Backpack Safety | Charlotte Today Show

One of the school age kids rite of passages is selecting a new backpack to start off the school year. While using a backpack makes carrying books easier, it can also be damaging to your child's spine. Parents needs to be aware that overly stressing the back with a heavy backpack could cause back pain in their child. Let's hear what Dr. LaTanya Bowman, has to say about backpack safety and why it's so important.

Neck Pain due to Torticollis "Wry Neck"

Did you wake up with your head extremely stiff, and you can not seem to turn your head to the lift or right? It just feels stuck!

Well, here's an in home remedy to help with that "crick in the neck", also know in medical terminology Torticollis "Wry Neck".

First lets describe the definition of Torticollis. Torticollis is known as the twisting of muscles in the neck that  goes beyond th neck's normal position. This condition can either develop slowly throughout time, or due to trauma, or even adverse reactions to medication. In a very few cases Torticollis can cause permanent damage if not treated effectively and promptly. 

Here are a few in home remedies that can help with Torticollis:

* First you want to bring the swelling dowing, so use ICE not Heat! Ice your neck 3 to 4 times a day for 15 to 20 mins.

* Stretching exercises is the best way to treat Torticollis

Before doing stretching exercises, its okay to use heat on the neck to help loosen the muscles, (this is the only time heat would be recommended). Moist heat works the best, for it can penetrate the muscles deeper. Placing a damp hand towel in the microwave, and warming the towel up (do not make it hot, just a comfortable warming temperature) to place around your neck. Leave the towel on for about 10 to 15 mins., before beginning stretches.

Side Bending Stretches

1. Sit in a chair with your back straight. Tuck your chin slightly and tilt your head to the left, with your chin down and toward the right.

2. Place your left hand on the upper right side of your head. Gently push your head to the left. Do not over stretch, and stop if you feel pain or tingling.

Hold stretch for 8 seconds, relax then repeat. Do this 5 to 6 times, then repeat on the opposite side.

Neck Rotation

1. Sit in a chair with your back straight and feet flat on the floor.

2. Slowly turn your head to your right, keeping your chin level. Then turn your head all the way to the left. 

Do this 5 to 6 times to each side, bringing your head back to the center between each time. Do not force the motion. Turn your head until you feel a slight resistance.

Head Roll

1. Sit in a chair with your back straight and feet flat on the floor.

2. Place chin on your chest and slightly roll your head in a circular motion. Clockwise and then counter clockwise. Do 5 to 6 times one direction and repeat going the opposite direction

Most importantly it's highly recommended that you see a Chiropractic Physician to help improve the range of motion in the neck and allow the muscles to restore full body function. Adjustments to the cervical region of the neck will allow the joints to mobilize, and can possibly help prevent any further cases of Torticollis from wanting to reoccur in the future.

Chiropractic and Sports Injury | Charlotte Today Show

We all had those workout sessions where we some how injured ourselves. Proper warmup techniques are so important in making sure we prevent those injuries. Watch Dr. LaTanya Bowman of Discovery Chiropractic and Wellness Center and Mr. Jeremy Martin of Ultimate Athlete on the Charlotte Today Morning Show discuss the importance of proper warmup, and how chiropractic care can help you prevent those nasty injuries.

How Posture Can Be A "Trend Setter" For Fashion

We as humans never realize how posture itself is looked upon as a fashion statement. As undergarments and silhouettes change, so does our posture. It's hard to think of posture as a "trend setter", but it truly is. 

When we think of the 1920s we think of "The flappers", known as the "new breed" of western women who wore the short skirts, bobbed hair, and whom you often would see in pictures associated with a fashionable slump. Which before this "Flapper era" you had the Edwardian era that encouraged the "s-curve" silhouette for women, which promoted the pigeon chest, tiny waist, and sway back, with the tightest corset you can find.

1920's-"Flapper era"

The 60s showed off and encouraged slouchy poses, that you can visually see in fashionistas like Audrey Hepburn. With today's fashion icons and celebrities, like Drew Barrymore, Kerry Washington and many others, fashion magazines shows us in today's society hunched-shoulder poses to be very couture. 

Looking at these different fashion magazines, these fashion experts tells us that we are not fashionable enough because of our "posture".

A passage from the book, The Guide Of Elegance, explain this perfectly:

When a woman is trying on clothes, she almost always holds herself beautifully erect in front of the dressing room mirrors. If afterward she hollows her chest and lets her entire body slump, she should not be surprised to find that her new dress does not look at all as chic as it did when she tried it on in the shop.

When you look into the mirror what do you see? Do you see your shoulders rounding forward, due to hours spent on a computer. The slumping position is the most comfortable position there is, but it wrecks havoc on your back.

As chiropractors we can evaluate and treat posture problems and help correct these problems so you can maintain a healthy lifestyle. With proper exercises that we can demonstrate and give you, as well as chiropractic adjustments, you will be on your way to become a true fashion icon promoting healthy lifestyles.