Staying Connected May Be A Real Pain in Your Neck!

Is Staying Connected a Real Pain in the Neck? It’s time to get healthy with Technohealthy!

Dr. Anthony Rivano to Participate in Public Health Awareness Campaign

The world is getting smaller thanks to modern technology; but unfortunately, aches and pains are growing as a result. This fall, Dr. Anthony Rivano a chiropractic physician in Florham Park, NJ and other doctors of chiropractic (DCs) across the country will highlight ways to stay connected without pain during National Chiropractic Health Month in October. This year’s theme – “Get TechnoHealthy!” – focuses on how the public can remain healthy while toting the gadgets they love or working long hours in front of a computer.

The excessive use of mobile devices and poor posture while sitting in front of a computer can lead to neck, back, shoulder, wrist and even thumb pain, in addition to other musculoskeletal issues. The problem is becoming so widespread that earlier this year a spokesperson for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that musculoskeletal injuries remain one of the biggest workplace health and safety problems in American industry.

“People will be relieved to learn that they can enjoy technology without experiencing pain,” says Dr. Rivano. “Our bodies are utilitarian and made to move – not to maintain the same stooped-over posture for long periods of time or to repeat the same motions endlessly. The good news is that there are things we can do to prevent pain and injury. There are natural non-invasive approaches to treating aches and pain, such as chiropractic care, that don’t involve drugs or surgery.”

To celebrate National Chiropractic Health Month, Dr. Rivano offers these tips to help lessen the physical toll of technology:

When using devices such as smart phones and PDA’s that have small keyboards, avoid typing for more than three minutes without a break.
Keep messages short and simple; abbreviate as much as possible.
Practice using other fingers for typing, especially when thumbs hurt.
Don’t slouch when texting, remember what your mother always said, “Sit up straight”!
Keep wrists upright, straight and close to the body when holding a device.
Don’t bend your neck excessively when texting; tuck your chin in instead and look down.
Turn your devices off on the weekends (or at least Sunday)!
Get outside, exercise and enjoy nature, too! Balance is key to staying healthy.
For more tips on proper use of technology and good health, visit www.TechnoHealthy.com.

Sponsored by American Chiropractic Association, National Chiropractic Health Month is a nationwide observance held each October. The event helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.

Dr. Anthony Rivano is a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician located in Florham Park, NJ. He works with weekend warriors, families, healthcare professionals, and elite athletes. He has been in private practice in Morris County for over four years proudly serving the local Florham Park community. For more information about Rivano Chiropractic Health Center, LLC and Dr. Anthony Rivano and how he can help you achieve better overall health and wellness, please visit http://www.chiropractorflorhampark.com, email drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com, or give us a call at (973) 845-6282.

7 Simple Steps to Solving Neck & Back Pain

How many people realize how significant poor posture can be to your overall health?  It’s a topic that gets dismissed by most people including the health care community at large.  I am certain that chiropractors are by far the leading authority on this subject.  However, it has come to my attention after seeing hundreds of patients that have previously seen other chiropractors that they are never made aware of their poor posture and muscular imbalances.  This can have a long term negative impact on the overall health and function of the body as a whole.

My goal here is to make you aware of the 7 Simple Steps to Solving Neck & Back Pain.  Let me preface this statement by stating that it is always a good measure to see your chiropractor regarding your posture in addition to applying these 7 Simple Steps so that you are aware of how to correct them.

The typical posture seen at my office are patients that present with a mild to moderate forward head carriage, rounded shoulders, slumped and slouched appearance, and often patients with anterior pelvic tilt.  There are many causes of these imbalances.  Mostly, they are caused by adaptively deconditioned muscles secondary to chronically poor posture.  In a nutshell, that is the cause of most musculoskeletal complaints than one could possibly imagine.  The sad truth is it doesn’t get the attention that it requires to correct it so relapses almost always reoccur.

