The Benefits of Stretching

As you age, your muscles tighten and the range of motion in your joints diminishes. This can limit your active lifestyle or make normal day-to-day activities harder. People notice that tasks that were simple before, now become extremely difficult.

Florida orthopedic specialists,  Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute say that stretching is just about the simplest of all physical activities. Children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens can improve their body’s health by stretching.

“Stretching is one element of fitness that is often neglected until pain or discomfort set in, yet a small investment of time every day can lead to improved flexibility and greater performance in all aspects of life. Says Dr. Griffes Author of Stretching for Life Today's sedentary lifestyle leads to lack of movement, which in turn, leads to adaptive shortening of your muscles. This muscle shortening can influence your balance and coordination, along with strength and agility. Daily or nightly stretching of muscles helps alleviate muscular aches and pains and reduces the risk of injury. Stretching different muscle groups throughout the day helps keep you relaxed and alert. Consider adding stretching into your daily diet of health and fitness”. The benefits of stretching for your wellbeing include:

Increases Flexibility

Flexibility is the point in which an individual’s muscle will lengthen to. Lack of flexibility makes your movement slower and less fluid.  Lack of flexibility makes you more susceptible to muscle strains, and other soft tissue injuries. Stretching can avoid this.

Balance and Coordination.

The increased flexibility that occurs from adequate stretching improves balance and coordination. Improved balance and coordination lowers your risk for falls,  better agility and quicker reflexes.

Better circulation

Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles. Blood flowing to your muscles brings nutrition and gets rid of unwanted byproducts from the muscle tissue. Better circulation can help shorten recovery time,  if you've had muscle injuries.

Lower Cholesterol
Prolonged stretching exercises will help reduce the cholesterol in your body. Of course this must be supplemented  with a healthy diet. This  could prevent and even setback the clotting of the arteries, allowing you to avoid heart problems.

Improving Posture

Poor posture, which has developed over time, can be attributed to muscle imbalances. A good example is, people who hunch over a computer for long periods of time tend to shorten the chest muscles. Stretching these muscles can help to improve posture. Stretching is also beneficial in reducing lower back pain and future injuries.

Stress relief

Muscle tightness is often linked to stress. Our body tends to tighten up when stressed. Stretching relaxes these muscles. A good example of this is the neck muscles.

Reduces Fatigue

When muscles are tight one becomes tired more quickly. This fatigue decreases mental and physical performance. Stretching can help with this. You may have notice that if you have been sitting in a particular position for a long time, you stretch unconsciously, this is the body fighting fatigue.

Audrey Phillips Green, fitness professional says “I must confess that stretching is not my favorite thing to do. I would rather perform an intense cardio routine than stretching. Do I skip stretching due to the fact that I do not enjoy it? Of course not, and I will give you the reasons why. Stretching increases the body’s range of motion; therefore a person’s athletic performance is increased. Moreover, the risk of injury is greatly reduced when one incorporates stretching into their daily routine. During a stretch, the muscle fibers are lengthened which creates greater ease of movement; thereby, improving coordination and posture and decreasing muscle soreness and lower back pain. Not only is stretching awesome for your muscles; it has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. The perfect example I can give is my dog. The first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning is stretch, and he lives a totally carefree life. So, get to stretching people and enjoy your life!”

If you have an injury or any type of recurring soreness see a doctor or back professional quickly. Stretching is not intended to cure serious problems. If you have pain of a repetitive strain injury, some damage has already been done.

If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at    

http://www.seaspineortho.com/ or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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Avoiding Back Problems from Office Chairs

Here at Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute One of the most common problems we see in our patients comes form sitting lengthy periods of time in their office chairs. Most office workers spend more time in an office chair than any other piece of furniture, except their bed. Sitting in an office chair can definitely cause low back pain or worsen an existing back or neck problem.

Studies have proven a relationship between job tasks and repetitive stress injuries, as the cause for stress in the back, neck, shoulders, arms legs, and pressure in the spinal discs. With time, poor sitting posture and workplace ergonomics can damage spinal structures and contribute to serious back problems.

There is no single type of office chair that is optimal for all people; everyone has different preferences for comfort. The office chair industry does however attempt to address some of the structural issues associated with prolonged sitting, and introduced office chairs that provide support for the lumbar and neck areas.

Any person who spends a lot of time sitting can prevent or reduce unnecessary lower back problems and muscle pain with a little care and caution. Something as simple as rearranging your desk or answering your phone can set off back pain.

At Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute we suggest the following when it comes to Office chair posture:

• Sit upright in the chair with the low back against the backrest and the shoulders touching the backrest.
• Give your back a chance by adjusting the height of the chair's backrest to support the natural inward curvature of your lower back and by using a lumbar pad.
• Dynamic sitting during the day, that's an elaborate way of saying don't stay in one position for a long time, your circulation and muscles will thank you.

Make sure that your office chair and work area are as comfortable as possible and will cause the least amount of stress to your spine.

No matter how comfortable one is in an office chair, a prolonged static position is not good for your back, and it’s a common source to muscle strain. To avoid keeping the back in one position for a long period, remember to: stand, stretch and walk for at least a minute or two every 45 minutes. Even a quick walk to the water cooler or bathroom will do. It is advisable to stand and stretch your muscles lightly whenever you have been sitting at the same spot for a long duration. This helps in enhancing the blood circulation. Also, ensure that you do some sort of physical activity, get up to stretch and walk around, even consider playing sports outside of work. 

It is easy to keep lower back problems away and if you or anyone you know is experiencing problems caused from poor posture, and sitting to long in your work place, please contact one of our many offices to set up an appointment.  Our highly qualified staff of nurses and surgeons would be more than happy to help you get back to a healthy active work lifestyle. 

