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Migraines and Text Neck: The Hidden Connection

Migraines and Text Neck: The Hidden Connection

In today’s digital age, where smartphones and computers have become an integral part of our lives, we often find ourselves hunched over screens for extended periods. This prolonged screen time, combined with poor posture, has given rise to a phenomenon known as “text neck.” However, what many people fail to realize is that text neck can have far-reaching consequences, including triggering or exacerbating migraines. In this blog post, we will explore the hidden connection between migraines and text neck, shedding light on the importance of maintaining good posture and finding ways to alleviate these issues.

Understanding Migraines:

Migraines are intense headaches that can cause severe throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head. Accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances, migraines can be debilitating and significantly impact one’s quality of life. While several factors contribute to migraines, including genetics, hormonal changes, and certain foods, external triggers like poor posture can also play a significant role.

Text Neck and Posture:

Text neck refers to the forward head posture and increased stress on the neck and upper back caused by prolonged use of handheld electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets. The act of bending the head forward to look down at a screen puts excessive strain on the neck muscles and disrupts the natural alignment of the spine. Over time, this poor posture can lead to a myriad of musculoskeletal problems, including headaches and migraines.

The Hidden Connection:

The relationship between migraines and text neck stems from the shared anatomical structures and interconnected nerves in the neck and head. The muscles and ligaments in the neck are closely connected to the base of the skull, where many nerves responsible for migraines are located. When the neck is strained due to poor posture, it can lead to tension in these muscles and contribute to the onset or intensification of migraines.

Moreover, the prolonged use of electronic devices often leads to increased eye strain, another common trigger for migraines. The strain on the eyes caused by focusing on small screens for extended periods can further exacerbate the symptoms of migraines.

Prevention and Alleviation:

  1. Maintain good posture: Be mindful of your posture while using electronic devices. Keep your head aligned with your spine and avoid slouching or hunching forward.
  2. Take regular breaks: Frequent breaks from screen time can help reduce strain on your neck and eyes. Set reminders to take short breaks and engage in stretching exercises to relieve tension in your neck and shoulders.
  3. Ergonomic adjustments: Make ergonomic adjustments to your work environment, such as using a stand or holder to keep your device at eye level and using an ergonomic chair that supports good posture.
  4. Strengthening exercises: Incorporate exercises that focus on strengthening the neck, back, and shoulder muscles to improve posture and reduce the strain caused by text neck.
  5. Mindful smartphone usage: Limit the time spent on your smartphone or electronic devices. Consider implementing “phone-free” periods during the day to give your neck and eyes a break.
  6. Consult a healthcare professional: If you suffer from chronic migraines or experience persistent neck pain, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. They can provide an accurate diagnosis, recommend appropriate treatments, and suggest strategies to manage migraines and alleviate text neck symptoms.
Conclusion:

The link between migraines and text neck emphasizes the importance of practicing good posture and being mindful of our screen time habits. By making conscious efforts to maintain a neutral spine alignment, take regular breaks, and strengthen our muscles, we can reduce the risk of developing migraines and alleviate the symptoms associated with text neck. Prioritizing our overall well-being, both physical and mental, is crucial in today’s digital world. So let’s take care of our posture, limit screen time, and find a balance that allows us to stay connected while minimizing the potential negative impacts on our health.

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The Importance of Keeping Your Spine Aligned

The Importance of Keeping Your Spine Aligned

 

When it comes to overall well-being, maintaining a healthy spine is often overlooked. We rarely think about our spines unless we experience discomfort or pain. However, the spine plays a crucial role in our daily lives, supporting our bodies, protecting our nervous system, and allowing us to move freely. In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of keeping your spine aligned and the positive impact it can have on your overall health.

  1. Backbone of Support

Your spine serves as the central pillar of support for your entire body. Its intricate structure of bones, discs, ligaments, and muscles enables you to stand upright, maintain balance, and engage in various physical activities. When your spine is misaligned, it can lead to an imbalance in weight distribution, resulting in additional stress on certain areas and potential injury. Maintaining proper spinal alignment ensures that your body is adequately supported, promoting overall stability and preventing strain.

