Comber Physical Therapy and Fusion Chiropractic is joining chiropractors nationwide this October during National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) to encourage the public to get “active and adaptive” and maintain musculoskeletal health and function in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March, many people across the country have incorporated changes into their daily lives to reduce their potential exposure to the novel coronavirus: avoiding crowded public spaces, working from home, forgoing air travel for long car trips, ordering food online, and avoiding gyms and health clubs. As a result, many are moving less and experiencing musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
“Many of us are suffering from increased pain and discomfort from physical inactivity, poor posture, and emotional stress as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Lena Nazarek with Fusion Chiropractic in New Town. “It is critical we take time to get outside and engage in activities that bring us joy.”
A poll conducted by the American Chiropractic Association found that more than 90 percent of respondents said their patients or people they knew were experiencing more musculoskeletal issues since having to shelter in place at the beginning of the pandemic.1
The trend towards inactivity requires adaptations to reduce our risk of chronic conditions such as text neck and chronic low back pain. Dr. Nazarek explained, “it’s important to address our work environment to create a productive work space for ourselves and our children while working remotely or attending school virtually. The best work station for our neck and lower back encourages proper ergonomics while seated or standing at our desk.”
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a trend toward inactivity caused in part by sedentary occupations, motorized transportation, and increased use of technology.2 Our motto has always been Movement is Medicine. We know that physical activity can improve symptoms, decrease disability, and improve function and well-being in a range of chronic musculoskeletal conditions.3 Physical activity also reduces risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes beyond that produced by weight reduction alone.4
During NCHM, Comber Physical Therapy and Fusion Chiropractic will share information on musculoskeletal health and strategies to prevent pain such as getting enough physical activity daily, being aware of posture and ways to improve it, getting adequate rest, and managing stress naturally.
National Chiropractic Health Month is a nationwide observance hosted by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and held each October. NCHM educates the public about the importance of musculoskeletal health and raises awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, patient-centered and drug-free approach to pain management, health, and wellness.
The chiropractors at Comber Physical Therapy and Fusion Chiropractic are committed to helping you achieve and maintain musculoskeletal health in October and throughout the year. We encourage you to schedule an appointment to address pain, posture, ergonomics, and stress related to COVID or other factors. We look forward to helping you return to the life you want to live.
1ACA Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/acatoday.org, April 21, 2020.
2Guthold et al. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1·9 million participants. Lancet Global Health, Sept. 2018; doi https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7.
3Booth et al. Exercise for chronic musculoskeletal pain: A biopsychosocial approach. Musculoskeletal Care. 2017;15:413–421. doi: 10.1002/msc.1191.
4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight,” https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html. Accessed July 28, 2020.
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