Whether it is Pre-K, Elementary, Middle or High School, or college, teachers have a difficult job. Each day, teachers are met with physical and mental demands that affect their body and mind in ways other professions do not. Chronic stress is reported at alarming rates among teachers of all grade levels in comparison to other jobs, and nowadays, the teaching profession is regarded as one of the highest-risk occupations for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, the frequency of self-reported musculoskeletal complaints among school teachers ranges between 39 and 95 percent.
Many teachers, looking for non-invasive and safe methods of addressing some of their unique occupational, are looking towards chiropractic intervention. Here are just a few of the many ways chiropractic care benefits teaching professionals.
Posture
Teaching often includes repetitive movements, such as bending, lifting, kneeling and sitting in non-ergonomic resting positions. A teacher’s posture can be one of the first things to suffer from these movements. Poor posture, if not addressed can put strain on back, neck and shoulders, and eventually lead to chronic pain, poor circulation and even respiratory issues. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help reduce joint restriction or misalignments, which will, in turn, help correct postural imbalances.
Stress
Across the world, teaching is recognized as one of the most high-pressure and stressful professions. Stress in the classroom can impact not only the teachers but may often trickle down to the students as well. A common manifestation of stress in our body is muscle tension. For most teachers, this tension will settle in the neck and back. This tension can prevent the flow of essential hormones, like cortisol and oxytocin, which help the body fight stress and allow us to relax. A skilled chiropractor can help release this tension by making adjustments to the spine and correcting alignment. Relaxed teachers lead to calmer classrooms and a more productive environment for students to learn.
Sleep
The importance of a good night’s sleep for a teacher cannot be understated. Experts agree that “A well-slept teacher is a better teacher.” Insufficient sleep is common among teachers and is associated with many other health risks. Misalignment of the spine can increase a teacher’s tendency towards chronic pain and migraines, which are often the culprits in adverse sleep patterns. Regular visits to the chiropractor for spinal adjustments can alleviate pain and discomfort that may be interfering with a teacher’s ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Immunity
Teachers have the privilege and unique challenge of being with children all day! They have almost as much exposure to sneezing, coughing and other bodily fluids than most medical professionals. For this reason, is it vitally important that teachers maintain a healthy immune system to avoid catching every virus that enters their classroom. Because the nervous system communicates with the rest of the body through the spinal cord, misalignments can wreak havoc on immunity. A trained chiropractor can help a teacher address these misalignments, ensuring that all systems are communicating properly and immunity optimal, even during the dreaded flu season.
A Legacy Chiropractic, we value the opportunity to support and serve our teachers, helping them to better manage pain, stress, sleep problems, and ensure that that their immunity is stronger than the germs in their classroom so that they can finish the school year strong!
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