Workplace Safety While Lifting Heavy Objects

It is important for anyone lifting heavy object to know how to do so safely. We at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center know that people can develop back and shoulder problems through repeated strains as well as single events, which is why we want to ensure everyone knows safety protocol.

Before picking up an object, know where it’s going to be set down and inquire about using a dolly. The pathway between the object and the destination should be clear and give you plenty of space to maneuver. Feel the object before lifting it to get a sense of its weight distribution, and lift by squatting down as close to it as possible and pushing up with your legs. Keep the object close to your body at rib-level and keep your head upright. When turning, rotate your entire body. Do not twist your top half in a different direction from your lower half. Set the object down slowly, again using your legs to bear its weight, and place it so it can easily be picked up.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit CentralVAChiro.com or call 434-237-0413.

 

Backpack Safety

Although people commonly think of back pain as a sign of aging, it can happen to anyone. Among children, improper use of backpacks is one of the most common causes of back, shoulder, and neck pain. Although we can provide pain relief at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, we want our patients to know how to adjust their backpacks in order to stay healthy.

Children should lift backpacks while bending their knees. If the backpack weighs more than 15% of their bodyweight, some things in it need to be removed. Wearers should avoid packing anything they aren’t likely to use and if accessories such as wheels and pull-out handles can’t be used at their school, they should stick to a backpack without these. It is a good idea to not use a backpack that is large enough to hold more weight than the wearer can handle.

The backpack should have thick, padded shoulder straps, and ideally, a chest strap. This will allow more even weight distribution (and is what makes a backpack preferable to a duffle bag or a purse). It should rest on the center of the wearer’s back, not hanging below the waist. The shoulder straps should be tight, but not so much that they pinch. Call us if your child is complaining of pain, tingling or numbness in their shoulders or arms.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit CentralVAChiro.com or call 434-237-0413.

Whiplash Causes and Treatment

Whiplash is defined as a sudden movement that occurs to the neck. This is a common injury associated with automobile accidents, sports injuries, and/or self-injury. Fortunately, whiplash isn’t life-threatening, but consequences may arise from symptoms such as frequent headaches, shoulder pain, and dizziness. If you’ve recently been injured in an auto accident, Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C. of Central Virginia Chiropractic Center specializes in auto injury treatment.

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you should visit Dr. Holland for an immediate exam. Dr. Holland will examine the neck first and look for soft tissue injuries that can limit a person’s range of motion. Whiplash can be a silent condition, which means that symptoms may appear over time and not right away. It’s important to quickly assess the problem to prevent future problems.

If you have questions or concerns regarding auto injury, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.centralvachiro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C. of Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. in Lynchburg, VA, call 434-237-0413.