Adjust Your Mirrors, Stay Alive

With this being the most traveled day of the year, I wanted to share a short auto safety article I recently came across.

The past few years have seen an explosion of new electronic safety features in vehicles of all types and price ranges. One of the most talked about and most praised is the Lane Change Collision Avoidance System (CAS). It is also commonly referred to as the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) or the Lane Keeping System (LKS) This system alerts the driver to hazards in adjacent lanes or automatically steadies the car to avoid drifting into the adjacent lane. Some refer to it as the "blind spot" alarm. It appears to be a life saving feature and has so far proven its worth enough to be included on some base model cars.

However, some of us with older vehicles cannot take advantage of this new technology.

Fortunately we can ALL do something to get the same effect.  ADJUST THE SIDE MIRRORS. In 1995 the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a paper suggesting how the outside mirrors can be used to prevent blind spots. The diagram complied from their conclusions is below (click here for the Car and Driver article).

Basically, the side view mirrors should be angled in such a way that YOUR car is NOT visible. This may take a little getting used to for some drivers, but it is definitely worth the switch.





Just goes to show that once again, small changes can have BIG effects.  You can get thousands of dollars worth of new technology just be making a simple, free change to your existing system.

Stay safe on those roads!!  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Until next time.....

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
 Chiropractor
 Greenbelt, MD

If you have more questions about chiropractic care, contact us at 301-474-5505 or sign-up at www.GreenBeltChiropracticRehab.com for a free consultation!

Greenbelt Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us. 

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com

       

Please Donate!!!

As someone who grew up in New Jersey, my thoughts and prayers are with those that have had their lives turned upside down by hurricane Sandy. New Jersey gave me a lot and I'm proud to give a little back to help the recovery.

Visit www.RedCross.org to donate now.

-Dr. C

If you have more questions about , contact us at 301-474-5505 or sign-up at www.GreenBeltChiropracticRehab.com for a free consultation!

Greenbelt Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us. 

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com

       

Great News for Coffee Drinkers!!!

A new study done by the American Heart Association concludes that moderate coffee consumption is INVERSELY associated with risk of heart failure.  It seems like the magic number is 4 servings.

Please remember, that this study was looking at many different studies and drawing a conclusion considering all of them. If you have issues with blood pressure or caffeine addiction, it's best to follow your doctor's advice, which is likely to include limiting coffee consumption.
Also, this study concerns coffee, NOT coffee drinks (lattes, fraps, etc...) which are usually LOADED with calories, fat, and cholesterol. They almost always have a negative effect on your health, your waistline, and your wallet.

-Dr. C

Here's the abstract:

Habitual Coffee Consumption and Risk of Heart Failure

A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis

1. Elizabeth Mostofsky, ScD, 
2. Megan S. Rice, ScD, 
3. Emily B. Levitan, ScD and
4. Murray A. Mittleman, MD, DrPH

Abstract

Background—There have been discrepant findings on the association between coffee consumption and risk of incident heart failure.

Methods and Results—We conducted a systematic review and a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies that assessed the relationship between habitual coffee consumption and the risk of heart failure. We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL) from January 1966 through December 2011, with the use of a standardized protocol. Eligible studies were prospective cohort studies that examined the association of coffee consumption with incident heart failure. Five independent prospective studies of coffee consumption and heart failure risk, including 6522 heart failure events and 140 220 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. We observed a statistically significant J-shaped relationship between coffee and heart failure. Compared with no consumption, the strongest inverse association was seen for 4 servings/day and a potentially higher risk at higher levels of consumption. There was no evidence that the relationship between coffee and heart failure risk varied by sex or by baseline history of myocardial infarction or diabetes.

Conclusions—Moderate coffee consumption is inversely associated with risk of heart failure, with the largest inverse association observed for consumption of 4 servings per day.

For more information about "bad" foods that you should be eating, see my previous post....

http://chiropractorgreenbelt.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-bad-foods-you-should-be-eating.html

...or contact me directly anytime. In addition to providing evidenced based chiropractic care for injuries and wellness, I am a Certified Nutrition Specialist and am always happy to discuss any nutritional issues that my patients may have.


