stress.  

So just adjust the way you sit at your desk and get no more midday headaches?

Yes -  if you know what you're doing. There are actually several other issues that have to be addressed to make a completely ergonomically friendly workstation.

As an Ergonomics expert, I've gone into many local businesses throughout the Twin Cities to set up work stations using SittingSafe® standards. That's step one.

The second step is showing employees the proper way to sit at computer stations to alleviate aches and paints and help prevent new problems stemming from poor posture.

The bottom line is this: You need allow your body to sit (or stand) correctly with the least amount of stress and then move the equipment to support and fit you, rather than forcing your body to adapt to the equipment.

It's time to get these tools to work for you.  You are allowed to move office equipment to fit your own physical size and shape, and if something doesn’t fit, see if you can replace it.   

For example: a mouse.   

There are a multitude of mouse sizes and shapes available - so change them up to prevent repetitive stress injuries. I usually recommend having 2 or 3 different ones to switch around if my hand gets tired. Like a carpenter has several different sizes of hammers, you can have a different mice (or is it mouses??)

So, if you find yourself slouching in your chair, hunching forward to see the monitor, or anchoring your wrists down on the desk when keying, not only would you be a pretty bad a piano player, you are putting unnecessary stress on your body and working much harder than you need to be at your computer.   

If you'd like more information about how I can help you or your business, let me know!

Yours in health, 

Dr. Dave

http://northwestminneapolischiropractor.com 

Office: 612.259.7323

Licensed vs. Certified: Theres a BIG difference

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Did you know...

There’s a difference between being "Licensed" and being "Certified"?

I know, I know… I’m sure it's not a question you've been burning to see addressed in this blog, or anywhere else. However, I will occasionally see a doctor advertise him/herself as a "Certified Doctor of Chiropractic" or a "Certified Chiropractic Doctor."

The fact is, being “certified” means very little. I myself, along with my partner in life and business, Dr. David Monson, both have probably a dozen certifications between us. And although we learned very useful information earning them, as far as what we can or cannot do to assist people trying to maintain their health, or reduce musculoskeletal pain syndromes, it doesn't legally mean anything.

All that being said, certification isn't useless. It typically means that you've been to a weekend or series of weekend seminars, often passing a test at the end and have new services to offer patients. Some certifications are quite rigorous, and some require yearly classes to keep current. But what you really need to make sure of is that your doctor is licensed.

Licensure involves a weekend long test to become an official Doctor of Chiropractic – where – after 4 years of intense schooling, you get to put a little D.C. after your last name and start helping patients. Pretty cool, right?

The test is HARD. Plenty of it is hands on – you have to prove that you know all aspects of handling patients: from taking a history, through a physical examination, making a diagnosis, x-ray analytical skills, spinal adjusting, physical therapy questions… you get the idea.

Chiropractic licensing started with Kansas and North Dakota in 1913 and ended with Louisiana in 1974. And in my home state of Minnesota there was an attempt as early as 1905! (We’re so ahead of the curve!) By the mid 1920's, two dozen states had licensure and 43 by the end of WW2. It’s now available in all 50 states of the US, but it’s also interesting to note that each state has it's own "Scope of Practice." Kansas has probably the most lenient scope, and they can even call themselves Chiropractic Physicians. Not so in Minnesota. We are officially called Doctors of Chiropractic.

You can check out information on each states "Board of Chiropractic Examiners" website. Not too difficult to understand, even for this non-lawyer!

So, the moral of this story is that when choosing a health care provider, you should know the difference between Certified and Licensed, and if your doc is certified but not licensed – then he is or she isn’t a doctor!

Make sure you tune in next week - Dr. David is going to write a post about ergonomics and how it affects you.

Yours in health,

Dr. Jeanne Masanz, DC

http://northwestminneapolischiropractor.com 

Office: 612.259.7323

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Dirty Dozen: The 12 Most Contaminated Fruits & Veggies in the Market

It's official: summer's over.

On to fall colors, sweaters, boots, before you know it snow... ugh.

For now though, it's time to enjoy the abundance of fall fruit - especially that one-a-day wonder we call the APPLE. 

There are many ways to enjoy apples: in the raw, in a pie, in a sauce, in a slaw, and especially in a turnover!

What may not be good however, is the source of where your apples came from.

Did you know that conventionally grown apples are the most pesticide-laden produce in the market? 

