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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Category: Health

Published: 18 April 2024

The following was submitted by Dr. Andrew Casden, Chief, Orthopedic and Spine Surgery at White Plains Hospital

If you experience back pain related to playing golf, you’re not alone. More than 25 million Americans played golf in 2022, according to the National Golf Foundation, and a 2023 study found that more than 37% of amateur golfers experience back pain.

One of the greatest golfers of all time, Tiger Woods, struggled with back pain that was so severe he would drop to the ground in visible pain. When he finally opted for spinal fusion surgery, it revived his career. You may not play like Tiger Woods, but if your back is suffering as much as your golf game, then it’s time to investigate better options than trying to play through pain.

Cause and Effect

Nearly two-thirds of serious golfers play with some form of back discomfort, the result of spending four or more hours bent over and repeating the same motion hundreds of times. “Golf is considered a low-impact sport, yet players can suffer injuries, most notably in their lower back,” notes Dr. Andrew Casden, Chief of Orthopedics and Spine Surgery at White Plains Hospital. “Changing your swing may not help, in fact, it may worsen matters. Continuing to play with lingering back pain can lead to other more serious injuries.”

Common causes of lower back pain include muscle strains, arthritis, bone fractures, and herniated discs, which if left untreated can lead to severe issues, including nerve damage. “Herniated discs can occur in the lower back when making the bending, or twisting movements associated with a golf swing,” says Dr. Casden. “Symptoms of a herniated disk vary, but they can include back pain, numbness or tingling, and weakness. They can sometimes cause radiating pain to the buttocks, legs, and feet.”

Tips to Stay on Course

One of the most overlooked causes of back pain is the way players lift and carry their clubs. By yanking their golf bags over their shoulder, players can injure themselves before they set foot on the course. To avoid injury, keep your back straight, use the strength of your legs, and engage your core and glutes to lift and carry the golf bag using both straps to help divide the weight of the bag evenly across your back.

Other back-saving tips that can keep you in the game include:

• Warming up before playing. This increases the blood flow to your muscles and makes your muscles less susceptible to tears It also improves your flexibility and increases your range of motion when you swing. “Cooling down after a game before jumping into your next activity is equally important as the warm up,” says Dr. Casden. “It allows you to clear out the lactic acid that’s built up in your system while you’ve been playing. Lactic acid build-up can result in muscular pain and fatigue.”

• Exercising. Add exercises that stretch and strengthen your back, such as yoga.

• Treatment and rest. To help relieve pain and swelling, Dr. Casden recommends applying ice, followed by heat a few hours later and rest. If cleared for use by your doctor, anti-inflammatory medications like Advil or Aleve may help.

Whether you swing a club like Tiger Woods or hit the ball in the woods, golfing is a great way to get outdoors and exercise. Remember, a little knowledge and preparation can help keep you in the game.

Dr. Andrew Casden is Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and Spine Surgery at White Plains Hospital. To make an appointment, please call 914-849-7897.

Health Matters

The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Category: Health

Published: 25 April 2024

Submitted by Dr. Anisha R. Kumar, Otolaryngology, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at White Plains Hospital
As we age, our bodies change in numerous ways – including, of course, our skin. But those changes are not limited to the wrinkles and so-called “liver spots” that many of us associate with old age. In fact, there are important steps we can all take during each stage of life to promote and maintain strong, healthy skin.

Everyone should be using sunscreen whenever they’re spending time outside, no matter the season. This applies to patients of all skin types and colors. The general recommendation is to apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) 30 minutes before heading outside, and reapplying every two hours (or immediately if you’ve been swimming or working up a lot of sweat). Remember that UV rays can penetrate even the heaviest clouds.

In addition, for preteens, I encourage using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer to nourish and keep their skin healthy. Harsh scrubs or cleansers containing alcohol and other astringents can dilute your skin’s natural oils, resulting in dryness and irritation.

Skin challenges for teenagers and young adults are generally well-known, with puberty causing hormonal changes that can result in acne and the increased use of makeup posing its own complications.

Tip: Again, using a gentle cleanser once or twice a day can help. Over-the-counter acne-specific treatments can combat the bacteria that cause pimples; for more severe cases, talk with your dermatologist for topical and oral medication options. Moisturizers can again be beneficial, even for patients with baseline oily skin.

Improper removal of makeup can lead to a buildup of pollutants, dirt, oils, sweat, and other substances on the surface of the skin, clogging pores and leading to additional problems. Discussing with a healthcare provider about the best approach for your skin is therefore highly recommended.