Until next time,

Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
Chiropractor
Greenbelt, MD

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

 301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com

       

The Worst Drivers in America

Allstate insurance company recently published its "Best Drivers Report" and Washington, DC finished dead last and earned the title "Worst Drivers in America". Its drivers were found to be 107.3% more likely to be in a collision compared the national average. Washington, DC also has the lowest amount of years between collisions with 4.8.  The average American city has an approximate 10 years between collisions average.

Washington DC shouldn't feel so alone because Baltimore, MD came in second to last. Drivers in Baltimore were found to be 88.7% more likely to be in a collision than the national average.  The amount of years between collisions was 5.3. Again, the national average is about 10 years between collisions.

So why would I cite such unpleasant statistics on a blog that is supposed to be about health, wellness, and chiropractic? The answer is simple, the city of Greenbelt, MD is located approximately 16 miles from Washington, DC and approximately 25 miles from Baltimore, MD.  Greenbelt Rehab is literally located in the center of the 2 worst driving cities in America.

It is estimated that there are 3 million NEW whiplash injuries each year.  Considering the location of my office, I would be an irresponsible member of the community if I didn't focus on those injured in automobile collisions. I have undergone specialty training from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego and am 1 of only 10 chiropractors in MD to have achieved their Certificate of Advanced Competency.

So while we are out there focusing on our driving (eyes on the road!) and actively trying to avoid collisions, the reality is that most of us in the DC/Baltimore area will eventually get into one. A significant percentage of those collisions will result in an injury of some type. These injuries often require some form of therapeutic intervention. Chiropractic care is THE treatment of choice for those involved in automobile collisions.  Patients receiving chiropractic care following a collision get better faster and tend to stay better longer.

So, if I may borrow a phrase from Allstate, if you find yourself injured following an automobile collision, PUT YOURSELF IN GOOD HANDS......GO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
 Chiropractor
 Greenbelt, MD (right in the thick of it)

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

 301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com

       

Rugby player uses Dry Needling to Stay Healthy

I saw this article about Louis Deacon and thought I'd share it.  Since my first name is also Louis, I too played lock in my rugby days, and since I am a Dry Needling Practicioner, I feel a special affinity for this short piece.

-Dr. C

Dry Needling Helps Rugby Player 

http://goo.gl/468CI

"If you'd asked me four months ago whether I'd play for England again I'd have said no," the 30-year-old admitted. "I didn't think I'd even play for Leicester."

Surgery on a prolapsed disc two years ago initially did the trick, but he suffered a relapse in the autumn and missed the first two months of the season.

His return to fitness, thanks to revolutionary 'dry needling' treatment and regular Pilates sessions, is enough of an achievement.

Dry Needling Treatment Helps  Pittsburg  Steeler 

Here's a picture of a Pittsburg Steeler getting dry needling treatment. More and more elite athletes as well as recreational athletes are discovering the effectiveness of this wonderful treatment.  It also helps with the pain and spasm associated with whiplash injuries.



Until next time.......

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
 Chiropractor
 Greenbelt, MD

For More information on chiropractic care, please visit the Greenbelt Rehab website.

Greenbelt Chiropractic Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us.

       

Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling

Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling to Restore Proper Function to Abnormal Muscles

Myofascial trigger point dry needling (MFTrPDN) is a treatment to restore proper function to abnormally behaving muscles. These muscles become painful with nodules also called “knots”, “tight bands”, or trigger points. They can be painful locally or send pain signals to other locations. The muscles, which contain these abnormal areas are “locked” and cannot function normally, which causes restriction of movement and chronic pain.

Nodules or Knots Can Develop from Overuse

These nodules or knots develop from overuse, trauma, poor posture, lack of exercise, sleep disturbances, vitamin deficiencies, joint arthritis or nerves being compressed at the spine and other locations. The painful areas contain biochemicals that cause pain to the local nerves and have decreased oxygen flow (ischemia) causing further pain resulting in muscle fibers to “lock”.

Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling Allows the Muscle Contracture to Release to its Normal Length

The reason this method is so effective is that it short-circuits the vicious cycle in a very direct way that other methods cannot accomplish. This treatment allows the muscle contracture to release to its normal length, the circulation to improve, swelling to recede and the chemicals to disperse, thereby removing their noxious effect on local nerves. The treatment utilizes sterile, thin monofilament needles to achieve its goal. The relief is often rapid with a reduction in pain and improved function.

