Medical Guide 10(Use)
Transcription
Medical Guide 10(Use)
Medical & Health 2011 Services Directory "Save this handy guide for quick reference to area health professionals, services and locations" ■ Published by the Cheboygan Daily Tribune Index to Advertisers Would you like to be included in the Winter 2011 Medical & Health Services Directory? Cheboygan Memorial Hospital.........................2,7,12 Compassionate Care ...............................................9 Citizens National Bank.............................................9 Dr. Bob & the Certification Crew............................11 Dr. Merrick ................................................................9 Elizabeth’s Elder Care ..............................................3 Great Lakes Allergy .................................................11 Contact the Cheboygan Daily Tribune at 231-627-7144 Harbor Hall................................................................4 LaserClinic1.com ......................................................5 Mackinac Straits Hospital ......................................11 Michigan Heart & Vascular.....................................14 Northern Internal Medicine .....................................8 email: sales@cheboygantribune.com Northern Michigan Hospital ............................4,5,14 Northwoods Ear, Nose & Throat .............................9 Otsego Memorial Hospital .....................................16 Petoskey Urgent Care ..............................................4 2011 Medical & Health Directory was created and produced by the Cheboygan Daily Tribune. The Cheboygan Daily Tribune cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented here, or be held accountable for any omissions or errors. Soo Surgical ............................................................15 Sunnybank Assisted Living ....................................13 Today's Dental ..........................................................6 © 2011 Cheboygan Daily Tribune, Cheboygan, Michigan. All rights reserved. No portion may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Cheboygan Daily Tribune 308 N. Main St., Cheboygan, MI 49721 (231)627-7144 • Fax: (231) 627-5331 www.cheboygannews.com Vital Care...................................................................8 Xcel Physical Therapy ..............................................8 Surgical Expertise, Close to Home ,!% )+( (/ % $ " %/&% #!**# % (,&+) " &$ &(* !% "%&-!% * * . '*!&% # ( !) #&) *& &$ * * ( /&+ % % !%' *! %* &( &+*' *! %* '(& +( &+( .' (! % )+( ! # * $) )* % ( / 1 -!* # , # & ' ()&% # ** %*!&% *& #' /&+ # ** ( )&&% ( #" *& /&+( & *&( &+* )+( ! # ) (,! ) , !# # !% &/ % % )" &( )+( &% - & ' ( &($) '(& +( ) * Surgical Specialties: % ( # +( (/ 0 )*(& %* (&#& / ! )*!, /)* $ 0 /% &#& / 0 (&#& / ' * #$&#& / / ) 0 (* &' ! 0 *&# (/% &#& / ( %&) % * (& * 0 +(&)+( (/ “Personal Care, Close to Home” --2 &/ % &)'!* # &( 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory Where do I start? By Linda McNeill, RN District Health Department No. 4 ne of the most heartbreaking events to witness is the exhaustion both physically and emotionally of a caregiver at “the end of their rope”. Often, persons struggle with their own care or the care of a loved one until they are ready to give up. Why don’t caregivers/individuals ask for help? Often, because sense of duty or responsibility to care for their loved one. Perhaps fear of loss of control, or removal from their home. They may fear nursing home placement or that asking for help will be too costly financially. Individuals may feel embarrassed to ask for help. Often, they do not know help is available or where to begin to get help. First – acknowledge the possible need for help. Home Health care services are intended to help individuals remain safe and comfortable in their home setting as long as possible. Caregivers are taught by nurses and sometimes therapists know how to provide care for the individual in the safest and easiest manner. If there are no caregivers or the caregivers are overwhelmed by the care giving, homecare pro- O vides (or can refer to appropriate community resources for) additional help with the actual care giving duties. The information and assistance actually increases the individual’s or caregivers control over their health status. This greatly decreases the stress in care giving and often makes the difference between an individual’s ability to stay in their home verses being placed outside their home. Second–call for help. District Health Department No.4 (DHD4) is skilled in assisting callers in identifying the type of care they need and qualify for. Simply explain your situation and that you need help. Individual needs vary. Some individuals may need and qualify for several different types of care while another individual may not. There is no charge for information