  1. Protecting the Nervous System

The spine houses and protects the delicate spinal cord and nerve roots. These vital components transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body, controlling movement, sensation, and bodily functions. Misalignment or compression of the spine can impede these pathways, leading to nerve interference and disruption of normal communication. This interference can manifest as pain, tingling, numbness, or even organ dysfunction. By prioritizing spinal alignment, you minimize the risk of nerve interference, promoting optimal nervous system function.

  1. Enhancing Posture and Appearance

Maintaining proper spinal alignment greatly influences your posture, which, in turn, affects your overall appearance. Slouching or hunching forward can not only make you look less confident but also cause strain on your muscles and ligaments. By aligning your spine correctly, you naturally improve your posture, helping you appear taller, more confident, and more approachable. Additionally, good posture can alleviate unnecessary pressure on your joints, reduce the likelihood of developing spinal deformities, and enhance your overall physical presence.

  1. Alleviating Pain and Discomfort

Back pain is one of the most common health issues globally, affecting millions of people. While back pain can have various causes, poor spinal alignment often contributes to its development and intensity. Misalignments can lead to muscle imbalances, joint inflammation, and increased pressure on nerves, resulting in chronic pain and discomfort. By maintaining proper spinal alignment, you can mitigate these issues and minimize the risk of developing long-term pain conditions. Regular exercise, ergonomic practices, and seeking professional care can all contribute to aligning your spine and reducing pain.

  1. Optimizing Overall Health and Well-being

The health of your spine extends beyond its immediate impact on your back. Misalignment can hinder the overall function of your body systems, leading to diminished health and well-being. On the other hand, a properly aligned spine promotes optimal nervous system function, enhances blood circulation, and facilitates the flow of vital nutrients throughout your body. By prioritizing spinal alignment, you pave the way for improved overall health, better mobility, increased energy levels, and enhanced performance in various aspects of life.

Conclusion

Your spine’s alignment is not a trivial matter; it is the foundation upon which your body stands and functions. By recognizing the importance of spinal alignment, you can take proactive steps to support your back health, prevent pain and discomfort, and optimize your overall well-being. Whether through regular exercise, maintaining good posture, or seeking professional care, remember to prioritize your spine and give it the attention it deserves. Your body will thank you for it, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more aligned life.

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Decompression-Therapy
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Decompression Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Relieving Spinal Discomfort

Decompression Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Relieving Spinal Discomfort

In our fast-paced modern lives, many of us find ourselves struggling with various types of physical discomfort, especially related to our spinal health. Whether it’s due to poor posture, sedentary lifestyles, or injuries, spinal discomfort can significantly impact our daily lives. However, with advancements in medical technology, a revolutionary treatment known as decompression therapy has emerged as a promising solution for many individuals seeking relief from back and neck pain. In this article, we will delve into what decompression therapy is, how it works, and its potential benefits.

Understanding Decompression Therapy:

Decompression therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment modality that aims to alleviate pressure and discomfort on the spine. This therapy is primarily used to treat conditions such as herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and facet joint syndrome. It offers a safe alternative to surgery and provides a gentle and controlled approach to spinal decompression.

The Process of Decompression Therapy:

During a decompression therapy session, a patient is carefully positioned on a specialized table. The table is equipped with a computer-controlled traction system that applies gentle pulling forces to the spine. By doing so, decompression therapy creates a negative pressure within the affected spinal discs, encouraging the retraction or repositioning of herniated or bulging discs. This action helps to reduce pressure on nerves, enhance blood flow, and promote the delivery of essential nutrients to the injured areas.

The controlled traction force applied during decompression therapy can be customized to meet the specific needs of each patient. The therapy session typically lasts between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the severity of the condition and the recommendations of the healthcare professional.

Benefits of Decompression Therapy:

  1. Pain Relief: One of the primary objectives of decompression therapy is to relieve pain associated with spinal conditions. By reducing pressure on nerves and improving blood flow, this therapy can significantly alleviate discomfort in the neck, back, and legs.
  2. Non-Invasive Approach: Unlike surgical interventions, decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment option. It avoids the risks and complications associated with surgery, making it an appealing alternative for individuals seeking conservative treatment options.
  3. Improved Mobility and Function: By addressing the underlying causes of spinal discomfort, decompression therapy can enhance joint mobility and functional abilities. This improvement allows individuals to engage in daily activities with less pain and increased range of motion.
  4. Avoidance of Medication Dependency: Decompression therapy focuses on targeting the root cause of spinal pain rather than relying on medication to mask the symptoms. By reducing the need for pain medication, individuals can avoid potential side effects and long-term dependency.
  5. Cost-Effective Solution: In comparison to surgical procedures, decompression therapy is often more cost-effective. It reduces expenses related to hospital stays, post-operative care, and the recovery period.
Conclusion:

Decompression therapy offers a non-invasive and promising approach to relieving spinal discomfort. By gently decompressing the spine, this innovative treatment helps to alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and improve overall quality of life. Although decompression therapy may not be suitable for everyone, consulting with a healthcare professional can provide valuable insights into whether it may be an appropriate treatment option for your specific spinal condition. Remember, taking care of your spine is crucial, and exploring non-invasive alternatives like decompression therapy can be a significant step toward a pain-free and active lifestyle.

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Good Posture
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How Important is Good Posture?

How Important is Good Posture?

Posture refers to the way we hold our bodies when sitting, standing, or lying down. Good posture refers to the position in which our body is aligned correctly with minimal strain on our muscles and ligaments. Most people are not aware of the importance of good posture, which is why they tend to slouch and develop various postural problems. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of good posture and how it can benefit our overall health.

What Can Good Posture Do for Me?

  1. Reduces back pain: Poor posture can cause tension in the muscles and ligaments of the back, leading to chronic pain. Maintaining good posture while standing or sitting can help to reduce the strain on your back muscles, thus reducing the risk of back pain.
  2. Improves breathing: Good posture also helps to improve breathing. When you slouch, your lungs have less space to expand, which can lead to shallow breathing. On the other hand, maintaining an upright posture allows for better lung expansion, resulting in improved oxygen intake.
  3. Boosts confidence: Good posture can also have a positive impact on your self-confidence. Standing or sitting tall and straight can make you look and feel more confident, which can improve your overall self-esteem.
  4. Improves digestion: Maintaining good posture can also improve digestion. When you slouch, your organs become compressed, leading to digestive problems. On the other hand, sitting or standing up straight allows your organs to function optimally, leading to better digestion.
  5. Enhances circulation: Good posture also helps to improve blood circulation. When you slouch, your blood vessels become constricted, which can lead to poor circulation. On the other hand, maintaining an upright posture allows for better blood flow throughout your body.
  6. Prevents injuries: Good posture can also prevent injuries. When you maintain proper posture, your muscles and ligaments are less likely to become strained or injured. This is especially important for athletes and individuals who engage in physical activities.

Good Posture is Essential for Maintaining Optimal Health

In conclusion, good posture is essential for maintaining optimal health. It can improve back pain, breathing, digestion, circulation, and prevent injuries. So, whether you’re sitting at a desk or standing in line, remember to maintain good posture to reap its numerous benefits.

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Muscles, Nerves and Chiropractic Care

Muscles, Nerves and Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal system disorders, particularly those affecting the spine, muscles, and nerves. The aim of chiropractic treatment is to restore the normal function of the musculoskeletal system, alleviate pain, and improve overall health and wellbeing.

How Important are Muscles and Nerves?

Muscles and nerves are essential components of the musculoskeletal system, and they play a vital role in maintaining posture, movement, and coordination. When there is a disruption in the normal function of muscles and nerves, it can lead to various health problems, including pain, stiffness, and weakness.

Chiropractic Care for the Musculoskeletal System

Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal system disorders, including those affecting muscles and nerves. They use a variety of techniques to restore the normal function of muscles and nerves, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercise therapy.

Spinal adjustments are a cornerstone of chiropractic care. They involve the use of precise force to manipulate the spine and correct misalignments, or subluxations, that may be causing pain or other symptoms. By correcting these misalignments, chiropractors can relieve pressure on nerves and improve the function of muscles and joints.

Soft tissue therapy is another important aspect of chiropractic care. This type of therapy involves the use of massage, stretching, and other techniques to relieve tension and tightness in muscles and other soft tissues. By reducing tension in muscles and improving blood flow, soft tissue therapy can help to alleviate pain and improve mobility.

Exercise therapy is often prescribed as part of a chiropractic treatment plan. It involves the use of specific exercises to strengthen weak muscles, improve range of motion, and prevent future injuries. By improving the function of muscles and joints, exercise therapy can help to reduce pain and improve overall health and wellbeing.

