Dr. Bennese Obtains Sports Chiropractic Degree. What Does This Mean For You The Patient?

I just received notification that I passed my National Board exam to officially become a Certified Sports Chiropractor. What does this mean for you the patient? Although I will be working with professional athletes, I plan on focusing much of my training on you, our "everyday athletes." Life itself is a sport.

Some of my roles as a Certified Sports Chiropractor are to provide pre-competition performance enhancement, post-competition rapid regeneration/ recovery, and to perform "prehabilitation" which is injury-proofing your body.

Chiropractic is absolutely everywhere in the sports world today. Hard to believe? The Medical Director overseeing all aspects of medical care for the entire United States Olympic team is Dr. William Moreau, a Sports Chiropractor.

5 Tips To Improve Your Computer Posture

5 Tips to Improve Your Computer Posture
Dr. Michael Bennese



The average weight of the human head is around 10-12 lbs. Your head is connected to the rest of the body by a flexible set of interconnected bones, called the spine, specifically, in this case, the cervical spine, which we will call "the neck".  This vital link between your skull, and what is contained inside, "your brain" and the rest of your body is via the spinal cord that travels down the center of the neck bones – it is literally your lifeline.  Any challenges to the spinal cord are serious, and should be addressed immediately. 

The most common form of stress affecting the head and neck, and therefore, the cervical spinal cord, is forward head posture.  What this means is, the head is displaced from the center of gravity over time, so that it is forward of its ideal position.  This means the muscles, ligaments and joints are under excess stress and strain because they must work extra hard to support the head and neck.  In fact, for every inch forward from the normal position your head is displaced, the effective weight of your head increases dramatically.  Think of holding a half gallon of milk by the handle, close to you, versus out at arms length…the effect of the load is dramatically different on your shoulder muscles! The constant excessive stress on the bones, muscles, ligaments and joints of your neck due to forward head posture will produce challenges to the way your neck moves, as well as the way your spinal cord functions to communicate with the rest of your body.

Due to the fact that many people in the workplace use computers, forward head posture has become very common!  The abnormal stress this posture puts on your head, neck and spinal cord is responsible for a number of common problems ranging from muscle tension headaches (due to the extra work the muscles have to do to support the head and neck), disc degeneration, disc bulging or even disc herniations or ruptures in extreme cases.  The fact is, in every case, forward head posture should be corrected or improved to minimize any problems in the head and neck and avoid any future complications.

To find out if you have Forward Head Posture, find a partner and take this simple test:  With your eyes closed, nod your head as high as it goes, then as low as it goes, then return to where you feel your head is centered.  Have your partner observe you from your side to see if your ear lines up with your shoulder.  If your ear is out in front of your shoulder, you have Forward Head Posture. 
If your partner did not find Forward Head Posture, take this Computer Posture Quiz to see if you are at risk of developing Forward Head Posture.   

How many of the following do you have:

 #1 Your neck is achy and you only have been working for hour at the computer. 
Fix It!:  Line up your eyes with the middle of your computer screen.  This will help prevent you from tilting your head down.  You may need to place your monitor on several stacked phone books to accomplish this (See, those phone books still serve a purpose!)

#2 Your neck does not necessarily hurt, but it is stiff and it feels heavy after only 1 hour working at the computer.  Fix It!:  Get an eye exam.  With decreasing vision, the tendency is to jut your head forward closer to the computer screen to see.  Perhaps you need a new prescription for  eyeglasses or contacts.  Also, check your chair:  a lack of a proper lumbar support will set a chain of events in order that result in you jutting you head forward while computing. 

#3 While at the computer, you begin to experience a burning sensation in the right side of your neck and it is traveling into your right shoulder….maybe even down your right arm. 
Fix It!:  Coupled with forward head posture, this position unnecessarily stretches not only your  shoulder muscles, but the group of nerves that travel down your arm from your shoulder.  Make sure your mouse is at a surface low enough so you are not using your shoulder muscles to keep you arm elevated.  Those shoulder muscles are not designed to be contracted for extended periods of time.   This is common for users of laptops and tablets where the keyboard is so close to the monitor. 

#4 Both shoulders ache or burn after a short time on the computer Fix It!:  Your keyboard may be too high.  The keyboard should be low enough so you do not have to elevate either shoulder to perform your keying.  What if you primarily use a laptop?  Laptops are notorious for developing forward head posture and shoulder problems.   I recommend placing the laptop on a stack of phone books as stated previously, as well as using an external keyboard and mouse to keep your shoulders appropriately relaxed.  

#5 The middle and lower part of your back aches and you become fidgety while working at the computer.  

Fix It!:  Did you know that sitting puts 40 percent more pressure on your spine than standing?  Let’s be honest: Maintaining proper posture is probably the last thing you’re thinking about when under a major work deadline. And on a jam-packed day, regular stretching breaks may not seem like a wise way to spend your time. However, sitting at a 135-degree angle can reduce compression of the discs in the spine, so lean back slightly every now and then. Do it when you take a phone call or a co-worker stops by to chat. Make sure your office chair supports the curve of your spine.