and no commitment to DHD4 on an individual’s part unless the individual chooses to do so. Call more than one agency! Compare information, prices and overall helpfulness before deciding which agency you would like to invite into your home to help you. You, the individual have the right to choose which agency you want to have help you! “Live Your Life at Home” Empower your independence SENIORS ~ LIVE INDEPENDENTLY in your own home. We provide in home services to meet your needs. Some Services that we provide: • Medication Reminders • Transportation for Errands & Doctor’s Appointments • Housekeeping • Meal Preparation plus much more www.elizabethseldercare.com Locally owned • Bonded & Insured 810-265-6469 Professional Screened Caregivers 231-238-7218 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory 3 Everything you need for the immediate care • Confidential substance abuse assessments of your illness or injury • Assessment, referral & treatment provided by skilled substance abuse therapists & counselors William Niksch, MD Board Certified in Family Practice Primary Care ages 16 and older Prompt medical care for • Outpatient group treatment adults and children • Women's specialty treatment services No Appointment Needed Michael Banyai, MD Board Certified in Internal Medicine Adult Primary Care • Dual-diagnosis treatment services Board Certified Physicians • Continuing care, intervention, relapse prevention, & outreach services 7 days a week PETOSKEY URGENT CARE • Substance abuse prevention/ education services One mile south of US 31/131 intersection 1890 US 131 South 231. 487. 2000 In front of Wal-Mart Office Visit copay with most insurances Self-Pay discount available for uninsured patients 231-597-9235 1-866-775-8726 The SPINE CENTER AT NORTHERN MICHIGAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL Using advanced technology and proven procedures, our nationally recognized team of physicians treat spinal conditions caused by disease, injury, trauma, and lifestyle habits. Achieving relief from pain and optimal range of motion for our patients — many without surgery — is our main goal. 800.248.6777 · northernhealth.org 4 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory 25% Off 50% Off TIP OF THE WEEK First Laser Hair Removal Treatment Get active with the family Children need about 60 minutes of physical activity a day to stay healthy, and adults need 30 minutes. Walking to and from school, playing on a playground and playing a sport are all great ways to get exercise with your family and still have fun. – LetsMove.gov First Microdermabrasion Removal Treatment Other Services & Products Laser Hair Removal Microdermabrasion Electrology Clarisonic Skin Care Brush CHILDREN’S HEALTH Vitamin D levels and infants Organic Moisturizers, Cleaners & Shaving Gels Fun Beauty Aids Respiratory syncytial virus is the most important pathogen that causes lower respiratory tract infections in infants. A recent study finds that infants who are deficient in vitamin D at birth have a higher risk of developing RSV. Infants with low concentrations of vitamin D had six times the risk of developing RSV infections compared with infants with the highest levels of vitamin D. Only 46 percent of women in the study reported using supplements that contained vitamin D during pregnancy. Study authors suggest that larger clinical trials should examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on the risk of RSV infections in newborns. – American Academy of Pediatrics Offer Expires August 31, 2011 (231) 627-4300 or stacy@laserclinic1.com Free Consultations • Physician Affiliated Would you like updated specials sent to your email? Visit our Web site: Cancer Care Where You Live Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Cancer Specialists are Seeing Patients in the Greater-Cheboygan Community. Lisa Galloway, DO, and Todd Erickson, MD, are committed to delivering high quality, state-of-the-science cancer care right here at home. New patient consultations and follow-up care are available at the Cheboygan Memorial Health Center on South Main Street. Lisa Galloway, DO Todd Erickson, MD 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory To learn more about cancer services, call 231.487.3390 or visit northernhealth.org. 5 GET MOVING TO PREVENT ARTHRITIS PAIN By Steve Bernardi and Dr. Gary Kracoff | GateHouse News Service The warm weather provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. But it can also serve as a painful reminder for people with osteoporosis, arthritis and other bone and joint diseases of the perceived limitations of their bodies. Activities such as gardening, biking, boating and even walking can seem like too much to bear, and the temptation is all too great to stay inside. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and even people with advanced bone and joint diseases can find a way to get outdoors and get active. Here are four steps to take to a painfree summer: Trusted, Caring Dental Excellence Cosmetic Dentistry Braces Dentures Extractions Root Canals Zoom Whitening Bradford S. Rowe DDS PC Most insurances accepted. Emergencies and new patients always welcome. In-office dental plan. 10277 N. Straits Hwy., Cheboygan 231-627-7131 drbradrowe.com 6 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory Be phySically active. Start small. Don’t overdo it. Go for walks and gradually increase the distance. Some very light weightlifting can be helpful. For individuals for whom walking a distance is USe SUpplementS to simply too painful, consider reduce inflammation and trying this: buy a mini-trampostrengthen bones and joints, line and, while seated, simply which allows people with bounce up and down. This will osteoporosis and arthritis to increase agility. have less pain and achieve a Gardening can be a terrific greater range of motion than activity because it includes previously thought possible. bending, stretching and lifting. Calcium, vitamin D3, vitamin Be sure to use pads and other K2, magnesium and fish oil equipment that will decrease should all be considered and stress on the knees. evaluated. There are also Most important, if the exercise herbal supplements that can creates soreness the next day, safely reduce inflammation as don’t stop. Continue with the well as homeopathic creams exercise and it will further that do the same. improve the body’s agility and It should also be noted that it is response. improve yoUr Diet. White important to choose the right flour and white sugar have a form of calcium and other sup- Steve Bernardi is a compounding direct correlation to inflamma- plements. Calcium carbonate, pharmacist and Dr. Gary Kracoff is a tion and must be reduced to registered pharmacist and a naturofor instance, may not be as doctor at Johnson the greatest extent possible. In effective as other forms of cal- pathic Compounding and Wellness Center particular, soda does serious cium. Check with your doctor in Waltham, Mass. Contact them at harm to bones, by literally or pharmacist. steveandgary@naturalcomleaching calcium from the pounder.com or 781-893-3870. DecreaSe StreSS. We now have a much better sense of exactly how bad stress is for the body. In the case of bones and joints, stress can be particularly damaging because over time it will weaken the body’s adrenal response, and this can contribute to osteoporosis. Stress must be dealt with in whatever way works, including psychotherapy, yoga and meditation, and even the creation of a daily period of relaxation. Spend 30 minutes every day doing something you love, whether it is reading, working out or doing a puzzle. Try to choose an activity that keeps either your brain or body active. bones. On the other hand, whole grains, omega 3s (found most often in non-farm raised fish), avocado and nuts can help to strengthen bones. Women's & Children's Health Services Marvin K. Coy, D.O. Gynecology Dr. Marvin Coy is accepting new patients at our Women's & Children's Health Services Clinic located in the Lincoln Bridge Plaza 722 South Main St., Cheboygan To make an appointment, call (231) 627-1552. www.cheboyganhospital.org 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory 7 Northern Internal Medicine, P.C. PHYSICAL THERAPY Indian River 231-238-4090 Locally owned & operated by Benjamin L. Kolly DPT, PT, OCS, OMPT, ATC Certified Manual Therapist Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Jeffrey J. Kiel, D.O. Board Certified General Internal Medicine Where you will be seen by a doctor everytime. Your doctor, the one who knows you. Accepting most insurance Accepting new patients by appointment 231-238-0160 Specializing in Hands on Treatment of the neck, back and extremities & functional rehabilitation. Expertise in Rehabilitation of: Joint replacements Work injuries and Sports injuries Also offering Fitness Classes & Personal Training 1920 S. Straits Highway, Indian River, MI www.xceltherapy.com <RXU+RPH+HDOWK&DUH6SHFLDOLVWV < RXU+RPH+HDOWK&DUH6SHFLDOLVWV & &OLQLFDO([FHOOHQFH&DULQJ3URIHVVLRQDOV OLQLFDO([FHOOHQFH&DULQJ3URIHVVLRQDOV +RPH+HDOWK&DUH±5HJLVWHUHG1XUVHV7KHUDSLVWV$LGHV +RPH+HDOWK&DUH±5HJLVWHUHG1XUVHV7KHUDSLVWV$LGHV 3ULYDWH'XW\6HUYLFHV±,QGHSHQGHQW/LYLQJ$VVLVWDQFH 3ULYDWH'XW\6HUYLFHV±,QGHSHQGHQW/LYLQJ$VVLVWDQFH +RVSLFH&DUHDQG+RVSLFH+RXVH +RVSLFH&DUHDQG+RVSLFH+RXVH 99LVLW2XU LVLW2XU & &KHER\JDQ6WRUH KHER\JDQ6WRUH 60DLQ6WUHHW 60DLQ6WUHHW ,Q*OHQ¶V3OD]D ,Q*OHQ¶V3OD]D 0RQGD\ 0RQGD\±±)ULGD\ )ULGD\ SP DP DP±SP YLWDOFDUHRUJ YLWDOFDUHRUJ +RPH0HGLFDO2[\JHQ±6WDWLRQDU\3RUWDEOH7UDYHO +RPH0HGLFDO2[\JHQ±6WDWLRQDU\3RUWDEOH7UDYHO 6OHHS$SQHD7KHUDS\±&3$3(TXLSPHQW6XSSRUW 6OHHS$SQHD7KHUDS\±&3$3(TXLSPHQW6XSSRUW +RPH0HGLFDO(TXLSPHQWDQG6XSSOLHV±+RVSLWDO%HGV +RPH0HGLFDO(TXLSPHQWDQG6XSSOLHV±+RVSLWDO%HGV :KHHOFKDLUV:DONHUV%DWK6DIHW\3URGXFWV'LDEHWLF7HVWLQJ :KHHOFKDLUV:DONHUV%DWK6DIHW\3URGXFWV'LDEHWLF7HVWLQJ 6XSSOLHV:RXQG&DUH6XSSOLHV 6XSSOLHV:RXQG&DUH6XSSOLHV 0HGLFDUH&HUWL¿HG 0HGLFDUH&HUUWWL¿HG %OXH&URVV$SSURYHG %OXH&URVV$SSURYHG &+$3$FFUHGLWHG & +$3$FFUHGLWHG $I¿OLDWHGZLWK1RUWKHUQ0LFKLJDQ $ I¿OLDWHGZLWK1RUWKHUQ0LFKLJDQ 5 HJLRQDO+HDOWK6\VWH HP 5HJLRQDO+HDOWK6\VWHP 8 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory Robert J. Merrick, O.D. Northwoods Quality Family Eyecare at Affordable Prices Ear, Nose & Throat, PC James J. Slater, DO, FAOCO Board Certified Otolaryngology • Head & Neck Surgery • Facial Plastic Surgery Specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of the ear, nose and throat as well as facial lesions and skin cancers. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cerumen removal Deviated Nasal septum Dysphagia Ear Infections Ear Tubes Eustachian tube Dysfunction Facial Lacerations Foreign body in Ears, Nose, Throat GERD Hearing Disorders Hoarseness/Dysphona Labyrinthitis Laryngitis Mastoiditis Meniere’s Disease Moles • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Mouth Lesions/Cancer Nasal Fractures Neck Mass Nosebleeds Otalgia Pharyngitis Rhinitis Salivary Glands Sinus problems Skin Biopsies Skin Cancers Skin Tags Sleep Apnea Throat Cancer Thyroid Problems Tinnitus Tonsils/Adenoids Voice Disorders Northwoods Ear, Nose & Throat PC 810 South Main Street, Suite 4, Cheboygan, MI 49721 Providing Comprehensive and Caring Exams Using Technically Advanced Eye Exam Instruments • • • • • Contact lenses Senior Citizens Discount Free One Year Guarantee on Lenses & Frames Lab on Premises With Board Certified Optician Emergency Frame Repair Available We now accept Eye Med Insurance, VSP, Medicare and most other eye care insurance. www.drmerrick.com 118 North Huron Street • Cheboygan 231.627.3171 231-627-NENT (6368) • Fax: 231-627-6902 HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSA’s) HSA’s are a tax exempt trust or custodial account established for the purpose of paying medical expenses in conjunction with a high-deductible health care plan. Available to individuals, spouses, families and employers. Member FDIC 231-627-7111 Cheboygan Onaway Mackinaw City 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory www.CNBisMyBank.com Pellston Indian River Alanson 9 The right fit Fitness centers respond to recession with more choices for customers By Melissa Westphal T he fitness industry today offers a wealth of choices for consumers, including 24-hour gyms, month-to-month contracts and unique group classes. The industry’s evolution seems to be working, because more than 128 million people worldwide were members of health clubs at the end of 2010, according to Boston-based International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. New entrepreneurs are comfortable investing in fitness clubs, but they’re wading into a competitive market with big local names like the YMCA. So instead of competing directly with such established clubs, some fitness centers are going in different directions, adding wellness programs and dropping prices in hopes of luring members driven by a national push to fight obesity and cut health-care costs. owner/founder Greg Georgis (left) talks with chris conner (right) while personal trainer Georgi hauser listens at Fitme Wellness in rockford, ill. PHOTO By MAX GERSH “I think the one consistent factor is that everybody wants to improve their health,” said Greg Georgis, owner of the recently opened FitMe Continued on pg 12 Meeting the needs of our clients since 1998. Call us today for a free consultation. Let us provide compassionate care for you and your loved one. 5 R5)'*(#)(I)''%#(! 5 5 R5,-)(&5, 5 R5-*#. 5 5 R5#.#)(5./* 5 5 R5,-)(&5--#-.(. www.CompassionateCareMi.com 1-877-308-1212 When only home will do, we can help 10 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory DR. BOB AND THE CERTIFICATION CREW Northern Michigan's Safest Medical Marijuana Certification Great Lakes Allergy & Asthma Center, P.C. Allergy-Asthma Specialist in Cheboygan!! Accepting New Patients of All Ages Certification $150 Regular Clinics in: Cheboygan • St. Ignace Sault Ste. Marie • Newberry Atlanta • Gaylord Grayling • Petoskey • Alpena NEW OFFICE IN GAYLORD! 1564 Dickerson Rd. Peter M. Ranta, M.D. Board Certified Allergy-Asthma Specialist Specialty Care: Seasonal Allergies, Asthma, Eczema, Food Allergy, Drug Allergy, Hives, Wheezing, Shortness of Breath Don't settle for less than the best! 810 S. Main St., Suite 6 • Cheboygan, Michigan Call Dr. Bob today! 