Save Your Back During Snow Season!

Now that winter is here, snowfall is certainly in the Mid-Atlantic forecast. Improper biomechanics while shoveling and snowblowing can result in back or shoulder pain and other injuries that lead to sprains and even herniated disks. Check these guidelines to help alleviate spinal stress during snowy weather.
Stretch and Warm up!
Dr. Thomas Campbell, head of Emergency Medicine at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh advises complete avoidance of shoveling for those over the age of 40 or 45, those who live a sedentary lifestyle, or individuals with known high blood pressure. If you are considered at risk for a heart attack, be extremely careful about physical exertion. Paying someone else to remove snow may be a wise, possibly lifesaving, decision.
Most individuals do not prepare properly. Appropriate stretching before shoveling snow reduces your chance of injury. A chiropractor or fitness trainer can provide a list of suitable stretches. Ten minutes of warming up is recommended.
Dressing adequately for prolonged cold-weather exposure should be a no-brainer! Layer your clothing. Wear waterproof items and underclothing that wicks underneath your heavier clothes. Note that mittens trap warmth far more efficiently than gloves do. Push snow, don’t drag it. Choose a plastic shovel with a curved, adjustable handle, and spray a silicone product on the shovel blade. Hold the shovel by placing your hands about 12 to 18 inches apart, with one hand at the handle and the other closer to the blade. Use your leg muscles and contract your abdominal muscles each time you lift. As you dump snow out of your shovel, turn your entire body to face the spot where you intend to drop it. Avoid throwing snow over your shoulder or twisting your torso.
Repeated shoveling of smaller snow piles is preferable to one marathon session. Stretch during the entire shoveling period. Taking a quick break every 10 to 20 minutes can help muscles rejuvenate. Stay hydrated by drinking nonalcoholic liquids frequently, as dehydration is surprisingly common even in colder climates.
Even mild physical activities can cause soreness and herniations. If, despite precautions, you experience an injury or develop pain during snow removal, stop. Help is available! The trained professionals at Corrective Chiropractic can make you more comfortable through a variety of relief-giving therapies.

Magnesium: The Essential Mineral

Magnesium contributes to the body in many ways, including mood and preventing depression, dizziness, muscle weakness, nerve transmission, heart regulation, maintaining the body’s pH balance (acidity/alkalinity), and body temperature. It works in tandem with calcium, phosphorus and potassium. It works with Vitamin B6, aiding the prevention of kidney stone formation, and even plays a role in cancer prevention and lowering cholesterol. According the American Medical Association, it was reported that mothers who took magnesium supplements during their pregnancy had a 70% less likelihood of mental disabilities and 90% less likelihood of cerebral palsy in their children versus mothers who did not ingest Magnesium.

Early warnings of magnesium deficiency include: nausea, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, fatigue, seizures, insomnia, poor digestion, and rapid heartbeat, involuntary muscle contractions and cramping.

Dietary sources of magnesium include halibut, almonds, cashews, soybeans, spinach, nuts peanut butter, apples, bananas, beans, lentils, brown rice, salmon, tofu, parsley, avocados, figs, lemons, green leafy vegetables, and many others. Various sources show that children should take between 100-250mg/day, while adults should be taking about 400mg/day.

The Importance of Calcium

Let’s discuss great dietary sources of Calcium and the effects on the body if there is a lack of Calcium in the diet.

According to a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 75% of Americans are not meeting current dietary recommendations for calcium. In conjunction with Magnesium, it is used for muscle contraction, bone density, tooth integrity, blood clotting, heartbeat, restores proper pH in our bodies by removing acids, and contributes to nerve conduction.

Repeated consumption of high fructose corn syrups and sugars, and processed packaged foods that contain additives, and hydrogenated oils cause the body’s pH level to become acidic. Many degenerative diseases stem from increased acidic levels in the body, including: Osteoporosis, Arthritis, abnormal cell growth and cancers, heart problems, kidney and gall stones, chronic fatigue, cavities, and mood swings.

