Women's Health Tips

Health & Wellness Tips for Women

Many health problems can be prevented or resolved with conservative chiropractic care, proper nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits. Learn more about the topics below.

Heavy Handbags

Could that iPod you just tossed into your already over-stuffed handbag be one gadget too many? If you're like many women, the answer may be yes...

Improving Pregnancy Care

A key part of maintaining a healthy pregnancy may be to baby your back and joints. Pregnant women tend to experience added stress on their lower back and pelvic joints, which can result in pain - and in certain cases- prenatal complications...

High Heels: Friend or Foe?

Once might be a fluke, but when two Miss USAs in a row fall while walking in high heels, you know women everywhere have a problem. Both tumbles happened during the evening gown competition....

Safe Ways to Get Back in Shape

Whether you're hitting the gym, pilates mat or treadmill to get back in shape, it's best to start with baby steps. "People should take their time getting back into an exercise routine-otherwise they risk injury," says Gerard W. Clum, D.C., of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress...

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Heavy Handbags continued...
Health experts say handbags often weigh 10 to 15 pounds - instead of the one to two pounds that doctors recommend. If your bag is maxed out, adding even a small additional weight could lead to injury.
"Heavy, cumbersome bags may leave you with back, neck, and shoulder pain, even headaches, and can aggravate or accelerate arthritic conditions," says Gerard W. Clum, D.C., President of Life Chiropractic College West.
If you must carry heavier items, The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress suggests using a bag with two shoulder straps or pulling a carrying case with wheels. And if you experience pain, a chiropractor might help you identify its causes and devise a plan for treating it.

Pregnancy Care continued...
According to Jason Rexroth, M.D., an OB-GYN specialist and supporter of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, chiropractic pregnancy care is the best solution. "It treats ailments but also significantly reduces reliance on pain and narcotic medications," he explains.
This isn't exactly some "new-wave" idea. Women have relied on chiropractic care during pregnancy since as far back as the early 1900s.
Doctors says its use may also help encourage healthy fetus development, as well as make the delivery process easier by maintaining proper pelvic balance and eliminating nervous system disturbances.
"A healthy nervous system is essential in the development of a healthy baby," says Dr. Rexroth.

High Heels continued...
The much-noted spills point out the dangers associated with wearing high heels. "Wearing them affects the entire body, particularly the knee, hip, and spine," said Gerard W. Clum, D.C., President of Life Chiropractic College West. "The abnormal weight bearing and stressful posture induced by high heels can strain both the lower back and the neck - not to mention the feet, ankles and knees."
If high heels are a must, try not to wear them more than two hours a day. So where does that leave fashion-conscious women? Well, no one's saying you have to stick to flats the rest of the time. Instead, choose heels of two inches in height or less as a compromise.

Back in Shape continued...
He recommends warming up before exercising and working out with a partner or trainer.
Still, injuries can happen, regardless of how fit you might be. Even Sarah Harding, the reigning Ms. Fitness USA and a spokesperson for the Foundation, worked with chiropractors to recover from a back injury she sustained while exercising.
"There's no way I could perform at this level without chiropractic care," says Harding. "Chiropractic works. It's as simple as that."