Mental Attitude: Stroke And Stress. 
Seven million British adults could be at risk of stroke. 15% in the UK citizens consider themselves extremely stressed, 20% of women and 10% of men. High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke and alongside a bad diet and lack of exercise, high levels of stress are a key contributor to raising blood pressure. 20% admitted they did not exercise, and 20% exercised only 30 minutes once a week. Middle aged people (45-54 year olds) are at an increased risk of stroke, with 25% admitting to never exercising, as well as having the highest levels of stress across all age groups – with 50% claiming to be more than 'moderately stressed'. 40% of the British public is not even aware of the link between exercise and stroke prevention.
The Stroke Association.
Health Alert: Don't Have A Heart Attack!
Heart disease is the #1 killer today in the US and 60% of the time there are no warning signals! Simply put it is time to exercise, eat right and decrease your stress. 
The American Heart Association
Diet: Omega-3 Benefit.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) consumption may show a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Nutrition Reviews, December 2010
Exercise: Race Against Age.
Impairments to health and physical performance are not primarily a result of aging but of unfavorable lifestyle habits and lack of exercise. Physically active elderly people have a life expectancy 4 years higher than non active people. 
Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, AlphaGalileo Foundation, December 2010

Chiropractic: Immune Boost! 
Chiropractic Adjustments give your immune system a boost by increasing the activity of phagocytes (helpful microorganisms that engulf and destroy invasive organisms).
Journal of Manipulative Physiology Therapy, 1991

Wellness/Prevention: Smoking May Thin The Brain.
Brain imaging studies have reported tobacco smoking is associated with large-scale and wide-spread structural brain abnormalities. The cerebral cortex is an area of the brain responsible for important higher-order functions, including language, information processing, and memory. Reduced cortical thickness has been associated with normal aging, reduced intelligence, and impaired cognition. Smokers exhibited cortical thickness measurements negatively correlated with the amount of cigarettes smoked per day and the magnitude of lifetime exposure to tobacco smoke. 
Biological Psychiatry, Dec 2010 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Take the Burden Off!
Talking about Spinal Health
 
Heavy backpacks won't cause scoliosis, but carrying it carelessly could lead to back pain or neck pain. Here are some spine-saving tips for backpack safety.

Bear in mind that your child's backpack should never exceed 10-15% of his or her body weight.
With too much books to carry, school supplies and all those other "essentials" kids need to get through their day, we might tend to take for granted its long term effect which often leads to chronic low back problems as they age.

When carried properly, in a way that keeps the weight proportioned evenly across the back, they're a great way to keep stuff handy and can even help strengthen the muscles that help support the spine. Carried incorrectly—overloaded, for example, or routinely slung over one shoulder—a backpack can strain muscles and joints, leading to back pain.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the weight of a backpack should never exceed 10-15% of a child's body weight. Because many of today's backpacks are so well-constructed—roomy, durable, and with compartments and pockets to hold everything but the proverbial room closet—this can be an easy target to miss. To get an idea of the extent of the overloading, an Italian study revealed the weight of the average child's backpack to be closer to 22-27% of body weight, the equivalent of a 39-pound burden on a 176-pound man or a 29-pound load carried by a 132-pound woman.1 Imagine toting around a large bag of dog food or an economy-sized bag of kitty litter all day, and you get the picture.

Backpacks Can Hurt
To understand how a heavy or improperly worn backpack can affect a child's spine, it's important to understand how the spine works. Humans are born with 33 separate vertebrae, or bones, that make up the spine and support the majority of the weight imposed on it. Between the vertebrae are spinal discs that function as shock absorbers and joints. They are designed to absorb the stresses carried by the spine while allowing the vertebral bodies to move with respect to each other.

When stresses placed on the spine exceed its ability to absorb them, spinal imbalance—and injury—can be the result. A heavy backpack, for example, can pull a child backward, causing the child to compensate by either bending forward or arching their back, compressing the spine. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can also cause a child to lean too far to the other side to offset the weight. Over time, this overcompensation can lead to poor posture, muscle strain and pain in the back, neck and shoulders. Backpacks with tight, narrow straps that dig into the skin can interfere with circulation and nerve function, causing tingling, numbness and weakness in the arms and hands.

Warning signs a backpack is too heavy:
•Change in posture when wearing the backpack.
•Struggling when putting on or taking off the backpack.
•Pain when wearing the backpack.
•Red marks.
•Tingling or numbness.
According to a survey conducted by the North American Spine Society, 42.6% of NASS member physicians had treated children or teens suffering from back pain or spine trauma caused by overloaded or improperly used backpacks. The diagnoses ranged from cervical, thoracic and lumbar strain to spondylolysis, a stress fracture in the vertebra.