Calcium can be found a wide variety of food sources, including such vegetables as kale, broccoli, asparagus, parsley, cabbage, and dark green leafy vegetables. Almonds, sardines, flaxseed, oats, blackstrap molasses, figs, and watercress also contain good concentrations of Calcium. Although it is well advertised that dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.) to be great sources of Calcium, unfortunately most of today’s pasteurization processes (when milk is heated over 160 degrees) kills off its nutrition value. Most nutrients become denatured and are not readily absorbed by the body. In addition, because of its high phosphorus content, milk from animal sources can counteract blood levels of Calcium content. Calcium supplementation is also a good bet, but keep in mind that the body does a much

Weight bearing exercise and physical activities also builds stronger bones in addition to proper diet. Proper spinal alignment allows the bones in the body to articulate much better, reducing Calcium deposits and arthritic change. By being proactive with a whole food diet, avoiding processed foods, weight bearing exercise and working out, proper spinal alignment, and proper sunshine and supplementation, getting your daily intake of Calcium is easier than ever!

It’s Pumpkin Time – Fun to Carve and Healthy to Eat!

Fall is here in its red and gold glory. What a popular time to decorate your home with gourds, Halloween decorations, and good-looking pumpkins! However, few people realize that their jack o’lantern is much more than just a “pretty” (or scary!) face. Consuming pumpkin and pumpkin seeds offers loads of health benefits as well. With so many delicious pumpkin recipes available and the super nutritional rewards, it is no wonder why pumpkin makes a great addition to your diet.

Nutritional Superstars

Pumpkins are valuable sources of vitamins and minerals, including carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids are the reason for a pumpkin’s orange, and occasionally yellowish, color. These free radical fighters have shown in some studies to help prevent cataracts, promote eye health, and reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which can cause blindness. The carotene in pumpkin helps reduce inflammation in the body, and several studies suggest pumpkin can even help slow the aging process. Pumpkin contains such essential minerals as zinc and iron. Lack of zinc in the diet can contribute to osteoporosis, and iron is an essential component of the red blood cells. Pumpkin is also rich in the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Besides being chock full of fiber, which aids in intestinal and bowel health, pumpkins are nutritionally rich in vitamins A, C, D, E, and K as well as B-complex.

For those trying to lose weight in a healthy way, the welcome news is that eating pumpkin is no problem, because pumpkin is naturally low in calories and fat content (a word of caution, though: your weight loss diet does require strictly limiting pumpkin in its delicious but calorific “dessert” and sugar-added forms!). Pumpkin’s nutrients also assist in lowering the risk of heart disease and enhancing the immune system, and can be beneficial in managing bladder infections, kidney stones, and some parasitic/intestinal problems.

Pumpkin Seeds

Wait, there’s more good news … pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients and make a delicious snack! In nature they are dark green in color and are often sold in jars or bags either raw or toasted. The seeds are a nice addition to salads and mixed vegetables, and pumpkin seed oil can be added to an assortment of salad dressings. Some studies suggest that eating pumpkin seeds promotes prostate health and stronger bones (an important Halloween note!); acts as an anti-inflammatory measure for various body joints; and introduces phytosterols, which have been shown to lower cholesterol.

Acupuncturist and Herbologist Join Corrective Chiropractic

SKILLED ACUPUNCTURIST AND HERBOLOGIST TO OFFER PATIENT
TREATMENTS AT CORRECTIVE CHIROPRACTIC IN HOCKESSIN

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Join Wide Range of Services
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HOCKESSIN, DELAWARE, August 26, 2010 — Beginning September 7, Corrective Chiropractic will offer the services of Julie Senko, MS, MEd, a registered acupuncturist and Chinese herbologist. She brings a unique understanding of both Eastern and Western medicine when working with patients.

Appointments will be available on Tuesdays, with availability expanded on request. Ms. Senko, who holds master’s degrees in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training and Acupuncture and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, has a 15-year background as a licensed athletic trainer in high school, college, and hospital settings. She has been treating acupuncture clients for more than 10 years. Rates are $95 for the initial visit and $75 for subsequent visits. Gift certificates are available. Acupuncture appointments are open to the public. It is not necessary to be a patient at Corrective Chiropractic.

