Trampolines: A no-no

When we drive by a house with a trampoline in the yard, my first thought is "There's an accident waiting to happen." I know of at least two trampoline accidents, neither one of which was serious, thank goodness, that actually happened on the same trampoline. Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics has come out to formally warn that trampoline devices are too dangerous for children.

I got to wondering how trampolines were invented. The first known trampoline devices were probably used by the Inuits, who used to throw each other through the air to land on a walrus skin! Probably the first practical use of a trampoline-like device, invented in 1887, was the life-nets you see in old movies used to save people in high buildings from fire. Folklore suggests that we get the name "trampoline" from the circus performer du Trampolin who first started using the device in his show, although there is no real evidence to support this. On the contrary, it probably comes from the Spanish word "trampolín," meaning "diving board."

In 1936, trampolines began being produced for athletic gymnastic tumblers, but soon trampolining became popular on its own. Several sports and games were created using the trampoline. Then during World War 2, a more serious application was found for the trampoline: the United States Navy Flight School started using them to train pilots and navigators; it was thought the trampoline would help develop better spatial orientation. As the years went by, several competitive sports were created for the trampoline, and since 2000, trampoline sports have been included in the Olympics. 

The urge to have trampolines at home created a market sometime in the 70's. Visions of nurturing a budding Olympian's talents, giving the kids a physical activity they could enjoy at home were certainly well-meaning incentives to getting one. However, these benefits don't begin to outweigh the problems caused by the injuries the trampolines create. First of all, the home trampolines are not as sturdy as the professional ones built for competition. The safety nets do little to prevent injuries; they may prevent a child from falling out of a trampoline, but the net does nothing to prevent someone for falling incorrectly, or crashing into another trampoliner. Most people jumping on a trampoline have no prior gymnastics training; knowing how to fall, having core strength and balance are extremely important. Would you just jump on a balance beam and expect to be able to walk across it with no problem? Remember, the trampoline was originally designed for athletes!

Some of the injuries associated with trampolines include concussions, fractures of the spine and legs, strains, sprains, and dislocations. Younger children are the most susceptible, especially when there are multiple people on the trampoline at once. 

Please think twice before you buy a trampoline, or allow your child to bounce on a friends' trampoline. If you decide to go ahead, please be sure there is always adult supervision no matter how old the children. Don't allow more than one kid on at a time. Verify that your home owners insurance covers trampoline injuries (there have been cases where a home owner has had their insurance cancelled because they had a trampoline!) 

Great Websites for the Whole Family!

We had the pleasure of meeting with our Healthy Kids representative from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene today, Trish Guiles. Usually these visits are tedious, full of news of coding changes and additional hoops we'll have to hurdle in order to get paid. I was pleasantly surprised today by Trish's bubbling personality and good news, including this wonderful website I just had to share with you. "Chop Chop" is chock-full of recipes for every meal throughout the day, including snacks, desserts, and beverages. I love the colorful photos for each; it all the more inspires me to make something when I see what the finished dish will look like. I was really happy to find a recipe for Kale Chips -- these seem to be ubiquitous these days, arriving as a side on every other restaurant dish I order these days it seems - so I was curious how to make them. 

She also recommended a website that emphasizes not just healthy eating, but ways to get active as well. Let's Move. For example, a page on getting families to include more physical activity in their lives encourages families to facilitate a safe walk to school a few times a week. This might not be possible in our rural area, but how about this? Maybe, next time you drive the kids to school, you could park the car a block or two from the school and walk the rest of the way? I see so many parents waiting in cars to pick up their kids from the bus. How far could they possibly live from the bus? Maybe a walk is in order there, as well. I especially liked the hint to not allow anyone to "sit still during TV commercials." I wonder if running out to the kitchen for a snack counts?!

So how about checking out those websites next time you're cruising the internet. They're just a click away from here!

Come to our Ribbon-Cutting and Open House!

The Astonishing Benefits of the 2012 Walk Across Maryland

“The benefits of regular walking are astonishing!” reports Walk Across Maryland organizer, Dr. Matthew Hahn. “Studies show that walking regularly can lower a person's risk of diabetes; decrease the need for medications; decrease arthritis pain symptoms; improves the chances of survival with some cancers; reduces the risk of stroke; and can decrease the risks of developing Alzheimer's disease. Regular walking can even improve your sex life! So, if any of that interests you, and it should, you should participate in the 2012 Walk Across Maryland.”

The 2012 Walk Across Maryland will be held on Saturday, September 29, at 9 AM, in Hancock, Maryland. Participants are challenged to walk across the entire state of Maryland, along the length of Pennsylvania Avenue, from the MD-PA border to the C & O Canal (1.7 miles). Local police will escort the walkers. Area residents are reminded that they may experience traffic delays along Pennsylvania Avenue between 8:45 am and 9:45 am, and to plan their trips into Hancock accordingly.

Free tee shirts are being provided by Meritus Medical Center, and will be available to the first 200 participants to arrive. Parking for the Walk Across Maryland is available at the Hancock Assembly of God, and shuttles will be available to transport walkers back to the start area after the walk.

BIG BIG BIG NEWS!

Hahn and Nelson Family Medicine is bringing its "new way to practice old fashioned care" to Cumberland, Maryland!  
In response to a shortage of physicians and health care providers in that area, Dr. Nelson will head the new Cumberland office, while Dr. Hahn will continue at the Hancock office. We will be opening the new office in phases to best serve our patients in both locations. We have hired a Nurse Practitioner to work with Dr. Nelson in the Cumberland office. Terry Harvey, CFNP MS, will be working full time in the Cumberland office, while Dr. Nelson will continue to see patients in the Hancock office until our new Nurse Practitioner can begin work in Hancock. Amber Morrow, NP, will begin working full-time in Hancock sometime in the late Fall. Phil Nelson will be managing the practice in the Cumberland location.

We will begin registering patients for the new practice beginning September 17th. Patients can make appointments, which will begin October 1. You may call to register or download the forms from our website and fax or email them to the new practice. Phil Nelson's email address is pnelson@hahnandnelson.com.

An open house for the Cumberland office will be held on September 30.

The address for the Cumberland practice is  30 A North Mechanic Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502.  
The phone number is  240-362-7265, and the fax is 240-362-7266. Our website, www.hahnandnelson.com will be updated with all the information you need soon.
Please call us with any questions or concerns. Watch this blog and our Facebook page for more news!