Consider the body as a dynamic mechanical piece of machinery.  It is designed in such a magnificent way that there are infinite capabilities and positions that can be attained to accomplish unlimited tasks.  If there is any disruption in the mechanics of this structure there will eventually be perpetual weaknesses and dysfunctions that will ultimately lead to injury.  You cannot impose abnormal stresses through an imbalanced machine of precision and expect there to be no consequences.  This principle parallels the exact cause/causes of the different conditions I see in my office.  This is why many people enter with acute and chronic neck pain, lower back pain, shoulder pain, and headaches.

We must supply the body with what it requires in order avoid the unnecessary wear and tear that occurs from having poor posture.  With the foregoing and following information you will be armed with a higher level of knowledge to prevent suffering from the annoying aches and pains from having poor posture.

As promised, here are the 7 Simple Steps to Solving Back Pain:

  1. Be cognizant of your posture. Have someone take a picture of you standing from the front, back and side.  You will see how imbalanced you really are.
  2. Visualize having an ideal posture. Before you leave the house for the day, take a good look at the pictures you have and make the correction in the mirror by adjusting your shoulders, neck, and pelvis so they are in neutral positions.
  3. Implement proper ergonomics at home and work. Ergonomics will give you the proper positioning to avoid repetitive and cumulative stresses on your joints.  Visit http://office-ergo.com/ for more information.
  4. Exercise Agonists and Antagonists for ideal balance and symmetry. This rule applies to just about anyone.  Using this principle will help you from becoming overdeveloped and dominate from overtraining one muscle group without addressing the others.  For example, when you train your chest muscles you should also train your back muscles on the same day to promote balance from the muscles in the anterior chain and posterior chain.  Most trainees ignore the posterior chain which leads to chronically poor posture, overuse syndromes, and pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back region.
  5. When sitting at your desk use a lumbar support. Using a lumbar support is one of the simplest techniques to do to remind us that we must maintain an upright neutral spine position at all times.
  6. Sleep soundly with the right support. If you want to improve your posture while you sleep then it’s a good idea to maintain the neutral spine position even during the night.  If you are a side sleeper be sure to keep a pillow between your thighs to keep your hips level through the night.  Keep a pillow under your neck so that the neck is level with the rest of the spine.  If you sleep on your back similar principles apply.  Keep a pillow under your knees and under the small of your neck always maintaining neutral spine position and support.
  7. Routine visits to your chiropractor. This doesn’t mean that you have to go to your chiropractor once a week for the rest of your life.  What it does mean is that you must keep the articulations that make up the spine moving freely so that the neutral spine position that has been mentioned previously is adequately maintained.  Pain should not be the only indicator for routine chiropractic care.  Without proper movement and muscular balance and symmetry, the vicious cycle of pain and dysfunction will be perpetual and the quality of life as you know it may diminish.

 

If you are looking to alleviate symptoms relating to headaches, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, or you would like to address postural issues then please feel free to contact Rivano Chiropractic Health Center, LLC and speak with Dr. Anthony Rivano about your concerns.  He is a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician located in Florham Park, NJ and has helped hundreds of patients overcome their aches and pains as well as enhance their quality of life under his care.  He can be reached at (973) 845-6282 or via email at drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com.  To learn more about Dr. Rivano visit http://chiropractorflorhampark.com/chiropractor-florham-park/.

 

Cold Laser Therapy & Pain Relief

 Cold Laser Therapy & Pain Relief

As a chiropractic physician located in Florham Park, NJ, Dr. Anthony Rivano has his share of patients that always want the latest technology has to offer.  Dr. Rivano has invested in learning and applying the use of Cold Laser Therapy to help his patients overcome the injuries in an efficient time frame.

