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Back to shoveling

Mike Gottfried headshot 12 21 15RHODE ISLAND…

Perhaps no other activity gets a chiropractor’s phone ringing than shoveling snow in the winter months. While chiropractors gladly take those calls and treat patients injured shoveling snow, it’s far preferable to treat people who are not in distress.

“It is very easy to strain your back while shoveling snow for any number of reasons. It’s cold. Many times it’s early and you’re body is not awake or loose. Most of all, it’s not an activity people do every day,” said Dr. Michael Gottfried, president of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and chiropractic physician at Aquidneck Chiropractic in Middletown, Rhode Island. “All of this makes for a perfect storm for back issues and more serious issues, like heart attacks.”

Dr. Gottfried recommends paying close attention to weather forecasts. If you have to shovel to get your vehicle out to get to work, give yourself extra time and shovel as early as you can when the snow is lighter. Be sure to do some warmup stretching for muscles that aren’t used to the shoveling motion.

When you shovel, push the snow straight ahead. Don’t try to throw it to the side. Walk it to the snow bank and avoid sudden twisting and turning motions.  Always remember to bend your knees to lift when shoveling. Let the muscles of your legs and arms do the work, not your back.

It’s also important to take frequent breaks to avoid overdoing it. And if you feel chest pain or feel tired or have shortness of breath, don’t try to work through it, you may need immediate emergency medical help.

“Your overall condition is often the biggest determinant of whether or not shoveling is risky for you. If the only exercise you get is shoveling snow, you are setting yourself up for problems. If you exercise regularly, eat right and take other preventative measures, such as regular chiropractic treatment, you are probably less likely to injure yourself while shoveling snow,” said Dr. Gottfried.

If you are not currently seeing a chiropractor and want to explore how chiropractic can benefit your overall condition before and after shoveling, you can utilize the “Find A Doctor” feature on the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island’s website, www.richiro.org.

About Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (CSRI)

Founded in 1918, CSRI is one of the oldest chiropractic associations in the United States and represents more than 25 percent of the chiropractic physicians in the Ocean State. In addition to providing a regional voice for chiropractors in the business and legislative arenas, CSRI also helps educate the general public on the benefits of chiropractic. Those all-natural benefits can include relief from headaches, asthma, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel, colic, and stress, just to name a few. Olympic ski champion Picabo Street, NFL legend Jerry Rice and Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman are but a few notable celebrities who have embraced chiropractic.

The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island is located at 1272 West Main Road, Building 2, Middletown, RI 02842. For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

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Back to school. Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island hosts Continuing Education class on October 17, Middletown, Rhode Island

Dr. Dean DePice
Dr. Dean DePice

RHODE ISLAND…

The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (CSRI) will host a one-day, continuing education class on Saturday, October 17 at the Ramada Middletown, 425 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island. The featured speaker will be Dr. Dean DePice, DC, co-founder of TLC 4 Super Teams (http://www.tlc4superteams.com).

During the eight-hour workshop, Dr. DePice will cover such topics as: Health Reform/Self Reform; Wellness; Strokes; The War Within; What’s Great in Chiropractic; and The Time is Now for Chiropractic. Complete details of the day’s material can be found on the registration page at http://goo.gl/CdO3gc.

Rhode Island chiropractors can earn 8 continuing education credits via the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island by attending this eight-hour class, which runs from 8am to 5pm, with an hour for lunch. Rhode Island-based chiropractors do not have to be members of CSRI to attend and earn continuing education credits.

Chiropractors from the other New England States–Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut–are also welcome to attend. CSRI is currently negotiating with affiliated universities so that attendees from out-of-state can also earn continuing education credits.

The cost to attend is $75 for CSRI members; $150 for non-members—lunch is included. Registration deadline is October 9. You can register after October 9 but there is a $25 late fee.

To register, please visit http://goo.gl/CdO3gc. You can also call CSRI at 401-207-0700 or e-mail director@richiro.org.

CSRI, founded in 1918, is one of the oldest chiropractic associations in the country and represents over 60 of the practicing chiropractic physicians in the state of Rhode Island. Membership benefits include networking events, business and educational workshop, legislative support and other activities that promote chiropractic the number one natural healing choice.

Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island is located at 1272 West Main Road, Building 2, Middletown, RI 02842. For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

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Back to healing. Dr. Clive Bridgham selected Chiropractic Physician of the Year by Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island.

