Are you suffering from back or neck discomfort? Find out how to relieve it by our extensive, non invasive treatment at our no-cost informational workshop on Saturday, 21 January 2023, 9-11am located at Mather Hospital, CR A&B 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson, NY.
To register for the seminar, call (631) 476-2723 or visit matherhospital.org/bnpc For an appointment, call (631) 686-2565.
Poor ergonomics contributed to number of ‘economically inactive’ people and to UK’s labour shortage
Anybody who emerged from the Covid-19 lockdowns with a frozen shoulder or a neck crick after spending hours hunched over their laptop at the kitchen table would be painfully aware of the dangers of working from home.
Now the nation’s number crunchers have provided evidence that remote working may be partly to blame for the UK’s chronic labour shortage, with tens of thousands of extra people reporting as long-term sick due to lockdown related injuries.
In a sign that poor ergonomics can have an impact on economics, the Office for National Statistics found a big rise in the number of people being unfit for work because of neck and back injuries. Overall, the ONS said the number of people identified as economically inactive because of long-term sickness had increased from 2 million to 2.5 million in the three years from 2019, with more than 70% of the rise – 363,000 – occurring after the arrival of Covid in early 2020.
But a breakdown of the total showed that the number leaving the labour force because of neck and back problems rose by 62,000 – the second-largest reason cited.
Gavin Burt, a registered osteopath and clinic director of Backs & Beyond in London, said he was unsurprised by the ONS figures because he saw a significant increase in patients coming to him with back and neck problems, particularly people in their twenties.
“In an office you have a really well-designed ergonomic set-up, which helps to reduce repetitive strain injury (RSI) and back pain. But we never really think about ergonomics at home.”
Burt, a member of the General Osteopathic Council, added: “People were working with one leg on the bed, one leg off the bed, in a slightly contorted position on their laptop or at uncomfortable dining chairs or sofas. Basically it is overuse injuries, in poor posture for longer than they would have done if they were working in an office.”
The ONS said older people continued to make up the majority of those inactive because of long-term sickness, but the sharpest relative increases in recent years had been among those aged 25 to 34. Long-term sickness in that age category rose by 42%, compared with a 16% jump for people aged between 50 and 64.
Hugh Stickland, an ONS senior statistician, said: “The largest increase came from people with ‘other health problems or disabilities’. While this category includes people affected by long Covid, we think that’s only one of several contributing factors. The next highest rise was among people with back or neck problems; it’s possible that increased home working has given rise to these kinds of conditions.”
Burt said he had already noticed an improvement in some of his clients, which he attributes to the part-time return to office working, and the associated commute, particularly for those who travel on public transport.
“People often think of the commute as a chore, but it got people up and walking,” Burt said. “I’ve already seen people’s conditions improve by moving to hybrid working, getting back on to the commute and once they are up and about and going somewhere else, it gives them the emotional space to think about exercise.”
The rising number of economically inactive people has been a key factor behind the labour shortages that have alarmed the Bank of England and contributed to higher interest rates this year.
Lockdowns during the pandemic led to an increase in the number of economically inactive people reporting depression, “bad nerves” and anxiety as their main health condition in 2020 and 2021, but the ONS said numbers had now returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Alison Carter, a researcher in HR leadership and wellbeing at the Institute of Employment Studies, said employers should focus on making sure their staff have workplace assessments for their office and home set-ups,
“From an employee wellbeing point of view, we need to encourage people back to work who are dropping off the radar and if musculoskeletal problems are the reason, there are physical workplace adjustments that can be made,” she said.
