Fairport Chiropractic

Fairport Chiropractic Dr. Benjamin A. Caruso, Fairport Chiropractic Computerized Treatment Available
No twisting or turning of the neck or back!

We treat a wide variety of conditions using the best combination of traditional chiropractic techniques and the latest technology and innovative care.

05/11/2026

Exercise The Easy Way
Many years ago, Americans walked regularly throughout their day. Today, we are lucky if we can reach 3,000 steps in one day. As a country, we are not getting enough movement in our daily lives. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort to incorporate exercise into your schedule.
Start Small
If all you can manage is a five-minute walk, do it. Five minutes are better than none. Eventually, you will be able to work your way up to 30 minutes or more, and you will be taking a big step toward maintaining the flexibility and mobility of your joints.
For those in a time crunch, consider taking small breaks from work. Simply getting up from your desk and walking around the office or the parking lot, or going up and down the stairs a few times, is enough to get your blood flowing and to trigger feel-good endorphins to get you through the rest of your day.
You can also think about incorporating exercise into the activities that you enjoy, such as shopping. Next time you take a trip to the mall, walk around the entire perimeter before going into a store. Or you can turn household chores and yard work into exercise. Consider washing your car by hand rather than using a drive-through car wash. Next time you have to mow the lawn, don’t groan and put it off. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to get in some exercise and work up a sweat. The same is true of raking leaves and vacuuming the living room—anything that gets you on your feet and moving around is going to be beneficial to your health.
Find Your Motivation
With busy schedules and the rising cost of gym memberships, it’s easy to make excuses for not exercising. The important thing is to remember what motivated you to start working out in the first place. Do you want to be able to keep up with your grandkids? Play 18 holes of golf? Run a marathon one day? Avoid the diabetes that runs in your family? Wear a new outfit hanging in your closet? Whatever it is, keep your goal in mind to keep your body moving toward it.
Vary Routines
If you already have a workout routine that you enjoy, think about how you can tweak that plan to get the greatest health benefit. Regardless of how you choose to exercise, experts agree that it is important to vary your routine at least every few weeks to avoid plateaus and see maximum results.
Variety can be as simple as changing the machines on your weight-lifting circuit or switching from a treadmill to an elliptical. If you’d prefer to continue with the same activity, such as running, consider altering how far or how fast you run. Switch from interval training to hill training, or from one-mile sprints to three-mile jogs.
New Exercise Options
Tired of running on a treadmill? Check out these exercise options to spice up your workout routine.
Dance
Take a dance class. Classes are fun, so you won’t realize you’re exercising and you can make the workouts as high impact as you’d like
Weight Training
You can use free weights or grab those soup cans from the cupboard and fill an old gallon milk jug with water to create your own. Start small—with light weights and only a few repetitions—and work your way up to more sets with heavier weights.
Swimming
Diving in for a few laps is a great workout option because it provides cardio and resistance training without any added stress on your joints. You can also “run” in the water for even more variation. Either strap on a flotation device and hit the deep end for minimal resistance while running, or try the shallow end (with the water level hitting about mid thigh for much stronger resistance.
Biking
Go for a bike ride. Biking is good for your body because it provides a great cardio workout without putting extra stress on your joints. You can hit the trails for an outdoor ride or try a spin class at your local gym for a more structured workout.
Yoga
With a variety of styles and poses, yoga can fit into many different lifestyles and address a variety of health and fitness needs. The physical benefits of yoga, such as increased flexibility, strength, endurance and balance make it an excellent option for athletes to complement the often repetitive motions of training. The same benefits are valuable to less active people looking for a way to add more movement to their days.

05/06/2026

Health Tips For Gardeners

As springtime approaches, weather warms up and leaves turn green, many people will spend more time outside planting bulbs, mowing the lawn and pulling weeds. Gardening can provide a great workout, but with all the bending, twisting, reaching, and pulling, your body may not be ready for exercise of the garden variety.
It is important to stretch your muscles before reaching for your gardening tools. The back, upper legs, shoulders, and wrists are all major muscle groups affected when using your green thumb.
“A warm-up and cool-down period are as important in gardening as they are for any other physical activity,” said Scott Bautch, DC, of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Council on Occupational Health. “Performing simple stretches during these periods will help alleviate injuries, pain and stiffness.”

Garden Fitness Stretches

Before stretching for any activity, breathe in and out, slowly and rhythmically; do not bounce or jerk your body, and stretch as far and as comfortably as you can. Do not follow the “no pain, no gain” rule. Stretching should not be painful.