Bonus Question:  You are working on your Smartphone and your neck aches. Maybe it even burns.  You feel the need to stretch it.  Eventually, it starts aching even when you are not on your Smartphone. 

Fix It!:    I have seen this scenario explode in the past 3 years so much that we have been referring to it as “Text Neck.”  While working (or playing) on your Smartphone, use your arms to elevate it to eye level instead of looking down at it.  If need be, from a seated position, prop your elbows in your sides to hold up your arms.  If you must look down at your phone, tuck your chin prior to looking down.  This will relax the neck muscles instead of stretching them.  

If you answered “Yes” to even one of the above scenarios, you should identify and repair the cause.  If you already have Forward Head Posture, it is recommended you seek care from a Certified Biomechanics Specialist to restore proper posture and rebuild spinal stability in addition to changing the improper ergonomics which may have lead to the postural distortion. 

Forward Head Posture has become a very common posture condition in today’s computer-based workplace environment.  However, you do have control in preventing and reversing this eventually degenerative condition. 

Does Chiropractic Cut Workers' Compensation Costs for Low Back Pain by 50%?

In Work Related Injuries, the risk of disability recurrence is lower for patients treated primarily (more than 50% of the time or higher) by a Doctor of Chiropractic than for patients treated primarily by a Medical Physician or a Physical Therapist.

-Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Before You Consider the Flu Shot, Read My Report.......95 Years in the Making

As I drove along the Carlisle Pike last week, I observed just about every pharmacy and grocery store had a sign outside advertising their Flu Shots. It reminded me of the connection between the Great Flu Pandemic of 1917-1918 and the rise of chiropractic as a result of the success chiropractic had in treating flu infected patients during the outbreak. Because of the method of manufacture, every year, by its very nature, the flu vaccine is OUT OF DATE before it is even released. It can only offer partial protection for flu strains that happen to be closely related to last year's favorite's that have been selected.
Consider the 1918 Flu Pandemic: That strain killed an astounding 10 million people worldwide in 6 months. New data suggest that number more accurately should be 20 million.
'Old timer' Chiropractors around the country at this time repeated the same refrain: "I was about to go out of business when the flu epidemic came...but when it was over, I was firmly established in practice."
Why? The answer is reasonably simple. Chiropractors got fantastic results from influenza patients while those under medical care died like flies all around. Chiropractic became licensed shortly thereafter in many states as a direct result of these successes.

The national statistics speak for themselves:

1. In Davenport, Iowa, 50 Medical Doctors treated 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. In the same city, 150 Chiropractors including students and faculty of the Palmer School of Chiropractic, treated 1,635 cases with only 1 death.

2. In the state of Iowa, medical doctors treated 93,590 patients, with 6,116 deaths - a loss of one patient out of every 15. In the same state, excluding Davenport, 4,735 patients were treated by Chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases - a loss of 1 patient out of every 789.

3. National figures show that 1,142 Chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for infuenza during 1918, with a loss of 54 patients - 1 out of every 886.

4. Reports show that in New York City, during the infuenza epidemic of 1918, out of every 10,000 cases medically treated, 950 died; and in every 10,000 pneumonia cases medically treated 6,400 died. In the same epidemic, under drugless methods, only 25 patients died of influenza out of every 10,000 cases; and only 100 patients died of pneumonia out of every 10,000 cases.

This comparison is made more striking by the following table:


                                                               Influenza


                                                   Cases                     Deaths



Under Medical Methods             10,000                        950



Under Drugess Methods             10,000                         25



                                                             Pneumonia



                                                    Cases                      Deaths



Under Medical Methods            10,000                          6,400



Under Drugless Methods           10,000                            100


The epidemic reports in Oklahoma show that Chiropractors treated 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths. But the best part of this is, in Oklahoma there is a clear record showing that Chiropractors were called in 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for the patients, and finally gave them up as lost. The Chiropractors saved all these lost cases but 25.

Statistics alone do not put in the human element that is needed to spark the material properly. Dr. S.T. McMurrain, a Chiropractor, had a makeshift table installed in the Influenza ward in Base Hospital No. 84 unit stationed in Perigau, in Southwestern France during World War 1. The Medical Officer in charge sent all influenza patients in for chiropractic adjustments from Dr. McMurrain for the several months the epidemic raged in that area. Lt. Col. McNaughton, the detachment commander, was so impressed he requested to have Dr. McMurrain commissioned in the Sanitary Corps.

Chiropractic had its beginning, not in treating pain-related problems, but in boosting patients' immune systems to avoid and fight off infection. We can take this lesson into 2013. Allow us to help you attain Synchrony of your Structure and Function of your health. We do this by optimizing your body's frame to be strong and stable. We do this by improving the make up of your body's nutrition. The result: Your body will be better ready to defend itself naturally from outside infections. Call or email us to schedule a Structural and Nutritional Assessment so we can construct a Healthy Action Plan for you and your family.