While Claudia Pratt received a voucher from Southwest Airlines because her flight was cancelled Tuesday, it didn’t give her a sense of security Wednesday morning. “My worry is that Southwest will not be able to recover from this and may not be around to utilize the voucher,”” Pratt said. “This is a truly negative situation for Southwest. “The issue Pratt mentioned began in this winter’s storm. It’s persisting due to the manner in which Southwest manages its fleet of planes as well as the outdated software that is used for the purpose of couple flight crews to the planes. “I was told that Southwest didn’t know where the planes of half were, or even every single one of them” Traveler Jim Metzger said.While the smile is now on his face, Metzger was not thrilled to discover that the plane that was scheduled to transport the passenger back to Cincinnati is stuck on a runway located in the Northeast. “No Southwest; and then we learned that the other airlines were running. They all were running, except Southwest. The only thing we did was go to Boston to take (a) Delta (flight) here. And we did the trip,” Metzger said while taking his luggage to the International Cincinnati/Northern KY Airport.Metzger did the same thing that the other stuck Southwest passengers are being advised to do. He kept receipts for the additional money he used to travel back to his home located in Hyde Park. “We have proof,” he said. “And should, within over the next decade, Southwest gives us what we’ve spent it’s fine. “The doubt about “if as well as when” the financial situation will be made complete by Southwest is the top concern for Metzger However, he’s also more pressing concerns, like many other travelers who’s journeys took longer than they expected. “I’m just exhausted. I’m 88 and I’m just so exhausted,” Metzger said. “Excuse me – darn tired. “The state of fatigued Southwest travelers is not likely to improve over the next day or two. The CEO of Southwest Airlines Robert Jordan said Southwest will be operating a reduced schedule for the next few days. Jordan hopes to get things “back in order” by the end of next week.”
While Claudia Pratt received a voucher from Southwest Airlines because her flight was cancelled on Tuesday, it didn’t give her a sense of confidence Wednesday morning.
“My fear is that Southwest will not be able to recover from this, and they might not be around to make use of the voucher,” Pratt said. “This is a negative issue to Southwest.”
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The issue Pratt mentioned began in the winter’s most recent storm. However, it’s still a problem due to the manner in which Southwest manages its planes network as well as due to the outdated software that is used in order to couple flight crews with those planes.
“I was told that Southwest didn’t know where half of the planes were or even the entire fleet,” Traveler Jim Metzger stated.
Even though he’s smiling, Metzger was not thrilled to find out that the plane that was intended to transport Metzger back to Cincinnati is stuck on an asphalt runway located in the Northeast.
“No Southwest; and then we discovered that all other airlines were operating. They all were operating, with the exception of Southwest. Therefore, our plan was went from Boston in order to get on (a) Delta (flight) here. And we succeeded,” Metzger said while taking his luggage to the International Airport of Cincinnati/Northern KY.
Metzger did the same thing that everyone else who is stuck Southwest Fliers are encouraged to follow. He kept receipts of the cash he used for getting back to his home located in Hyde Park.
“We have proof,” he said. “And should, within over the next decade, Southwest gives us what we’ve paid for good.”
The question about “if or when” when he’ll be financially completely Southwest is his top concern however, he also has more pressing concerns, just like many travelers who’ve had their journeys take more time than they expected.
“I’m exhausted. I’m 88, and I’m incredibly exhausted,” Metzger said. “Excuse me – darn tired.”
The current situation for exhausted Southwest customers isn’t going to improve over the next couple of days. Southwest’s chief executive Robert Jordan said Southwest will be operating a reduced schedule for the next few days. Jordan hopes that things will be “back in order” by the next week.”
Beatriz Mendez was the first patient to undergo an operation to replace cervical discs in the Aurora Spine Health Clinic when it first opened its doors at the beginning of January in 2022. It wasn’t her first experience having doctor Dr. Shaun O’Leary, neurosurgeon at the Aurora Health Center – Pleasant Prairie and her doctor. Mendez was a patient of his at a prior practice close than her house located in Des Plaines, Ill. When she began experiencing frequent neck pains again in the in the past the year Mendez was aware of whom to contact. “I advised my daughter, we must consult the doctor. O’Leary right away,” Mendez says.
Around 1 in 3 individuals suffer from neck discomfort. The discomfort could be the result of injury, strenuous exercise or an underlying medical condition or even a lifestyle of sedentary. There are numerous methods to manage back as well as neck pain ranging from treatment with massage or surgery. However, a study found that just 58% of those suffering from lower back discomfort seek medical attention.
“Untreated back pain can cause grave complications, including nerve irritation. Injuries to vertebrae that are not treated could lead to spinal canal stenosis (narrowing in the spinal canal) and the condition known as radiculopathy (severe nerve pain) and permanent nerve damage. It’s the reason it’s a condition you must never overlook,” says Dr. O’Leary.