What Can You Do?
When carried correctly, backpacks can be a safe, efficient way for kids to carry the things they need. When choosing a backpack, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends looking for the following:

•Lightweight yet durable construction that doesn't add to the load. (Leather, for example, looks cool but is a lot heavier than nylon or canvas.)
•Two wide, padded shoulder straps, as narrow straps tend to dig into the shoulders.
•A padded back, which not only boosts comfort, but also protects against sharp objects in the pack.
•A waist strap, to help distribute weight more evenly across the body.
•Multiple compartments, which can also help distribute weight more evenly.
Although a rolling backpack with wheels can be a good option, it's important to remember that it may be difficult to pull up stairs or roll across grass or through snow. Check with the school before buying one; many don't allow them because they can pose a tripping hazard in hallways.

To prevent injury when using a backpack:

•Pack lightly. The combined weight of the backpack and its contents should not exceed 10-15% of the child's body weight. Girls and younger children should aim for the lower end of the percentage range.
•Organize. Pack heavier items closest to the back. Pack items in compartments so that the weight is evenly distributed.
•Use both shoulder straps to distribute the weight evenly across the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and permit free movement of the arms.
•Tighten the straps to keep the backpack close to the body. The backpack should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Make sure the backpack does not extend below the low back
•Use a locker (if available). Don't carry everything needed for the day all the time. And unless that laptop, iPod, makeup bag, or (for the little ones) favorite action figure is REALLY needed, leave it at home.
•Squat down, bending at the knees, not at the waist, when lifting or lowering a heavy backpack.
•Do back strengthening exercises to build up the muscles that support the spine.
Adults can also help. If you're a parent, most surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists and fitness experts recommend the following:

1. Encourage your child to tell you about any pain or other symptoms he or she may be experiencing because of a heavy backpack. Be on the alert for any outward signs of discomfort.
 
2. If your child mentions back or neck pain, pay attention and don't ignore their complaints. If the pain persists, make an appointment with the pediatrician.
 
3. Although a backpack won't cause scoliosis, it can disguise a spinal curve that may be developing. Onset most commonly takes place during the "growing years" of 9-15, so be sure that your child is screened regularly for the condition.
 
4. If the homework load seems to be excessive, talk to your child's teacher or school administrators.
 
5. Ensure that the school provides lockers, and allows enough time for students to stop by their lockers throughout the day.
 
6. If possible, consider buying a second set of textbooks to keep at home.
 
7. Make your lives easier and pain – free by experiencing a back care program that would fit all your needs and work demands, plus learn it all in the comfort of your homes.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic Back Care – August 4, 2010
 
At Home
 
There are a number of ways that we can do jobs around the house to limit damage or further damage to our backs.
 
Try a rolled-up towel or jumper in the small of your back to help support the natural curve ('Lumbar support rolls' are available from some shops)
 
Stand your washing up bowl on the draining board so that you don't have to slump over the sink, straining your lower back, sit down to prepare vegetables etc.
 
Check the suitability of your mattress with a simple test. Lie on your back and slide your hand (palm down) into the small of your back. If there is a large gap, the mattress is probably too hard. If you have to squeeze your hand in, then it is probably too soft. If your hand slides in fairly easily, the mattress is probably just right.
 
If you have neck pain, try making a butterfly pillow. Tie a bandage or stocking around the centre of the pillow and place your neck in the middle.
 
When vacuuming, keep your upper body upright, and with the cleaner close to your body use short sweeping movements.
 
Only iron essential items. Make sure your ironing board is at waist height (most people have the board too low).
 
When making beds, kneel down to tuck in corners rather than stooping.
 
 
Out and About
 
Try making several short trips over the week rather than one big supermarket shop. Use the tall, waist-high, shallow-sided shopping trolleys, many stores now offer. Try to use one of these instead of carrying heavy items in a basket. For the journey home, if you do not drive, a rucksack, used over both shoulders, is useful for carrying tins, leaving your arms free for lighter goods like cereals. Try to carry goods in both hands so that your load is balanced.
 
Gardening
 
Gardening can be particularly hazardous – Try doing some low back pain exercises which warms you up before commencing any physical work such as digging and try using the adapted garden tools there are available to help you with tasks such as weeding.
 
In The Office
 
Try not to slouch, keep your chair unlocked most of the time and make full use of the chair movement (especially when reaching behind you or for the phone).
 
Try to alter your position when using the keyboard for long periods of time, move your feet forwards and behind.
 
Make the effort to adjust any other chairs you sit on in the office so that they are comfortable for you. If you are uncomfortable, move.
 
Changing your posture and taking frequent breaks from your desk will help keep your muscles working.
 
 Operate your keyboard when it is directly in front of you and have your monitor square on so you don't have to turn your head to look at it.
 
Use a document holder so that your work can be closer to you and try to minimize glare on the screen.
 
 Re-arrange the items on your desk according to the frequency that you use them – things used often kept closest, least often furthest away.