Law Enforcement Officers & Chiropractic
It’s no secret that law enforcement officers have a physically demanding job. Because of their work, they can suffer from neck pain, back strain and ailments associated with postural distortions. Many law enforcement officers have a daily routine that requires standing or sitting for an 8-hour shift or longer, as well as the ability to quickly transition into high-intensity action. If that wasn’t enough, wearing a duty belt full of equipment and a protective vest adds significant weight and stress to the body that it already endures. It’s only fitting that law enforcement officers are a large patient demographic of chiropractic care in order to combat the stress and strain of their occupational hazards.
Sitting in a car while wearing a duty belt causes an officer to sit unevenly, which in turn perpetuates long-term damage to the hips, pelvis and legs. Yet the officer still must wear a duty belt and tries to compensate for the uncomfortable position by tilting the mid-back the other way. Eventually the officer has a spine that zigzags instead of a natural curve. Humans are meant for movement. So, when we sit for a long time, we risk getting sciatica, the most common condition associated with uneven hips.
Investigators typically stare at computer screens and mobile devices for long periods of time. At some point, the officer’s posture begins to decline, hunching over with the head jutting out. Forward head posture can lead to long-term muscle strain, disc herniations, headaches, arthritis and pinched nerves. It can also result in the loss of 30% lung capacity. Many times the beginning of the disease process starts with postural distortions.
Any condition is debilitating to an officer and can cause serious risk of injury or even worse if the officer cannot perform at 100%. We all rely on law enforcement officers to protect and serve, and it’s only right to make sure that these brave humans are best equipped to help themselves and our communities. Chiropractic care reduces the risk of occupational injuries for law enforcement officers by properly keeping their bodies functioning for optimal performance. It’s imperative for LEOs to get checked by chiropractors in order to prevent the long-term effects from beating their bodies up on a daily basis.
Such as the relationship between police and health, chiropractors must know their patient demographics and the physical strain that patients endure in order to effectively communicate the chiropractic connection. Improve your practice communications by knowing your patient community with the help of Dena Frawley Consultants.
Dena Frawley Consultants, LLC helps chiropractic offices with insurance training, billing and consulting. Please visit our website for more information.