Archive for April, 2010

Safety Tips: Golfing the Right Way!

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

 

No matter if you are an actual golfer, cart driver or just a bystander, it is important you know some safety tips when it comes to the game of golf. 

 

According to an article written by trainer Sean M. Cochran, he has found that nearly 50 percent of recreational golfers will incur some type of golf related injury.

 

Golf can be a safe sport as long as a few basic common sense rules are applied: Proper conditioning, techniques and hydration are all key to creating a successful safety plan for your game of golf.

 

Staying Healthy on the Course:

  • Protect your beautiful skin from the sun: wear sunscreen, (at least an SPF 15) wear a hat or a visor
  • Drink plenty of fluids: make it water or a sports drink
  • Do NOT drink alcohol: alcohol not only dehydrates you but it also disorients you
  • Lift with your legs NOT your back when you lift your golf bag

Simple Ideas:

  • Try a wide straw hat as opposed to a ball cap or visor (it will block out more sun on your face)
  • Use a double strapped bag instead of a single strapped bag
  • Make sure you wear comfortable light fitting golf shoes

Staying Safe on the Course:

  • Your golf team should consist of no more than four people: (choose wisely)
  • Make sure you warm up: (WAIT!  Before you swing, check the area around you and make sure it is clear of others)
  • After you swing your club do NOT throw it in any direction: (I don’t care how bad your shot was, think of others please!)
  • Replace the grips on your clubs (if needed)
  • Head’s Up: always be aware of your surroundings
  • Yell Fore: If you hear it…duck, don’t turn!  Fore is the international word of “warning” in golf
  • Give yourself proper distance from the team in front of you
  • Drive your golf cart at appropriate speeds: do NOT let anyone under the age of 16 operate a golf cart
  • If storm clouds start to roll in, don’t take a chance, just get off the greens (lightning is extremely dangerous to golfers)

The Top 10 Most Common Golf Injuries

  1. Back pain
  2. Tennis Elbow/Golfer’s Elbow
  3. Shoulder Pain
  4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  5. Tendinitis
  6. Knee Pain
  7. Trigger Finger
  8. Wrist Impaction Syndrome
  9. Tendon Subluxation
  10. Fracture of Hamate Bone

For more information on these different types of injuries, please visit: http://golf.about.com/od/fitnesshealth/tp/commoninjuries.htm

 

Want to learn how to get your ball safely out of a sand trap or wooded area?  Check out these different videos from Golf-Digest.com! http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/2007-11/health_fitness

 

Now go out and safely enjoy a nice relaxing game of golf!

 

Sources:

 

http://www.engolfed.com/blog/2007/05/golf-safety-tips/

http://golf.about.com/od/fitnesshealth/a/safetyguideline.htm

http://video.about.com/golf/Golf-Swing-Basics.htm

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction

http://golf.about.com/cs/golffitness/ht/protecthealth.htm

http://www.golfinstruction.com/features/preventing-golf-injuries-cochran-2084.htm

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Celebrate Your Health on Earth Day!

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

 

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth day, we thought it would be appropriate to provide you with some reasons as to why protecting our planet is helping you to protect your own health.

 

According to an article written by Larry West he states, the World Health Organization (WHO), has found that nearly thirteen million deaths annually and a quarter of all diseases worldwide (33 percent of illnesses in children under the age of five) are due to environmental causes that could be avoided and/or even prevented.

 

According to WHO, the four main diseases caused by environmental factors are:

  1. diarrhea
  2. lower respiratory infections
  3. unintentional injuries
  4. malaria (to learn more about this disease, please visit: http://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/xfiles/malariawhatis.html

There are so many ways you and your family can go green (and no it does not always have to cost a fortune- why should it?!)  I promise, it is a good feeling to know you are taking care of yourself and the environment all at the same time!!

 

Tips in protecting the environment and your health:

 

Reduce:

  • Reduce purchases: (ask yourself; do I really need this?)
  • Simplify your life and your stack of magazines- sorry ladies :)
  • Create a “tree free” home: replace paper towels and napkins with cloths, purchase bleach free toilet paper, instead of using post-it notes have a dry erase board for your family to use
  • Ditch the paper and plastic shopping bags!  There are many “cute” reusable shopping bags available: http://baggubag.com/#Shop

Reuse

  • Have a garage sale! (one man’s trash is another man’s treasure) :)
  • Stock up on reusable items (tupperware, reusable mugs, razors, towels, etc.)
  • Donate: household items, computer equipment, old cell phones, eyeglasses, clothes, etc.
  • Buy/Sell used items: Ebay, Recyclers World, local second hand stores, etc.
  • College reuse: College students have you ever heard of Dump and Run?!  Learn more info. @: http://www.dumpandrun.org/

Recycle

  • Purchase green paper: not the color green, the kind of green that has been recycled usuing a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste.
  • Use natural fertilizer
  • Invest in a composter (home depot has some great options)
  • Dispose your hazardous waste @ a hazardous waste facility

A friend once said: “My future children thank you”  After all, our children are our future, so let’s help them not have to walk around in waste up to their knees.

 

Keep in mind that by protecting our environment you are not only protecting your own health but also the health of others.  Good for you!  Happy Earth Day Everyone!