Dr. Clive Bridgham
Dr. Clive Bridgham

RHODE ISLAND…

The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (CSRI) recently named Dr. Clive Bridgham as “Chiropractic Physician of the Year” at its board of directors meeting last month. Dr. Bridgham is a licensed chiropractic physician and the owner of Barrington Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Clinic, 282 County Road, Barrington, Rhode Island.

“Dr. Bridgham is a very deserving winner of Chiropractic Physician of the Year honors,” said Dr. Michael Gottfried, current president of CSRI and a chiropractor at Aquidneck Chiropractic of Middletown. “He has been a tireless advocate of chiropractic both at his practice and in the community. We’re proud to have him amongst our ranks as a member of CSRI.”

A former president of CSRI, Dr. Bridgham has given testimony and met with elected officials at the Rhode Island state house to advocate chiropractic awareness and improve the health and wellness of the citizens of Rhode Island.

Dr. Bridgham is a Diplomate of the American Chiropracticin Board of Sports’ Physicians. He has been a part of a number of medical treatment teams for international competitions in surfing, skiing, and the X-Games over his 25 years as a chiropractor, and has served as a physician for the United States Surfing, Windsurfing and Biathalon teams . Most recently, Dr. Bridgham was the chief medical officer for a rugby tournament in Newport, with more than 100 athletes from middle and high school teams from Rhode I, Massachusetts and Connecticut competing.

“Knowing the level of chiropractic professionals we have in our Society, this is really quite an honor,” said Dr. Bridgham. “Public awareness regarding the benefits of chiropractic has increased dramatically over the years. I’m happy to be a part of the movement that seeks natural alternatives to better health.”

CSRI, founded in 1918, is one of the oldest chiropractic associations in the country and represents over 60 of the practicing chiropractic physicians in the state of Rhode Island. Membership benefits include networking events, business and educational workshop, legislative support and other activities that promote chiropractic the number one natural healing choice.

Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island is located at 1272 West Main Road, Building 2, Middletown, RI 02842. For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

Back to healing. Dr. Clive Bridgham selected Chiropractic Physician of the Year by Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island.Read More

Back to gardening? Take care of your back says the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island.

woman-gardening-with-back-pain-reversedRhode Island…

New Jersey may have the nickname of “The Garden State” but many Ocean Staters enjoy the delights of a backyard garden, too. For many, tending to a garden can create more than just a bountiful dinner table. It can include back pain. To that end, Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island offers some quick tips to keep your back sound for gardening throughout the summer.

While stretching is key, the key to a good stretch is breathing. Breathe out and in slowly and rhythmically as you stretch. You want to stretch as far and as comfortably as you can but not to the point of pain. That said, here are some basic stretches to do before gardening:

  • While sitting, prop your heel on a stool or step, keeping your knees straight. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of your thigh, or the hamstring muscle. Hold this stretch for 15 seconds, then do it once more and repeat with your other leg.
  • Stand up, balance yourself, and grab the front of your ankle from behind. Pull your heel towards your buttocks and hold for 15 seconds. Do this again and repeat with your other leg.
  • Standing, weave your fingers together above your head with the palms up and then lean to one side for 10 seconds and then to the other. Do this stretch three times to each site.
  • Do the “Hug your best friend” stretch. 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.

“These stretches are great as a warm up, but once you start gardening, you need to be very aware of your body technique, body form and correct posture while you work in the garden,” said Dr. Michael Gottfried, president of The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and a practicing chiropractor at Aquidneck Chiropractic in Middletown, Rhode Island. “Remember to kneel, don’t bend, and alternate your stance and movements as often as possible to keep your muscles and body balanced.”

The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island, founded in 1918, is one of the oldest chiropractic associations in the country and represents over 60 of the practicing chiropractic physicians in the state of RI. Chiropractic is the largest non-drug health care profession in the US. The chiropractic profession has been affording relief for many types of health conditions naturally, without drugs and their potentially harmful side-effects, for over 100 years.

More and more scientific research is demonstrating the tremendous detrimental impact that subluxations have on the tissue of the body. Subluxation occurs when a joint is misaligned and causing pressure or irritation to the surrounding tissue and nerves, thereby affecting body function. Chiropractors are trained in the detection, location, and correction of the vertebral subluxation.

Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island is located at 1272 West Main Road, Building 2, Middletown, RI 02842. For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

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