These days there’s a celebration or holiday for every single day of the year. While some, like National Pumpkin Seed Day (the first Wednesday in October), World Tuna Day (May 2), and International Drop A Rock Day (July 3) are a tad silly, others remind us to engage, encourage, and support a very real cause. October is National Chiropractic and Health Month and we could all stand to incorporate this year’s motto: Relieve, Restore, Resume.
If you or someone you love is in constant pain or living with limited balance and mobility after an accident, illness, or injury, choose to make an appointment with Dr. Chani Henderson of Family & Sports Chiropractic Clinic this October or any time. She’ll work with your unique situation to create the perfect treatment plan and reachable goals so you can enjoy Faux Fur Friday (first Friday in December) or National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day (technically January 11 but pretty much any Pacific Northwest afternoon) in style.
Organizers at the American Chiropractic Association hope this year’s National Chiropractic and Health Month campaign will “bring attention to the prevalence and impact of chronic pain and the importance of non-drug approaches such as chiropractic services for safe and effective pain management.”
Why focus on such a wide-ranging issue? Simply because of its scope within our culture. “Research shows that one in five adults in the United States experiences chronic pain,” say ACA advocates, “and that new cases of chronic pain occur more frequently than new cases of other chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as low back pain rank among the most common causes of chronic pain, leading in some cases to lost productivity, disability and even mental health problems and opioid addiction.”
Treating MSK pain with medication does more than risk addiction. “Beyond the risks of addiction and overdose,” say doctors, “prescription drugs that numb pain may convince a patient that a musculoskeletal condition is less severe than it is or that it has healed. This misunderstanding can lead to overexertion, a delay in the healing process or even permanent injury. Chiropractic and other non-drug approaches to pain management can be an important first line of defense against pain and addiction resulting from the overuse of prescription opioid pain medications.”
The ACA estimates that by 2050, 843 million people worldwide will be living with back pain. Chiropractic care can often provide a medication-free solution to many of these issues. By reducing pain at its source, many people will be able to regain balance, mobility, and a return to normal activity levels.
Have school-aged kids? Read through the ACA’s advice on choosing the right backpack to prevent back, neck, and shoulder pain now and as they grow. They report that “One study examining the impact of backpacks on children found that over 70% of children surveyed had a backpack that exceeded the recommended 10% of their body weight. Of these children, 32% complained of back pain. Another study on backpack weight and schoolchildren’s posture showed that head and spinal posture were affected by backpack weight, with heavier backpacks causing a child’s head and spine to bend farther forward.” Their experts offer a list of backpack suggestions by age, feature, budget, and style.
To provide additional information about the many benefits of chiropractic care, the ACA created a HandsDownBetter.org National Chiropractic Health month portal. Through it they offer helpful information like ways chiropractors address common musculoskeletal conditions such as back and neck pain or headaches.
They also explain how muscle and joint pain can be caused by day-to-day stress or sitting too much during the work week. Look for handy tips on posture and home office ergonomic solutions. Want some healthy ways to prepare your body and prevent injuries? Their docs have compiled tips for those interested in Walking, Biking, Tennis, and Golf.
You can even maintain healthy balance through mindful sleep ergonomics and stress relief strategies like taking time to enjoy nature, fostering a positive and humorous outlook, building a support system, and adding exercise and relaxing music into your daily life.
When you’re ready to take October by storm (figuratively and literally knowing our chaotic weather trends), give Dr. Henderson’s team a call at 360.254.0400 or book an exam online today. The REAL holidays are coming—though Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is intriguing—and you don’t want to miss out on family, fun, and festivities.