For the Working Moms

doctormmdev • December 22, 2020

Rise and shine…

The familiar sound of the alarm clock – another day and the beginning of another hectic week…You make the bed, bending at each corner.In the bathroom, you hunch over the sink to brush your teeth – then the sound of little feet running down the hallway. The kids were awake, and all that that entails.In a suit, wearing high heels with little traction, which you notice when you pick up your toddler, who is becoming heavier every day.Drive the kids to school.Arrive at work. Heft your over-stuffed leather bag over your shoulder and scurry through the office doors.Your morning is filled with telephone calls and last minute deadlines. A headache is beginning.At your desk you type and talk on the telephone at the same time, the phone cradled between your shoulder and chin.Your computer screen appears blurry and your wrists are stiff. And then you realize that you’re not going to make your deadline.At quitting time you throw your bag in the back seat and start the stressful trek to home.At home you can’t wait to take off your shoes. This time when you lift your toddler you actually wince – your neck and joints are in pain and you would love a steaming hot shower, but the kids are in the bathtub.At eleven o’clock you climb into bed. But your pillows are not comfortable, your neck needs a little more support, you make a mental note about checking pillows as you drift off to sleep, completely exhausted.

Remind you of anyone?

The more stressful our lives become, the less we focus on the “moment.” When we aren’t conscious of how we sleep, breathe, stand, lift, bend or sit, our bodies can take a beating that results in lingering pain. We often disregard the early signs of discomfort we feel in our back, shoulders or neck until we are unable to ignore the pain.

By following the tips below, you can learn to make even the busiest days pain free.

When you wake in the morning, start the day with a couple of stretches. Stand up and stretch your arms above your head. Do the “hug your best friend.” Wrap your arms around your body, and turn as far as you can to the left, then to the right.When performing everyday routines such as brushing your teeth, remember your posture. Do not hunch over the sink; stand up straight.Don’t bend from the waist when you lift a child. Squat with your back straight. Keep the child close to you and use your arms and legs to lift.Hold the telephone with your hand or use the speakerphone. Cradling the phone between your head and shoulder can lock up the spinal joints in the neck and upper back, eventually causing pain.While in the office, make sure your chair fits correctly. There should be two inches between the front edge of your seat and the back of your knees. The chair should tilt back so you are able to rest while reading from a computer screen.Many people suffer from tension headaches. Adequate lighting and document holders by your computer can help reduce the risk of a headache. Materials placed on a desk cause you to constantly raise and lower your neck while you’re typing at your keyboard.Do not wear high heels. The weight of the foot is not evenly distributed, which not only causes sore feet, but also added spinal stress.Do not carry a heavy bag with its strap over your shoulder, unless you place the strap over your head on the side opposite the bag. Wearing a shoulder strap over one shoulder unevenly places the weight of the bag on one side of the body, potentially causing shoulder and back pain. Or better yet, carry a bag with a handle rather than a strap.Do not consistently cross the same knee over the other. This habit can eventually cause misalignment of the spine.Even if you remain sitting for the majority of your workday, you deserve a break. Get up from your desk and move around, stretching arms and legs as much as possible to avoid postural and spinal stress. Try to practice deep and even breathing to keep yourself calm and keep adequate oxygen flowing through your system.Bath time can be fun for the kids but stressful on any parent. Make certain to bend from the waist and not the back when bathing your children. Use your legs when you lift your child.It is important to get a good night’s rest. Choose a comfortable mattress and pillow that adequately support the weight of your head and body.For more information on these tips, contact Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine today! We treat all different types of injuries in the Forest Hills, Queens and New York City areas.

4 Common Football Injuries

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Football is one of America’s favorite sports, but playing the game comes with substantial injury risk. Football players frequently find themselves under the care of orthopedic doctors as they get back into game shape. Whether you or your child plays football or you simply want to know what to look out for in your fantasy team players, you’ll find what you need to know about the most common football injuries below. ACL Injury The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the four ligaments that make up your knee. Unlike some other kinds of football injuries,  ACL injuries are not usually caused by contact. The post 4 Common Football Injuries appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Sprain vs. Strain

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Sprains and strains are common sports injuries. A sprain is an injury to a ligament in your body. Ligaments are strong, fibrous bands of tissue that connect adjacent bones, particularly in your joints. Partial or even complete tears can occur, destabilizing your joint and causing pain, swelling, and bruising. In cases of severe sprain, the joint may loosen and become unusable without proper orthopedic care. A strain affects either a muscle or a tendon. Like ligaments, tendons are fibrous tissues, but they connect muscle to bone. If the fibers of either a muscle or a tendon become damaged or torn, The post Sprain vs. Strain appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Avoiding the Most Common Winter Injuries

