For instance, psychologist Maria Jahoda is known for her “deprivation theory” that suggests the unemployed suffer from mental woe in the absence of several important functions of work. Some of these work functions include a structured schedule, a sense of personal identity and shared social experiences. Without these functions, many people become depressed and lose some of their self-esteem.

A 2002 article in the Journal of Occupational and Organization Psychology describes a study that found the “unemployed… engaged in social leisure activities less frequently and solitary leisure activities more frequently than the employed… they also reported higher depressive affect and lower self-esteem.” The reduction in social activities, the study suggests, happens because the unemployed are out-of-touch with their fellow employees.

For those who socialize outside of the work sphere, though, social activity can still be reduced by unemployment. This stems from a reduction in, or lack of, regular income. No money usually equals less socializing.

In some cases, a stagnating social life corresponds with a reduced level of physical activity. In other cases, people who exercise when performing their regular job duties or when travelling to work—by walking or biking—also see a decline in physical activity when they are off work. And, as most people are aware, physical inactivity has deleterious effects on our minds and bodies.

We need exercise to help prevent disease—think diabetes or heart problems—and to reduce stress and fatigue. Long-term unemployment can lead to an inactive lifestyle, which in turn can drastically reduce one’s quality of life.

When you are off work for a lengthy period, it can become progressively more difficult to go back to work. At this point, you may be suffering from reduced or altogether poor mental and physical health. Going back to work can seem like an insurmountable task. For this reason, it is important to understand how critical it is to try and get back to work as soon as you can after suffering an injury or taking a leave. It’s better for your mind, your body and your wallet.

If you are off work because of an injury, try to maintain a positive outlook and focus on your recovery instead of your misfortune. Consider the role your job plays in your life—as part of your personal identity, social sphere, sense of worth and accomplishment and financial stability—and embrace opportunities for rehabilitation and recovery.

According to HealthLink BC, “10 minutes of stretching and strengthening exercises each day can condition the muscles of the back… and may relieve low back pain.”

If you suffer from lower-back pain and aren’t sure what type of exercises to perform, ask yourself if your back pain is lessened when you sit down, or when you stand and walk. If the former is true, you will likely benefit from extension exercises. If the latter is true, then flexion exercises might be of more help. If you don’t regularly experience lower-back pain, there’s no need to worry—any strengthening exercises should be suitable, when performed correctly.

To perform a back extension, lie on the floor, on your stomach. Place your hands at your sides and—slowly—raise your shoulders approximately five inches from the floor, while contracting the muscles of your lower back. Keep your neck straight and your lower body relaxed. Hold this pose for one second before slowly lowering back down. When done correctly, you should feel this exercise equally on both sides of your back. Try to do two or three sets of 15 to 20 repetitions.

A suitable flexion exercise is the pelvic tilt. This exercise also strengthens the lower abdominal muscles, which—combined with the back and leg muscles—prevent low-back pain by helping to support the spine. To perform a pelvic tilt, lie on the floor, on your back. Bend your knees while keeping both feet flat on the ground. By flexing your lower abdominal muscles and squeezing your gluteal muscles, your pelvis will tilt upwards. Hold this pose for five seconds and remember to keep your lower back on the ground. Try to do two or three sets of 10 to 20 repetitions.

Weak lower-back muscles are often accompanied by tight hamstring muscles. To stretch these muscles, begin by lying on your back. Place a towel around the bottom of one foot—like a stirrup—while holding the ends of the towel in your hands. Pull the towel while raising your straightened leg towards the ceiling, keeping the opposite leg flat on the ground. Do not twist your hips. Hold this pose for approximately 30 seconds. Try to gradually increase your flexibility so you can raise your leg to a 90-degree angle.

Keep in mind that an active lifestyle and healthy diet are both essential for healthy muscles. The best way to keep your lower back strong is to regularly stretch your muscles, get aerobic exercise, and eat a balanced diet.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800 or visit their web site www.karpfitness.com.

CROSS-ARM STRETCH:
Place your right hand on
knee, and your left hand
right knee. Lean forward
arch your back like a cat.
outward pressure with your
while continuing to hold
You should feel this across
shoulders and back.

ARM ACROSS CHEST:
Place your right hand on
the back of your left elbow.
Push your arm across your
chest, as if you are hugging
yourself with one arm.
You should feel this across
the back of your shoulder.
Perform on both sides.

HANDCUFF:

Sit on the front half of your chair.
Place your hands together, behind
your back. Sit up straight, pull
your shoulders back and push
your chest forwards at the same
time. You should feel this in the
front of your shoulders and in your
chest muscles.

ROTATION:
Slowly twist your body to
one side while keeping your
feet flat on the floor and
your knees forward. You can
use the arms of the chair to
increase the stretch.
Perform on both sides.

HAMSTRING:
Sit on the edge of your chair
and extend your right leg (or
vice versa), with your toes
pointed up. Keep your back
straight and, while maintaining
good posture, push your chest
forward so you feel the stretch
in your hamstrings.

We are equipped to visit the client’s work place to perform a JDA in order to precisely identify the physical demands of an occupation. We can also perform an ergonomic assessment of the work area.

You Can Expect:

• No Wait Lists!
We are equipped to get clients started within 24 - 48hrs of your referral.

• Flexible scheduling, with 6am
to 8pm appointments, we are equipped to deal with any schedule.

• Multiple locations across the lower mainland.

