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4/27/2021

5 Ways to Avoid Back Surgery

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Avoid unnecessary back surgery

While back surgery may be medically necessary in specific cases, data is clear that these surgeries are performed far too often with research indicating perhaps 90% are unnecessary. Here are five simple ways to reduce your risk of back surgery while also improving your outcome with treatment:

Eat healthier and improve activity - lifestyle habits have a strong influence on your musculoskeletal health and can increase or reduce the odds of injury and need for medical procedures. Choose an anti-inflammatory diet that emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and limits sugars, carbs, and industrial oils. Make sure to be active regularly to build your strength, flexibility, and balance.
Don't ignore pain or cover it up - pain is an important signal. While it shouldn't stop you from getting out of bed, it's an important indication that you need to change what you are doing or seek help. Pushing through significant pain can be like ignoring your check engine light. You can only get away with ignoring a problem for so long.
Improve posture and be cautious with repetitive motions - healthy activity doesn't cause "wear and tear" on your joints, but poor posture and ergonomics certainly can. Straighten up with your head and shoulders back and focus on good form when you are active to avoid placing too much stress on your joints.
Choose your first doctor wisely - studies using work injury data on those undergoing back surgery determined the major modifiable predictor of surgery was the choice in provider first seen by a patient regardless of injury severity. The risk of back surgery was 9 times higher when seeing a surgeon first compared to a primary care provider. The risk of back surgery was over 28 times higher when seeing a surgeon first compared to a doctor of chiropractic. The researchers noted it is likely that "who you see is what you get."
Try conservative non-drug treatment first and be patient - guidelines are clear that non-drug treatment like chiropractic and acupuncture are better first-line choices to achieve better results. Some injuries heal quickly with care, while others take weeks to months, so it is important to be consistent and patient to allow your body time to heal.

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4/20/2021

7 Reasons to Get Outside Now

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Tell covid to take a hike!

Most of us in Northeast Ohio don't need much encouragement to get back outside this time of year. Improving weather is enough to attract us away from our winter dens of hibernation. But with covid still leading the news, others need a little more encouragement so here are 7 reasons to get outside now:

Fix Your Vitamin D Deficiency - if you are living in Northeast Ohio, odds are your vitamin D level is lacking. Soaking up some sun (without burning) is the best way to kick up those D levels. Among other health benefits, significant research points to a protective effect with respiratory viruses, so now is a better time than ever to optimize your level of vitamin D.
Enjoy Being Active - exercising inside is good but it's nothing like being active outdoors. Too many have been sedentary for that past few months, locking themselves inside the house. It's time to get moving outside again and enjoy the many health benefits that comes from physical activity (including a healthier immune system).
Reduce Your Risk of Illness - if you are still very concerned about covid, then consider your risk inside is much higher than outside. You can still keep your distance, but get outside to enjoy the fresh low-risk air.
Improve Your Mood and Mental Health - research has demonstrated clear mental health benefits with time spent outside. The further out in nature you can go, the better. Make your way to the woods if possible to breath in the healthy natural compounds trees breath out. We have many great trails in our area. Go out and explore!
Dirt is Good for You - our sterilized indoor environments are the enemy of a healthy microbiome and it's just a matter of time before it increases our health problems. Our homes are like a barren desert compared to the lush multitude of health-promoting organisms found outdoors. Get dirty in the garden for a microbial bonus found to further benefit mental health and the immune system.
Connect With People - we need human contact. Good health is dependent on human contact and in-person contact is better than contact only through technology. Think of it as a tech break too. Too much technology exposure carries it's own health risks.
Take a Mask Break - we won't wade into the mask debate, but it is clear there are risks with wearing masks for extended periods. Give your face and lungs a break and get outside to enjoy fresh air without a mask.

Being outside is without a doubt healthier than spending your days indoor. Don't wait any longer. Get outside now and enjoy the many health benefits!

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The Naturals
Blog on Health & Wellness

5 Ways to Avoid Back Surgery

7 Reasons to Get Outside Now

THE NATURALS

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The Naturals​Blog on Health & Wellness

5 Ways to Avoid Back Surgery

7 Reasons to Get Outside Now

THE NATURALS

Authors

Categories

Archives

The Naturals
Blog on Health & Wellness