Cold Laser Therapy also known as (Low Level Laser Therapy) is a type of modality that delivers light energy units from infrared laser radiation, called photons, to damaged cells. Experts have studied cold laser therapy for over 30 years and have demonstrated that photons absorbed by the cells through laser therapy stimulate the mitochondria (cell energy) to accelerate production of ATP. This biochemical increase in cell energy is used to facilitate the healing process by transforming live cells from a state of illness to a stable, healthy state through a process known as photobiostimulation.

General Therapeutic Cold Laser Therapy Biological Effects

  • Increased Cell Growth: Laser photons increase cellular reproduction and growth.
  • Increased Metabolic Activity: Laser photons instigate a higher output of specific enzymes, greater oxygen levels and food particulates for blood cells and thereby yielding greater production of the basic food source for cells known as Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP).
  • Faster Wound Healing: Cold laser photons stimulate fibroblast formation which accelerates collagen synthesis in damaged tissue.
  • Anti-Inflammatory Action: Laser photons reduce swelling and inflammation of joints resulting in enhanced joint mobility as well as soft tissue structures such as muscle, tendon and ligaments.
  • Increased Vascular Activity: Laser photons induce temporary vasodilation in the affected area which increases blood flow to that region to speed the healing process even further.
  • Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser photons reduce the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from: cuts, scratches, burns or post surgery.
  • Stimulated Nerve Function: Laser photon exposure accelerates the process of nerve cell reconnection to return the nerve flow to a normal pre-injured state.

At the Rivano Chiropractic Health Center many of Dr. Rivano’s patients are treated with cold laser therapy as a first line of therapy because it is an efficient and expeditious method of treatment that cuts down on the healing time as well as time and money spent.  Common injuries that Dr. Rivano treats in his office with cold laser therapy include acute and chronic back pain, neck pain, ligament sprains, muscle strains, soft tissue injuries, tendonitis, arthritis, tennis elbow, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Fibromyalgia.

Cold laser therapy is by far one of the most non-invasive, safe and side-effect free treatment options for patients today.  Before you consider medications, epidural injections, or even surgery you must first consider being treated with cold laser therapy.  Remember, medicine and surgeries are very invasive measures to ask your body to endure when the actual cause of the problem may not require such measures.  Always contemplate whether the risk versus the reward is worth the overall outcome of the decision you make when dealing with your health.  Surgical intervention may have permanent and irreversible consequences that will compound the condition beyond repair.

If you are suffering with acute or chronic neck or back pain, tendonitis, arthritis, tennis elbow, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or Fibromyalgia then please contact the office of Dr. Anthony Rivano at (973) 845-6282 or email him directly at drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com.

 

Avoid Carpal Tunnel Surgery – Stop the Pain Now!

My Doctor told me I needed to have surgery to repair my carpal tunnel syndrome…

 Avoid Carpal Tunnel Surgery   Stop the Pain Now!

You have been told by your doctor you have carpal tunnel syndrome and you’re certain that you will need surgery.  Or, maybe not.  Well folks for those of you that do not know me, my name is Dr. Anthony Rivano.  I am a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician located in beautiful Florham Park, NJ in Morris County.  As a neuromusculoskeletal specialist I see numerous patients that have carpal tunnel syndrome, think they have carpal tunnel syndrome, or have something that mimics carpal tunnel syndrome.

So, what is carpal tunnel syndrome and what are some of the various conservative and medical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?  I’m glad you asked.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is described as pressure on the median nerve.  The median nerve supplies sensation and movement to part of the hand.  The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the “thumb side” of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger).  If you have numbness in the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger you may have carpal tunnel syndrome.  If there is a sign that your grip has gotten weaker this may also be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are many other causes of the symptoms listed above and you should not assume you have carpal syndrome until you have been diagnosed by a qualified health care practitioner.

The standard medical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is generally NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen etc., cortisone injections, bracing, and as a last resort surgery to release the median nerve entrapment within the carpal tunnel.

