Newsletter: April 2008

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Prevent Falls in the Home

As we grow older, our risk of falling increases and so does the risk of serious injury from a fall. Most trips, slips and falls happen in and around the home. Here are some simple things you can do to make sure your home doesn’t trip you up.

The Bathroom

• Use a non-slip mat inside and outside the tub or shower.
• Install grab bars by the toilet and in the tub and shower area.
• Purchase a non-slip bath and shower bench to get in and out safely.
• Install a raised toilet seat to make getting on and off easier.

Replace loose scatter mats with rugs that have rubber backing. Wipe up spills immediately. Keep everyday items on shelves within easy reach. Make sure no extension cords cross your path. Never climb on a chair or stool to reach for something. Always ask for assistance. Use non-slip floor wax. Add gliders to your chairs to make moving them easier when you sit down or get up from the table.

• Keep stairways clear of clutter that can cause you to trip.
• Ensure there are handrails on both sides of the staircase.
• Repair loose railings.
• Install non-slip strips on the edge of each step.
• Secure loose or wrinkled carpet.
• Ensure good lighting in stairwells.
• Make sure you can see where you are going if you are carrying something up or down the stairs.

Have a clear path from the bedroom to the bathroom. Place night lights along the way to guide you. Make sure tables and lamps are stable. Always sit down when putting on or taking off shoes and clothing. Don’t rush to answer the phone. Consider a cordless phone

• Keep a covered bucket of sand or salt near the doorway in winter to safely handle slippery conditions.
• Make sure outdoor railings and stairs are sturdy and secure. Install railings on both sides of outdoor stairways if needed.
• Keep steps and pathways clear of clutter such as yard tools, snow shovels, newspapers and wet leaves.
• Don’t juggle parcels while trying to enter the house. Never carry more than is reasonable. Instead, make a few trips from the car with smaller packages.

OFFICE OFFERINGS:

Free!!! Two-Week Free Trial certificates for the Fitness Connection in our office. (No more excuses!)

FREE!!!! At our office -- Pocket or pouch-sized pamphlets on simple pre-golf stretches.

* FREE!!! Come in or call the office to get: "The Chiropractic Consumer's Report" a booklet that tells us what we need to know before and about choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic.

* FREE!!! The Fitness Prescription DVD: The DVD that Dr. Larry has produced is available at the office. Come in and get your copy of "The Fitness Prescription" or you may download it from our website home page

+ ONLY AT OUR OFFICE - Dr. Larry is certified in the Graston Technique and for the past two years has been having remarkable success in treating soft tissue injuries that have not responded to other therapies. Do you or someone you know suffer from soft-tissue injury? Tendonitis, carpal-tunnel, bursitis, plantar fasciitis? Many, many of our patients have had amazing results with the Graston Technique® designed especially for soft-tissue damage and used by many sports teams including the Olympics. Check out the information about GT on our website by clicking here. Call today for a consultation.

* LENDING LIBRARY - You are welcome to take out on loan from our library the sports medicine book that Dr. Larry co-authored "Inside The Minds: The Art and Science of Sports Medicine". We also have a variety of other books, cd's, and DVD's available for loan.

OFFICE REQUESTS:

Contact the office:
Dr. Larry Smith D.C., B.P.E.
Chiropractor

P.O. Box 307
255 Island Highway
Parksville, British Columbia
Canada V9P 2G5