Those in their 20s and 30s need to know that their epidermis (the top layer of your skin) and dermis (the middle layer) may start thinning due to their lifestyle, genetics, and/or environment. This process can weaken the skin’s barrier to UV rays, leading to the beginning of sun damage (mostly preventable by using sunscreen).

In addition, your body’s production of collagen – a protein found in your muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments, and bones, helping your body to maintain its shape and structure ¬– can begin to degrade by 1% each year beginning at age 30, resulting in loose skin and a lessening of elasticity in your ligaments and an increase in joint stiffness.

Tip: In addition to using sunscreen, cleansers and moisturizers, consider adding a Vitamin C serum in the morning as well as a Vitamin A derivative such as retinol or tretinoin to stimulate collagen production and increase your skin cell production. Please note: Vitamin A products should not be used if you are pregnant or are nursing.

When you’re in your 40s and 50s, your epidermis will increasingly become thinner and lose its ordered structure, while your dermis will lose its water-binding ability; the result is that your skin will feel rougher, and you will see more wrinkles and fine lines appearing.

Tip: Adding a hyaluronic acid serum for hydration and increasing moisturization are ways to minimize such changes.

Finally, for those 60 and older, you will experience a further decline in collagen, more rough-feeling skin and more wrinkles.

Tip: Wisely choosing the right moisturizer (preferably scent-free to avoid chemicals that can further dry your skin), limiting your exposure to the sun (and always using sunscreen), and keeping baths or showers on the short side to minimize hydration issues, are all recommended; your healthcare provider can make other suggestions.

Furthermore, regularly check yourself for signs of skin cancer. While the highest rates for skin cancer are in those aged 85 and above, due to literally a lifetime of sun exposure, it is not unheard of for people in their 20s and above to develop this disease. The best time to do a skin self-exam is after a bath or shower, checking for any moles, blemishes, or birthmarks from the top of your head to your toes. Contact a dermatologist if you notice even the slightest change.

Following the above recommendations, augmented by a discussion with a qualified health professional, can keep your skin healthy and even glowing through the years. As with most good things, it takes a little work – but the benefits are worth it!

Dr. Anisha R. Kumar is the Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at White Plains Hospital. For an appointment, call 914-849-3755. 

Health Matters: The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.

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Written by Wendy MacMillan

Category: Health

Published: 10 April 2024

Earlier this school year Dr. Edgar McIntosh, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, held an informational meeting and then subsequently sent an informational letter to the parents of current 5th grade students to introduce and outline the changes being made to the 5th grade health curriculum. Some of the changes include lessons on gender inclusive puberty, and while many in our District have expressed their support for these changes and see them as a much needed update, others have expressed their reservations about the age appropriateness of the new lessons.

An anonymous letter to Scarsdale10583.com outlined many of the apprehensions including a concern that fifth grade is too young for this topic to be introduced and that these lessons are not being taught in other school districts at the elementary level. The email also explained that the parents would like to be allowed to view the actual materials and lessons that the children themselves will see.

Over the last several weeks, Dr. McIntosh has made a concerted effort to listen to many of these concerns and in response, at the Board of Education Meeting on Monday April 8th, he announced that on April 15th, he will host two presentations about the revised health curriculum. As Mcintosh described, the presentations will explore the “Resources, Materials, guidelines and methods that we are using in our revised 5th grade health lessons…and I will share lesson plans and topics and answer parent questions.”

The presentations are open to all interested parents of current 5th grade students and an invitation to register for either the coffee at 10:30am or the Zoom Webinar at 6pm, has been sent directly to these parents. For parents who have children in other grades in elementary school, an additional informational meeting will be held in June with an exact date and location to be determined.

What's More, McIntosh clarified that the Hastings School District discusses gender at the elementary level as part of their DEI work- as do many independent schools. And going a step further, in a move to be even more transparent and to build a stronger foundation of trust and respect, Dr. McIntosh recently shared the following letter:

Dear Scarsdale Families,

Each year during 5th grade, the health curriculum includes lessons on puberty. As you may be aware, we recently updated the curriculum for 5th grade health as part of our continual process of reviewing curriculum. One of the updates to the curriculum starting this year is that we will be discussing gender identity and gender expression, in addition to topics related to physical changes during puberty. These lessons will occur in mixed-gender groups and will take place over the course of two lessons.