One-to-One Work Conditioning Programs:

At Karp Rehabilitation our work conditioning and work hardening programs are specific to each client’s injuries and occupation. We adjust and personalize each program to best suit the client and his or her job demands. This may involve core stability or pool programs for acute injuries or a conditioning and work simulation program for chronic injuries.

Gradual Return to Work Programs (GRTW):

The most effective way to ensure clients return to their pre-injury job. We teach pain management techniques educating clients on the benefits of stretching breaks, icing, and education on safe lifting techniques. We monitor the GRTW and make amendments as necessary based on the clients’ progress.

Liaise with employer:

We contact employers promptly to confirm Job Duties, Demands, Expectations and Return to Work options. We keep in contact with the employer throughout the GRTW process should anything arise.

Liaise with doctor:

We provide our recommendations to the doctor for approval of RTW plans. Regular updates are provided to each patient’s doctor.

Reporting/Communication:

We provide a detailed functional assessment report to your office in a timely fashion. Clinical records are recorded on a per session basis to monitor the progress and compliance of each client. Updates are provided on a regular basis or with situational changes. A final assessment report is sent to your office at the end of the program.

Stretching out your Latissimus Dorsi and Back Extensor muscles should provide some good relief for you and help to limber up some of those tight muscles. To stretch these areas try the ‘Prayer Stretch’. Start by kneeling on a mat and stretch your arms forward in front of your head with your palms down. The key to this stretch is to keep your gluteal muscles in contact with your heels and your arms stretched out as far as possible. You should feel this stretch through the middle and outer part of your back and down into your lower back. Hold the stretch for 60 seconds and perform daily. Stretching is also a good stress reliever, so be sure to relax and breathe deeply.

Karp Rehabilitation is an active rehabilitation program specializing with soft-tissue injury rehabilitation. For more information call 604.420.7800.

You may be slightly hesitant to use these poles while walking in fear of standing out; however, Nordic poles are catching on in Canada, and there will likely be Nordic walking groups popping up all over the country.

Using Nordic poles while walking has many health benefits that you won’t get with regular walking. Studies have shown that Nordic walking increases your heart rate and burns up to 46 percent more calories than walking alone. Exerstriding is a whole body workout that uses 90 percent of the muscles in your body; however, this activity is gentler on the joints than many other forms of cardiovascular exercise, and won’t leave you sweating profusely or gasping for air. Exerstriding engages the core muscles while walking, and studies boast an average of 1800 abdominal contractions with each mile of walking.

Nordic walking is a great activity for seniors, as these poles provide added support with walking while improving whole body strength. Regular walkers cause their users to hunch over, which can be stressful on the joints and muscles and can result in a hunched back over time.

Nordic walking poles are extremely easy to use. Simply grasp the handles lightly so that you arms hang comfortably at your sides. Let the tips of the poles gently rest on the ground behind you, then begin to walk as you normally would while dragging the Nordic poles behind you. Your arms and legs should alternate naturally with each pace, as they would with ordinary walking. To get all the benefits of Nordic walking, swing your arms a little higher in front of you without locking your elbows, as if extending your arm to shake someone’s hand. You will then feel the tip of each pole catching on the ground behind you. To effectively engage your trunk muscles, more firmly press the edge of your hand onto the base of the handle. Keep your arm slightly bent at the elbow and let the motion come from the shoulder. Try to maintain as normal a stride as possible, and make sure the movement is fluid and natural. The technique is simple to learn and does not take much time to perfect, but if you feel like you need a bit more instruction, you can locate a class online to help with your technique.

Urban Poling makes a particularly advanced and high quality type of walking pole. The handles on these Nordic poles are comfortable and ergonomically designed; they absorb shock and vibration and serve to target major core muscles. The practicality of using these walking poles is of no concern, as their telescopic feature allows you to take them while travelling or on the go without taking up too much space. They can also be adjusted for each person’s proportions, and are designed to fit users ranging in height from 4’2” to 6’2”. The Urban Traction Tips on the poles made by Urban Poling are designed to propel their users forward while reducing stress on the hip and knee joints; however, they also feature a “Carbide Steel Tip” underneath, which provides strength, grip and durability suitable for use on ice and snow, or while walking through beaches and hiking trails.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800 or visit their web site www.karpfitness.com.

Depending on defined needs, exams typically include collection and analysis of blood, urine and oral fluids.
Exams are performed by one of our trained and licensed examiners at the applicant’s most convenient time and place of choosing. Many exams are conducted at the client’s workplace or their home. Of course, one of our 9 convenient offices are also available for client services. Many of the exams are also conducted after normal business hours and on Saturday.

Karp Rehabilitation strives to make the exam process as easy for the applicant as possible. Once the exam is performed, our support staff ensures a quick turnaround that is among the best in the industry.  Our professional, prompt and personable examiners help your clients feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the process.

Common Services:

Paramedical Report: (20 minutes) A three-page questionnaire asking for complete medical history, vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and for men only, chest measurements) and a urine specimen.

Blood Sample: (10 minutes) Blood will be drawn from your arm or your finger as required by the insurance company. Only sterile and disposable needles and supplies are used. This blood sample will be sent to a lab designated by your insurance company. Results are sent directly by the lab to the home office of your insurance company. Karp Rehabilitation never learns the test results.

All of the information obtained during the paramedical examination is strictly confidential and for insurance purposes only.  It will be forwarded to the insurance company for review to help evaluate your individual policy.

Or Drop us a Line!

Karp Rehabilitation
Fitness 2000
9304 Salish Court
Burnaby, BC
V3J 4C5

Tel: (604) 420-7800
Fax: (604) 420-7820