As a 70-year-old who is busy, Mendez has no intention to let neck pain hold her back. As she has had back problems before she is aware of the need to not delay. Mendez’s operation took place after six months of rehabilitation after which she was back in her stride. It was back to the things she loves, such as cooking and travelling to Mexico to spend her annual vacation with her family and friends. “I recovered faster than I had anticipated which meant it was not too long and I could be back doing the things I enjoy,” she says. “It was an unforgettable experience to be the first patient in the new facility. I am so grateful to Doctor. O’Leary and the care I received.”
“Chronic back pain can affect individuals in different ways. We learn about the preferences of our patients, their capacities and willingness to actively participate in their treatment plans. This gives patients the choices that are appropriate for their needs,” says Dr. O’Leary. “The crucial part is that we’re providing timely treatment before it could progress to a more serious illness.”
If you’re suffering from back and neck discomfort, you should contact your local Aurora Spine Health Clinic at 262-857-5300.
Are you suffering from back neck or back pain? Take the free online quiz here to find out more.
Are you experiencing neck pains that are recurring? Don’t wait.
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The ANCHORAGE region, Alaska (KTUU) – The nightmare of travel continues across the nation as delays and flight cancellations are increasing. While the weather is clearing in Southcentral but the majority of Alaskans are struggling to make it home to their families.
Stoney Butler flew through San Diego through Seattle and was scheduled to arrive in Anchorage prior to Christmas. After three cancellations of flights and a number of delays, he finally reached his destination just four days later. He said the wait on the phone to make a change was at the very least an hour long.
“I had to be to this location on the 23rd around 5:45 (a.m.) and really late on 23rd of April,” Butler said. “So it was around four days I didn’t get to.”
Tristan Osborne traveled through Seattle and claims he had no problems getting to Anchorage However, he was concerned about getting back to his home in time.
“We weren’t sure when we’d arrive at all because of all the cancellations that flew into Seattle and we weren’t sure if we’d be able take away,” Osborne said. “I think everything worked out however we’re glad that it worked out because she’s going to work tomorrow, and I’ll have work on the following day.”
Alaska Airlines Spokesperson Tim Thompson states that they’re still having cancellations due to the incongruous aircraft and crews, caused by winter weather across the continent.
Alaska Airlines maintains that operations in Seattle and Portland have been improved in comparison to the past few days. They have confirmed that ground crews are trying to help passengers with bags. They have returned 1,000 bags as of Friday.
Thompson states that because of the hectic holiday season the load of flights is extremely large and accommodation options are limited. This is causing some people to not be able to celebrate the holiday with their families.
Sarah Swandell was planning to go back to her family for the holiday season, but her flight was cancelled.
“I was due to fly to meet the kids on Christmas Eve, but on the night prior, we received a message telling us that the flight had been cancelled. I was all alone on Christmas morning. My three-year-old was distant, far away” Swandell said.
As per the website for tracking flights Flight Aware, Ted Stevens International Airport was hit with a plethora delay on the Tuesday as well as seven cancellations. The numbers have improved since Monday, when there were 10 cancellations and 57 delays.
Whatever the length of the journey was, people are happy to get back to Alaska.
“And I’m finally able to meet them and enjoy an early Christmas,” Swandell said.
Copyright 2022 KTUU. The copyright owner has all the rights to use it.
The neck muscles are active throughout all day long regardless of whether you’re working at your desk or laying on your smartphone, or sleeping. But, unlike many other muscles we’ve discussed in this series on fitness it is not often considered when you exercise or workout. It’s true that the standard neck rotations as well as side-to-sides in the warm-up process don’t count.
It is possible to suggest that engaging on the traps (trapezius muscles) is sufficient for the neck. In reality, the traps start at the top of the neck and extend to the shoulders and mid-back area as well. They also aid in moving your neck, head and shoulders, as well as other areas of your upper body in a safe and efficient manner. However, while removing the traps is essential however, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pay attention to the neck. There’s a reason most sprains or tweaks occur at the neck. They can be annoying and take time to heal, and are very stiff. Most of them happen because of poor posture and in order to prevent this you must put in an intense effort on the neck muscles, too. Particularly because, while it assists in the movement of the neck, it also serves in a way to absorb shock any force.