989-619-6312 • www.drbobmmj.com Call Today for an Appointment (877) 466-4222 www.GreatLakesAllergy.com x Healthcare for the Whole Family x Same Day Appointments x Now Accepting Care Source 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory 11 Wellness in Rockford, Ill. “We recognize that we’re not eating the right food and we’re not moving enough, that we’re not sleeping well and we’re sore. I really suspect people are trying to get some control back in their lives.” Keeping overhead low Jack and Dan Olson think they’ll be successful in the fitness industry. The brothers are the owners of The Rock Swim & Fitness in Rockford. The building that houses the fitness center has been in their family for many years. Owning the building is sure to cut down on their overall operating costs. Health clubs overall rely on affordable leases, expense management and “modest revenue growth” to survive the recession, according to the Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. The health club industry generated $20.3 billion in revenue in North America last year, with 58 million members patronizing 38,000 facilities. Bill Hill, who will manage The Rock, said it will be a full-service gym with free weights, fitness equipment, personal training, group fitness classes and more. Hill is a professional fighter with martial arts training, so he’s bringing martial arts classes to the facility and hopes to build teams and possibly start a wrestling program. The Olsons also plan to market the facility’s pool through fitness classes. Membership will be $24.99 a month, which includes many of the fitness classes, use of the pool and an orientation. Wellness component a plus FitMe Wellness has seen rapid membership growth since opening, Georgis said. The center combines fitness equipment, nutrition counseling and health management software for its members, and it is also home to Tangerine Wellness, a program previously open only to corporate clients. Georgis said members are attracted to the center’s price point, which is $29.95 a month, and the club doesn’t charge a joiner fee. His goal with FitMe is to make people feel comfortable in a fitness environment in order to help them achieve their health goals. “I designed this facility for my wife and me, my parents and our in-laws – I figured if I pleased all six of us, the general public would be pleased,” Georgis said. Enjoy a Safe Summer! We are here when you need us. CMH provides Emergency Care 24/7 • Now offering expanded emergency services on the weekends throughout the summer. • Our experienced ER staff is ready to treat major and minor emergencies. • Emergency Fast Track now available *Standard deductibles and co-pays apply for all emergency visits. 231-627-5601 12 www.cheboyganhospital.org “Personal Care, Close to Home” 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory Study shows long workdays lead to poor heart health BY DR. MURRAY FEINGOLD eorge Bernard Shaw once said, “When I was young, I observed that nine out of 10 things I did were failures. So I did 10 times more work.” Others have extolled the virtues and benefits of hard work. But, is there a downside to working so hard? Figures concerning the number of hours a person works vary from country to country. The people in China work 50 to 60 hours a week or more. In the United States, the average is about 35 hours, while in Norway it has been reported to be about 27 hours a week. There is another adage, “Hard work never killed anyone.” But is it true? Maybe not. Many studies have shown that there is an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease associated with working long hours. A recent study has substantiated these findings. Just over 7,000 adults were followed for 12 years. There were two groups: one group worked 11 hours or more a day and the other group worked less than 11 hours. G The group that worked more than 11 hours a day had a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease than those who did not. Of course, there were other variables present that may account for the higher risk. It may not have been due to the work itself but to the stress of the job that required longer hours. Or, people who work long hours do not always eat a proper diet. Because the researchers were so convinced working long hours increased the possibility of heart disease, they recommended that overwork be included as a risk factor for developing a heart attack. I return to my dictum concerning the importance of moderation in most of the things that people do, and this includes the number of hours they work. Massachusetts-based Dr. Murray Feingold is the physician in chief of The Feingold Center for Children and president of the Genesis Fund, a nonprofit organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects, mental retardation and genetic diseases. Assisted Living Charlevoix - 615 Petoskey Ave. 231-547-2599 Petoskey - 2000 E. Mitchell Rd. 231-348-2600 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory 13 Growing pains More young people complaining of back, hand, finger pain By mike DeDoncker atients come to Nancy