Dr Lenny Roberts's Blog

Texting Tendonitis

drlennyroberts — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:02:05 +0000

I consider myself a people watcher. In my line of business, there is a lot you can tell about a person by just looking at them. Now, I’m not talking about their clothes or behavior. Although these are entertaining, I’m more interested in their posture. Being a chiropractor who specializes in posture correction, I find myself saying “ouch” every time I see someone walk by…

What I’ve observed in people’s posture is close to catastrophic and it’s only getting worse with the increased frequency of texting and computer usage. Take a look around you. It won’t be hard to find someone texting. Now, watch them. Do you see how their hips are tilted forward? Do you see their head bent chin to chest? Are you getting motion sickness just watching them thumb away at their phone at a dizzying pace? Can you feel the pain? I can!

I decided to investigate whether there were any reports in scientific literature regarding texting and neck pain. It turns out there is. My friend and colleague Dr. Joe Betz, came across some preliminary data suggesting that there is a relationship between these two variables. Judith Gold, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work, presented preliminary research at last year’s annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. The research suggested that, among college students, the more they texted, the more pain they had in the neck and shoulders. To some this is earth-shattering information. To me, all I can say is “well, duh!” When you twist your body like elbow noodle several times a day, what do you expect! Many parents don’t think about how modern day technology is wreaking havoc on their kids’ spines, but they should!

Other research that I found indicated that the repetitive strains on the little muscles in the thumbs increases substantially with “140-character or under tweets”, ever increasing texting, and use of smart phones and laptop at record speeds. Sadly, I have a 3 year old patient with a cell phone…yes, that’s an entirely different blog, but can you imagine the strain in this child’s spine if he continues down the road he’s headed? In looking at our overall posture in the texting position, I have to ask, “How do we even stand this activity?”

Parents, your kids are sending and receiving upwards of 20,000 text messages per month! Your teenagers are ruining their spines with abnormal texting ergonomics. I suggest placing a limit on text messages through limiting text plans and making your teenager pay for the overage charges. That will keep them communicating the old-fashioned way, with their voices. At the risk of being labeled totally uncool by banning cell phone use, encourage your kids to hold their phones up eye level when they do text to decrease the strain on their necks.

If you or someone you love is suffering with some neck or back pain associated with texting tendonitis, call our office today! Summit Spine and Wellness at 215-487-2500.

How I Won the Weightloss Battle!

drlennyroberts — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:03:49 +0000

Sadly, I recently read that over 25% of the United of States is obese. Personally, I have struggled with my weight the majority of my life as it “runs in the family” on both sides! So I know how challenging it can be. I have also learned that there are changes you can make in your lifestyle to fight “the curse”. Many of you may not know this, but in my early twenties I was 100 pounds heavier than I am now. In my sophomore year of college, I was playing offensive guard for Rowan University football, which wound up finishing runner up to the National Championship. The last day of preseason camp, I blew my knee out and wound up having my fourth, fifth, and sixth knee operations, which ended my college football career. A few months later, I was dumped by my girlfriend. I felt lousy.

I studied hard and partied harder when I wasn’t studying. I was eating and drinking, and drinking and eating. When I quit football I was 270 pounds. A year later, I walked around at about 340 pounds and a 44-inch waist. I would sweat just lying in bed. I was gross, partying way too much, and disgusted with myself when I looked in the mirror.

Fortunately, I had my wakeup call early in life. After waking up one morning sweating and being out of breath while walking up the steps, I had had enough. I decided to go to boxing classes and start running. Let me clarify, I went to a boxing class and tried to perform the initial warm up exercises and couldn’t jump rope even once around! I was in the absolute worse shape of my life. I had never been so sore. I could barely get out of bed the next day. I had excruciating pain in areas that I did not even know existed! But I went back to the boxing gym the next day much to my trainer’s surprise. I went five days a week. And although I had always despised it, I started to jog.

In high school, I was petrified of the “mile run” that we had to do for football try-outs. I thought it was the hardest thing ever. But still, I started jogging, or more accurately, jogging a few steps and then walking around my apartment complex. It was not a pretty sight to say the least. I could run for a few meters then had to stop and walk, but I just kept going and going. Gradually, day by day, week by week, month by month, I made improvements. My legs felt like they had been run over by a truck initially, but I would continue with my jogging and boxing. As a result, the weight dropped rapidly. I decided that as much as I hated running when I was younger, it relieved the stress and tension in my body like nothing I had ever experienced. Between the running and the boxing, I could genuinely feel my body becoming more fit by the day.

