Can the Internet Make You Sick?

We live in age where technology is king! Our phones act as mini computers where we can schedule, e-mail, surf the internet and actually talk to other people (although some people manage to avoid human interaction by sending 20,000 text messages a month). Not only do most people use a computer all day at work, but they come home and surf the internet, play on-line computer games and update their social media status, over and over...and over again. Humans are more connected now than ever before and we learn about current events so much faster than in the past. To put things in perspective...when I started college in 1996, it was the first time I was able to surf the internet without tying up the telephone line and no one, and mean no one, had a cell phone. Crazy and wild times!

Some people tend to spend more time on the computer than others, but it seems that overall we are spending more and more time staring at our computer screens. It seems that the younger generation, especially college students, tend to be the group that is most guilty of "computer abuse". Prolonged time at the computer can lead to several physical ailments that can affect your activities of daily living. Overuse of the computer can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS. CTS causes pain, numbness and burning in your thumb, first finger and middle finger. This can be caused by typing too much on your keyboard with your wrists held in the wrong position for extended periods of time. Overuse of the computer can also lead to lower back and neck aches, severe headaches, dry eyes, strained vision and sleep disturbances. Many of these symptoms are exacerbated by the fact that people's work stations are not set up properly. The monitor may be too low or high, the mouse may be too far away, the keyboard too close and even the height of your chair can lead to spinal and muscle pain.

If you are an individual, or you know someone, who is always on the computer and complaining of any of the symptoms that I listed above, chiropractic care or massage therapy can really help. Not only can a chiropractor help to alleviate muscular and joint pain quickly, but most chiropractors are very aware of the proper ergonomics for a desk or one's work station. Even if spending excessive amounts of time on the computer is unavoidable, a chiropractic treatment can help prevent your aches and pains from getting worse and can even prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place!

"No thanks, I don't need to be treated. I'm not having any pain."

The above phrase is one that I can guarantee most chiropractors have heard at least once during their career. Heck, I hear a version of that statement uttered at least once per week. The current medical model in this country involves treating people's symptoms or pain. They are given a pill, or the option to have surgery and everyone expects a quick fix. Over the last few years, wellness or preventative care has started to take root and expand, but for the most part, we are taught from an early age that if we are not feeling any pain, then we are healthy; and unfortunately that is not the case.

Both my father and my grandfather were helped a lot by chiropractic care when I was growing up. They both started care after experiencing a bout of acute pain, but they both continued to receive treatment after their symptoms had dissipated. Watching their success with chiropractic is what really influenced me to become a chiropractor. I had never been treated with chiropractic care before attending chiropractic college. I felt healthy; I didn't have any pain; so why did I need to go? I started receiving regular chiropractic adjustments while attending school and kicked myself for not getting treated sooner. I had always been bothered by migraine headaches (which seemed to go away with treatment), my neck and lower back felt looser and I would feel great, both mentally and physically following a chiropractic adjustment.

So why is it a good idea to get treated when you don't feel any pain? Everyday, the activities of daily living and the repetitive micro-traumas that we put our bodies through cause the muscles and soft tissues that make up the joints of our spine to fatigue and toxic metabolic waste to build up around the nerves. Since we don't like to experience pain, our bodies tend to compensate at first. Over time, our bodies can no longer compensate and we start to feel pain. With chiropractic adjustments, the joints stay moving freely and you can prevent those serious bouts of neck and lower back pain.

Personally, I try to get adjusted at least once a month based on how I feel. If I have done a lot of running or played hockey and I am feeling sore, I may go two times that month. A quick chiropractic adjustment can keep me feeling good for several weeks. Even if you're feeling good, it is a good idea to have your spine checked for subluxations or misalignments, that if left untreated can cause problems down the line. Go find a chiropractor and see what you've been missing!