On the other hand, the conservative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is entirely less invasive with greater outcomes.  If you are looking to avoid long term chronic pain related to carpal tunnel syndrome you must consider that there is little to no harm in seeing a specialist such as a chiropractic physician to address the condition.  Chiropractic physicians are highly trained and utilize a variety of soft tissue techniques, therapeutic modalities such as cold laser therapy, electric stimulation, ultrasound, and manipulative techniques followed by corrective exercises that work to facilitate proper biomechanical function so that the carpal tunnel can open up whereby the median nerve can once again glide without pressure.

Please understand that there is no less invasive intervention to correct your carpal tunnel syndrome than chiropractic care.  Don’t wait another day suffering in pain.  Contact Dr. Anthony Rivano today, (973) 845-6282 or email directly at drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com to set up your carpal tunnel evaluation.

What Causes My Back Pain?

 What Causes My Back Pain?

Believe it or not most causes of back pain are mechanical in nature.  There is usually a precipitating factor that leads to the proverbial “straw that broke that camel’s back”.  As a Doctor of Chiropractic located in Florham Park, NJ, Dr. Anthony Rivano reported that mechanical low back pain issues are the most common forms of lower back that he sees in his office.

Mechanical low back pain can be described as abnormal stress or strain on the anatomical structures that comprise the lower back region such as the intervertebral discs, the posterior elements of the vertebral joints known as the “facet joints”, sprained ligaments, or strained muscles all possibly leading to nerve root impingements.  “Abnormal stress” that is ultimately transferred to otherwise healthy normal joints can and will most likely lead to mechanical back pain.  It’s just a matter of time.

In the entire U.S. population, it is a statistical fact that 85% will experience and suffer from an episode of mechanical low back pain at some point in their lifetime.  Add to this fact that most Americans are “movement deficient” (a.k.a. sedentary) and now you have a recipe for chronic back pain, ongoing debilitating factors, and a poor quality of life.  Back pain sufferers need to understand that without daily movement activities such as consistent exercise and regular chiropractic care the risk for degenerative disc disease is inevitable.  We have come to accept that “arthritis” is a normal occurrence with age but in reality it is a disease process related to lifestyle behavior, inactivity, diet related, environment related, and spinal hygiene neglect.

The objective to delay or prevent cumulative degenerative changes that are responsible for most mechanical back pain is to acknowledge the importance of maintaining spinal hygiene.  As most people are aware that seeing the dentist for routine check-ups provides good oral hygiene and prevents plaque build-up, then the same understanding needs to be practiced in order to avoid the damaging effects related to spinal pain.  When the spine has been neglected for some time the body will inherently learn to compensate in a pathological manner to overcome the deficiencies imposed upon it.  These deficiencies come in the form of chronic poor posture, movement pattern disorders, and deconditioned/weak muscles which lead to…you guessed it, back pain!  Do yourself a favor and take charge of your health today.  End the back pain charades.

Dr. Anthony Rivano is a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician serving Morris County, Essex County, and Somerset County in northern New Jersey.  He has advanced training and expertise dealing with mechanical back pain, neck pain, whiplash injuries, “sciatica”, headaches, and fibromyalgia.  He offers patients the most conservative methods of chiropractic care, physiotherapy modalities, and corrective therapeutic exercises to address their condition and help them overcome their weaknesses in an effort to avoid further injuries.  If you would like to speak with Dr. Rivano or make an appointment for a consultation then please call (973)845-6282 or email him directly at drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com.

What Causes My Neck Pain?

 What Causes My Neck Pain?

What causes my neck pain? This is a very common question that gets asked at Rivano Chiropractic Health Center, LLC located in Morris County, NJ. Dr. Anthony Rivano, a chiropractic physician located in Florham Park, NJ has treated many neck pain sufferers using the most noninvasive conservative therapies available yielding amazing results.