While sitting, prop your heel on a stool or step, keeping the knees straight. Lean forward, keeping the spine in alignment (no bending or slumping), until you feel a stretch in the back of the thigh or the hamstring muscle. Hold this position for 15 seconds. Do this once more and repeat with the other leg.

Stand up, balance yourself, and grab the front of your ankle from behind. While keeping your spine in alignment, pull your heel toward your buttocks and hold the position for 15 seconds. Do this again and repeat with the other leg.

While standing, weave your fingers together above your head with the palms up. Lean to one side for 10 seconds, then to the other. Repeat this stretch three times.

Do the “Hug your best friend.” Wrap your arms around yourself and rotate to one side, stretching as far as you can comfortably go. Hold for 10 seconds and reverse. Repeat two or three times.

the Bulbs Are Planted
If you feel muscle aches and pains after working in the garden, there are ways to alleviate discomfort. Apply a cold pack or a heat pack (your preference) on the area of pain and consider making an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. Finally, be aware of your technique and your body’s form and posture while gardening. Kneel, do not bend, and alternate your stance and movements frequently.

04/27/2026

Chiropractic Care and Back Pain: Non-invasive Treatment for Bulging, Ruptured, or Herniated Discs

Discs give the spine motion; we are constantly using our discs. Move your back from side to side, you can visualize the give and take of the discs between the vertebrae. Without these discs, your spine couldn't function and move. Intervertebral discs don't really "slip", although the phrase "slipped disc" has come into popular usage to refer to bulging, ruptured, or herniated discs. Your discs are made up of the annulus fibrosus (the tough outer layer) and the nucleus pulposus (which contains a soft, gelatin-like center. When cracks occur in the outer layer of the disc, the material inside of the disc can begin to push out. Numerous factors can cause a disc to herniate. For example, there may be too much stress on the disc due to poor posture, repetitive motions, too much sitting, or an injury. In fact, a herniated disc can be caused by a combination of factors or a physical injury. For many people with back pain caused by a herniated disc the problem starts off small and then gradually builds until you start to feel symptoms, such as back pain.

Chiropractic Care and Herniated Discs
Chiropractor care can help address back pain and other herniated disc symptoms. At your appointment, we will go through your medical history, do a physical exam, and perform orthopedic and neurological tests. In addition, if we find that you have advanced loss of strength, sensation, reflexes, and other unusual neurological findings, then you will be referred to a spine surgeon. However, most intervertebral disc injuries are related to a herniated disc, and can be treated effectively with chiropractic care.

Treatment for a herniated disc may include spinal manipulation, and other chiropractic techniques to help ease your herniated disc symptoms. This will be an individualized treatment plan, but it may include manual therapy and therapeutic exercises.

04/22/2026

Tips For A Healthy Spine

A healthy spine is an often-overlooked and essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, approximately 80% of the population suffers from spinal pain at some point. People who are overweight or obese, and who smoke, lift heavy objects, or have had a previous episode of back pain are more likely to experience back pain.
Because so many people suffer from spinal pain, it’s important for you to try to keep your spine as healthy as possible. Following simple posture, lifting, and healthy lifestyle guidelines can help you keep your back in good shape.
The American Chiropractic Association recommends the following spinal health tips:
Standing
• When standing, keep one foot slightly in front of the other, with your knees slightly bent. This position helps to take the pressure off your low back.
• Keep your head level. Your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Do not push your head forward, backward or to the side.
• Shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or one foot to the other, if you have to stand for a long time.
Lifting
• At all times, avoid twisting while lifting. Twisting is one of the most dangerous movements for your spine, especially while lifting.
• If the item is too heavy to lift, pushing it is easier on your back than pulling it. Whenever possible, use your legs, not your back or upper body, to push the item.
• If you must lift a heavy item, get someone to help you.
Sitting
• Keep your knees slightly lower than your hips, with your head up and your back straight.
• Avoid rolling your shoulders forward (slouching).
• Try to maintain the natural curve in your low back.
Reaching & Bending
• When reaching for something above shoulder level, stand on a stool. Straining to reach such objects may not only hurt your mid-back and neck, but it can also bring on shoulder problems.
• Do NOT bend over at the waist to pick up items from the floor or a table. • Instead, kneel down on one knee, as close as possible to the item you are lifting, with the other foot flat on the floor and pick the item up, or
• Bend at the knees, keep the item close to your body, and lift with your legs, not your back.
Sleeping
• Sleeping on your back puts approximately 50 pounds of pressure on your spine. Other positions, such as a side position, may be better.
• Placing a pillow under your knees while lying on your back cuts the pressure on your spine roughly in half.
• Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees may also reduce the pressure on your back.
• Never sleep in a position that causes a portion of your spine to hurt. Most often, your body will tell you what position is best.
Technology
• When texting, bring your arms up in front of your eyes so that you don’t need to look down to see the screen.
• When using a computer or mobile device, look down with your eyes, and if you wear glasses, make sure you also can scan the entire screen without moving your head.
• When sitting at a device, make sure your feet are firmly flat on the floor or footrest with your knees lower than your hips. Make sure you can use the device without reaching.
• Never pinch the phone between your ear and shoulder. Use a headset to reduce shoulder strain.
Text Neck
While it might not seem like much, looking down at our phones for hours and hours is a really big issue. That prolonged position puts stress on your cervical spine and causes pain in the neck.

