Accident Victims are Doomed in Florida with New 2012 PIP Law

Dr. Rob Watkins – A Fort Myers and LaBelle Chiropractor
239-590-9555 and 863-675-8900

A new PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Using the same logic Cape Coral used when they put a moratorium of dock permits to protect the manatees. Governor Scott and the FL House and Senate has revised the laws if you are involved in an accident. You must go to a hospital WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS of your accident or you cannot use any of your medical policy for health care. They are still requiring you to carry $10,000 worth of PIP coverage, but you only have access to it if you see a doctor within 14 days

• You must go the hospital or doctor within 14 days, then be determined to have an emergency medical condition in order to have access to your $10,000 of PIP coverage. Average hospital visit is $4000 to $8000. So you won’t have much coverage left…
• You could skip the hospital and go to your chiropractor or medical doctor, but you would then be limited to only $2,500 of your $10,000 of PIP coverage.
• You cannot get massage or acupuncture for your traumatic soft tissue injuries either.

Just to give you a little perspective, only about 2% of people with non-life threatening injuries go to the hospital first, but still need chiropractic, massage and physical therapy. The current law allows you practically a year to open a claim for injuries sustained in an auto accident.

Fact: It takes about 2 weeks after an accident to feel the full effect of soft tissue injuries.

Fact: Governor Scott deposited a $100,000.00 contribution into his campaigne fund 2 days before he passed this law.

Link to the new law.

Dr. Rob Watkins - A Fort Myers and LaBelle Chiropractor
239-590-9555 and 863-675-8900

We are proud to be a Toys for Tots drop point. Consider sharing some blessings with those children who are less fortunate this Christmas.

The goal of the Toys For Tots Foundation is to help the less fortunate children around the United States experience the joy of Christmas. As members of the community lets help make this goal a reality! If you would like to help, please bring new, unwrapped toys between November 1 thru December 15 to the collection box located in our Fort Myers office. If you have any questions about this project, our number is 239-590-9555

Fort Myers Office 239-590-9555

LaBelle Office 863-675-8900

Do we have an addiction to cell phones? Does this impact our body? Chiropractors are treating more patients with major problems associated with increased use of cell phones. Stemming from neck problems to carpal tunnel issues.

Recently, chiropractors in Ft. Myers and nationwide, have noticed more teenagers complaining of “text neck”. Teens are looking down to text in a slumping position. This prolonged neck position puts a serious kink in their neck. Not to mention how pinning the phone between the neck and shoulder can really put a hurting on you. I had a teen aged patient tell me the other day that she texts 4000 to 5000 messages per month. She can even carry on a conversation with her mom and reply to a message without even glancing at her key pad. Another patient complaining of wrist and thumb pain begged me for medical advice. I told them, simple, start walking a mile or two per day. They asked how walking was going to help their wrist and thumb condition? Simple, if they are walking, they are not sitting idle, playing with their Game Boy or texting.

In addition backpacks weighing more than 15% of the student’s body weight puts added stress on the neck and back. The weight of a student’s back pack is staggering! Literally, staggering!

Proactive and necessary solutions for “text neck” include: standing straight up while texting, reducing the weight in a backpack to less than 15% of the students body weight and having regular checkups with your chiropractor. This allows the chiropractor to help assist the student in correcting poor posture and promoting good spinal alignment and balanced muscles and nervous system for optimal health.

Dr. Rob – A Fort Myers Chiropractor

239-590-9555

We are proud to offer:

• Chiropractic
• Massage
• Physical Therapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Electrical Stimulation
  • Cryo and Heat Therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Decompression
• Nutritional Products
• Back Supports
• Other Health Supplies

We are on many health insurance plans:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider
• Aetna Provider
• Health Options Provider
• Medicare Provider
• Medicaid Provider
• Auto Accidents – All Plans – Allstate State Farm USAA Geico…
• Workman’s Compensation Cases
• School Physicals
• DOT Physicals
• Sports Physicals

Call 574-3533 for an appointment or more info.

Or our main Fort Myers Chiropractic number 239-590-9555

After 12 weeks after initiating care, those receiving the additional manipulative therapy had better outcomes related to shoulder pain, neck pain. At 26 weeks, those receiving the additional manipulative therapy had statistically superior outcomes in shoulder pain, shoulder mobility and mobility of the neck. 

If you’re suffering from extra-spinal problems such as problems with the legs, hips or arms, contact a chiropractic physician to see if safe, natural and effective chiropractic care might be the solution for you!

www.DrRobWatkins.com ]]> http://fortmyerschiropractor.com/chiropractic-adjustments-help-shoulder-injuries/feed 0 http://fortmyerschiropractor.com/back-pain-at-work-office-ergonomics http://fortmyerschiropractor.com/back-pain-at-work-office-ergonomics#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:22:42 +0000 Dr Rob http://fortmyerschiropractor.com/?p=163

Proper office ergonomics can make all the difference in the way you feel at the end of the work day. Reducing little bits of repeated stress from your day equals less stress overall by the end of the day.