According to Dr. Rivano, there are countless causes of neck pain. One of the most common that he sees in his office regularly is the detrimental effect of extremely poor posture. The relationship between having a structurally and biomechanically sound spine is the difference to some degree between having no pain and debilitating pain. Structure ultimately dictates function and if an individual has even a slight alteration of a forward head posture then the end result will often lead to chronic neck pain and/or headaches. For every inch the head translates forward there is an additional 10 pounds of stress on the muscles, ligaments, and discs of the cervical spine. So, just three inches of a forward head posture puts an additional 30 pounds of stress onto the neck muscle, ligaments, discs, and nerve roots.

Other causes of neck pain that Dr. Rivano sees in his office include whiplash injuries as a result of car accidents, neck muscle strains from exercising, sports related neck injuries, and of course herniated discs. There are other causes of neck pain but these are some of the most common. It’s important to realize that practicing good posture all of the time, eating well, exercising regularly, and keeping your spine healthy are key ingredients in avoiding neck pain and headaches.

Chiropractic care offers pain relief seekers the enormous opportunity to deliver an exceptionally powerful noninvasive method that addresses the etiology (cause) of pain. Generally speaking no other health care discipline can offer this. Chiropractic uses an assortment of physical therapy modalities and manual therapies along with corrective exercises which provide short term and long term pain relief in addition to correcting the muscular imbalances and weaknesses that have led to the condition.

Dr. Anthony Rivano is known for helping many patients cope and overcome their neck pain symptoms by addressing the cause of the condition. He is an expert at dealing with a variety of neck pain conditions and comes highly recommended by his peers and patients. If you are looking for the cause of your neck pain, headaches, or shoulder pain then prepare to end the suffering today and get the neck pain relief you desire by contacting Dr. Anthony Rivano at (973) 845-6282 or send him an email at drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com.

Untangle Your Stress

The first step in managing stress is to recognize the signals.

Are you pulling your hair out because of too much stress at work or at home? Relax!  Take a deep breath.  Here are some tips to combat your stress.

  • Recognize your stress. The first step in managing stress is to recognize its attitudinal, behavioral and physical signs.

Many highly stressed people are unaware of the messages their bodies are giving them. Be aware of individual stressors and unique symptoms of stress.

Headachesneck painshoulder tightness and back pain that feels like a tangled mess are common symptoms of stress.  Feeling perpetual pain in your jaw from clenching your teeth demonstrates an alert to your brain that you are too stressed out.  Everyone experiences stress from time to time.  However, two types of stress exist and only one of them is acceptable.  “Eustress” is a positive form of stress that is experienced through physical or mentally challenging work which may have a positive outcome on overall health.  On the other hand, “distress” is the complete opposite type of stress we are all accustomed to.  This is stress that we equate to the negative implications we deal with such as work related stress, school related stress, or stress related to caring for a sick loved one.

When you ignore the signals, physical changes in your biomechanical structure can lead to more serious problems.  Regular spinal care through chiropractic therapy can reduce the physical wear and tear caused by stress.  Chiropractic adjustments/manipulations to specific restricted joints improve normal movement patterns which enable the neuromusculoskeletal system to return the body to its homeostatic neutral spinal position.  Once this is achieved the body is equipped to handle physical and emotional stress with greater ease and efficiency.

On a regular basis, ask yourself what aspects of your personality, job or private life cause you to feel stressed. Make a note of how you express the early warning signs of stress.  The body is innately intelligent and will adapt to its environment.  The same way that the body begins to produce red blood cells when subjected to high altitudes to produce more oxygen from the demand of the higher altitude is the equivalent of how the body adapts to other stressors we impose on it.  Some of them are good such as exercise but the monotony of everyday life brings excessive levels of stress that manifest itself in the physical form of muscle pain, muscle aches, and joint pain.

