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| For Questions Call/Text Dr. Jimenez Personally @ 915-540-8444 or Contact Us @ 915-850-0900 |
The future of many students largely depends on teachers and
educators to guide them through their many lessons and teachings. They are
given the opportunity to create a tremendous impact on the lives of their
students, however, teachers often face many mental and physical challenges
through the process, which may frequently lead to stress, headaches, and
insomnia, as well as injury, pains and aches. Back pain is among the most
common physical complication affecting a majority of educators.
Whether you’re a preschool teacher or a college professor,
injuries or conditions that affect your natural well-being can be prevented or
reduced, principally by improving posture and then following through with a
variety of health tips to avoid and improve further complications.
Teachers frequently stand for an extended period
of time for lectures which can place an additional amount of pressure on the lower
back, pelvis, and thighs, often leading to the development of an incorrect
posture. Also, prolonged standing on hard surfaces can
cause sore feet, swollen legs, and aggravate back pain. Furthermore, sitting down for long periods of
time, stooping over children at their desks, and even carrying small children,
heavy objects, or paperwork, could cause damage or injury to the muscles and
tissues surrounding the spine. Stress, especially caused when you are a first
year teacher learning the curriculum, how to write lesson plans, classroom
management, and paperwork, can be a huge factor towards a teacher developing mental
and physical complications and symptoms, including back pain. Stress is the body’s reaction to any kind of
demand, threat, or stimulus that can disrupt the balance of an individual’s
mind and body.
Increased levels of stress in teachers can
prevent them from getting a good night’s rest, resulting in insomnia that can
eventually lead to fatigue due to lack of sleep, triggering physical
complications.
While there is a wide variety of complications that can
affect teachers, fortunately, there are also numerous recommendations and
treatment options to help prevent and treat many possible health complications.
Foremost, standing up to lecture can be almost
inevitable for a teacher to properly engage a student’s learning process but
alternatively, a teacher can use a high stool rather than standing for those extended
periods of time. Also, using specially designed chairs with
cushions as well as height adjustable tables to provide support on the lower
back and pelvis can help prevent damage or injury from prolonged sitting. Even so, teachers should still attempt to
stretch and move their body more frequently to avoid muscle stiffness and
tightness and increase muscle flexibility and strength. Standing up and walking for approximately 20
minutes every day can make a big difference on your health. You can also help reduce muscle and spinal
damage or injury by avoiding excessive reaching and twisting. Furthermore, a teacher can use proper footwear
that offer cushioned support on the feet to help while standing for longer time
spans.
Finally, chiropractic treatment can be utilized by teachers
to both treat and prevent spinal complications as well as help decrease levels
of stress. Chiropractic care is not frequently used to
directly treat stress but a careful realignment of the spine can provide relief
and relaxation from many complications and symptoms that could help reduce
stress. A chiropractor will also determine the source of
the back pain and follow up with a specialized treatment plan to gradually
restore an individual’s health. Chiropractic treatment can include spinal
adjustments, manual manipulation, and several stretches and exercises to speed
up the healing process and promote wellness.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