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Winter is a beautiful time of the year, especially when there is a new layer of light snow decorating the trees. However, winter weather also presents significant hazards. Orthopedic doctors often treat patients who slip and fall on icy sidewalks and patients who suffer orthopedic injuries due to excessive shoveling. Orthopedic specialists recommend taking a few safety precautions to ensure your family’s safety this winter. Preventing Slip-and-Fall Injuries Slip-and-fall injuries are among the most common orthopedic problems that occur because of winter weather. The best way to prevent yourself from falling on your driveway or sidewalk area is to keep the area clear of snow The post Avoiding the Most Common Winter Injuries appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Tips for Shoveling Snow Safely

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Each winter, thousands of people go to the emergency room or an orthopedic specialist because of injuries related to snow removal. It’s particularly common to sprain or strain the back or shoulder muscles while shoveling snow due to the bending and twisting motions. Orthopedic surgeons strongly recommend taking a few precautionary measures before picking up a shovel this winter. Talk to Your Doctor If you have a medical condition, such as cardiovascular disease, talk to your doctor before shoveling snow. Your doctor can let you know if it’s safe for you to do this type of manual labor. If not, hire someone else The post Tips for Shoveling Snow Safely appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Treating a Wrist Fracture after a Slip and Fall

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
A wrist fracture can seriously interfere with your daily life. This injury frequently happens when people try to break a fall using their hands. For proper healing, it is important to consult an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible after the fracture. Try to keep the fractured wrist still until you can see your doctor. If it is not too painful, you can apply ice to the injury. Your orthopedic doctor may perform X-rays to determine how severe your injury is and which bones in your wrist are fractured. The right treatment for a wrist fracture depends on the nature The post Treating a Wrist Fracture after a Slip and Fall appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

An Up-Close Look at a Torn Meniscus

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
A torn meniscus usually occurs after the knee is twisted into an abnormal position. The severity of this kind of injury depends on exactly where the tear is located. This video explains what you need to know about symptoms, treatment, and recovery after a torn meniscus. If you suffer a torn meniscus, you are likely to experience pain in the area of the tear. You may also notice that your knee feels like it could buckle. If you tear the outer side of your meniscus, then the injury may heal on its own. If the tear is on the inside, The post An Up-Close Look at a Torn Meniscus appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Preventing Winter Shoveling Injuries

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Winter can be a magical time in New York City when the snow falls and covers everything in a clean white blanket. Of course, all the snow that falls around your home, sidewalk, and driveway must be cleared to keep the area safe. Shoveling snow is more than just a chore—it’s also a form of strenuous exercise. Approximately 11,500 snow-shoveling injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year, and some end up needing the attention of an orthopedic surgeon. Strained muscles, herniated discs, and tendinitis are just a few of the snow-shoveling injuries that may need to be treated by The post Preventing Winter Shoveling Injuries appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Preventing Slip and Fall Injuries This Winter

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Slip and fall injuries aren’t always minor nuisances. Sometimes, they involve serious orthopedic problems that can cause chronic pain and that may require orthopedic surgery. You can reduce your risk of suffering a slip and fall injury by keeping your walkways and driveway clear of snow and by regularly scattering rock salt. When walking around town, orthopedic surgeons recommend taking the following precautions. Modify Your Footwear If you’re a New Yorker, you probably dig out the snow boots from your closet shortly after Thanksgiving. If the tread has worn down; however, consider purchasing new snow boots with a deep tread. Additionally, you can The post Preventing Slip and Fall Injuries This Winter appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

Examining Rotator Cuff Tears

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
The rotator cuff involves four muscles that are responsible for raising and rotating your arm. A rotator cuff tear most commonly involves the supraspinatus, which is one of the muscles; however, it could involve all of the muscles. Orthopedic doctors often diagnose this injury in patients who have suffered a fall or have overused the muscles. A rotator cuff tear can also occur due to the aging process. For more information about rotator cuff tears, watch this video. This helpful animation explains the anatomy of the rotator cuff and encourages patients to treat a rotator cuff tear promptly to prevent The post Examining Rotator Cuff Tears appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.

The Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff

By doctormmdev • December 22, 2020
Orthopedic doctors often treat patients with rotator cuff tears and similar injuries. These conditions often cause pain and weakness, and they interfere with your ability to perform daily activities. If your orthopedic doctor diagnoses you with a rotator cuff condition, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the area. The rotator cuff is located in the shoulder. It consists of several muscles and tendons, which allow for range of motion and stability. The following muscles make up the rotator cuff. Supraspinatus The scapula is the clinical term for the shoulder blade. The supraspinatus muscle begins just The post The Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff appeared first on Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine.
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