  • Monitor your pace. You need to regularly examine the pace of your life. Are you trying to do too much? Does your life offer too little stimulation? Setting realistic limits on work and social responsibilities is essential to stress management.
  • Practice relaxation techniques. Friends and family provide a temporary but important break in a period of stress. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, self-hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation or biofeedback techniques take just a few minutes and can be done in any quiet place at work or home.
  • Develop an exercise program. Exercise is one of the best stress-reduction strategies available. It provides cardiovascular benefits, helps control body weight, stabilizes glucose levels, keeps the metabolism working efficiently, boosts energy levels and is a form of relaxation. Your program doesn’t need to be strenuous or time-consuming to be effective.  But, it does need to be consistent, daily, and vigorous.
  • Practice good nutrition. Sound eating habits help you resist certain diseases and survive stress. A simple plan would be to first understand that we all must eat congruently with our genetic requirements.  This is controversial to some but it is most logical given our ancestral past.  The nutrients we consume should generally be “gathered” from the perimeter of your local grocery store.  Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean meats, fish, and sufficient levels of water daily.
  • Socialize with people other than co-workers. For some, work is the exclusive source of socializing. While friendships with co-workers can be enjoyable and relaxing, associating only with work colleagues can be detrimental because of the tendency to talk shop.  Engaging in a dialogue about your interests will elicit a greater sense of enjoyment because of your passion for the subject.
  • Develop a network of social support. Everyone needs someone who can be approached, trusted and depended on. While family members typically fulfill this role, they do not always provide the social support necessary for coping with stress. In some cases, the family may be the source of the stress.
  • Moderate life changes. Too much change, unexpected change and uncontrolled change produce stress. Where possible, anticipate and pace your major life changes. While it may be impossible to control all life’s changes, we can pace certain decisions with stress-management goals in mind.
  • Practice time management. Stress management and time management go hand in hand. People feel stressed when they lose control of their time. Setting reasonable goals, planning ahead, establishing priorities, scheduling tasks, resisting interruptions, delegating work and avoiding perfectionism are all effective time-management techniques.
  • Protect leisure time. Sometimes people structure their free time as much as their work day. Hobbies and social life should not be as taxing as a job. Unstructured leisure time is more relaxing than a tightly scheduled itinerary. A little idleness each day and some larger blocks of unplanned time for spontaneous activity on the weekends is essential for relieving tension.

Before you allow stress to affect your life in a significant way — potentially leaving you in discomfort or pain and/or disability, let us help.

It’s been our experience, that in its early stages through even the most chronic stages, stress can be managed effectively and efficiently with regular conservative chiropractic care and education.

For more information about managing stress you are invited to call us at (973) 845-6282 or email us at drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com.

Look 10 Times Smarter, 10 Pounds Thinner and 10 Years Younger!

You can look 10 times smarter, 10 pounds thinner, and 10 years younger by just standing up straight! It is widely accepted that good posture projects health, vitality, and confidence, while hunching suggests weakness, gloom, and self-doubt.

Standing up straight exudes a sense of confidence and properly distributes balance to the skeletal structure down from the lower extremities through the pelvis into the upper extremities.  There is an intimate relationship between the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system.  It is safe to say if you are not consciously practicing good posture daily then you are suffering with biomechanical deficiencies that have led or will lead to degenerative arthritic changes in your joints.

Incorrect posture can cause a lifetime of annoying minor ailments. Muscle spasms in the lower back, compressed nerves or blood vessels, decreased lung capacity, chronic neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder impingements , and headaches to name a few.  This can be avoided and corrected at any time.  However, the longer the cause of the condition persists the greater the damage to the body.  Make a conscious effort starting now to improve the structure and function of your body so you can achieve optimal health and vitality.

Computer Danger

Working at computers is causing an epidemic of alignment problems. First the head moves forward to see the screen; then the neck cranes toward the front; finally the shoulders round. The muscles in the back become overstretched from being pulled forward by the muscles in the shoulders and chest causing your back to be under constant stress.  This muscular imbalance creates abnormal stresses on healthy joints eventually leading to pain, abnormal movement patterns, and deconditioned muscles.

