Motion Related MSDs

This week, with an intention of holistically covering MSDs – we are going to outline how poor body mechanics can contribute to this ailment.  To recap, MSDs are injuries or pains in the musculoskeletal system, including the joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs. They are not only costly for people but companies too across the United States. It is estimated that 50 billion dollars a year is spent on direct costs of MSDs, and indirect costs could be up to 5 time more. Whether you are a worker or an employer – MSDs should be of concern to you.

 

The good news is that MSDs are highly avoidable – but they do pose a threat to people who are frequently lifting or moving heavy objects – either in the gym or as part of their daily work routine. The principle method of avoiding MSDs is using correct lifting techniques.

 

Gym Goers

 

Ensure you are aware of proper lifting technique – and get a personal trainer if you need to.

 

It is highly advisable that if you are new to the gym or weightlifting that you get yourself a personal trainer – even if its just for a couple of months. Use the trainer until you feel comfortable weight lifting alone. This will teach you good posture and technique that you can keep with you for the rest of your life. Good technique will mean that you don’t damage or overuse areas that are unintended with a particular motion, for example – curving the spine when deadlifting can damage your spine irreparably and lead to unforeseen MSDs down the line. Not only can bad technique give you MSD but it also increases the likelihood of them developing at a later stage.

 

 

Work Related Lifting

 

Make sure you follow protocol on lifting and/or moving heavy objects in the workplace.

 

There are probably guidelines at your place of work concerning how you should lift. The most famous example is keeping your back straight when lifting heavy objects off of the ground. The best advice we can give you aside from seeing you in person is that you should follow these guidelines. They are set out to prevent overuse of wrong muscle groups, joints, or tendons when lifting – which can lead to MSDs through repetitive strain. If you are a company, you should ensure that your workers all have access to lifting guidelines as high effort task repetition could seriously injure your workers if not managed properly.

 

If you are experiencing MSD related pain and would like to discuss it with one of our physicians then please contact us on (212) 241-6321) to see if we can further help.

 

 

 

The Light at The End of The Tunnel

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression stimulated by the changing of the season. In previous articles, we have reviewed what SAD is, how it manifests itself, and the physiological and psychological approaches to understanding the disorder. The best ways to deal with SAD are to ensure you are aware of it, sleep well, and eat well. However, your physician may recommend you use a light box. This week, we will investigate light therapy and explain its uses when fighting SAD.

Light box therapy is an effective and non-invasive treatment for SAD – it stimulates your brain as much as sunlight does. It probably will not cure SAD, “nonseasonal” depression, or other conditions – but it may ease symptoms, increase energy levels, and make the condition more bearable as it has a positive effect on mood and helps with vitamin D deficiency.

Here are some tips on ensuring you get the most out of your lightbox:

·        Get the right light box. Brands like Lumie make fantastic products, but you need to know what specifications to look for.

·        Be consistent by sticking to daily routines of light therapy sessions. It’s better to do more frequent but shorter sessions than fewer but longer sessions.

·        Never look directly into the light as it can severely damage the retina. Ensure that you only look at something the light reflects off, such as a book or magazine.

·        Do not interrupt your schedule as the symptoms could return stronger. Ensure you follow a plan set out by your physician.

Your physician will advise you on how to best purchase and use a lightbox. They will explain to you: which brands are most suited for your personal condition, how long you should sit under it, at what point in the day, and how far from the box you should be positioned. Like any other prescriptive medicine, light box therapy should be taken in “doses,” and there is not a “one size fits all” approach. Each dose should be appropriately prescribed as per your personal situation.

If your symptoms do not improve you may need to consider additional therapy. Your physician will advise you about other treatment options, such as antidepressants or psychotherapy.

To see whether a lightbox could improve your quality of life, contact your physician or book into Mount Sinai for expert advice.

SAD can have an extremely negative impact on your quality of life. If you need a consultation, or are suffering from any of the symptoms outlined at the end of the article, please contact us on (212) 241-6321 to book an appointment.