Backpack Misuse Leads to Chronic Back Pain

A new and disturbing trend is emerging…young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that backpack-related injuries sent more than 7,000 people to the emergency room in 2001 alone.

What Can You Do?

The ACA offers the following tips to help prevent the needless pain that backpack misuse could cause the students in your household.

• Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
• The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
• A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.
• Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry—and the heavier the backpack will be.
• Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.
• Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child’s shoulders.
• The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.
• If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.

Although the use of rollerpacks, or backpacks on wheels, has become popular in recent years, the ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis only by those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

Chiropractic Care at Montvale Health Associates Can Help...

If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, the doctors of chiropractic at Montvale Health Associates are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages, using a gentler type of treatment for children. In addition, doctors of chiropractic can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.

Reference: American Chiropractic Association

Platelet Rich Plasmatherapy PRP. Looking Toward a 100% Natural Way to Heal

Recent medical advances have uncovered a promising 100% natural treatment for pain and injury called Platelet Rich Plasmatherapy, or PRP.

PRP has been shown safe and effective in treating a variety of injuries and can drastically shorten healing time, often eliminating the need for surgery. PRP treatment is also drug free with a short recovery time for most patients.

What is PRP Therapy?

PRP is an exciting natural, non-surgical treatment that involves the injection of platelets from a patient’s own blood directly into the site of injury. These platelets then trigger the body’s natural instincts to repair itself. This therapy was originally developed in the 1970’s and was administered in hospital settings, but recent technological advances have enabled PRP treatment to move into outpatient surgical centers such as Montvale Surgical Center.

Why is it Used?

When the body is injured or damaged, PRP initiates a powerful cascade of responses designed to begin the healing process. This repair response usually starts with the formation of a platelet-rich blood clot. Platelets then release healing proteins to mend the skin, bone and other tissues. However, certain injuries can be resistant to healing due to a lack of blood flow to the area, repetitive stress, or wearing away of tissue. By injecting blood platelets into the injured area, the healing proteins needed go directly to the site to repair the damage.

How is PRP Done?

This innovative, yet relatively simple procedure takes place at Montvale Surgical Center and usually takes less than an hour. During the procedure, blood is drawn from the patient’s arm and then loaded into a centrifuge where it spins to separate red and white blood cells, and serum from platelets. This high platelet concentrate, which contains up to 10x the amount of platelets found in normal blood, will give the body a potent boost to heal.

The extracted platelet-rich plasma is collected in a sterile syringe so it can be injected into the injured area, which is locally anesthetized. The patient is then free to go home.

Treatment Duration

Two to three weeks after the first PRP treatment, the doctor and patient will meet to evaluate the progress and determine whether more therapy is needed. Depending on the severity and duration of the injury or disorder, most patients require between one and four treatments.

As PRP therapy now gains popularity in the U.S., it is getting recognized by doctors and patients alike for having great success. Many doctors believe PRP has the potential to revolutionize sports medicine, orthopedics and beyond, with new applications for this technique being discovered daily. Consult with Montvale Rehab & Spinal Care to see if you’re a candidate for PRP Therapy. David Levesque, DPM, Rick Lambert, MD, and David Gamburg, MD, all perform PRP injections next door at Montvale Surgical Center.

CONDITIONS TREATED INCLUDE:

• Tendonitis and tears
• Golfer’s and tennis elbow
• Ligament sprains
• Spinal nerve inflammation
• Facet joint arthritis
• Hip girdle muscle pain or injury
• Bursitis
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Quadriceps muscle pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Ankle sprains

Step 1
Blood is safely drawn from the patient’s arm.

Step 2
The blood is then loaded into a centrifuge to spin for 15 minutes at 3200 rpm.

Step 3
Platelet-rich plasma is then extracted from the vial.

Step 4
The injured area is now injected with PRP using a sterile needle.