Acupuncture, a form of Chinese medicine in which very thin stainless steel needles are inserted a short distance into the skin along specific body lines, is intended to rebalance the body and restore its health. The procedure promotes good blood flow, reduces pain, improves muscle tone and digestive function, and aids relaxation. Although the precise mechanisms of action remain elusive, acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating many conditions, such as back and neck pain, headaches, osteoarthritis, chronic viral conditions, GI problems, gynecologic issues, asthma, allergies, drug addictions, and more. Successful treatment depends on many factors, but most people receive some beneficial effect after the first few treatments or gradually over a longer period.

Chinese herbal medicine, which is an alternative approach to improving the body’s performance and is frequently used in conjunction with acupuncture for almost any human ailment, has at least 2,500 years of written history. Starting as folk medicine, today it is a complex medical system that shares its theory, diagnoses, and treatment plans with other branches of Chinese medicine. Chinese herbs are used to support the internal processes of the body and as an adjunct to acupuncture to extend and accentuate healing. Because Chinese medicine treats the whole person and not the disease, herbologists like Julie Senko match each prescription exactly to the patient’s condition and needs. One of the benefits of using Chinese herbs in combination with acupuncture is the degree of effectiveness achieved along with the lack of side effects.

About Julie Senko

Julie Senko studied acupuncture for 3 years at Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City, one of the oldest schools of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the United States and considered the one of the best. Tri-State College specializes in trigger-point treatment technique, and its programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). The school’s founder, Mark Seem, works with New York City dance troupes as a major segment of his practice.

Senko earned her herbology certificate with 3 additional years of training in Amherst, Massachusetts, under Sharon Weizenbaum, director of White Pine Healing Arts and a specialist in women’s wellness and infertility. Besides her services at Corrective Chiropractic, Senko presently has a practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She specializes in musculoskeletal complaints, infertility/gynecology/women’s wellness, and allergies.

To Make an Appointment

Appointments for acupuncture treatment at the Corrective Chiropractic offices can be arranged by calling 302.234.1115. For more information about Corrective Chiropractic and its full range of treatments and services, call 302.234.1115. Corrective Chiropractic, under the direction of Dr. Chad Laurence, is located at 7503-A Lancaster Pike (Route 41) in Hockessin, Delaware, and is within a 6-mile radius of Wilmington and Newark, Delaware, as well as Kennett Square, Landenberg, Avondale, and West Grove, Pennsylvania.

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Backpacks: Not Your Spine’s Best Friend

Alas, the new school year is here! On top of every child’s list of school supplies is a new backpack. While backpacks vary in their style, color and sizes, they all share one thing in common: they are detrimental to the health of your child’s spine. According to an article in a 1998 edition of the prestigious scientific journal Spine, by the time a young adult has graduated from high school, he or she has experienced at least one episode of back pain, due in part to the improper use of backpacks.

Children are carrying around excessive amounts of weight on their backs. In fact, a backpack can easily weigh upwards of 20 pounds. That kind of pressure on the back of a child in early adolescence can result in premature degeneration of the spine. But how do the backpacks cause so much damage? Backpacks cause postural shifts, which then may result in shifts in the alignment of the spine. Shifts of spinal vertebra are called vertebral subluxations (a.k.a. vertebral subluxation complex). Vertebral subluxations can lead to back and neck pain, muscular tension, muscular imbalance/asymmetry, decreased range of motion and early degeneration and arthritic changes of the spine.

As chiropractors that focus on the structural correction of the spine, we are now seeing a higher incidence of children and young adults with severe neck and back pain. Unfortunately, damage to the spine at such a young age is likely to result in debilitating pain and early arthritic changes that will be most apparent in later years.

So how do we go about preventing damage to the spine that may result from the use of backpacks? Dr. Chad Laurence has adopted recommendations in accordance with Backpack Safety America®, including advice for purchasing backpacks and proper lifting techniques:

1. Make sure the backpack has belt straps. A belt strap serves as a means of stabilization when fastened around the waist.