The American Chiropractic Association published the following article that gives some great tips on how to reduce stress at work.

By Chris Sorrells

Nearly anyone who has used a computer has experienced discomfort in the neck at some point. The most common cause is overuse of the neck musculature to hold the head up, instead of letting the spine do the job. This occurs when the worker juts the head forward while viewing the screen. People are rarely conscious they are doing this. When a screen is too far away for the eyes to see properly, our heads move closer to the screen to fix the problem. Unfortunately, this creates other problems such as neck strain.

Adjusting the Monitor
In general the screen should be about an arm’s length away; it can be moved within a six-inch range, either way, depending on the worker’s vision. Monitors should always be placed where the user can look straight at them. Constantly looking off to one side to view the screen creates static load in the neck musculature, as well as muscle imbalances that can add up to significant injury. Adjustable monitor arms allow the screen to be placed in front of the worker and then slid out of the way for other tasks.

For users without glasses or for those who use single-vision lenses, the top of the glass screen should be at eye height. This position will let the eyes gaze down on the screen at the preferred angle. Workers who have bifocals will often tilt the head up to view the screen through the lower part of the lenses. The best solution is to discuss single-vision computer glasses with an optometrist. Otherwise, workers should lower the screen a few inches, so they can view the monitor with the head in a straight forward position, without the chin pointing up or down.

Positioning the Chair
A properly adjusted office chair is the most important tool that allows an office worker to work efficiently and safely. If there is insufficient lumbar support, patients can compensate with a back support, rolled towel or small pillow. If the seat is too deep—keeping the workers from being supported—they can use a back support or full-length pillow to take up the extra room.

In addition, educate your patients about how to adjust their chairs:

• Lower the chair until feet are well supported on the ground.  If they are not firmly planted, use a footrest to provide support.
• Adjust the seat depth so there is one-to-three-fingers’ space between the front of the chair and the back of the knee.
• The seat angle and the backrest should allow for approximately a 105-degree angle between the torso and thighs. Sitting too upright increases the pressure in the lumbar intervertebral discs. Leaning too far back will cause the neck to compensate, putting it at risk.
• Adjust the armrests so they are one inch below the forearms. If the patient has any neck issues, bring the armrests up to provide support, without reaching down or up to use them.

Choosing a Keyboard
Design
Most keyboards have a standard design copied from typewriters with a number pad thrown on the right side for increased efficiency. Users typically plop down in front of the computer and center themselves between the side of the keyboard on the left and the mouse on the right.  Now the right arm is externally rotated and reaching to use the mouse and then reaching across the mid-line of the body to type, so it is never in a good position.

The best solutions are to move the mouse to the left or use a keyboard that has the number pad on the left side.  Workers can then center themselves by lining the bellybutton up with the “B” key.

Angle
Due to the variability of people’s shoulder widths and forearm lengths, many workers cannot use a standard keyboard without sustained ulnar deviation at the wrists. This causes static use and overload of the forearm muscles. A keyboard that allows angle and pitch adjustments is the solution to this problem.

Reach
Reaching to use a keyboard that is too high forces the upper traps to fire continuously, creating tension, fatigue and pain. A keyboard tray is the most helpful of the ergonomic tools, as it can fix problems ranging from excessive reach for the keyboard and mouse to improper wrist angles when typing.  Since the proper writing height is several inches higher than the proper typing height, the tray will allow both functions to be performed safely.

Rest Breaks and Task Rotation
To work properly over time, muscles need a break to rid themselves of lactic acid and waste products while delivering oxygen to the tissues to prevent overuse and damage.

Teach patients to take a 15-second micro-break each hour. This is an easy solution for employers to accept, which helps gain compliance. During the micro-breaks, the office workers should shake their arms out or do simple stretches you can provide for them. Computer users should also frequently look away from their screen to focus on something about 20 feet away. This allows a break for the eye muscles. If they can’t seem to remember to take breaks, an egg timer can serve as a reminder. A software program such as RSI Guard can also help workers tailor breaks to the amount of work.

People are always concerned about how it will look if they seem to be taking too many breaks or are unproductive. By spreading tasks, like going to the fax and copier, returning phone calls and meeting with co-workers throughout the day, they can still be productive while giving their body a break from the computer.

Starting with these simple adjustments, your patients who work in an office should feel happier and healthier at their jobs in no time.

Chris Sorrells is the president of www.ErgonomicsSimplified.com, a free online resource for health professionals. He can be reached at Chris@ErgonomicsSimplified.com.