When you’re parked in front of a computer, proper posture is crucial to preventing back pain. No matter how much you want to put your feet on the desk or curl up like a pretzel, you’ll avoid a lot of back problems if you simply sit up straight and plant your feet squarely on the floor.

In some cases — when sitting upright for a week or two hasn’t alleviated the pain — improving your posture may require learning muscle relaxation exercises, stretching moves or other specialized exercise methods which we can recommend based on your biomechanical needs.

Heels and Bags

Women are particularly susceptible to the aches and pains of poor posture. Many wear high heels, which force the pelvis to tilt forward, arching the back unnaturally to maintain balance. And many suffer from the don’t-leave-home-without-it syndrome, a condition in which they’re determined to carry the contents of a studio apartment in their pocketbooks.

You should alternate the shoulder on which you carry your bag. Otherwise, over time, one shoulder can become visibly higher than the other. If you insist on carrying heavy loads use a backpack, which balances the weight on both shoulders. These can cause problems if you carry too much, the weight can cause you to arch your back and jut your head forward.

Posturing While You Sleep

We tend to be most aware of our alignment when we’re sitting or standing. But we shouldn’t forget sleeping posture. People who sleep in a compressed fetal position or on their stomachs stress the lower back and neck. Sleeping on one side can also put pressure on the lower back, because of the way one leg hangs down in front of the other.

If you sleep on your side, it’s best to sleep with a pillow between your knees. However, the best sleep position of all is on your back, using a cervical pillow that supports your normal neck curvature.

Clearly posture matters. We may not want to admit it, but our mothers were right when they yelled at us to stand up straight.  Although the effects of poor posture can be serious in terms of health, comfort, and efficiency, many problems can be helped.

The Benefits

The benefits of correct posture include the following: Improved health; Improved appearance; Improved coordination; Increased strength; More stamina; Clothes fit better; More confidence; Better body balance and More agility; Reduced injuries; and Aid in physical and mental development.

Test Yourself at Home

Good posture works for the whole family! Use this preliminary self-test to check your posture and your family.

Test 1: Stand with your back to the wall. Place your head, shoulder blades, calves, and heels against the wall. Place your hands at your sides. Flatten the hollow of your back by pressing your buttocks back against the wall. If the space at the back of your waist is greater than the thickness of your hand, your posture is not correct.

Test 2: Face the wall with the palms of your hands on front of your thighs. Move slowly until some part of you touches the wall. If it is your chest, your posture is good. If it is your head, your posture is fair. If your abdomen touches, your posture is poor.

If you would like more information on improving your posture for better health, you are invited to call Dr. Anthony Rivano, D.C., CCSP, CKTP at (973) 845-6282, email drrivano@rivanochiropractic.com or visit us at http://www.chiropractorflorhampark.com.

Florham Park Chiropractor Describes Intermediate Neck Exercise

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no exercise equipment.
It works the longus capitis, longus colli, SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase neck strength and muscular endurance.
The benefits are improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.
Cervical Florham Park Chiropractor Describes Intermediate Neck Exercise
Begin by lying on the back with the head extended off the table, maintaining a chin tuck position.
Slowly extend the head back towards the floor and then raise the head, returning to the initial neutral starting position and repeat as instructed.
Move slowly through the range of motion.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

© 2005-2010 WebExercises, Inc., Patent Pending, All Rights Reserved.

Florham Park Chiropractor describes intermediate neck exercise

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no exercise equipment.
It works the longus capitis, longus colli, SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase neck strength and muscular endurance.
The benefits are improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.
Cervical Florham Park Chiropractor describes intermediate neck exercise
Begin by lying on the back with the head extended off the table, maintaining a chin tuck position.
Slowly extend the head back towards the floor and then raise the head, returning to the initial neutral starting position and repeat as instructed.
Move slowly through the range of motion.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

© 2005-2010 WebExercises, Inc., Patent Pending, All Rights Reserved.