To make a long story short, I went from 340 pounds when I was 20 to 200 pounds when I was 21 in chiropractic school. I lost approximately 130 pounds. My waistline went from a 44 to a 34. While I have fluctuated over the years and am no longer in “boxing shape”, exercise has been a part of my life ever since and will be for the rest of my life. I work out five to six days a week. My favorite work-outs now are Flip Fitness and Crossfit. Both give me the variety and challenge I need so I don’t get bored and fall off course. I’ve also incorporated yoga as I find it gives me a sense of balance.

I am far from perfect. I continuously strive to make exercise a daily part of my life. I’m also very conscious of my diet abstaining from processed foods as much as possible and eating organic whenever I can. I hope by reading this blog you realize that you too have the potential to do whatever it is you want with your life. You can lose the weight!

For more information, please visit www.crossfit215.com and www.flipfitness.com.

Ten Tips on Getting the Most from your Chiropractic Care.

drlennyroberts — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:06:54 +0000

Stay consistent…life is a process and so is healing…What is going on with your spine right now did not happen overnight. It was a process that built up over time. Do not expect to feel better after your first visit! Stay consistent with your care and follow your treatment plan. After your treatment plan is completed, consider monthly routine checkups! It will keep you healthy and make my job easier!
When reading in bed, make sure your spine is flexed from the waist rather than laying flat with a pillow pushing your head forward. Keep your neck supported and your ears directly over your shoulders.
When sitting at your desk at work, follow the 90/90 rule. Your elbows and knees should be bent at 90 degrees. Your feet should be planted on the floor directly under the knees, not tucked under your chair. This prevents straining your hamstrings. Make sure that the computer monitor is at or above eye level. If needed place books under the monitor so that you are looking straight ahead or up at the screen. Looking down causes strain on the neck.
Gentlemen, if you carry a wallet, put it in your front pocket. Having a wallet in the back pocket puts a constant abnormal straining on the low back, irritating the nerve flow to your reproductive organs, bladder, colon, and going down your legs. I recommend the “Slim Fit” wallet(www.slimfit.com). It holds all of my credit cards, ids, money and even a few business cards. Keep it in your front pocket. Ladies, try not to carry your purse on the same shoulder all the time. Try to lighten your load by removing unnecessary items, things you really do not need to carry around with you all the time.
Exercise is a huge component to keeping your endurance, flexibility, and strength. I highly recommend Susan McInerney and Heather Hoehn from Flip Fitness(www.flipfitness.com) or Jay Ross and Micah MacBeth from CrossFit 215(www.crossfit215.com).
Practice deep breathing. Take a full deep breath and hold it as long as you can. Exhale as much as you can. Repeat this five times. Incorporate this as a habit. Try to do it first thing in the morning and before you go to bed.
Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Ideally, try drinking half your body weight in ounces. Examples, if you weigh 160 pounds, drink at least 80 ounces of water per day.
Support your spine while you sleep using a cervical pillow or even a rolled up towel to support your neck and allow your head to drop down even with your shoulders. A traditional pillow pushes your head forward. If you sleep on your back, put a pillow under your legs taking tension off your hamstrings. If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees to keep your hips in balance.
Learn to stabilize your spine in as many ways possible. Wear good shoes and sneakers. We recommend Bryn Mawr Running Club where an associate will recommend a pair of shoes for your specific gait. You do not have to buy from them, but wearing the correct shoes versus the wrong pair can make a huge difference. We also recommend spinal pelvic stabilizers, which are customized for your foot imbalances. Please ask for a foot scan if you have not yet received one.
When you get your car, sit up straight and adjust your rear view mirror. Next time, you get into the car, leave the mirror alone and make sure you concentrate on your positioning.

Give me the sun!!

drlennyroberts — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:35:35 +0000

Its summertime! As the weather changes it reminds me of a topic that is controversial but important to consider… the SUN. On a beautiful sunny day I enjoy catching rays without sunscreen. That’s right. No SUNSCREEN! We’ve been taught that unprotected time in the sun can lead to skin cancer. This has been quite controversial in recent years. The fact is that the sun is good for you and can help save your life. More and more people today have a Vitamin D deficiency. This can lead to an increased likelihood of disease. The best place to get natural Vitamin D is in your backyard. Below are just a few health benefits of Vitamin D:

Support your cardiovascular health
Promote optimal cholesterol levels
Enhance your muscle strength
Help produce optimal blood pressure levels
Help maintain a healthy immune system
Support healthy kidney function
Promote healthy teeth
Help keep your bones strong and healthy

Most sunscreens today block 95-99% of the Vitamin D you would produce from being in the sun. They also contain a chemical called octyl methoxycinnamate. OMC for short. OMC was found to kill mouse cells even at low doses. As with food, I would check the back label of your sunscreen bottle. If the ingredients are four syllables or more, toss them! Why? Think about it. You are loading numerous chemicals onto the largest organ in your body – your skin! And then baking for hours because you are protected. Now, I’m not saying the next time you hit the Caribbean you should go out unprotected for hours at a time. I believe in moderation. So if you can, limit the time in the sun (healthy dose of sun exposure is when your skin turns a light pink) or wear protective clothing. If you plan on being a sun goddess or sun god for a long stretch of time, try a 100% all-natural, non chemical sunscreen. But don’t block the Vitamin D!! It can save your life! Get informed!

