October 4, 2005 [Volume 6, Issue 21]

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To Your Health is brought to you by:

In this issue of To Your Health:

• The Prevalence of Pain in the Workplace
• Fruits, Vegetables May Be Your Best Defense Against Pancreatic Cancer
• Seniors and Tai Chi: A Winning Combination

Pain is one of the leading reasons why people are forced to miss time away from work. Pain is also responsible for having a dramatic effect on a person's performance while at work; in fact, a 2003 study found that just four common pain conditions - headaches, back pain, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal problems - account for more than $62 billion in lost productivity in the U.S. each year. As a result, many companies are seeking for ways to enhance the health of their employees, which can help to reduce pain while improving productivity.

In this study, researchers performed an Internet survey of 1,039 employees at a Fortune 100 company in the northeastern United States. The purpose of the study was to examine the frequency of pain in the average work force, and to measure its impact on employee health and productivity.

Results: Twenty-nine percent of the workers met the study's definition of pain. The five most common health problems reported by workers were allergies, neck pain, low back pain, depression, and arthritis. Employees with pain scored an average of 45 percent lower on an overall rating of physical health, and 23 percent lower on a mental health score, compared to those without pain. Workers with pain were also five times more likely to report being limited in their ability to do their work than employees who were not in pain.

What's interesting to note is that three of the five most common health problems reported in the survey (neck pain, back pain, and arthritis) are musculoskeletal in nature - conditions that can all be managed effectively by a doctor of chiropractic. The authors of the study believe that designing programs that target musculoskeletal conditions will offer companies the biggest "bang for the buck," resulting in a "win-win" situation for all involved.

Allen H, Hubbard D, Sullivan S. The burden of pain on employee health and productivity at a major provider of business services. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2005;47(7):658-670.

Cancer of the pancreas is one of the most deadly types of cancer in the U.S., killing an estimated 300,000 Americans each year. Little is known about the primary cause of pancreatic cancer; even less is known about how to prevent it. A recent study suggests that increasing consumption of certain fruits and vegetables may the best way of reducing a person's risk of pancreatic cancer, and that the more fruits and vegetables a person eats, the lower the risk of contracting the disease.

The study looked at the eating habits of more than 2,200 people over a 4-year period. Included in the study group were 532 people who had already been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Analysis of the eating habits showed that consuming at least five servings per day of "protective" vegetables was associated with a 55 percent reduced risk of pancreatic cancer, compared with eating two servings or less daily. High consumption of "protective" fruit and fruit juices, meanwhile, reduced the risk of pancreatic cancer by 28 percent. Onions; beans; garlic; carrots; yams; sweet potatoes; corn; dark, leafy vegetables; cruciferous vegetables; citrus fruits; and fruit juices were the items considered to provide the best protection against pancreatic cancer.

Increasing fruit and vegetable intake is typically recommended to help in the prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. The results of this study suggest that pancreatic cancer is the latest disease that can be added to that list. So, what are you waiting for? Go eat some fruits and veggies!

For more information, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.

Chan JM, Wang F, Holly E. Vegetable and fruit intake and pancreatic cancer in a population-based case-control study in the San Francisco Bay area. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, Sep. 2005;14:2093-2097.

Although used as a form of exercise today, tai chi is actually an ancient Chinese martial art, which combines breathing techniques, meditation and body movements, all performed in slow motion. First taught as a form of self-defense, tai chi is now practiced by tens of millions of people daily as a means of reducing stress, and enhancing well-being. A recent study suggests that tai chi can also be used by the elderly to help improve their balance, thus reducing the risk of falling.

In the study, a group of elderly people who were prone to falls enrolled in a 12-week tai chi exercise program. Tai chi was performed three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after the study, researchers conducted tests on the tai chi patients to determine any changes in fitness levels, along with any incidences of falling.

Patients who participated in the tai chi program showed significantly improved muscle strength in their knees and ankles, and improvements in flexibility and mobility, compared to a control group. Tai chi patients were also 38 percent less likely to experience a fall than the control patients, and felt much more confident about being able to avoid a fall.

Tai chi is a safe, inexpensive, low-intensity exercise that can be performed in almost any setting. This makes it an ideal form of exercise for the elderly, especially those who may have limited movement or may be living in assisted care facilities. For more information about this and other types of exercise, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/senior/seniorfitness/index.html.

Choi JH, Moon JS, Song R. Effects of Sun-style tai chi exercise on physical fitness and fall prevention in fall-prone older adults. Journal of Advanced Nursing, July 2005;51(2):150-157.

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