TOCA Tip Tuesday: How to Sit at a Computer!

TOCA Tip Tuesday: How to Sit at a Computer!

Regular computer users perform 50,000 to 200,000 keystrokes each day. Under certain circumstances and for vulnerable individuals, frequent computer use that involves awkward postures, repetition, and forceful exertions may be related to nerve, muscle, tendon, and ligament damage.

If you use a computer extensively (several hours each day), many experts recommend that you consider proper workstation layout and posture techniques to minimize your risk of developing injuries of the hand/arm, shoulder, neck, and back.

Overuse injuries develop over time, and may set in more quickly if you spend long hours sitting at a computer at home, as well as at work.

Symptoms of a problem can include numbness in the fingers, sore wrists, lower back pain, or eyestrain (redness, dryness, soreness, temporary blurring of vision, and headaches).

You may also develop general aches and pains in the neck, shoulders, arms, back, thighs, and lower legs (postural fatigue) or persistent pain or discomfort in muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue (repetitive strain injury).

Injury Prevention: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Avoid most computer-related overuse injuries. Some experts suggest that to reduce your risk:

* Use a properly set-up workstation.
* Use correct posture including keyboard and pointing device techniques.
* And most importantly, take frequent rest breaks.

Workstation Set Up:
If you're like most people, you are more productive and efficient at a workstation that fits your body size.

Chair: Many people find that a good chair is one that adapts to their bodies. You may want to choose one that is stable and adjusts easily for height and tilt. Consider a chair with a backrest that supports the curve of your lower (lumbar) back. Sit back in the chair when you work at a computer.

Work Surfaces: Many people may be most comfortable when the height of the desks is at about elbow level when sitting down. Check that there is enough room below the work surface to comfortably fit your knees and thighs.

Monitor and Source Documents: Correct placement of your monitor may help some individuals prevent eye strain, neck pain and shoulder fatigue by keeping your head and neck as straight as possible. Some experts suggest that your monitor should be separate from your keyboard and centered directly in front of you.

#RESULTS.RECOVERY.RELIEF.

TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

TOCA was a proud Sponsor of the Gymnastics Annual Glassic Rock Invitational

The Arizona Sun Rays Gymnastics and Dance Center hosted their Annual Classic Rock Invitational with over 1400 gymnasts from nineteen different states. The competition was held at the Phoenix Convention Center over the weekend and TOCA was a proud sponsor of the event. Dr. Overlin attended the competition on Saturday helping provide care for the athletes in attendance with Ideal Physical Therapy. In between, she was able to cheer on some of her favorite gymnasts and patients!

#RECOVERY.RESULTS.RELIEF.


TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

TOCA patient Cate Bossard will be one of the celebrity dancers in Dancing with the Stars!

TOCA patient Cate Bossard will be one of the celebrity dancers in Dancing with the Stars, this upcoming February 20th at the Biltmore Hotel. This event is one of the main fundraisers organized by the Kidney Foundation and they are celebrating its 9th year in the valley.

Cate Bossard was a patient of TOCA’s Dr. Steen Johnsen. Cate‘s feet had become crippled with huge bunions and toes which had curled so badly, that she was walking on the tips of her toes on the right foot and on the nail of the toes on the left foot.

Cate has been very active in sports her whole life playing tennis, horseback riding, hiking as well as other multiple outdoor activities. This was all coming to an end. It became difficult to wear shoes. At this point Cate made the decision to take the time and try and get her feet back to some normality.

Dr. Johnsen took this task on. See the before and after pictures!!!

In Cates words…

“I am thrilled to be Dancing with the Stars event for several reasons.

THANK YOU to Dr. Johnsen of TOCA who rebuilt my two crippled feet between 2012 and 2014. Now I have twinkle toes enough to be able to dance in this very prestigious Kidney Foundation Event 2014.”


For more information please visit: https://azkidney.org/events/DWSAZ2015


#RECOVERY.RESULTS.RELIEF

TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries with Dr. Bailie

This past Saturday Dr. Bailie joined Todd Ellenbecker and Host Carrie Bordinko, MD on Doctor Talk (KFNN Money Radio 1510 AM 99.3 FM, Saturday’s at 1:00pm). Dr. Bailie and Mr. Ellenbecker discussed shoulder pain, which is the third most common cause of musculoskeletal disorders and rotator cuff injuries.

The rotator cuff is the most commonly torn structure in the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears usually produce symptoms of weakness and pain especially on trying to lift the arm. When an acute injury results in a rotator cuff tear consideration should be given to a surgical repair within six weeks of the injury to avoid atrophy of the muscle and tendon.

Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common reasons patients enter an Orthopedic Surgeons office. There are many common misconceptions about rotator cuff tears and their management.
The rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscles which control how well your shoulder works.
Rotator cuff tears can occur because of an injury, trauma or simply because our tissue wore out.

Fast Facts:

• 4.5 million Patients seek medical care for shoulder pain annually in the U.S.
• 250,000 patients get rotator cuff surgery in the U.S. annually
• Those rotator cuff surgeries produce a societal savings of $3.44 billion per year; averaging $13,771 per patient younger than age 61
• The prevalence of rotator cuff tears increases with age

#RESULTS.RECOVERY.RELIEF

TOCA

602-277-6277

www.tocamd.com