04/16/2026

How Does Chiropractic Work For Headaches?

Headaches are one of the most common complaints that we see at our office. Although there are many causes of headaches we have found that many different types of headaches originate from mechanical problems in the neck. Some headaches such as migraine and cluster headaches are related to vascular problems. These often include nausea and/or vomiting and can be quite disabling and require rest in a dark, quiet place sometimes for a half or a whole day. Other headaches can be categorized as "tension" headaches. These usually result from tightness in the muscles in the neck and upper back caused from stress, work, lack of sleep, sinusitis, trauma such as whiplash, and others. Pain can be felt in the upper neck or the back of the head as well as in the frontal, sinus region, top or sides of the head. It can vary from a throbbing pain to an ache to just a constant pain.

What most people don't realize is that mechanical dysfunction of the vertebrae of the neck will cause increased muscle tension as well as irritate the delicate nerves that control blood flow into the head. Improving the movement or alignment of the bones in the neck can relieve the pressure and irritation that results in headaches. How do we get misalignments or dysfunction in the joints of the neck? This can be due to trauma such as falls or car accidents. Repetitive stress such as hours of work on a computer, poor posture or stress can also take a toll over time. In many patients it is a combination of activities that took place often years before which has led to chronic and recurring headaches. The examination evaluates these issues as well as attempts to rule out other more serious causes, which can occur but are more rare.

A thorough evaluation will be performed so headache patients can be properly managed. Treatment approaches include: adjustments, soft tissue therapy (trigger point stimulation, myofascial work), posture correction exercises and other exercises, education about job modifications, co-management with other health care providers, if medication or injection therapy is needed.

04/13/2026

Posture
Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. Healthy posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Our everyday movements and activities can affect this alignment and put stress on joints and muscles, sometimes resulting in pain and potentially permanent damage if left unchecked over time. Utilizing proper ergonomic and movement strategies can help prevent these problems.
Why is posture important?
We do not consciously maintain our posture; instead, certain muscles normally do it for us. Several muscle groups, including the hamstrings and large back muscles, are critically important in maintaining our posture. These postural muscles, along with others, when functioning properly, prevent the forces of gravity from pushing us over forward. Postural muscles also help maintain our balance while we move.
A healthy posture helps us stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions that place the least strain on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement and weight-bearing activities. Correct posture also:
• Helps us keep bones and joints in correct alignment so that our muscles are used correctly, decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in degenerative arthritis and joint pain.
• Reduces the stress on the ligaments holding the spinal joints together, minimizing the likelihood of injury.
• Allows muscles to work more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy and, therefore, preventing muscle fatigue. • Helps prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders, and even back and muscular pain.
What can affect my posture?
To maintain healthy posture, you need to have adequate and balanced muscle flexibility and strength, normal joint motion in the spine and other body regions, as well as efficient postural muscles that are balanced on both sides of the spine. In addition, you must recognize your postural and movement habits at home and in the workplace and work to improve them, if necessary. Poor posture and poor movement patterns can lead to excessive strain on our postural muscles and may even cause them to relax when held in certain positions for long periods of time. You can typically see this in people who bend forward at the waist for a prolonged time in the workplace. Their postural muscles are more prone to injury and back pain. Several contributing factors can put a strain on posture. The most common are stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, and high-heeled shoes. In addition, decreased flexibility, a poor work environment, incorrect working posture, and unhealthy sitting and standing habits can also contribute to poor body positioning, leading to pain or overuse injuries in some cases.
Can I improve my posture?
Awareness of your posture, along with an understanding of healthy movement strategies, will help you consciously correct yourself. Your doctor of chiropractic can further assist you by recommending exercises to strengthen your core postural muscles. He or she can also assist you with choosing better postures during your work or recreational activities, reducing your risk of injury.
Ergonomic Considerations
How we hold and move our bodies every day, even while doing something as simple as sitting at a desk or standing in place, can have an impact on our posture. Below are some general ergonomic tips to help reduce the chance of pain and injuries.
While sitting at a desk:
• Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don’t reach the floor.
• Don’t cross your legs. Your ankles should be directly in front of your knees.
• Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
• Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
• Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back or use a back support.
• Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
• Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time. Take breaks and move your body.
When standing:
• Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
• Keep your knees slightly bent.
• Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
• Let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body.
• Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled down and backward.
• Tuck your stomach in.
• Keep your head level. Your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Do not push your head forward, backward, or to the side.
• Shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or one foot to the other, if you must stand for a long time.
When lying down in bed:
• Find the mattress that is right for you. While a firm mattress is generally recommended, some people find that softer mattresses reduce their back pain. Your individual comfort should guide your choice.
• Choose the right pillow, too. Special pillows are available to help with postural problems resulting from poor sleeping positions.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
• Sleep on your side or back, which is often helpful for back pain. If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs. If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.