2. The backpack should have a structurally reinforced base. This will prevent unnecessary sagging commonly found in less expensive models.
3. When the child is preparing to put on the backpack, have them face the backpack when lifting it onto their shoulders.
4. Next, Have them bend at the knees, squat down and use their legs (not their back) to lift their backpacks (always lift with the legs).
5. Have the child slip one arm at a time underneath the straps, securing both straps comfortably around the shoulders.
6. Finally, make sure that all straps are adjusted so that the backpack is snug to the body.


My favorite backpack company is Airpacks. When parents bring their children to a CBP® practice, we perform a very thorough structural evaluation. In addition to offering structural corrective care, we go the extra mile by providing education that will help families implement proper postural habits that will prevent any further damage to their spines and inhibit the development of vertebral subluxation complex. In our practice, we believe that the greatest gift any parent can give their child is the gift of health. Since health and wellness are dependent on a properly functioning nervous system, it’s easy to understand the benefits of structural corrective chiropractic care.

Ask the Doctor: Can Chiropractic help Headaches?

By: Dr. Chad Laurence

According to the National Headache Foundation, over 45 million Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches. Of the 45 million Americans on record, it is estimated that 28 million of these people suffer from migraines. It is interesting to note that about 20% of children complain of headaches. Over the years, the trend has gone from bad to worse, and reasons include stress, hormonal changes, a lack of a proper curve in the neck, increased use of visual screens (mobile phones, texting, computers, etc.), caffeine, specific food chemicals, bad diet, whiplash injuries, slips and falls, heavy weights on the shoulders and neck, and a host of others. In addition, there are many types of headaches, including but not limited to:

-Medication Induced Headache:side effects of meds
-Cervicogenic Headache: pain from subluxation of neck
-Sinus: deep constant pain in front of head
-Exertional: headache developed after exercising
-Tension Headache:the most common type; contractive pain
-Hypertension Headache: usually worse at night; vascular
-Cluster Headache:least common,severe,intense,behind one eye
-Hormonal Headache: females with cycles, birth control
-Dietary Headache: from MSG and processed food chemicals
-TMJ Headache: from clenching the teeth
-Other types of Headaches


There are over 150 headache categories that have been written. The majority of symptoms encompass pulsating, throbbing, or a squeezing pain, that can last anywhere from minutes to hours and can even last several days. There are many triggers of headaches, including light sensitivity, auras such as odors and noise, to more intense symptoms of nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and stomach cramps, visual disturbances, floaters, fever, dizziness, and loss of skin tone. There are many options for care of headaches, and care can vary depending on the type of headache that is occurring.

Treatment and care for headaches includes prescription and over the counter medications, chiropractic care, acupuncture, trigger point therapy and massage, night guards to prevent teeth grinding, dietary modifications, and change in lifestyle. Many medications have shown to alleviate headaches, and often times, speaking to your family physician and altering your medication regimen can alleviate pain. In a recent study in the journal JMPT, it was found that people who took medications did get relief, however those who were under chiropractic care found more relief than those who took medications, and had much lower side effects than medication participants.

Chiropractic care has shown to be quite effective to alleviating and correcting the origination of headaches. A 2001 study out of a Duke University practice showed that spinal adjustments helped curb the majority of headaches that arose from muscle spasms and headaches from the neck. Adjustments also showed to last much longer than most prescribed medications.

Consult your family chiropractor on a treatment plan that is right for you. Often times, many headaches are caused by a lack of neck curve that causes muscle spasms and spinal cord tension, as well as misaligned vertebrae called subluxations that lead to headaches. Studies show that 1 out of 8 people in the US see a Chiropractor. Massage Therapy does wonders for tension in the head and neck, and acupuncture has become increasing more popular for care. Many people are gravitating towards natural methods to help their headaches, and the evidence has shown that these people are getting much of the relief that they are seeking for their headaches.

Ginger: The Wonder Root!

