Call in for a glimpse of the new premises and join us for a glass of champagne and light refreshments to help us celebrate.

Tuesday 12th June 5:30pm to 7pm
40 Triton Drive, Albany

Note: Open for business from Monday 28th May

Located in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore, Dr Mac Chiropractic is strategically placed to service the entire North Shore area.Our Location is 40 Triton Drive, Albany, North Shore, Auckland.

Dr Mac Chiropractic  is easy to locate and within a three minute drive from either the Greville Road or Constellation Drive off ramps on the Northern Motorway.

For appointments please phone (09) 414 5577

Volume 6, Issue 4, Summer 2011.

Don’t let injuries sneak up on you: how to fix ergonomics in an industrial setting

By Dr Marcus McAllister, Corporate Chiropractor

Don’t Let Injuries Sneak Up on You: How to Fix Ergonomics in an Industrial Setting

By Dr Marcus McAllister, Corporate Chiropractor

Working on a conveyor belt or forklift can be a dangerous profession – and not just because you might have an accident. Musculoskeletal disorders, otherwise known as Gradual Process Injuries (GPIs) are a major problem in industrial settings. Their cause is simple: inadequate work station set-up.

In my practice as a corporate chiropractor, I’m starting to see patients with injuries caused by poor workstation ergonomics more and more often. These Gradual Process Injuries can affect the nerves, tendons and muscles and can make it very painful for an employee to use his hands, wrists and arms. Sitting in the same position for long periods can also lead to neck and lower back pain. The key word here is gradual: often we don’t notice these injuries until it is too late, because they are the result of a slow build up of problems, and not one significant injury.

Why are these problems so common?

Before the industrial age work was not as specific as it is today. People use to perform many tasks throughout the course of the day, which meant the demand on muscles and joints also varied throughout the day.

By contrast, in today’s office environment people sit in front of computer for hours on end, only getting up for the odd bathroom break or lunch. The same problem applies in industry. Sitting on a forklift all day is equally as harmful as sitting in front of a computer. As for working on a conveyor belt, we have specified down tasks to such a degree that a worker can be performing the same highly limited set of movements over and over again. By ignoring our body’s basic requirements to do a variety of tasks, we’re inviting pain and discomfort.

Fix your ergonomics

These problems occur when workstation setups don’t conform to basic ergonomic principles. If you implement these principles in your workplace for all staff, a lot of pain, injury, wasted time (and wasted money) can be avoided.

• All movements should be performed within the ‘ergonomic window’ – the range of body movement in which a worker can safely operate. Anything that is an unnatural movement should be avoided
• All controls should be within your grasp, no more than an arm’s length away
• Your feet should be flat on the floor with your thighs well supported on the seat
• The backrest of the chair should be adjusted so that it will fully support your back
• Lean the backrest slightly backwards – neutral to approximately 20 degrees behind vertical is good
• Your elbows need to be close to your body- not splayed, and you back should be kept straight, not bent sideways
• Ensure items that you use regularly are within easy reach
• Vary your posture frequently and do stretching exercises to reduce the risks

Proper ergonomics in the workplace can do wonders for staff health and therefore morale – surely a wise investment for all of us.

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If you would like to view an online version of our latest newsletter go to: McAllister Chiropractic Newsletter – Christmas 2011

According to the Massey University Sleep Wake Centre 37 per cent of New Zealand adults aged 30 to 60 are sleep-deprived and 25 per cent of adults aged 20 to 60 have insomnia. A number of studies have shown that proper selection of a pillow can significantly reduce neck pain and improve quality of sleep. Chiropractors believe that more education around pillow and bed selection could help reduce these numbers.

People rarely give much thought to the pillows that they use, focusing almost entirely on the bed. However, if the neck is not supported properly when sleeping it can cause a whole range of problems from neck pain to upper and lower back discomfort, headaches, shoulder and arm pain and restlessness, explains Dr. Hayden Thomas, chiropractor and spokesman for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association.

A new study by researchers at the University of Warwick Medical School, UK, shows that people who are unable to get a sleep of at least six hours a day are at an increased risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. The researchers found that those who slept for less than six hours a day had a nearly 50 percent more risk of suffering a heart attack and 15 percent more at risk of a heart stroke.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to ensure an unsuitable pillow is not going to get in the way of getting a healthy night’s sleep.
It is important to choose a pillow that is of a shape and material that suits your sleeping position, advises Dr. Thomas. For example, a side sleeper will need something that cradles and contours the neck, providing an even surface, whereas a back sleeper will require a medium support pillow that will support the natural curvature of the upper spine, providing support under the head, neck and shoulders. If you are in any doubt, get in touch with a suitably qualified health professional as they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

One of the other mistakes people make is that they keep the same old pillow for years, adds Dr. Thomas. They do wear out and need to be replaced eventually, just like your bed. As a general rule, a feather pillow should last around eight years, a down pillow five years and a man made filling from six months to two years. The best way to check whether it is time to get a new feather or down pillow is to lay it on a hard surface, fold it in half and squeeze out the air. Release the pillow. If it unfolds and returns to its original position, it has enough support. An overused pillow will stay folded.

To test a polyester pillow, fold it in half in the same way and place an object weighing about ten ounces or 280 grams on top. If it unfolds itself and dislodges the object, it has plenty of use left in it. If it remains folded then it won’t be adequately supporting your head and really should be replaced.

‘Today the choice is vast’ says Dr Thomas ‘There are now pillows on the market made from specially contoured memory foam, natural latex and even a water-filled pillow which has been shown very effective for neck pain suffers and improving sleep quality.’ These newer designs and materials may offer an advantage for some people giving greater support and usually last far longer than loose filled pillows, however they can be a significant initial investment.

The theme for the Seminar was ‘Ride Of Your Life’. Dr Marcus choose to focus his presentation on ‘Family, Friends and Chiropractic’ all of which are the most important things in Marcus’ life.

Included in Marcus speech was a tribute to his late brother in-law and closest friend Dr Doug Blackbourn. Dr Marcus spoke from the heart and never once stumbled through-out the entire speech.

If you would like to view an online version of our latest newsletter go to: McAllister Chiropractic Newsletter – Winter 2011

Unlike previous generations who tended to resign themselves to progressive degeneration, these people are looking forward to another 40 years of good function and want us to help them maintain or improve their wellbeing. Our experience is confirmed by data recently published from the US National Health Interview Survey1 that over the 10-year period from 1997 to 2007 found increasing problems reported among this group. Over 40% of people aged 50–64 reported that, because of a health problem they now had difficulty with at least one of nine physical functions, and many reported difficulty with more than one function according to the researchers.

The most common problems cited were:
1. Stooping, bending, or kneeling

2. Standing for two hours
3. Walking a quarter mile
(400 metres)
4. Pushing or pulling a large object
5. Climbing 10 steps

Of medical conditions the respondents believed were responsible for their disabilities, they cited back or neck problems, and arthritis or rheumatism, most frequently.
Dr Thomas points out that the US researchers are concerned because this rise in disability has potentially far-reaching and long-term negative consequences for individuals and society as a whole.

Richard Sulzman, of the US National Institute of Aging, which sponsored the study, is quoted as saying:
‘If people have such difficulties in middle age, how can we expect that this age group—today’s baby boomers—will be able to take care of itself with advancing age? If it continues, this trend could have a significant effect on the need for long-term care in the future.’
Reference:
Martin LG et al., Trends in disability and related chronic conditions among people ages 50 to 64, Health Affairs, 2010; 29:725–31.

When asked how Marcus thought his presentation went…. his reply was “Fantastic, I really enjoyed it”!!