Also read10 health trends in fitness that define 2022
There are spillover consequences of neck exercise that extend beyond physical strength. “Athletes exercise their neck muscles in order to decrease the chance of suffering concussions. While that’s important but it’s not the sole benefit of working out the neck. Building strength in the neck can have a holistic effect on health,” states an article called 3 Key Benefits Of Neck Training on spiritualityhealth.com. They include decreasing headaches and improving balance and most importantly getting blood flowing towards the brain. The neck muscles are between our brains and the other body parts and this should be enough incentive to pay them more focus.
As with all muscles that is a part of the body, there are many ways to strengthen the neck: the isometric method, functional exercise and reactions training are all very well-liked by athletes. Due to the many different neck actions are, we’ve selected exercises that cover the flexion (the move of the chin towards the chest) and rotating (side-to-side movements) and the lateral movement (ear towards chest) and extension (movement of the chin away from to the chest) and even hyperextensions (craning the head back enough to see towards the sky).
Also readHIIT or SIT Which of these fad fitness trends is the best to you?
Neck exercises with balls The most basic exercises for the neck are based on free rotation. However, using the use of a medicine ball or a solid ball can make a huge difference in the type of pressure applied to the neck. The YouTube Channel Core Chiropractic has a nice three-minute routine that can be completed with walls and a ball . It’s an excellent place to begin with your neck exercise routine.
Also readHow to build a sturdy base and increase your stability
Yes No, Maybe A different channel worth following is Minus The Gym. They are a specialist in exercises that don’t require any equipment and it is akin to the basic human neck movements: yes and no or maybe. All you require to complete the exercise is an area of surface that has an edge on which allows you to extend your neck in three different patterns. Each stretch and flexion at a slow pace and ensure that your actions are carefully planned and controlled.
Additionally, readBegin the journey to fitness by doing these 5 great exercises
isometric exercises for neck Holds are a vital component of any routine of training and Physiotutors also has an instructional video using an exercise band, a resistance band, and a medicine ball to help strengthen the neck and prevent injuries or even discomfort. When you have mastered the basic movements and exercises, you should test your neck in a manner that is within the limits of pain. Based on a lot of studies that the video shows, these movements are not difficult, but you should be careful not to get caught up in the process. In the end, injury to your neck can prove extremely restricting to your exercise routine.
The three videos below will allow you to begin to move into the intermediate stage of neck strength. By adding weights, and focusing on your deltoids and traps are part of the push and pull workouts, and can help improve neck strength and mobility. The neck muscles are activated throughout the basic movements of every day life. Spending only a few minutes focusing on the neck, particularly on days when you are working the muscles around it can give the most significant increase in your fitness.
Pulasta Dhar has been a soccer commentator and a writer.
Also readHow to establish fitness goals for 2023
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The snow might have landed, However, the conditions to snowmobile in the region haven’t changed.
Nearly 1500 km of trails for snowmobiles have been opened across Ontario however none have been opened are in North Bay. North Bay area yet.
“It is fantastic to be able to see snow. We definitely need plenty of cold temperatures before we are able to get trails going,” said Shawn Flindall as the spokesperson on behalf of North Bay Snowmobile Club. North Bay Snowmobile Club.
This lack of cold has caused a lot of the region’s waters open, including rivers, swamps and the major lakes in the region .
“I refer to Nipissing remains open. Trout Lake is still open,” said Flindall.
“We are having some issues with waterways and swamps at the moment, so it’s nice to see snow, but we definitely face some issues regarding mild weather, and with rain predicted over the next few days, we’re being cautious when it comes to the opening of trails.”
You might have to look back to the year 2015’s Christmas to see such conditions for the last week of Christmas in the North Bay area.
“The recent years have had fantastic freeze-ups early freeze-ups, and there were no serious issues with ice in the lakes, but this year it’s even more unusual was unusual for Lake Nipissing still to have open spots at this time in December, which is a lot considering we’re almost into January, it is uncommon that Lake Nipissing remains open,” said Flindall.
“Trout Lake always takes a bit longer to freeze due to the fact that it is deeper. It takes a bit longer to cool enough. However, it isn’t atypical that these lakes won’t have been frozen as of yet.”
As long as conditions aren’t improved the local snowmobile club continues to stress being patient and cautious until trails in the region be opened officially and the snowmobile trails freeze.
“We are asking individuals to be smart and watch for the green lightto come on,” he added.
“Keep your eyes on your online maps and, if they are closed then don’t travel.”