04/09/2026

Guidelines To A Healthy Spine, A Healthy Life
Experts have debated forever as to which habits are best for the spine, and often the arguments go in circles. I’m going to break it down to four simple rules to great spinal health, which will make life a lot easier; when you feel great, and your body works great, you perform better at home, at work, and socially. Basically, it’s the recipe for a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Get Regular Chiropractic Adjustments
Regular chiropractic adjustments are the foundation to the health of the spine. You are able to move because your spine allows it. When your spine doesn’t move properly, you can’t move properly. The spine protects the functioning of the nervous system. When the spine doesn’t move properly, the nervous system doesn’t function properly and you’re not as healthy as you can be. Such regular care can increase optimal performance of the nervous system and the immune system while providing optimal range of motion for better physical function.

Hydrate
Most people don’t drink enough water. The human body is made up of 60 percent water. We need to hydrate appropriately for proper function. The spinal discs (the sac of fluid between each vertebrae) are comprised of mostly water. When you don’t hydrate sufficiently and the joints don’t move properly, the discs shrink in size; think of these discs as grapes (healthy) or raisins (unhealthy). Your spinal movement and overall health is significantly dependent upon the health of these discs

Strengthen
In order to strengthen the spine, the most important group of muscles that must be strengthened is the core. The core refers to the internal abdominal muscles, the deepest spinal muscles, and the muscle at the floor of the pelvis. The core muscles are those that provide the greatest amount of stability for the spine. Even one minor injury to the low back can cause these muscles to be weakened significantly. The core is often very weak because of improper muscle firing due to prolonged sitting and lack of movement.

Stretch
Spend time lengthening your spine and the associated muscles. Stretch often. The practice of stretching doesn’t need to be a long, arduous process. You can build in two-minute stretching sessions while sitting at your computer, or you can stand and stretch in a doorway while talking with a co-worker or taking a phone call. Stretch first thing in the morning; when you get out of bed, do a full reach to the sky and fold over to the ground. If you watch your dog when it gets up in the morning, what does it do? It stretches, let’s remember to do it.

Health can get really complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. Keep these four simple rules as part of your regular routine and you and your health will benefit. If you’re looking for improved function, better performance and a healthier, more active lifestyle, create a happier and healthier spine.

