Lifecare Chiropractic
James Bogash, DC
Amy Strock, DC

1830 S. Alma School Rd
Bldg 7, Ste 135
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 839-CARE (2273)

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October 2005 Newsletter

The Prevalence of Pain in the Workplace

Pain is one of the leading reasons why people are forced to miss time away from work. Pain is also responsible for having a dramatic effect on a person's performance while at work; in fact, a 2003 study found that just four common pain conditions - headaches, back pain, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal problems - account for more than $62 billion in lost productivity in the U.S. each year. As a result, many companies are seeking for ways to enhance the health of their employees, which can help to reduce pain while improving productivity.

In this study, researchers performed an Internet survey of 1,039 employees at a Fortune 100 company in the northeastern United States. The purpose of the study was to examine the frequency of pain in the average work force, and to measure its impact on employee health and productivity.

Results: Twenty-nine percent of the workers met the study's definition of pain. The five most common health problems reported by workers were allergies, neck pain, low back pain, depression, and arthritis. Employees with pain scored an average of 45 percent lower on an overall rating of physical health, and 23 percent lower on a mental health score, compared to those without pain. Workers with pain were also five times more likely to report being limited in their ability to do their work than employees who were not in pain.

What's interesting to note is that three of the five most common health problems reported in the survey (neck pain, back pain, and arthritis) are musculoskeletal in nature - conditions that can all be managed effectively by a doctor of chiropractic. The authors of the study believe that designing programs that target musculoskeletal conditions will offer companies the biggest "bang for the buck," resulting in a "win-win" situation for all involved.

Allen H, Hubbard D, Sullivan S. The burden of pain on employee health and productivity at a major provider of business services. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2005;47(7):658-670.

Fruits, Vegetables May Be Your Best Defense Against Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer of the pancreas is one of the most deadly types of cancer in the U.S., killing an estimated 300,000 Americans each year. Little is known about the primary cause of pancreatic cancer; even less is known about how to prevent it. A recent study suggests that increasing consumption of certain fruits and vegetables may the best way of reducing a person's risk of pancreatic cancer, and that the more fruits and vegetables a person eats, the lower the risk of contracting the disease.

The study looked at the eating habits of more than 2,200 people over a 4-year period. Included in the study group were 532 people who had already been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Analysis of the eating habits showed that consuming at least five servings per day of "protective" vegetables was associated with a 55 percent reduced risk of pancreatic cancer, compared with eating two servings or less daily. High consumption of "protective" fruit and fruit juices, meanwhile, reduced the risk of pancreatic cancer by 28 percent. Onions; beans; garlic; carrots; yams; sweet potatoes; corn; dark, leafy vegetables; cruciferous vegetables; citrus fruits; and fruit juices were the items considered to provide the best protection against pancreatic cancer.

Increasing fruit and vegetable intake is typically recommended to help in the prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. The results of this study suggest that pancreatic cancer is the latest disease that can be added to that list. So, what are you waiting for? Go eat some fruits and veggies!

For more information, visit http://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.

Chan JM, Wang F, Holly E. Vegetable and fruit intake and pancreatic cancer in a population-based case-control study in the San Francisco Bay area. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, Sep. 2005;14:2093-2097.

Seniors and Tai Chi: A Winning Combination

Although used as a form of exercise today, tai chi is actually an ancient Chinese martial art, which combines breathing techniques, meditation and body movements, all performed in slow motion. First taught as a form of self-defense, tai chi is now practiced by tens of millions of people daily as a means of reducing stress, and enhancing well-being. A recent study suggests that tai chi can also be used by the elderly to help improve their balance, thus reducing the risk of falling.

In the study, a group of elderly people who were prone to falls enrolled in a 12-week tai chi exercise program. Tai chi was performed three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after the study, researchers conducted tests on the tai chi patients to determine any changes in fitness levels, along with any incidences of falling.

Patients who participated in the tai chi program showed significantly improved muscle strength in their knees and ankles, and improvements in flexibility and mobility, compared to a control group. Tai chi patients were also 38 percent less likely to experience a fall than the control patients, and felt much more confident about being able to avoid a fall.

Tai chi is a safe, inexpensive, low-intensity exercise that can be performed in almost any setting. This makes it an ideal form of exercise for the elderly, especially those who may have limited movement or may be living in assisted care facilities. For more information about this and other types of exercise, visit http://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/senior/seniorfitness/index.html.

Choi JH, Moon JS, Song R. Effects of Sun-style tai chi exercise on physical fitness and fall prevention in fall-prone older adults. Journal of Advanced Nursing, July 2005;51(2):150-157.

