Welcome to East End Chiropractic

How Well Do You Know Dr. John?

Take this quiz to see how well you know your favorite chiropractor…

True or False?

1. Dr. John is from the same town in North Carolina that Ava Gardner comes from.
2. Before studying to become a Chiropractor, Dr. John studied Fine Arts.
3. Dr. John himself has endured back pain and has been helped by chiropractic treatments.
4. Dr. John plays the trumpet.
5. His favorite new TV addiction is Arrested Development.
6. In his free time, he likes to do ballroom dancing.
7. His favorite reads are autobiographies.
8. He met his wife on a cruise.
9. Dr. John is a cat person.
10. He can cook a mean crab cake.

** Answers (don’t look ahead!)

1. True.  Dr. John is from Smithfield, NC. (near Raleigh)
2. False. He began as a Psychology major. His parents wanted him to become a professional piano player for churches.
3. True. This is what started Dr. John’s career. He was suffering from low back pain and a chiropractor in his church began to treat him. When his own health improved, he wanted to change course and begin his training to become a chiropractor.
4. False. The piano.
5. True. He says, “It is the funniest show since Seinfeld.”
6. False. In his spare time, he likes to “putter” and do woodwork.
7. True. He is hoping to read the new book about Steve Jobs next.
8.  False. He met his wife at a Health Fair.
9. False. Dr. John has a beloved dog named Bindi.
10. True. His crab cakes are mean.

Are You Toting Around Too Much Stuff?

Guest Post by Marah Harrington, Office Manager at East End Chiropractic.

Did you know there are health risks associated with carrying an excessive amount of “stuff”? Men and women alike are repeat offenders in this area. We carry heavy purses, briefcases, and computer bags, and most of us are unaware of the risks we run when carrying too many items in a bag.

Many women, myself included, have fallen victim to the large-purse-phenomenon. A bag the size of a small suitcase is now still labeled a “purse” simply because it has a strap. Surely TSA will start catching on to the fact that people are now bringing the equivalent of two carry-ons, not a carry-on and a small purse! Sneaky. I have found that as I buy larger bags, I also convince myself that I need to carry so much more with me. “Why yes, I do need a box of tissues, a first aid kit, a blow dryer and three bricks. JUST IN CASE!”

As fashionable as large bags can be, they are not always practical. Most bags are not designed to equally distribute weight on our backs (the best way for us to carry things) and instead, they pull down one side of the body. Our bodies compensate for the extra weight by leaning to the opposite side, causing an unnatural stress to our spines.

We all know habits are hard to break, but this is one is worth addressing. Here are some simple tips to keep your back and neck more comfortable as you carry your belongings with you:

• Regularly take the time to empty unnecessary items from your bag
• Switch sides frequently so you are not placing the burden entirely on one side of your body
• Select a briefcase or purse with a wide/adjustable strap

Tips For Traveling By Plane

Guest Post by Marah Harrington, Office Manager at East End Chiropractic.

I will admit it: I am a terrible traveler. Over the years, I have flown so much that I’ve developed a long list of travel habits and, if I’m being honest, I always arrive at my destination with neck and back pain. So clearly I’m doing something (or many things) wrong… but what?

My biggest problem is that I am a carry-on queen. If at all possible, I will not check a suitcase. I once talked my husband into traveling with only a carry-on when he and I went on a three week trip (8 flights). Not only did we not have enough clothes with us, we were also miserable from lugging around heavy suitcases in airports and onto planes. Needless to say, he hasn’t taken my advice in the matter since. I don’t blame him!

I happen to have married someone who travels quite a bit for his job so I try to visit regularly when he is gone for long stretches. This past weekend, I headed up to New Hampshire and before I left, Dr. Olsen gave me a few tips for traveling by plane.

1. Check bags that are more than 5-10% of your body weight. Overhead lifting of any significant amount should be avoided. We always end up twisted in strange positions when trying to get a heavy bag in the overhead compartment quickly so we are not holding up the line behind us. If you are lifting something overhead, be sure to stand right in front of the overhead compartment so your spine is not rotated.
2. Bring a small pillow to place behind your lower back when you are seated on the plane. Airplane seats are built to accommodate people of all sizes. The way this is accomplished is by hollowing out the back of the seat, thereby removing all lumbar support. No lumbar support = unhappy back.
3. Move around as much as possible. End seats are best for this and offer us the opportunity to get up and walk around. Middle and window seats offer more of a challenge. Try to keep the space under the seat in front of you clear so you can stretch your legs out a big and move your feet around.
4. Bring a neck pillow. This will help you steer clear of the inevitable kink in your neck that happens when you fall asleep on the plane. A neck pillow may not completely prevent the problem, but it will certainly help.
5. Use proper technique when lifting luggage off the carousel. Bend both of your knees, keep your back straight and in the upright position, and move your feet instead of twisting your back when trying to get your luggage off the carousel. Those belts move fast. Be ready.

Armed with these guidelines, I headed to the airport. Let me tell you, they made a world of difference for me! I am happy to report that I did not arrive at my destination with sharp pains in my neck and back. Hopefully the above tips will prove helpful to you as you prepare for your next plane ride.

Happy travels!