04/07/2026

Your Musculoskeletal Health:

Take Steps To Strength and Stability
The musculoskeletal (MSK) system is the “backbone” of your body, literally. It’s comprised of not only the spine but all your muscles, bones and joints. It’s what gives your body form. It’s what makes it possible for you to move and do the things you enjoy. Keeping this vital system strong is essential for a full and active life.
When your MSK system is functioning well, you feel strong and healthier; however, when there’s a problem you might experience pain and even disability. More than one in two adults report experiencing a musculoskeletal condition such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain, arthritis and osteoporosis. They are the most commonly reported medical conditions among those under age 65 and the second most common condition for people age 65 and older.
MSK conditions become more common as we age, sometimes limiting our ability to move and accomplish everyday activities. This can affect overall health negatively by contributing to lack of physical activity, which can in turn lead to obesity and chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. MSK pain and disability can also lead to problems such as social isolation, depression and even loss of independence.
Nurturing musculoskeletal health over a lifetime begins with good nutrition, adequate hydration and healthy habits such as regular rest and physical activity. Prevention is also key; we can reduce the risk of pain and injury by improving our posture and movement techniques as well the ergonomics of our work and home environments.
The American Chiropractic Association offers the following small steps to take toward better musculoskeletal health:
Steps to Strength
• Move more. Bones, muscles and joints need movement to stay healthy. The U.S. surgeon general recommends adults get at least 150 minutes weekly of moderate physical activity (walking, yard work, recreational swimming, etc.) or at least 75 minutes of intense weekly activity (jogging, hiking uphill, basketball, etc.).
• Eat a balanced diet. Proper nutrition is just as important to musculoskeletal health as it is to overall health. Eat a balanced diet that includes whole fresh foods and try to avoid processed foods. Be sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D for your bones and lean protein to build and maintain strong muscles.
• Go outside! The sun helps our bodies produce Vitamin D, which in turn helps to absorb calcium and strengthen bones.
• Do weight-bearing exercises. Walking, jogging and resistance exercises such as weightlifting can improve bone density. Planks and squats can also strengthen core muscles. Non-weight-bearing exercises such as swimming and biking can benefit the musculoskeletal system as well, especially for people unable to walk or jog while recovering from back, hip or knee pain.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking water makes muscles stronger by carrying oxygen to the cells of the body. It also helps lubricate and cushion joints.
• Quit smoking. It contributes not only to cardiovascular disease but also osteoporosis and bone fracture as we age.
• Get adequate rest. A good night’s sleep enables your body to repair muscles and joints that are strained or injured during the day.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol. Drinking alcohol excessively can lead to osteoporosis and bone fracture.6
Steps to Stability
• Lead an active lifestyle, which contributes to a higher level of physical fitness and better spinal control as we age.
• Practice good posture. It helps keep bones and joints in correct alignment so our muscles work more efficiently, saving energy and reducing fatigue while decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that can lead to degenerative arthritis and joint pain.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can put stress on joints, especially as we age, leading to an increased risk of injury. However, being underweight can increase the risk of bone loss and fracture.
• Make your environment MSK-friendly to promote good posture and prevent strain. Computer workstation tip: Keep your monitor raised to eye level so you don’t bend your neck down while looking at the screen; keep your elbows at a 95-degree angle as you type; and take regular breaks to stand up and move around.
• Improve movement techniques to avoid strain and injury. Lifting tip: When picking up heavy items from the floor, do not bend over at the waist; instead, kneel down on one knee, as close as possible to the item you are lifting, with the other foot flat on the floor and pick up the item. Alternatively, bend both knees, keeping the item close to your body, and lift with the legs.
• Limit screen time. Neck pain and poor posture can result from spending too much time looking down at your tablet or cell phone. Spend less time on mobile devices and do stretch and extension exercises regularly. Bring your shoulder blades together and stand up tall.
• Be proactive and prevent falls. Remove throw rugs, low furniture, cords and other trip hazards on the floor; review medications with your doctor that could affect balance; have your vision checked; and start an exercise routine to improve strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.
Enjoy Your MSK Success!
By strengthening your musculoskeletal system, you can stay healthier and engaged in the activities that matter most to you, whether that’s participating in your favorite sport or just keeping up with your grandchildren at the playground. When strain or injury does occur, healthcare authorities such as the American College of Physicians and the CDC recommend a conservative approach to pain management that involves first trying non-drug treatments before moving on to medications and surgery.8 This approach has largely been a response to the opioid crisis in the United States, which has been fueled in part by MSK disorders. Low back pain, for example, is one of the most common conditions for which opioids are prescribed.9 Whatever your MSK health goals are, your doctor of chiropractic can help.

04/02/2026

Joint Health
Human joints come in many shapes and sizes and allow us to move and carry out normal activities of daily living. Without joints, we would be rigid and immobile. But they are also often injured, causing pain and discomfort. Almost 80% of injury-related healthcare visits (that’s about 65.8 million visits per year) are the result of musculoskeletal injuries involving bones, joints and muscles.1 Commonly injured joints include the knees, shoulders, ankles and spine.