Two different approaches to conservative treatment are effective in treating subacute and acute spine pain New research suggests.
The results of studies like the SPINE CARE randomized controlled study revealed that 6-8 weeks of individualized postural rehabilitation (IPT) or a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial treatment called ICE which includes physical therapy, were linked to small, yet statistically meaningful reductions of disability due to pain after 3 months, compared to regular care.
Additionally, the spine-related health care expenditures was not much different between ICE and regular treatment. But, IPT significantly increased spending in comparison to normal treatment.
Dr. Niteesh Choudhry
“We observed that, in comparison to standard primary treatment, both interventions decreased the disability associated with pain by 3 months. These improvements lasted and were clinically significant at 12 months even after the interventions were completed,” lead author Niteesh K. Choudhry, MD, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Medical News.
The results were released online the 20th of December by JAMA.
Spine pain refers to discomfort that is felt either in your neck or back The researchers note. It “accounted for the most health-related expenditure than any other health issue on the US in 2016” they say.
“Spine pain is a frequent reason for patients to visit their primary healthcare providers,” Choudhry said.
It was the SPINE CARE trial included 2971 adult participants (60 percent females; mean age 51 years) suffering from back and neck pain lasting shorter than twelve weeks. The participants were randomly assigned to standard treatment (no intervention or treatment, 992) or to ICE (n 829) or IPT (n 1150) interventions.
It is the “identify the cause, plan, and improve” (ICE) treatment model divides patients based on their likelihood of progressing from chronic to acute pain. It also addresses the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to pain. Patients at low risk got only one session of physical therapy (PT) visit as well as one coaching session, whereas those at higher risk were provided with three PT visits as well as three coaching calls and one electronic consultation.
The IPT intervention that was offered in 8 weekly sessions, is focused on postural alignment. IPT is also focused on self-efficacy as well as self-management. It includes daily exercises that improve coordination, postural control and balance.
The results at 3 months revealed that both ICE or IPT groups had significantly better results than the IPT group in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores than the standard care group.
| Intervention | Mean ODI changes to three months |
|---|---|
| ICE | 31.2 to 15.4 |
| IPT | 29.3 to 15.4 |
| Usual care | 28.9 to 19.5 |
At three months, the change in ODI score vs . usual treatment measured -5.8 to be exact for ICE (95 percent of the CI, -7.7 to -3.9; P > .001) as well as -4.3 in the case of IPT (95 percent IPT CI, -5.9 to -2.6; P .001) to IPT.
Both interventions decreased the use of resources for diagnosis imaging procedures and doctor visits, Choudhry reported. “Because these interventions, they interventions reduced expenditure not directly related to the interventions,” he added.
If the costs of intervention are included ICE was associated with lower expenses overall than normal treatment ($139 less) and overall expenses for IPT was higher than typical treatment (by 941 dollars).
“We evaluated intervention strategies in a manner that were implemented in primary healthcare, which means the implementation in other settings of practice is not difficult,” Choudhry said.
He also pointed out the ICE model doesn’t currently exist as a full program however, its components, like physical therapy and specialist e-consults do. “And we believe that our findings warrant looking at ways to implement this in a more general way,” he said.
Choudhry stated that IPT was evaluated using an individual service (Egoscue), “which has various locations across locations in the US and around the world, it should be simple to incorporate into daily practice.”
However, other crucial elements, such as insurance coverage, need to be examined in the near future the minister added.
In the accompanying editorial Erin Krebs, MD, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minnesota, and colleagues mention that prior systematic studies have found that exercise-based therapies are “generally efficient” to treat chronic back and neck pain that is typically described as pain lasting longer than 12 weeks however, they are not effective for acute pain. This is defined as pain lasting between 4 to 6 weeks.
“The current study provides evidence of the efficacy of exercise therapy in patients who are experiencing an episode that is under 12 weeks. This means that they are not chronic yet but not necessarily severe,” the editorialists write.
“Clinicians will more often suggest exercises that are structured for those suffering from the subacute back and neck discomfort, particularly if the pain is persistent,” they add.
The study was financed by unrestricted philanthropic donations towards Stanford University. Choudhry was awarded grants from Stanford University during the conduct of the research. The complete list of disclosures for editors and researchers is provided in the original report.
JAMA. The journal was published online on 20th December in 2022. Abstract, Editorial
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