Copyright © 2012 Synchrony ChiroCare, All rights reserved.

Is This New Sugar Substitute Really "Natural?"

One of my ongoing goals is to educate my patients to question topics regarding their own health and the choices they make.  Here is a glaring example of how a person may be tricked into believing he or she is choosing the healthy option simply by trusting its source....in this case the Harrisburg Patriot News. 

This is an article recently written in the Body/Mind section of the Patriot News regarding their ongoing series on sugar substitutes. 

Upon reading this seemingly trustful advice, I noticed several misleading statements and even an outright untruthful statement.  The new artificial sweetener on the market known as Truvia is NOT Stevia.  However, the author of the Patriot News article falsely uses the name Truvia and Stevia together as if they are one and the same.  They are clearly not. In response, here is the letter I wrote to the editor of the Patriot News:

The word "natural", by definition, means "existing in or formed by nature."  The article in the Sunday July 29, 2012 Your Health section on Stevia Sweeteners is extremely misleading to consumers interested in maintaining a healthy, natural lifestyle.  Stevia is a natural substance safely used for centuries as a sweetener.  Natural substances cannot be patented.  Rebaudioside A, on the other hand, is an isolated chemical derived from the Stevia plant using multiple steps and multiple chemicals such as acetone, methanol, and acetonitrile.  Since Rebaudioside A is a man-made chemical, it can be, and has been patented.  Multiple times throughout the article the words "stevia", "natural", and "rebaudioside A" are falsely used interchangeably.  Since Stevia and Rebaudioside A are functionally two different compounds, they are metabolized differently in your body.  What are the long term effects of consuming unnatural Rebaudioside A?  Nobody knows.  It was never consumed by a human prior to 5 years ago.   I believe it is not only misleading, but grossly irresponsible to be using the words "natural" and "Rebaudioside A" together.

Dr. Michael Bennese, DC
Clinical Director, Synchrony ChiroCare and BStrong4Life of Enola

So where can you find the real, all natural sugar substitute known as Stevia?  You can still find it at your local grocery store.  It is not located in the Sweetener aisle.  Real Stevia can be found in the area where nutritional supplements are sold.  It can also be purchased at area Health Food stores.   

For more information on Nutritional Counseling, visit our website www.synchronychirocare.com or email us at info@synchronychirocare.com

My Personal Father's Day Health Tip

How many guys out there sit with your wallet in your back pocket? How many of the ladies out there see their men carry their wallet in their back pocket?

 I was about 17 years old when I first was treated by a Chiropractor. I went because of a jaw problem which caused me to have big headaches (but that's another newsletter). One of the first things he told me to do was put my wallet in my front pocket instead of my rear pocket. I thought that was a rather strange thing to tell me since I was seeing him for jaw problems, but I did what I was told. To this day I always carry my wallet in my front pocket. It would feel very weird to carry it in my back pocket. I was always thankful to my first Chiropractor for telling me that. I have passed that important information on to my younger patients just like he did for me. For the guys out there who have been carrying your wallet in your back pocket for years, you may have to train yourself, but it can be done.

 Give yourself the Father's Day gift of a healthier future spine: Remove that wallet from your back pocket prior to sitting. I see many men coming in with crooked spines that could have been prevented by doing just this one thing.

 If you are guilty of carrying your wallet in your back pocket, and you are afraid it may be the cause of your ongoing back, hip,or leg problem, have no fear: Email or call us and we can evaluate your spine with state-of-the-art digital radiographic analyis to determine if wearing that wallet for years caused any structural distortion. We are trained to restore and rebuild your spine to a stronger, more stable, healthier position.

Lack of Referral: A Potential Danger

I do not hear this quote too much anymore, but when I do, I feel the need to share my thoughts.  The statement is "Chiropractic can be potentially dangerous by delaying proper treatment."  And guess what?   I agree.  Actually, I contend ANY profession can be potentially dangerous by delaying proper treatment. 

And do you know what?  Medicine can be potentially dangerous by delaying proper Chiropractic care.  Let me give you but one example: 

Compression of certain nerves, like the sciatic nerve, can cause permanent irreversible damage if not treated in time.  Dr. Bourdillon, an internationally prominent British Orthopedic Surgeon, stated that muscle wasting of the wrist or hand will occur if a patient is delayed proper neck and upper back spinal adjustments.  He added that in 15 years in a busy practice, he did not see ANY secondary muscle wasting EXCEPT among the patients medically treated elsewhere, where the syndrome was allowed to develop before the neck was properly treated.  Muscle wasting means the muscle starts withering away due to a lack of proper nerve supply.

Often, I see patients after they have exhausted every other possibe treatment, including surgery for their conditions.  This is a perfect example of why Chiroractic Care should never be a "last resort".  It is not a luxury....it is a necessity.  Rest assured, as your doctor, if your condition is out of my realm and proper treatment would be best administered elsewhere, you will be the first to hear it from me.