Back Pain Not Cured by Back Exercises Alone

Chiropractors and other health care providers often prescribe specific types of exercise to help their patients strengthen and mobilize the lower back. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that targeting the back does not always help relieve back pain, and that in some instances, it may even aggravate the condition. The results of a recent study add to this evidence, and imply that general "recreational" exercises may do a better job of easing back pain than specific exercises.

In the study, 681 patients with low back pain were randomized into two groups and tracked for 18 months. People who participated in "recreational physical activities" such as brisk walking for three or more hours per week were more likely to report low levels of back pain, disability, and psychological distress. By contrast, those who performed exercises designed specifically for their backs were more likely to experience back pain and disability.

Exactly why specific back exercises may increase back pain remains unclear; people may perform them incorrectly, or they may be not be prescribed a specific exercise that could benefit their condition. Whatever the reason, staying active also seems to play a key role in reducing back pain. If you have back pain, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about a wellness plan that includes various types of activities, along with a balanced diet, to help you achieve optimal well-being. For more information, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/exercise.html.

Hurwitz EL, Morgenstern H, Chiao C. Effects of recreational physical activity and back exercises on low back pain and psychological distress: findings from the UCLA Low Back Pain Study. American Journal of Public Health, October 2005;95(10):1817-1824.

Dairy Foods May Ward off Metabolic Syndrome

The American Heart Association estimates that more than 50 million Americans suffer from metabolic syndrome. Not everyone agrees on what "metabolic syndrome" is, but many experts agree that having a combination of disorders such as high blood pressure, excess abdominal fat, and elevated levels of blood glucose and triglycerides, puts a person at increased risk of the disease. Previous research has suggested that eating dairy foods may help prevent weight gain. A new study goes one step further by suggesting the more dairy products a person consumes, the less likely that person is to develop metabolic syndrome.

Researchers in this study analyzed the dietary habits of 827 adults in Iran, looking specifically at their daily consumption of dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese. They also conducted waist and blood pressure measurements to see how many of them met different risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

People in the highest quartile (25 percent) of dairy intake were 31 percent less likely to meet the study's definition of metabolic syndrome compared to people with the lowest level of dairy consumption. They also were 37 percent less likely to have a large waist circumference, and 29 percent less likely to suffer from hypertension.

The researchers believe that the high calcium content in milk, cheese and yogurt may have accounted for the decreased risk of metabolic syndrome. Other good sources of calcium include eggs, sardines, tofu, and green, leafy vegetables. For more information on ways to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general/wellness/index.html.

Azadbakht L, Mirmiran P, Esmaillzadeh A, et al. Dairy consumption is inversely associated with the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Tehranian adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2005;82(3):523-530.

Injuries: The Downside of the Sporting Life

Each year, an estimated two million high school athletes are injured while practicing or in the course of a game. Most studies of high school athletic injuries have looked at specific sports, or a variety of sports at just one school. A new study has taken a much broader view of sports injuries at the high school level, with significant findings that could affect the care of both male and female athletes.

This study of more than 6,100 varsity-level athletes from 15 high schools compared injury rates among boys and girls who participated in the same sports (baseball/softball, basketball, soccer, track/cross-country, tennis, or lacrosse). The students were followed for one year, with information collected on the student's age, gender, sport, skill level, injured body part, type of injury, and days lost due to injury.

Overall, 966 injuries occurred - 515 among girls, and 451 among boys. There were significant differences in injury rates between boys and girls for each area of the body. Girls were more likely to injure their ankles, knees, and tibias, while boys had a higher rate of injuries to the tendoachilles complex of the foot. Girls suffered more major injuries (loss of seven days or more) in basketball and soccer, while boys incurred more major injuries while playing baseball or softball.

Understanding why certain types of injuries occur more often among female athletes than male athletes, or during one type of sport compared to another, is crucial to preventing these types of injuries from happening in the future. This information can also be used by doctors of chiropractic, athletic trainers, and others to design effective injury-prevention and rehabilitation programs in the future.

Goldberg A, et al. Injury rate and injury risk in female vs. male high school athletes in gender-matched sports: a prospective cohort study. Presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Washington, D.C., Oct. 9, 2005.

James Bogash, DC and Amy Strock, DC
1830 S. Alma School Rd, Bldg 7, Ste 135, Mesa, AZ 85210
(Alma School Road, just south of the Superstition Freeway/Highway 60)
Chiropractic Health Care Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert & Tempe, Arizona
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