Is Winter A Pain In The Back? Try These Tips For Year-Round Injury Prevention
The onset of winter weather means challenging conditions for outdoor activities and lurking dangers to our bodies – the back in particular.
Slipping on ice and shoveling snow cause many mishaps. And, health professionals point out, cold weather alone makes the back vulnerable to injuries whether one is clearing the driveway, skiing, sledding, or working out. Muscles, tendons and ligaments in the back tighten and become less flexible, thus more prone to injury.
But while back problems may begin or become more pronounced in winter, Dr. Bradford Butler says there’s a year-round prescription for protection, through prevention, and it starts with maintaining flexibility.
“Almost all spinal problems begin with a loss of flexibility,” says Butler (www.drbradfordbutler.com), a chiropractor and author of The Blueprint For Back Pain Relief: The Essential Guide To Non-Surgical Solutions. “The less flexible we are, the more stress the back is under; therefore, the more likely you are to have injury and breakdown.
“Let’s face it, very few people value prevention. If we did, as a country, we wouldn’t have the world’s most expensive health care system. For preventing back pain, maintenance care is always cheaper, faster, and longer-lasting than looking for a quick fix.”
Dr. Butler shares a six-point prevention strategy:
Focus on stretching and flexibility. “Our body is designed to move,” Dr. Butler says. “Regular walking is a naturally occurring way to stay flexible. Yoga is a fantastic way to increase overall body flexibility, strength, and wellness.”
Change your work environment. Dr. Butler says sitting for extended periods at work may be the biggest cause of back problems. “Sitting accelerates the breakdown of all parts of the spine that can cause pain,” he says. “Research suggests sitting is the worst position for your lower back. Get up and move around as much as possible. A standing desk is a good option.”
Exercise regularly. “This is key to preventing back pain,” Dr. Butler says. “In addition to flexibility, strength that comes with consistent exercise is a main factor in avoiding injury.’
Target nutrition and weight loss. Maintaining a healthy weight is important in preventing back pain. “The heavier you are, the more stress is transferred to your spine, muscles, and joints,” Dr. Butler says. “Eat a natural diet and avoid toxic and over processed foods. Healthy foods give your body the building blocks to heal and repair faster.”
Seek chiropractic maintenance. “Having regular chiropractic care is an effective and safe way to prevent back and neck problems,” Dr. Butler says. “Chiropractic adjustment mobilizes the joints of the spinal segments, which prevents degeneration, injury, and pain.”
Get massage treatments. “Massage therapists are experts in relaxing tense muscles or working out trigger points and breaking up scar tissue,” Dr. Butler says. “Massage also helps you deal with stress, which leads to tension.”
“The old saying ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ couldn’t be truer, especially when it comes to your back,” Dr. Butler says. “Prevention is an investment, not an expense.”
About Bradford Butler
Bradford Butler, a chiropractor and author of The Blueprint for Back Pain Relief: The Essential Guide to Nonsurgical Solutions (www.drbradfordbutler.com), is owner and director of Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, which has three locations in northern New Jersey. Dr. Butler, a graduate of the New York Chiropractic College, has twice been named one of America’s top chiropractors by Consumer Research Council of America and his offices have received the exclusive NJ TopDoc Award for eight consecutive years.
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January 7, 2019
Salt Lake City – During the ongoing Federal government shutdown, thousands of Federal employees around the country are receiving short-term assistance from the vast network of nonprofits they have supported for years through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC, a 60-year collaboration between federal employees and charities, representing the world’s largest workplace fundraising drive, has enabled federal employees to donate more than $8.3 billion to charitable causes of their choice. Now many federal employees find themselves in need of assistance, and these charities are delivering the short-term food, rent and utility assistance to bridge the gap.
Below are just a few examples of charities around the country assisting federal employees:
“We will continue assisting as long as Federal employees are affected—even after the shutdown,” said Maresha Bogsieter, Director for Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah. “Government workers are usually on the giving side with food drives, volunteerism, and the Combined Federal Campaign. These generous people have helped our organization so much through the years, and we’re happy to support them at this time.”
“It’s great to see the compassionate response from CFC nonprofit organizations to the same Federal employees who have supported them for years,” said Ron Vassallo, CEO of Kaptivate, an Outreach Coordinator that oversees CFC marketing activities for many of the CFC’s geographic zones. “Federal employees have helped to sustain these nonprofits for nearly 60 years, ensuring that vital resources are now available for all who need them. In this new year of challenge, it’s exciting to witness an extraordinary giving legacy come full circle.”
The three Federal departments hardest hit by the government shutdown in Mountain States CFC zone are the Department of Treasury, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior. Many other Federal departments such as the U.S. Postal Service, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs remain open.
Federal employees, federal retirees, and federal government contractors at agencies not affected by the shutdown can sign up to donate time and/or volunteer service at cfcgiving.opm.gov.org.
About the Combined Federal Campaign
Established by executive order in 1961, the Combined Federal Campaign is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, raising millions of dollars each year for local, national, and international nonprofit organizations. The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees and federal retirees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. Since 1961, the campaign has raised more than $8.3 billion for charitable causes.
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Point of the Mountain Board Authority to Hire Executive Director
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 7, 2019) — The Point of the Mountain Board Authority, the body charged with the disposition of land where the Utah State Prison now stands, is searching for an executive director to oversee the process of developing the current Utah State Prison site once it has been relocated.
“This is one of the largest economic development opportunities in our state’s history, “ said Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox, co-chair of the Point of the Mountain Authority. “The executive director will oversee the development of nearly 700 acres in the heart of Silicon Slopes. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the person selected to work with the Authority Board. Development experience and a good understanding of the political process will be important attributes for a successful candidate.”
The Utah State Legislature created the Point of the Mountain Authority Board to lead the process as the prison moves from its current Draper site to the new site west of the Salt Lake International Airport. While the official move will likely occur in two years, the executive director will oversee the planning that must be done before the move, and the subsequent development of the property. The new executive director will work with the Board Authority to strategize and plan for the use and sale of the property.
“Finding the right executive director is a critical next step,” said Rep. Lowry Snow (R-St. George), co-chair of the Point of the Mountain Authority. “With the new executive director’s guidance, we will seek broad input particularly from Draper and the surrounding communities impacted by prison property development.”
The Point of the Mountain Development Commission has worked with Envision Utah for the past few years gathering public input and working with local governments in southern Salt Lake and northern Utah counties about opportunities impacting the prison site and surrounding areas. The Point of the Mountain Board Authority will use much of the data collected during this process to move forward with the planning phase of the project.
Members of the Point of the Mountain Board Authority include co-chairs Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Rep. Lowry Snow (R - St. George); Sen. Jerry Stevenson (R - Davis); Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R- Salt Lake); Draper Mayor Troy Walker; South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey; Commissioner of Higher Education Dave Buhler; Director of the Utah Division of Facilities Construction Management Jim Russell; Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development Executive Director Val Hale; and Alpine Company CEO April Cooper. An additional appointment from the Utah House of Representatives is open on the board.
A full job description can be found at: https://agency.governmentjobs.com/utah/default.cfm?action=jobbulletin&JobID=231089