According to the latest list from The EnvironmentalWorking Group, there are 12 fruits and veggies - when not grown organically - that are highly contaminated with harmful pesticides.

THE DIRTY DOZEN:


1) Apples                                                    7) Grapes (imported)
2) Celery                                                     8) Sweet Bell Peppers
3) Strawberries                                            9) Potatoes
4) Peaches                                                  10) Blueberries (domestic)
5) Spinach                                                  11) Lettuce
6) Nectarines                                              12) Collard Greens/Kale

Stuff you feed yourself and your kids everyday, right? That’s why it is especially important to always buy organic and avoid nasty chemicals.

The good news is the EWG also prepared a list of what they call the CLEAN 15: foods that are the least likely to need pesticides.

1) Onions                                                  
2) Corn                                                        9) Cantaloupe (domestic)        
3) Pineapples                                              10) Kiwi Fruit
4) Avocados                                                11) Cabbage
5) Asparagus                                               12) Watermelon
6) Sweet Peas                                              13) Sweet Potatoes
7) Mangoes                                                 14) Grapefruit
8) Eggplant                                                 15) Mushrooms                       
  
Here's another rule of thumb I use forced to buy non organic produce: If it has a thick skin, at least you know there is some protection from the chemicals and you can peel it off. 

Also, make sure to wash all produce with warm water and soap beforehand. (This is to guard against bacteria as well as chemicals.) You definitely don't want salmonella in your GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Remember all those nasty outbreaks around the globe the last few years? Dangerous stuff and no fun either.

Remember, just because you can buy non-organic fruits and veggies, doesn't mean you should.

Yours in health,

Dr. Jeanne Masanz, DC

http://northwestminneapolischiropractor.com 

Office: 612.259.7323

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On a diet? 5 Tips for surviving the Minnesota State Fair.

Ah... it's a beautiful late summer day here in Minneapolis. As most Minnesotans know, Labor Day is traditionally the busiest day at the Great Minnesota State Fair.

I've certainly paid my State Fair dues. Including my two visits this year, I think I've attended it over 50 times! That must make me some kind of expert... although not of the usual "what's the best new food-on-a-stick" variety.

In spite of all the fried food and ice cream available - when I head to the fair, I take my healthy habits with me.  Yes, I know that over-eating is a State Fair tradition, but here are some easy ways to still have fun without packing on the pounds.

Dr. Jeanne's tips on surviving the best State Fair around!

1. Eat something before you go

If you're filled up on high quality food before you hit the midway, you won't crave deep fried butter (as much.)

I'm not even talking an actual meal. Just something that will stick to your ribs a bit. If you have at least a little bit of food in that tummy, you will actually be able to hold off long enough to find a food you love - a Fair favorite (mine are the scones!) that you can devour and dribble all over your carefully chosen outfit. (Chosen, that is, to be expendable.) So, have some eggs, cheese, breakfast types of protein. Forget the cereal and toast. You'll get plenty of that type of nourishment later in the day. 

2. Order the smallest size of all food and drinks

It may be tempting to order the extra large twist cone at Custard's Last Stand, but if it's just you scarfing it down - your waistline will pay the price. Look for healthier options in between snack attacks. They actually had Salad-on-a-Stick this year. Delish!

3. SHARE whenever possible

This is my most important tip. When you share with your fellow fair-goers, you eat less and spend less while still getting a taste of all those yummy fair foods. It's a win-win.

While I'm at in, here are two more tips - though not food related: 

4. Wear comfortable shoes

Bring an extra pair, just in case. Walking will most likely be the only exercise you'll get all day. While not very stylish, socks with sandals are totally acceptable, too.

5. Bring a hat

Good for sun or even light rain. Also, wear sunglasses if you don't tolerate sun well. Butter queens don't squint, and neither should you. (Crow's feet? Not so pretty.)

Now, you may think these five fair tips might impede your ability to stuff yourself silly. Nonsense. Once you hit the fairgrounds, those smells will reach into your nostrils and pull out every bit of rational thinking from your brain cells. After all, we're not here to analyze our choices, right? This is one day we can just have fun.

So, eat something before, order smaller sizes and share when you can. At least you'll feel better about eating the fun food that will be calling out to you, looking for a tummy to call home. Who knows, you might even eat a few less french fries or one less pop or soda (depending on what part of the country you're from).

And remember, have fun!

Yours in health,

Dr. Jeanne Masanz, DC

http://northwestminneapolischiropractor.com

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