For more information on the sun, sunscreens and Vitamin D, check out the below articles:

http://products.mercola.com/summer-survival-kit/?source=nl

http://www.aolnews.com/health/article/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/19488158

http://www.aolnews.com/nanotech/article/more-bad-news-about-sunscreen-safety-nanoparticles/19500193

Vax D for Relieving Back Pain

drlennyroberts — Sat, 22 May 2010 14:54:52 +0000

In this video, Philadelphia Chiropractor Dr. Lenny Roberts of Summit Spine and Wellness explains Vax D non-surgical spinal decompression for herniated or bulging discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease and chronic neck and low back pain.

Click here for more information about Vax D non-surgical spinal decompression. As always feel free to comment here, email, or call 215-487-2500 with any questions!

Living life to the fullest

drlennyroberts — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:56:47 +0000

I’m sad to say that my grandmother passed away this weekend at the age of 86. The last few years of her life she spent in a nursing home, unaware of her surroundings and those around her. When my family and I went to the home to say goodbye, I couldn’t help but look around at those who had been my grandmother’s friends for the past two years. Most were older like my grandma, but there were some younger folks there, too. I thought to myself, I never want to be like this. I hope that when I’m 86 I’m still able to live at home, take care of myself, and enjoy life. Once again, I started to think about what I needed to do NOW not later to ensure this happens.

According to Discover Magazine (November 2003) the human body is capable of living to 150 years…. Centenarians are the fastest growing population. As for me, I am planning on living a LONG and ACTIVE life…. and although there are some things in life you just can’t plan for, there are several things that are within our power to change. Here are some of the things I am doing to prepare:

Eating healthy. Our food today has so much stuff in it. I started to read food labels in the grocery store. If it has more than five ingredients, I put it back. If I don’t recognize the ingredients or can’t pronounce them, I put it back. If it’s missing the green Organic USDA Stamp on the label, I put it back. (FYI – Natural, All Natural or 100% Natural is not the same as organic. Organic means no pesticides were used with in the agricultural process. This is not true for Natural.) Do I sometimes cave in and enjoy a Cheesesteak from Dalessandro’s or chocolate chip cheesecake from Maria’s Restaurant? Of course! Everything in moderation!
Exercising Frequently. I exercise every day partly to keep myself sane (owning a business can be very stressful!), but also to keep my heart healthy and maintain my weight. Personally, I am a big fan of Al Sears’ PACE program which involves shorter intervals of working out but at a higher intensity. Just 20 minutes a day for 4-5 times per week can make a difference. http://www.alsearsmd.com/pace2/jvnb/
Being financially prepared. I don’t want my future kids to be burdened financially because I spent all my money by the time I was 80! If you plan on living to 100 you are going to need money to take care of yourself. Are you on the right path towards financial freedom? If you’re like me and don’t have the interest or time to manage your savings and investments, find a financial advisor. He or she will help you set realistic goals and stay on track.
Keeping your central nervous system clear of interference. Hey, I’m a chiropractor! I had to throw it in there. It’s true, though. Your central nervous system connects the brain to the rest of the body. It sends millions of messages every day with instructions telling your hair to grow, your heart to beat, your muscle to flex, etc. If there is a blockage in the central nervous system, that can impact your body’s overall functioning – with or without pain.
Good Mental Health. We all get in funks sometimes. Different things can trigger it, like the weather or our jobs. The important thing is to recognize the signs and do something about it. Spend time with friends or family members who make you laugh. Plan a night out on the town. Exercise. It releases feel good endorphins. Volunteer and help others! If this doesn’t help, seek professional help from a counselor or therapist. Don’t let it fester!

As with anything new, you just have to take a few baby steps to get started. Try just one of the things above for a few weeks and see a difference in how you feel. Then, slowly incoporate the others one by one…. I wish you a long, happy and healthy life!