Dr Rob

Fort Myers / Estero – 590-9555

LaBelle – 675-8900

Exciting news about chiropractic that has been known for years but has not always been heard by medical ears…

Esteemed authors Niteesh Choudhry, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School and Arnold Milstein, MD, Mercer Health and Benefits, San Francisco, CA, developed this authoritative report which reviews the existing peer reviewed literature and arrives at the following conclusions:

* Chiropractic care is widely used with almost half of all patients with persistent back pain seeking out this form of treatment.
* “Chiropractic care for the treatment for low back and neck pain is highly cost effective, represents a good value in comparison to medical physician care and to widely accepted cost effectiveness thresholds.”
* “The addition of chiropractic coverage for the treatment of low back and neck pain…will likely increase value-for-dollar by improving clinical outcomes…”
* “We project that insurance coverage for chiropractic physician care…is likely to drive improved cost effectiveness of US care.”
* “Our findings support the value of health insurance coverage of chiropractic care for low back and neck pain at average fees currently payable by US commercial insurers.”

About the Authors:

Niteesh Choudhry, MD, PhD: Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Associate Physician in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics and the Hospitalist Program at Brigham and Women?s Hospital.

Arnold Milstein, M.D, MPH: Medical Director of the Pacific Business Group on Health(PBGH),the largest employer health care purchasing coalition in the US.. He is also Chief Physician at Mercer Health and Benefits, San Francisco, California.

Dr. Rob

Fort Myers 590-9555

LaBelle 675-8900

About The Back

The spine is a column of 24 bones (vertebrae), cushion by spinal discs, and moved and supported by muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Built into these bones are openings top to bottom and through each side. Through these openings pass most of the body’s nerves — from the brain to all of the body’s tissues and organs. The spine itself is divided into four main sections — cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum/coccyx (tailbone). The lower back, or lumbar region, is where most back pain is felt.

Common causes of back pain are:

Muscle fatigue can be caused by many factors — either as an accumulation of factors over a period of time or as a result of a single activity for which your body was not prepared. The more common factors include:
Improper posture.
Incorrect lifting techniques.
Repetitive twisting, bending, or reaching.

Sprains and strains from injuries and/or trauma. Symptoms of back sprain or strain generally include:
Muscle spasms, cramps, and stiffness. Pain aggravated by weight bearing or specific movements, which is relieved by rest.

Disc problems and arthritis from repetitive trauma of bending, lifting, old injuries, and heredity. Symptoms can include:
Progressive or persistent back and/or leg pain.
Extremity numbness or tingling.
Increased pain or coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

Sciatica is caused when the sciatic nerve, which runs down the length of both legs, is compressed or inflamed. The nerve can be irritated by things such as an injury to the low back or by sitting too long on a lumpy object (such as a wallet). Symptoms of sciatica include:
Pain that runs from the low back to the back of the leg toward the toes.
Pain worsened by activities that add pressure to the spine — such as laughing, coughing, sneezing.

Beating Back Pain:

There is no way to predict accidents but there are things that you can do to strengthen your back and reduce the risk of muscle fatigue, sprain, strain, disc problems or sciatica.
Where non-slip shoes.
Avoid long hours in one posture (whether sitting, standing, or sleeping).
Drive defensively.
Use ladders when reaching high places (rather than chairs, boxes, or other objects not intended for standing).
Exercise. Active, aerobically fit individuals have fewer back injuries, miss fewer workdays, and report fewer back pain symptoms.
Quit smoking. Some evidence suggests that smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to have lower back pain.
Proper bending and lifting techniques.

Chiropractic and Back Pain

Chiropractic examination is thorough and may include:
A complete medical history, including previous treatments and other factors that may play a role in the current case.
X-rays or other imaging tests (if clinically necessary).
Tests of range of motion, strength, coordination, posture, and others.
Physical examination, including (but not limited to) orthopedic and neurologic testing, laboratory work-ups, etc.
Palpation (examination by touch).

Chiropractic treatment will be based on the results of all tests performed. Because each case is different, each person’s treatment is different. All chiropractic modalities are non-invasive (do not pierce the skin), drugless, and promote overall health. Treatments commonly used in the chiropractic office included (but are not limited to):
The treatment most unique to chiropractic is spinal adjustment or manipulation. The Doctor of Chiropractic often, but not always, performs this method of care manually. Each adjustment is chosen following careful examination and should never be performed by someone who has not been thoroughly educated, trained and licensed in this procedure. The purpose of the adjustment/manipulation is to improve alignment of spinal structures as they relate to the nervous system, which will result in a relief of pain, improved function, and a reduction of inflammation. For back pain, adjustments may be applied to the spine, but if pain radiates to or affects other locations, those sites may be adjusted as well.
Therapies such as electrical muscle stimulation, massage, application of heat or ice, ultrasound, or others may be used.
The Doctor of Chiropractic will incorporate advice on appropriate exercise, posture, diet and nutrition, and other lifestyle factors that can play a role in health and healing.

To hasten your recovery from back pain — and to prevent re-injury — follow all of your chiropractors recommendations, including follow-up visits and prescribed rest and exercise. And when you have questions, ASK! Your active participation in your care is an essential component to your chiropractic treatment.

www.DrRobWatkins.com