Back to School Doesn’t Need to be a Pain in the Neck

By:  Dr. Raymond A. Schmeder

It’s back-to-school time, and with students back in the classrooms, teachers are back on their feet, back behind their desks, and back to writing on chalkboards—all of which makes them especially susceptible to painful musculoskeletal problems.

Approximately four out of five people will experience back pain some time in their lives. Excessive strain on the spine is not only temporarily uncomfortable, but can be disabling if not treated. Neck and back pain has many causes, including muscle strain, poor posture, and overuse of the back.

Though teachers are in a profession that makes them prone to neck and back pain, everyone can take steps to ease minor pain and prevent long-term problems. The first step is maintaining good posture throughout the day. Sitting or standing with incorrect posture puts an unnecessary amount of weight on certain areas of the spine, which can lead to pinched nerves, wear and tear to vertebras and discs, and loss of flexibility within the spinal column. Correct posture keeps vertebras and joints properly aligned, decreases unnatural wear and tear, reduces stress on ligaments, and helps reduce neck and back pain. Second, it is important to be careful when lifting or carrying objects in order to prevent injuring the back. When lifting an object, squat and lift. Use the legs and keep the back straight. If the load is too heavy, get help or use a dolly. Finally, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight can also contribute to a healthy back.

Unfortunately, these steps aren’t always enough. It may be necessary to consult with a chiropractic physician, especially if the pain is numbing, severe, or does not go away within a few days or weeks.

Chiropractic medicine is one of the oldest healing practices known to man. It was even described by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, “The Father of Medicine,” almost 2,500 years ago.

A chiropractor diagnoses and treats pain extending from muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. Treatment may be in the form of adjustments to the spine (spinal manipulation) or diet and exercise routines. Manipulation to correct improper vertebrae alignment and nutritional guidance and exercise recommendations will often lead to substantial progress.

Chiropractic medicine has evolved into one of the fastest-growing medical disciplines in the U.S. It was estimated that nearly 192 million visits were made to chiropractors by Americans in 1997. Chiropractic physicians are a licensed, highly-trained, disciplined group of men and women who have completed two to four years of undergraduate education, completed four years of chiropractic college, and attained passing scores on national and state exams.

Because chiropractors treat the body with natural, drug-free, non-surgical methods, relying on the body’s ability to heal itself, their care appeals to health-conscious individuals and to those for whom other methods are not an option. As this non-evasive health care management system continues to grow, those who work in professions that put undue strain on the neck and back, such as school teachers, will discover that neck and back pain are not part of the job and that chiropractic care can provide them with a means of keeping themselves on their feet and behind their desks.

Raymond A. Schmeder, DO is a doctor of chiropractic with a clinic in midtown Tulsa. He earned his degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City, MO.