VANCOUVER, Wash., June 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vancouver WA chiropractor Dr. Michael Pettet announced that his practice, Back and Neck Care Chiropractic, has launched a new community outreach wellness program. The program is designed to educate Vancouver residents about the importance of proactive care for preventing back pain and other problems caused by a musculoskeletal misalignment.
"Many of our patients come to us after years of chronic pain and are surprised to learn that some of this pain could have been minimized or avoided all together through better spinal care," said Dr. Pettet. "This starts with improved office ergonomics and better posture. While adjusting the height of an office chair or standing up straight may seem like minor changes, these changes truly make a difference for a patient's overall health."
As part of the community outreach program, Dr. Pettet and the wellness team at Back and Neck Care Chiropractic will visit offices and schools to hold informational workshops on spinal health and ergonomics. This includes a short discussion on important office ergonomics, such as optimal chair height and computer keyboard position to minimize lumbar and cervical spine strain.
"When we sit in an office chair for eight or ten hours each day, if the chair is not properly adjusted or correctly positioned, we can end up compressing the lumbar spine and straining the cervical spine," said Dr. Pettet. "Leaning the head forward can also strain the cervical spine. As a result, people suffer from low back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain and jaw pain. Our community outreach program discusses basic ergonomic adjustments that can improve spinal support and minimize pain."
As part of the community outreach program, the practice also provides 10-minute chair massages. These massages focus on releasing tension trapped within the muscles of the back, shoulders and neck.
"A 10-minute massage may not seem that long, but it's truly remarkable what a difference even a short massage can make for the body," said Dr. Pettet. "Massage therapy is a treatment most people associate with injury and pain management. However, it can also be part of a proactive, preventative care program. Together with chiropractic adjustments, regular massage treatments support a healthy body."
Individuals who would like to learn more about the new community outreach program and free chair massages may visit http://pettetchiro.com/.