For More information on chiropractic care, please visit the Greenbelt Chiropractic Rehab website.

Greenbelt Chiropractic Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us.

       

Dr. Louis S. Crivelli, II received his Doctorate in Chiropractic from the National University of Health Sciences in 2001.  He also holds a Master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, and a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Muhlenberg College.  Dr. Crivelli is a Certified Nutrition Specialist as recognized by the American College of Nutrition.  He is 1 of only 10 chiropractors in the state of Maryland to have an Advanced Competency Certificate from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego.  He is on the post-graduate faculty of New York Chiropractic College and is currently the Chief Instructor and Coordinator of the Chiropractic Assistant program.  Dr. Crivelli believes in treating patients using the most current, evidence-based physical methods, as well as cutting edge nutritional therapies.  He is the Vice President of the Maryland Chiropractic Association, where he also serves on the legislative/legal committee and the insurance committee, which he chairs. He is also an active member of the American Chiropractic Association and the Association for the History of Chiropractic.

Clinic Location:

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., Suite 201

Greenbelt, MD 20770

(301) 474-5505

(301) 474-5934 (F)

8 Tips for a Safe Road Trip

During the summer months, millions of people take to the road to enjoy family time together. Most of the time, things go off without a hitch. You and your family have a camera card and a brain filled with wonderful memories. However, with more and more people on the road the risk of accidents tends to rise.  Here are 8 easy tips to ensure that you stay safe while traveling:

1. Drive the speed limit - According to the Federal Highway Administration, your risk of involvement in a fatal accident is approximately 1% when driving 55 mph.  That risk rises to 7% with only a 5 mph increase in speed.  As far as non-fatal accidents are concerned, it is estimated that there are 3 million new cases of whiplash and whiplash associated disorders every year.
 
2. Service your car before you leave - An unexpected auto repair can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, not to mention precious hours, days and sometimes weeks. If your car breaks down while away from home, these losses are magnified many times over. A simple check up before the trip can remedy small problems before they become big problems.

3. Get a good night's sleep - Driver fatigue is a major cause of accidents. Be sure you start the day well rested. Get a good night's sleep and have a healthy breakfast before starting out. Try to avoid foods with high sugar content to prevent the inevitable "crash" that occurs due to the rapid rise and fall of blood sugar levels.

4. Take frequent breaks - Studies have shown that driving while tired or drowsy is equal to driving while drunk. Prolonged driving can also aggravate lower back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. Taking frequent breaks helps stretch the body and focus the mind.

5. Obey local driving laws - Seems like a "no-brainer" but be aware that speed limits and other laws can change quickly, especially near border areas of states and counties. Just like having an auto repair away from home, having legal trouble away from home is extremely inconvenient and frustrating.  

6. Do not engage with aggressive drivers - Road rage has been a buzzword for a while now, but the stories of assaults or worse are far too common these days. Please be considerate of others in their cars and try not to let the actions of other drivers get under your skin. Every last one of us engages in questionable driving maneuvers from time to time. Remember that the other drivers have families too. Don't do something you'll regret later.

7. Enforce seat belt use - It cannot be overstated that seat belts SAVE LIVES. In addition to buckling up, please make sure that any and all passengers are buckled up or restrained in a car or booster seat. NEVER remove a baby from their car seat while driving and do not allow children to climb throughout the vehicle while it is moving.

8. Be wary of trucks - We all have to share the road. Remember that 18 wheeler and other large vehicles are not as maneuverable as your sedan or coupe. Give them a wide berth and don't attempt to "draft" them or follow too closely. If you cannot see their mirrors, they cannot see you. Its not just a saying.

When accidents do occur, whiplash injuries are often the result of the neck being forced past its normal range of motion. This causes damage to the muscles, ligaments, and even the fibers of the intervertebral disc. Symptoms of whiplash include neck and shoulder pain, headache, difficulty moving the head and swelling.

Chiropractic remains the treatment of choice for millions of those that have sustained whiplash injuries. Most patients see faster and longer lasting results when compared to other treatments.

Enjoy the road!

Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
Chiropractor
Greenbelt, MD