 

Sources:

http://www.globalstewards.org/ecotips.htm

http://baggubag.com/#Shop

http://www.dumpandrun.org/

http://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/xfiles/malariawhatis.html

http://www.who.int/whr/2008/en/index.html

http://environment.about.com/b/2007/05/10/nearly-a-quarter-of-all-disease-linked-to-environment-by-who-report.htm

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Safety Tips: Lawn Mowing

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

lawn mower_6626_20090531With Spring now in full bloom and the chance of those spring showers in site, most people want to be outside preparing their lawns for those nice warm months to come.

 

But did you know that nearly 80,000 Americans require some type of hospital treatment for lawn mowing injuries annually?!  That is according to a study conducted by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health. 

 

With the number of injuries on the rise researchers have found the majority of injuries are occurring  in children under the age of 15 and adults over the age of 60.

 

Family Medical Walk-In Clinic is here to provide you with some helpful lawn mowing safety tips, so you can enjoy your spring in summer months on your lawn not in our clinics! :)

 

The ALWAYs!!

  • READ the owner’s manual! (I know some who think this step is worth skipping but you will thank me down the road!)
  • ALWAYS wear safety glasses
  • ALWAYS wear proper footwear (& no, sandals or bare feet do NOT apply): Best option: Steel toed boots
  • ALWAYS wear ear protection
  • ALWAYS inspect the lawn before mowing (look for debris, branches, paper, toys, etc.)
  • ALWAYS keep people away from where you are mowing
  • ALWAYS use a mower with a blade break or dead mans’ switch: to learn the difference, visit: http://www.your-lawn-care-basics-coach.com/Lawn-Mower-Safety-Tips.html
  • ALWAYS store gasoline in an approved container (make sure it has a release cap!)

 

The NEVER’S!!

  • NEVER allow children to operate a lawn mower (According to the Academy of Pediatrics no one under the age of 16 should use a rider mower, and no one under the age of 12 should use a push mower.)

*Please note: The age of operating any type of lawn mower varies state to state.  Check with your local police department for local laws that apply in your area.

  • NEVER wear loose fit clothing
  • NEVER reach under a lawn mower when it is on
  • NEVER point grass discharge or chute towards anyone or anything
  • NEVER operate any lawn equipment under the influence of drugs or alcohol (your grass will most likely look pretty hideous once you sober up, so, it is best to  save the drinks until after you get done!)
  • NEVER smoke while mowing your lawn or filling your lawn mower with gas (this is a no brainer my friends!)
  • NEVER work on a lawn mower unless the spark plug has been removed
  • NEVER mow steep hills if lawn is wet

 

We hope these tips will help prevent you from becoming a lawn mowing statistic this spring and summer!!!

 

Sources:

http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/studies/report-58171.html

 

http://www.your-lawn-care-basics-coach.com/Lawn-Mower-Safety-Tips.html

 

http://www.essortment.com/all/lawnmowingsafe_rcxi.htm

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It Is Finally Here!!!

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

acs-signup

Yes, it is true, you can NOW sign up for our Affordable Care Solutions membership program online!!!

 

To find out more information, or to sign up, please visit: http://www.fmwic.com or call: 417-890-5550.

 

Our ACS program is strictly a membership program through Family Medical Walk-In Clinics, Inc.  It is NOT insurance.  It covers all services performed within Family Medical Walk-In Clinic.  We have five convenient locations here in the Ozarks, open late & on weekends!!

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How to: Stuff a Healthy Easter Basket!

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

Easter_12748_20100222

 

The best approach to Easter is to focus on the meaning of the holiday, rather than all the candy filled Easter baskets.  But if you do find yourself reaching into a basket full of “suspected” treats, you may be in for a surprise of what you might find this year.  :)  

 

Family Medical Walk-In Clinic wants to provide you and your loved ones with some fun alternatives on how to stuff a “healthy” Easter basket.  Remember: It doesn’t always have to be filled with candy candy candy!!

 

What you can include in a “healthy” Easter basket:

  • Bubbles
  • Jump ropes
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Flip flops
  • Gardening tools
  • Hula hoops
  • Footballs/Baseballs
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm (with SPF)
  • Costume jewelry
  • Toy cars
  • Coloring books
  • Stickers
  • Gift certificates

 

Now, it is ok to include just a few eggs filled with sugary treats but try to go for the healthiest options:

  • Jelly beans (10: around 50 calories)
  • Reese’s peanut butter cups (1: around 90 calories)
  • Hershey’s kisses (4: around 90)
  • Sugar-free Double bubble gum (1: 7 calories)

 

Other options:

  • Bunny cupcakes: (whole grain carrot mini muffin mix)
  • Dried fruit (pineapple, orange slices)
  • Yogurt covered raisins
  • Granola bars (Nature Valley)
  • Pretzels

 

Now, if you or your child happens to get a tummy ache after you eat too much candy or if someone gets injured during the Easter egg hunt, Family Medical Walk-In Clinics will be open on Easter Sunday at all five locations with our regular business hours!!!

 

Hoppy Easter my friends!!!

 

Sources:

http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/20-ways-to-stock-a-fun-and-healthy-easter-basket-1243170/

http://www.newsguide.us/lifestyle/health-fitness/Create-Healthy-Easter-Baskets/

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=26001

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