Houghton with numbness, tingling or sharp, stabbing pains in their hands and forearms, but they’re not the typical clients she expects. Young people from their middle teens up to age 25 who haven’t been performing the type of repetitive work usually associated with overuse injuries are coming to Houghton with complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and hand and finger pain. Houghton, who operates Helping Hands Rehab in Rockford, Ill., has been an occupational therapist for 23 years and a certified hand therapist for the past 18. She and others in her field say they are seeing this new class of clients more frequently. “Normally, you would see these in an older person – a 25- to 60-year-old working adult – that is doing impact, repetitive-type work that would cause overuse,” said Houghton. “I’ve had clients as P long periods of time spent hunched over cellphones, computers or video games can lead to poor posture. When weak shoulder muscles can’t stabilize the arm, it can lead to elbow, wrist and hand pain. STOCK.XCHNG Exceptional Care… IN YOUR HOMETOWN Harry Colfer, MD, and Gerald Gadowski, DO, are dedicated to your heart health. Their compassionate, high-quality, state-of-the-science cardiac and vascular services are available right here at home. Harry Colfer, MD The best healthcare is accessible healthcare. Gerald Gadowski, DO 231.487.2490 · 888.326.2490 Seeing patients in the greater-Cheboygan community. 14 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory young as 14 come in with carpal tunnel symptoms, or they have pain from carrying their book bag or backpack.” Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, is compressed and irritated by swelling in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway about as big around as your thumb on the palm side of the wrist. Although trauma and some medical conditions can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, it is more often associated with repetitive-use jobs, such as assembly line work, sewing, cleaning, and meat packing. Tennis elbow is caused by overworking the tendons in the elbow, usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm, and it is often associated with the same occupations that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Houghton said the modern-day suspects of excessive screen time – video games, computer keyboard use and texting – are at least partially to blame because they can lead to poor posture in which the shoulders are rounded and hunched forward for long periods of time. But, she said, general weakness in the shoulders and poor scapular stability also play a large part. “The way the nerves come up from the spine, they go underneath the collarbone, under your armpit and then down to your hand,” Houghton said, “so a lot of times the nerve gets pinched up in the shoulder girdle, and the cause often seems to be excessive amounts of time being bent over at desks, using computers or texting. A basic exercise to help strengthen the shoulders and upper back is simply stretching both arms out at shoulder height, palms facing forward, and moving the arms back until you feel the squeeze in the middle of the back. “Another of my big things is the world’s easiest exercise. It’s called the long thoracic stretch with towel roll,” Houghton said. “You lie down flat, face up with a rolled towel running down your spine from your neck to your waist with your arms straight out to your sides at shoulder height and palms up. You tuck your chin forward and make sure that it doesn’t stick up, and you just let everything realign.” She said 15 minutes is long enough to hold the position. “You want the chin forward, and for most people, their scalenus (three pairs of muscles on the sides of the neck) will get tight and their traps (trapezius muscles) get tight, so if you do it wrong you get more tension. Then, eventually, we will incorporate some diaphragmatic breathing, which among other things, helps relax the scalenus,” she said. Her advice for those who find themselves hunched forward during much of the day is to try stretching their arms out to the sides and reaching back until they feel a squeeze in the middle of the upper back. “Maybe every half hour or hour,” she said. “Take a microbreak. Stop, and go in the opposite direction.” Soo Surgical Specialties Now scheduling patients at St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie No patient with spine pain is beyond help. Kevin Jon Lawson, MD Spinal Surgery Spinal Deformities Allen B. Dunning, MD, FACS General Surgery Consults Office Surgery Carol B. Richwine FNP-C 309 W. 12th Ave. Suite 102 • Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783 906.253.1300 • Fax: 906.253.1333 • www.soosurgical.com 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory 15 16 2011 Summer Medical and Health Services Directory