It’s time to de-stress, Philadelphia!

drlennyroberts — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:38:36 +0000

April is Stress Awareness Month and do we ever need it! Each day I am seeing more and more people in the office complaining of neck and back pain and headaches…. I hear a lot of “Work is stressing me out!” Americans spend billions of dollars each year on stress-related illnesses. It is estimated that 60% of health care provider visits are related to stress! Unfortunately, stress is impossible to avoid. However, we can take control of how we deal with it. Here are some easy to implement tips to help you get in control of and reduce STRESS:

Exercise. Call a friend or family member and start walking. Try a 10 minute power walk (1200 steps) or 9 holes of golf (8000 steps)! Build up your endurance and strengthen your core.
Volunteer. Helping others contributes to your longevity. It triggers the body to release feel-good endorphins which help lower blood pressure and heart rate, which equal less stress and tension. Sign up for a charity walk. Help others AND exercise!
Boost your social life! Call your friends, preferably one who makes you laugh (laughter has shown to relieve stress!) and make plans to go out one night.
Meditate. People who meditate 20 minutes a day have higher levels of DHEA-S, a hormone which is found at its peak in your early 20’s. Remember how good you felt when you were 22-23???
Get adjusted. Protect your central nervous system from stress and get adjusted regularly!

For more information on how you can reduce stress, call the office at 215-487-2500.

Runners, take your mark, get set, GO!

drlennyroberts — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:39:52 +0000

It’s that time again, runners! The sun is shining and the temperature is rising. It’s perfect running weather. The Leprechaun Run on West River Drive is this Saturday and in six weeks the 4 mile Out and Back Race and Party at Lemon Hill Mansion. Both are always a good time and for good causes… but let’s be honest, these are simply preparation for the famous and dearly loved, Broad Street Run. The BSR will be here before you know it so I am trying to tell as many of you as possible about Active Release Technique (ART), the elite treatment used by NFL, NHL and MLB athletes. Here’s why…

It can help improve your performance. Runners like to run—a lot. As a result their muscles can become restricted due to overuse. Restricted muscles = limited range of motion. And that, my fellow runners, can hurt your stride. During a run, have you ever noticed that you just didn’t feel right? That you weren’t finding your stride like you used to? It could be that you are training your muscles too hard. The muscles are wound up tight and need to be released. Enter ART…

It allows you to recover faster from your injuries. Running can take a toll on the body. Injuries happen. The good news is you no longer have to sit out and wait weeks or months for your body to recover. Common runner injuries, such as ITB syndrome, tendonitis, plantar fascis, overpronation, arch pain, hip and knee pain, shin splints, runner’s knee, hip bursitis, and others, can all be resolved quickly and permanently with ART.

So, what is ART?

ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. It was developed by Mike Leahy, a seasoned chiropractor, engineer and Ironman. ART is different than other treatments in its ability to unwind restricted soft tissue faster and more effectively…getting athletes back to their sport and keeping them functioning at their best.

As a certified ART practitioner, I have been helping countless athletes, including marathon runners, Ironmen and Olympic competitors, improve their performance and recover faster from their injuries. Want to be the best? Come on in and discover why professional athletes are requiring ART be part of their contracts.

For more information on ART, visit www.activerelease.com or our office site www.summitspineandwellness.com.

Don’t wait until AFTER Broad Street to experience the benefits of ART! Come into the office today and get started! FYI – If you haven’t signed up for Broad Street yet, get a move on it. They are capping the number of runners this year to 30,000.

Proactive vs. Reactive Health Care

drlennyroberts — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:35:58 +0000

Presentation by Philadelphia Chiropractor Dr. Lenny Roberts on proactive versus reactive health care.

Snow Shoveling 101 by Philadelphia Chiropractor Dr. Lenny Roberts

drlennyroberts — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:49:37 +0000

The winter can take a brutal toll on the body, especially when there is snow. Not only do I see an increase in injuries from slipping or falling, but I also see a lot of patients coming in with back pain due to shoveling. This past weekend we had 16 inches hit the Philadelphia area. And just yesterday, we got an additional 12-18 inches! We’re talking record breaking snow here.

Before you bundle up and head out to free your car or shovel your driveway and sidewalk, follow these simple steps and I guarantee you will prevent yourself a lot of hurt the following morning…

Drink water and stay hydrated.
Warm up. Especially if you are going out in the early morning. Do a couple jumping jacks or run in place. Get the blood flowing to your extremities.
Shovel early and often. Don’t let it pile up.
Use your legs, not your back. You may not look as good as your neighbor, but I promise you that will FEEL a lot better than he will the next morning. Feel free to give him my number!
Stretch!!! Your body is not used to doing these types of motions so give it a well deserved cool down.

If you follow these simple steps, you won’t regret it!

Dr. Lenny Roberts – Philadelphia Chiropractor
Summit Spine & Wellness
8151 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Phone: 215-487-2500
Get Directions Here

8151 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Phone: 215-487-2500