Any parent who has lifted their child’s backpack recently knows why there is such a concern for backpack safety. To decrease the opportunity for back pain to creep into your child’s life, be sure to follow these simple steps. First, pick a backpack with wide straps. Then make sure that the child wears both straps while keeping the backpack high enough on the back to distribute weight over the shoulders, not resting on the hips. If your child is rolling their shoulders and back forward, there is likely too much weight in the backpack. Try decreasing the amount of weight the child needs to carry.

No child should be haveback pain. If you have a child complaining of pain, contact The Winchester Institute at 614-760-5555 or at www.thewinchesterinstitute.com for information about how chiropractic care may be able to restore motion to the spine and decrease the aches and pains your child experiences.

Shoulder injuries are the most common type of injury to volleyball players. With many students gearing up for the season, it is important to prepare the teams to combat injuries. Most shoulder injuries are overuse injuries due to multiple overhead motions. To decrease the likelihood of this type of injury, it is important to properly strengthen and stretch not only the shoulder, but also the back and chest to provide additional support to the shoulder joint. It is also important to allow time for proper stretching before and after practice and games as well as proper time for healing between events.

If you are suffering from shoulder discomfort, call The Winchester Institute at 614-760-5555 or visit us at www.thewinchesterinstitute.com for more information on non-invasive rehabilitation techniques.

Football is a rough sport, there’s no question about that. Whiplash injuries are common in the game, but there are ways to help decrease the chance of these injuries. Along with weight training, muscle strengthening, and properly fitting gear, it is important that coaches focus on helping players to strengthen their neck muscles as well. Stretches specifically designed for football players help to develop the soft tissue surrounding the spine, allowing them to prepare for blocks and tackles that otherwise might result in neck injury.

For questions regarding specific exercises and stretching, or to follow-up on a previous injury, contact The Winchester Institute at 614-760-5555 or at www.thewinchesterinstitute.com