We have received feedback from the community with questions about what will be included in this new curriculum, the rationale for the shift to a more gender-inclusive approach, and the decision to have the discussions in mixed-gender groups. I hope the following information will help answer some of these questions. In addition, we will be hosting an evening meeting for any Scarsdale Elementary families in June. (Exact date and location TBA). Fifth grade parents have already been invited to an information session to learn about the upcoming curriculum. Similar to other curricular areas, we will likely make adjustments in the coming years based on educator feedback and student responses. Those revisions would be reflected in next year’s presentation.

Teaching about gender identity and gender expression during puberty instruction in 5th grade is important for various reasons that align with our educational, psychological, and social-emotional goals.

Educational Goals

Comprehensive Understanding of Puberty: Puberty education is not only about the biological changes that occur but also about understanding oneself and respecting others. Including gender identity and expression helps students grasp the full spectrum of human development.

Specifically:
-Students will understand the meaning of biological sex (vocabulary: male, female, intersex)
-Students will understand the meaning of gender expression and that people’s gender expression can exist on a spectrum (vocabulary: masculine, feminine, androgynous)
-Students will understand the meaning of gender identity and that it can exist on a spectrum (vocabulary: male, female, nonbinary)
-Students will understand that biological sex, gender expression, and gender identity can be aligned or separate (vocabulary: cisgender, transgender)

Inclusivity and Representation: It ensures that all students see themselves represented in the curriculum, which is crucial for their self-esteem and mental health. This inclusivity fosters a more supportive and understanding classroom environment.

Critical Thinking: Discussing gender identity and expression encourages students to think critically about societal norms and stereotypes, promoting open-mindedness and empathy.

Psychological and Developmental Benefits

Early Support: For students beginning to question or understand their own gender identity, early education provides them with the language and concepts to express themselves. It can significantly reduce feelings of isolation or confusion.

Reduced Stigma: By normalizing discussions around gender identity and expression, you contribute to reducing stigma and misconceptions. This is important for the mental health of all students, not just those who may identify as transgender or non-binary.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Understanding and respecting differences is a core component of SEL. Teaching about gender diversity aids in developing empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence among students.

Social Goals

Bullying Prevention: Education about gender identity and expression can directly impact bullying and harassment in schools by promoting understanding and acceptance.

Creating Safe Spaces: Schools that include comprehensive education about gender are more likely to be perceived as safe spaces for all students, which is crucial for their academic and social success.

Community and Parental Engagement: This can be an opportunity to engage with parents and the wider community about the importance of inclusivity and respect for all individuals, extending the values taught in the classroom into the community.

Aligning with Educational Standards

Health and Well-being: The NSES (National Sex Education Standards) describes the importance of teaching about gender identity and expression as part of students' overall health and well-being.

Anti-Discrimination Policies: Teaching about gender identity aligns with BOE Policy and guidance from NY State, ensuring that our elementary schools comply with providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

Implementing the Curriculum

When implementing this part of the curriculum, we know it is important to:

Use age-appropriate language and concepts.
-We will not, for example, go into detail about medical interventions
-Discussions of sexual expression will not be covered in these lessons
-Straightforward and accurate terms will be used throughout these lessons

Foster an environment of respect and curiosity, encouraging questions and open discussions.

Provide support resources for students who may have further questions or need assistance. Our school psychologists have resources available for interested families.

Engage with parents and guardians to communicate the goals and content of the curriculum, addressing any concerns they may have.

Incorporating gender identity and expression into puberty education for 5th graders is not only beneficial but necessary for fostering a holistic, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. It prepares students for the diverse world they live in, promoting understanding, empathy, and respect for all individuals.

Guidance has come from the following sources below. Please note that we are making thoughtful and age-appropriate determinations about the scope, content, and exact vocabulary taken from these resource documents.

NY State Health Learning Standards
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ You-ology: A Puberty Guide for EVERY Body, Holmes, Hutchinson, and Lowe
Ultimate Kids' Guide to Being Super Healthy: What You Need To Know About Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Hygiene, Stress, Screen Time, and More by Nina L. Shapiro
National Sexual Education Standards (NSES)
New York State Guidance
Gender Spectrum
We look forward to answering questions and engaging in a conversation about our rationale and approach.
Sincerely,

Edgar McIntosh
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

If a parent, after reading this letter and/or attending one of the presentations on the 25th where attendees will be walked through the details of the revised lessons plans, still has any uneasiness or concerns, McIntosh has provided a choice for these parents to opt their children out of the gender inclusive puberty lessons. Forms to opt out, have been sent directly to the parents of current 5th grade students.