How do joints work?
Joints are designed to withstand the loads placed on them and provide a full range of motion. Each joint is made up of at least two surfaces that touch each other and allow for movement. These include ball-and-socket joints like the hip, hinge joints like the knee and elbow, and gliding joints like those in the spine. The bones that make up the joint allow for movement, and the muscles that pull the bones produce the movement. Muscles are attached to bones by structures called tendons. Tendons must be both strong to facilitate movement and compliant to prevent damage to the muscle tissues. Ligaments, which are stiff structures that connect bones, help to prevent excessive movement. Muscles, tendons and ligaments are attached around each joint at very specific positions, with joint surfaces shaped in exact dimensions. Fluid within most of the joints lubricates the joint surfaces to reduce friction and allow for lifelong use.

How do I keep joints in good shape?
The movements that you perform on a daily basis are critical to long-term joint health, as are proper nutrition, a healthy exercise regimen and a healthy lifestyle. Proper lifting is also important. Moving a joint through its full range of motion serves several important purposes. Joints are not supplied directly with blood as are other organs within the body, so the saying “Use it or lose it” applies to joint function. Most joints in the body are lined with cartilage—a firm but pliable tissue that covers the surfaces of the bones that make up the joint. Cartilage within a joint is nourished by synovial fluid, which is “forced” into the joint cartilage through a process called imbibition. The pressure within the joint providing nourishment to the cartilage occurs only when joint movement happens. This is why movement is critical to joint health. Grinding of bone on bone without a cartilage covering leads to degenerative joint disease, tearing up the bones and creating cysts, bone spurs and excess bone production. A spinal disc is made up of two parts: a larger, outer-most, more ligament-like portion called the annulus fibrosus, and an inner gelatinous portion called the nucleus pulposus. These two structures are primarily fluid- or water-based, and they also rely on movement and imbibition for their nourishment. Therefore, movement in the spine is also critical to the health of the spinal joints. Proper diet and nutrition also contribute to joint health by providing the joints with enough healthy nutrients for long-term stability and resistance to wear and tear. A healthy lifestyle—one that is free from to***co products and other toxins—helps to ensure proper blood supply to tissues surrounding joints and speeds up the healing of joint injuries when they occur.

How are joints injured?
Most of the injuries to joints occur because abnormal stresses are placed on a normal joint. A joint can be injured acutely from a single traumatic event, like an ankle sprain. The ankle joint is protected by ligaments on the inside and outside. When the ankle moves excessively inward, the ligaments on the outside of the joint are torn. The ankle swells, leading to bruising and pain. In some cases, small pieces of bone and cartilage may be torn away. Fracture of the tibia and/or fibula (ankle bones) can also occur. Other joint injuries are called repetitive-stress injuries or cumulative-trauma disorders. These injuries occur when relatively small abnormal stresses are repeatedly placed on normal joints. The stresses placed on joints by poor posture, poor joint position during the performance of a task, and/or poor workstation ergonomics make these joints more likely to be injured. How can I prevent joint injuries?

There are three basic principles that are especially important when considering the impact of proper joint movement:
• When lifting an object, be sure that the largest muscles in the area perform the task. The larger the muscle or muscle group utilized for lifting, the less stress placed on smaller, more vulnerable muscles and the joint itself.
• During any activities, you should be able to comfortably assume several different postures, to avoid staying in one posture for extended periods. Muscles will fatigue and joints are more likely to be injured when you hold a particular posture, especially a poor one, such as staying partially bent forward at the waist.
• When performing tasks, keep the joints that are being used either in their neutral posture or approximately halfway into their range of motion. Working with your joints at the extremes of their ranges of motion for prolonged periods places abnormal stress on those joints and can result in repetitive-stress injuries.

When lifting heavy objects, follow these simple suggestions:
• When lifting anything from the floor, keep the spine straight and lift with the legs.
• Do not bend over at the waist and lift primarily with the muscles of the low back. Your body is more easily injured in this position.
• Keep the object being lifted close to your body.
• Keep your elbows flexed.
• Keep your head up and your neck straight as you lift.
If you experience pain, consult your doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors are uniquely trained to treat common musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain, neck pain and joint pain. They can also help you choose proper rehabilitation exercises and prevention techniques to get you back on your feet and reduce the likelihood of future injuries.

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1157 Fairport Road
Fairport, NY
14450

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Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 1pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 1pm

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