Easter Chiropractic Service Project

Chiropractic care for the needy was a grand success with four chiropractors volunteering throughout the day. This service project of the Georgia Chiropractic Association District 1 began in 2010, and provides chiropractic care at four events each year in downtown Atlanta at Thanksgiving, Christmas, MLK Day and Easter. We were part of the Easter Day of Services at the Georgia Dome. The chiropractors involved were Drs. Winston and Chantaye Carhee, Dr. Bianca Kiovanni and myself. Men and women from the ages of 81-21 who came to the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Event received exams and chiropractic adjustments. There were folks with years of accumulated stress and strain, old injuries that were not properly treated and joints and muscles that bear the burden of poverty and ill health. We had a steady flow of people wanting to have their spines checked, and ask questions about their health concerns. I appreciate the opportunity to serve, and am thankful that I have a home and food on the table.

Top Athletes Benefit from Chiropractic Care

ACA Today News- Recent news stories about Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss and professional golfer Michelle Wie have mentioned chiropractic care as an important part of helping both athletes stay competitive. Moss told The Washington Post that he sees a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) twice a week to help his aging body cope with the rigors of playing professional football. NBC Sports recently ran a story on its Website stating that Wie is seeing a DC to recover from back problems in time for next season.

Here we have two athletes, two different genders, two different age groups, playing two very different sports- yet both are using chiropractic care to help them stay in their game. Are you letting pain, stiffness or lack of stamina prevent you from staying in your game? You don't have to be a professional athlete to receive the benefits of chiropractic care. You may be a softball player on the company team, an ALTA player for your subdivision team or the parent of a varsity lacrosse player. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective approach to enhancing sports performance, avoid injury and treating pain, strains and sprains.

Dr. Schantz is a Certified Golf Conditioning Specialist and a member of the American Chiropractic Association Council on Fitness and Sport Injuries.

Stuffed and stoked for Thanksgiving

Want to come through the Thanksgiving Holiday unscathed? Watch out for the three dangers of Thanksgiving.

Number 1- Holiday Travel-Motoring to friends and relatives can put you at risk for wrecks and a wrenched back or neck. Avoid unneccessary distractions while you drive. Keep your cellphone, I-Pod and other electronic devices with a non-driving companion. If you are driving alone, wait until you are stopped to use them. Anticipate that other drivers will not be paying attention to the road. Give them plenty of space, and use your signals when changing lanes. If you do get in a wreck, move your vehicle to safety as soon as possible. If you suffer injury- get medical/chiropractic attention soon. Ice or heat to injuries? When in doubt-Chill it out! Ice decreases inflammation and swelling that commonly accompanies spine and joint injuries.

Driving long distances creates poor posture and too much pressure on the spine which can lead to back pain and stiffness in the spine, hips and knees. Break up your trip into segments. Take 5-10 minute stretch breaks. Use a lumbar support cushion or pillow behind the small of your low back to fill in the gap between your back and the carseat. Some vehicles have lumbar supports built in for the driver, but may not have sufficient support for all the other passengers.

Number 2-Food related Illness & Injury- You probably have heard that most accidents happen in the kitchen. Where else can you find scalding temperatures and sharp edges ready to burn and cut a hurried chef? Slow down and think as you go about the tasks of preparing your meal. Use your potholders to remove lids and take the turkey out of the oven to avoid burns. Sharpen your knife to avoid an unexpected slip. Wash your hands, your cutting board and your utensils frequently to avoid contamination and food bourne illness.

Number 3-Shopping- Protect yourself from wild and frenzied Black Friday shoppers. Spend some time in the morning performing a pre-shopping stretching routine. Start out on the floor and bring one knee toward your chest at a time stretching your hips and backside ,so you can sprint up the escalator. Next reach over your head with both arms, extend your fingertips and reach as far as you can, so you can grap that sweater off the rack. Finish up with a standing shoulder stretch- bring both hands behind your back, clasp your hands together and bring your interlaced fingers up toward your shoulderblades. You will have an easier time getting into your wallet or pocketbook- so the only strain will be on your bank account.

Have a safe Thanksgiving Holiday!