FAQ - Health Tips

Pain is a warning!
Pain is a signal that tells us that some part of our body is not working properly. Although the presence of pain tells us that something is not working properly, we simply cannot say otherwise, that in the absence of pain we are healthy. A person may not have any pain and yet is suffering from one of the early stages of a terminal illness. 

Pain is the last cause to appear when we are not healthy and the first to disappear when the problem begins to resolve. 

When asking the question “Should a chiropractor adjust even if I am not in pain? It's like asking why exercise if I'm not in pain ”or why eat well if I'm not in pain. Healthy minded people do not base their diet or exercise on pain. They maintain these habits to maintain health, vitality, and longevity. 
 

Nutrition 

Eat more of:

• Fruits and vegetables. The best cooked or steamed vegetables, do not over-toast bread and cereals. Eat more whole grains like rice. 
• Choose lean red meat and discard excess fat. 
• Eat more fish and eggs (and derivatives). 
• Eat low-fat, skimmed dairy. 
• Eat nuts, they contain a high protein content.  

Things to avoid 

• Alcohol. 
• Caffeine in coffee, soft drinks and tea. 
• Fried and greasy foods. 
• Eat excessively. Extremely processed foods. 
• Refined sugar, salt and other seasonings. 

Lift objects 

The main rule is not to lift objects that are too heavy to handle. The best way to lift is to squat down with your knees bent, keeping your back straight and looking straight ahead, and push your legs to get up. Hold the object as close to your body as possible. If the object is on a table, bring it to the edge of the table before lifting it. 

Once you pick up a heavy object, avoid twisting your body from side to side. Instead, turn around using your feet. If your job requires a lot of lifting, a lumbar protection can benefit you. 

Drink a lot of water

Have you ever felt tired in the afternoon? 
Read on to find out why. Everyone knows that drinking water is important. Here are some important statistics. 

75% of people suffer from chronic dehydration. In 37% the thirst mechanism is weakened and is mistaken for appetite. Mild dehydration can reduce metabolism by 3%. 

A glass of water at night takes away the desire to eat in 100% of cases. 

Lack of water is the first precursor to daily fatigue. 

Preliminary studies indicate that 8-10 glasses of water a day can reduce joint and back pain by up to 80%. 
A 2% drop in body water can lead to poor concentration, problems with basic math, and memory problems. 

Drinking 5 glasses of water reduces the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by up to 79% and bladder cancer by 50%. 

Do you drink enough water a day? 
  
Watch your back 
Standing: If your job requires standing, use a step to support one foot. This will help take the pressure off your lower back. If you cannot use a step, stand upright with your weight evenly distributed over both feet. Keep your head posture in such a way that you always look straight ahead in a vertical position. Avoid wearing high heels. The higher the heels, the greater the lumbar curvature and therefore the greater the stress.   
  
Sitting: If you sit a lot throughout the day, it is imperative that you give it specific care. If the chair has no backrest, sit on the edge of the chair in a typewriting position and ask your doctor of chiropractic about a lumbar pad. 

Driving: Some vehicles have lumbar rests in the seats although most of them do not give enough support to the lower back. Your doctor of chiropractic can recommend a suitable pad. 
  
Sleeping: For the spine the harder the mattress the better. It is advisable to put a wooden plank under the mattress, especially if it is too soft and for people who have a facility for developing lumbar problems. For a person with a healthy back, a firm mattress should be sufficient. 

Sleeping in a fetal position is one of the best positions. For your lower back it is advisable to place a pillow between the knees to relieve tension on the lower back. One position to avoid is face down as it increases stress on the neck and lower back. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to flatten your lower back. A cervical pillow is recommended to maintain a natural cervical curve. 

The best way to get out of bed is to lie on your side, facing the edge of the bed in such a way that your knees are exposed. Sit on your side using your elbow on the bed to push yourself.