If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact SeaSpine Orthopedic Institute today at    

(http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute Sports Injury Prevention

Now that school is back in session it’s also that time of the year when many people start practicing sports. If you’re getting back into a healthy exercise routine or your children are joining a sports team, precautions should be taken in order to avoid injuries.

According to statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) around this time last year approximately 1.2 million sustained football-related injuries in the US and more than 581,400 treated for injuries related to soccer.

Exercising and practicing sports are ideal for building strong muscles,  healthy bones and keeping in shape. But, before you go out and start training, here are some safety tips from Sea Spine orthopedic Institute you should consider:

• Stretch - Before starting any exercise don’t forget to stretch and incorporate strength training. A good stretch should be held for 10-12 seconds and not go beyond the point of resistance. This helps muscle flexibility and avoids cramping.

• Hydrate – Drink liquids to keep energized and minimize cramps. 

• Know your limits - Be aware of any health issues you may have and consider your age when determining your abilities before practicing a sport. Don’t rush into it, start at a beginner’s level and work your way up.

• Mix-it–up - If you practice a certain sport, try playing multiple positions. During the off-season, try different sports to minimize injuries that can be caused from overuse of a certain muscle or joint.

• Don’t over do it - Listen to your body, if pain or discomfort develops reduce training time and intensity. This will decrease the risk of injury and help avoid exhaustion. Studies suggest that reducing the number of consecutive days of exercising can lower the risk of injury. Recovery time gives muscles and joints an opportunity to rest and repair themselves between workouts.

• Don't play through the pain -  If you start to feel discomfort, pain or you have any concerns about injuries, speak with an orthopedic sports medicine specialist.

Not all injuries can be prevented, however many can be avoided. Experts suggest that injury rates could be reduced by 25% if people took appropriate preventative action.

Proper chiropractic care is a very effective way to avoid and treat any sports related injuries. If you or someone you know is experiencing pains or discomfort from a injury, it may be a good time to get checked by a local chiropractor. If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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Florida Orthopedic: Properly Wearing a Backpack

Now that school is back in session Florida Orthopedic Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute would like to remind parents on the importance of children correctly wearing their backpacks this school year. Many children and even some adults think its trendy to wear only one strap, but according to many studies to wear a backpack slung over one shoulder or riding low on your back can lead to shoulder pain and future posture problems.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not just the weight of the backpack that’s harmful, but how it's carried. To prevent back problems and future pains, individuals should use backpacks as they were designed to be worn, with two straps, and high on their backs. It has been shown that wearing the backpack low on your back, the pressure was significantly higher than when wearing it correctly high on the back.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedics, children's backpacks should weigh no more than 15% of their body weight. At Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute we understand that many people may not realize that they are hurting themselves while wearing their backpacks incorrectly. Here are some recommendations from Florida orthopedic Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute for choosing the right backpack and using it correctly.

Choose the right sized pack: The backpack should fit between the top or your child’s shoulders and lower back. 

Proper Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps help distribute the weight of the backpack better across the shoulders and chest. This ensures the backpack can be worn comfortably against the person’s body.  There should not be a gap between the backpack and your body.

Distribute the weight get a backpack made of lightweight materials, and if you can make sure it has various small compartments to distribute the weight.

Time limit. One should wear the backpack for 30 minutes or less. Unless you’re on an all-day hike.

Get in Shape: Exercising and staying fit can increase your strength and ability to carry heavy backpacks, which will reduce your chance of injury. Even if it’s not for wearing a backpack staying healthy is essential.  

Proper chiropractic care is a very effective way to get rid of your child’s backpack related pain.  If your child is experiencing back and neck pain or headaches, it may be a good time to get checked by a local chiropractor. If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact SeaSpine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

Florida Orthopedic Taking Care of Your Feet

At Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute we are constantly educating our patients on the importance of taking care of their bodies. Some of the most common problems we encounter are joint and back complications. These problems can derive from many situations but the most common are due to unhealthy walking and running habits and not taking care of their feet.  People generally pay little attention to their feet since they are literally the furthest things from sight, however one must remember they are the foundation of our bodies.

Taking care of your feet isn’t just about looking good. When your feet don't get the attention they deserve, chronic problems can develop, not just on your feet, your back and joints may start bothering you and escalate to greater problems.

How do your feet affect your body? Think of a ball bouncing on a firm floor, the energy applied when it hits the ground makes it rebound. Same thing when we walk or run, the force applied through the body rebounds on the joints, bouncing back up through the legs, knees, hips and spine. The rebounding  effect lies in the arches of the feet, which support your spine.

Our feet determine the position of our knees, lower back, hip and shoulders. So, when our feet are tight and clenched, our whole body imitates this tension. If your feet are tired your body is tired. If your feet are out of alignment your whole body will be too. Our feet are the first indicator to reveal our general state of health with diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, neurological problems and circulatory problems.

One of the best ways to avoid trouble with your feet is to practice preventive care. Here at Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute we have a few suggestions that can improve your feet’s condition and help you avoid future complications: 

• Massage your feet, especially stretching and opening the toes, moving your feet in circles, bending the toes forward and backwards. 
• Keep your weight down by eating healthier, the less pressure on your feet the better.
• Exercise as much as you can, helps strengthen muscles and keep a healthy circulatory flow of blood to the feet.
• Wear soft, comfortable and supportive shoes that move with every step and provide good arch support.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing problems deriving from walking & running or pain caused from poor posture, please contact one of our many offices to set up an appointment.  Our highly qualified staff of nurses and surgeons would be more than happy to help you get back on your feet and back to a healthy active work lifestyle.

If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact SeaSpine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.