Archives for June 2019

Back Issues for Equestrians

Low back pain is common among horseback riders. These are mostly the aches and pains of strained muscles from excessive riding or improper posture while on the horse.

Controlling and riding a large animal like a horse requires the same strength and effort as is required for many other sports. In a nutshell, horseback riding requires body control similar to that used by athletes when skiing, or as can be seen in the martial arts, and even dancing.

To avoid back problems, you need to learn how to balance your body correctly while riding your horse.

Here is the list of the riding habits that can lead to back pain:

1. Slouched Shoulders. Slouched shoulders = lousy posture, which in turn hurts your spine with every step your horse takes. A horse’s gait is not that far off from humans, but when your shoulders are rounded it makes it difficult to control the horse and maintain your balance. This can easily lead to back pain and sore muscles that can last for days.

2. Leaning Forward During Turns. A good rider knows how to keep their posture centered even as they take turns and swerve their horses in different directions. Take tight turns and keep your weight focused, allowing it to fall inward as you make your turn. This will avoid a possible muscle strain in the process

3. Hollow Back. Another bad habit horseback riders have is sitting up too straight or too stiffly, then overcompensating by hollowing out the lower back. This affects the space you take on top of the horse, which can influence your balance and how well you can control the horse. The position puts undue strain on your lower back and can cause you to fall off your horse if not corrected.

4. Pinching Your Knees Together. For new riders, this is especially common. The amateur equestrian might resort to pinching the knees together in an effort to stay on the horse. However, this action affects how you are positioned atop the saddle and makes it more difficult to balance, apply leg aids, and to properly post the trot (when you rise out of the saddle, which can smooth the ride when your horse is trotting).

Preventing Low Back Pain

Experts suggest using proper posture while horseback riding to help eliminate low back pain associated with the activity. You should also wear the appropriate equipment and protective gear while you ride. This can help constrain and protect your back muscles, as well as protect against other injuries. In addition, riding in moderation can help lessen the likelihood of lower back pain related to your horseback riding.

Well-Equipped Family Medicine Provider in Wellington

If you have lower back pain from prolonged horseback riding, visit Advanced Medical Clinic to get it treated. Request an appointment now or call us at (561) 434-1935 for more details and to schedule a checkup with one of our licensed family medicine providers today.

Treating COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable but treatable condition that affects over 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with the disease. Many others suffer from it unknowingly.

The acronym COPD is an umbrella term that covers any disease affecting airway obstructions, especially emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms, and ultimate treatments of the various disorders included in COPD.

Causes and Symptoms of COPD

The primary cause for COPD in developed nations like the United States is cigarette smoking. In underdeveloped nations, it tends to occur when people are overexposed to burning fuel for cooking or to heating elements in poorly ventilated homes and buildings.

The main types of COPD in the U.S. are chronic bronchitis and emphysema:

Chronic Bronchitis

This condition occurs when there is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causing the bronchial tubes to narrow and produce excessive mucus. The narrowing and extra mucus together block airflow to and from the lungs, and sufferers develop a chronic cough while trying to breathe.

Emphysema

This is a condition whereby the smallest air passageways in the lungs are destroyed, causing shortness of breath. Emphysema is a result of exposure to damaging substances from smoking, irritating gases, or other particulate matter that gets trapped in the lungs and causes damage. Smaller airways can collapse when exhaling, further impairing breathing.

Treatment for COPD

Any of the COPD health conditions are manageable. They do require certain changes in lifestyle. The best way to manage your COPD symptoms is to stop smoking and to avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible.

Medical treatments for COPD include a bronchodilator, which comes in an inhaler. This medication can help relax the muscles of the airway, relieving coughing and making it easier to breathe.

Inhalant forms of steroids can also help with the symptoms of COPD, although they do have certain unpleasant side effects. You and your family medicine provider can discuss whether the benefits outweigh the effects of COPD.

Oxygen therapy can also help considerably. There are modern ways of carrying around a portable oxygen tank that make it less obvious than before. Portable oxygen has indeed proven to extend the lifespan and improve the quality of life of a person with COPD.

Diagnosis of COPD

To get a diagnosis, your family medicine provider will first review your family history. Up to 30% of people with COPD were never smokers, so the family medicine provider will be checking for a genetic predisposition to lung issues. The family medicine provider will also discuss any potential exposure to lung irritants like cigarettes, or exposure to harmful fumes in the workplace.

They will also perform a series of diagnostic tests, such as the following:

  • Spirometry is a machine with a tube that measures how much air you can inhale and how quickly (and how much) air you can exhale.
  • A chest X-ray can show the presence of emphysema and rule out other potential problems.
  • A CT scan can detect emphysema and determine whether surgery could be beneficial, while it also screens for lung cancer.
  • An arterial-blood gas analysis will test how well the lungs bring oxygen to the blood and filter out carbon dioxide.

Family Medicine Provider in Palm Beach County

COPD is a serious illness that requires management and medical supervision in order to continue enjoying life. If you are in the Wellington or Royal Palm Beach area, contact our team to schedule an appointment at Advanced Medical Clinic.

Call us today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online now, and let us help you get back to better breathing!