Ever walk along the produce aisle and find yourself staring at the earthy fascination of a ginger root? Oddly shaped, and with a distinctive flavor, this “wonder root” is an excellent dietary addition because it includes varying amounts of magnesium, manganese, potassium, and vitamins B6, C, and E. Besides being loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, ginger root offers a variety of other health benefits. Some studies indicate it is an aid to digestion, is beneficial both to cholesterol levels and blood pressure, helps with arthritis, and even aids nausea. It is quite a versatile root to boot! Ginger can be incorporated into countless recipes and should be included in your regular diet.

As already described, ginger is a multipurpose and extraordinary herb! Its numerous health-promoting and symptom-fighting components make it desirable and appreciated. Whether the issues are digestive or fighting inflammation and bloating, ginger can contribute to the good health of people at any age.

One of my favorite ginger-based “brews” is Oooss Juice, for which the recipe follows:

Oooss Juice
- Use a high-quality, heat-retaining, stainless steel 2- to 4-gallon pot.
- Boil 1 gallon of water; add ½ pound of sliced ginger
- Lightly boil for 5 minutes, and turn the burner off.
- Add 2 to 6 organic green tea bags, steep for 30 to 60 minutes, and remove.
- After 4 to 12 hours, strain out the ginger, place the juice in a glass container
- Cool in the refrigerator. Drink cold or hot.

Ginger, the wonder root, is an ingredient in many interesting recipes, adds a pungent and exotic flavor to foods and beverages, and offers notable health benefits to those who add it to their diet.

Improve your Golf Game!

More than 25 million US golfers undergo a weekly health regimen that may surprise you: corrective chiropractic care! Today’s golfers are increasingly recognizing the importance of keeping their spines healthy, not only to better their lives, but to improve their golf game as well.

According to Dr. Tom LaFountain, Director of Chiropractic Services for the PGA Tour, during the 2007 PGA touring year close to:
- 70% of PGA golfers experienced low back pain.
- 20% suffered from neck pain.
- 13% suffered with shoulder, forearm, and wrist pain.
- 72% of PGA golfers experiencing one of these ailments regularly seek chiropractic care.


Other PGA golfers who work with chiropractors include: Jim Furyk, tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Scott McCarron, Vijay Singh, and David Toms. Many LPGA golfers also benefit from chiropractic services.

Corrective Chiropractic has developed programs for golfers to assist their overall spinal health and, ultimately, their golf games. Due to abnormal spinal structure, many avid golfers who take lessons from skilled professionals still find that biomechanically their bodies do not let them move properly.

Similar to the situation for people who wear braces on their teeth, better biomechanics takes persistence, hard work, dedication, and time. After all, how many people do you know who achieved perfectly straight teeth in 3 weeks? In addition to chiropractic adjustments and traction, chiropractic care can help patients increase the range of motion in their pelvis and trunk, align their posture, do rehabilitation exercises, learn proper stretching protocols, work on abdominal strengthening, and reduce inflammation and swelling in their joints.

Save your back while gardening!

According the Canada NewsWire, a study was conducted in 2003 by 500 Chiro-practors in Ontario, Canada, and it was found that a whopping 88% of these doctors report that Yard work and gardening are the most common sources of back and neck pain during the warmer months.

Here some helpful tips before you begin to garden:

•Stretch before you begin: Lightly stretch your hamstrings, thighs, calves, groin, and gluteus (buttock) muscles. Stretch shoulders and wrists as well. This will lower your risk of injury.

•Squat: When lifting, contract your abs, keep your back straight, and bend at your knees. Keep anything that you are lifting as close as you can to your gut and stand tall. Avoid leaning forward or twisting the spine while carrying any load.

•Contracting the lower abdominal muscles is essential to protecting the lower back while being active. Simply suck in the muscles between your belly button and bladder while performing rigorous activities.

•Hydrate yourself and use sunscreen at all times.

•Constantly stretch and take frequent breaks when necessary

•Alternate between activities. Spend 20 minutes doing three different tasks, and then repeat if necessary.

When finishing gardening for the day, stretch afterwards and hydrate yourself.