Chiropractic care with muscles and nerves can be an effective treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal system disorders, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint pain. It is a safe and non-invasive treatment option that can provide long-lasting relief from pain and improve overall health and wellbeing.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your muscles or nerves, consider chiropractic care as a safe and effective treatment option. A chiropractor can assess your condition, develop a customized treatment plan, and provide the care and support you need to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

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Does Your Child Have Text Neck?

Does Your Child Have Text Neck?

According to Pew research, for 21st-Century teens, having a smartphone and spending upwards of 9 hours a day on it, has become the norm. Though this trend is no different from the addictiveness that adults have with their cell phones as well, the damage to the neck muscles can be greater for the younger demographic. This is called “Text Neck”. As your child’s body changes, having improper posture can put undue strain on the muscles, the bones, and in turn the spine.

As the number of hours spent on mobile devices is expected to increase, it is essential for parents to put a back care plan in place to counteract the health effects that prolonged technology use can cause.

With extended cell phone use, a physical condition, being referred to as “text neck” is emerging and proving that teens and young adults are at the greatest risk.

What is “Text Neck?”

When your child spends time on their phone, they are often looking in a downward posture, keeping their head, neck, back, and spine in one, often uncomfortable position. Though it may feel comfortable, in the moment, holding this craned-neck posture for hours or frequently throughout the day inadvertently puts the cervical spine at great risk. The cervical spine supports the neck and head and is positioned at the top of the spine. Having incorrect posture puts this portion of the spine out of alignment. When that occurs, chronic neck and back pain can quickly make simple movements very painful and inhibit your child’s growth and physical development.

It is difficult to predict what the long-term effects of having a prolonged craned-neck posture can have on overall health. However, medical researchers speculate that the increased use of mobile devices may come with a future increase in early-onset arthritis of the neck.

Despite the evidence pointing to long-term effects, research studies have found that text neck can cause immediate health problems such as severe upper back pain, strained neck and shoulder muscles, and pinched spinal nerves. And, children and teens are the most at risk of developing these debilitating conditions, as their mobile device usage is nearly two times greater than adults.

How do you prevent text neck?

The short answer is to limit cell phone and mobile device use per day, limiting it to no more than 1 hour a day. However, the longer term solution to prevent chronic back and neck pain is to maintain a straight posture when viewing a mobile device. Making regular visits to an experienced pediatric chiropractor can be the most effective way to address spinal misalignment at its source and correct any muscle and spinal issues before they evolve into a more long-term issue.

The welcoming and knowledgeable chiropractors at Corrective Chiropractic are specialized in correcting text neck, even in the smallest of patients.

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Manage Your Pre-Holiday Stress By Visiting a Chiropractor

Manage Your Pre-Holiday Stress By Visiting a Chiropractor

As the weather changes and the daylight hours get shorter, work responsibilities begin to pile up. The chaotic hustle and bustle of the holidays start to creep in. We all naturally get stress.

In fact, according to psychologists, the average level of stress during the Fall months is the highest of all seasons. And, with more stress comes more strain on your body. How you handle that wear and tear on your body can mean the difference between making it to Summer feeling rejuvenated or nursing discomfort and pain that seems to be getting worse.

Here are the top three reasons why visiting your chiropractor is the best way for you to handle the pre-holiday stress:

Eliminate Muscle Tension from Stress

When you encounter stress, your muscles naturally tense up. This can impact how you walk, sit and perform tasks throughout your day. And, if left uncorrected, this can start to wreak havoc on your ability to sleep, exercise, and just enjoy life. Having a chiropractic alignment helps to restore your body’s natural functioning. It also loosens the tension building up in your body.

Get Your Body Back on Track

Your body’s functioning is rooted in your central nervous system. And, if your spine is not in alignment, your nervous system is negatively impacted. This can manifest itself in digestive, respiratory, immune, and even sleep issues that may not be easily corrected. An experienced chiropractor will be able to perform non-invasive and all natural procedures to get your spine back in alignment and your body running on all cylinders.

Fix Your Posture for Improved Health and Less Stress

With mobile devices being an integral part of our day, how we sit and the length of time we spend sitting have played a role in how our muscles and skeletal system function. “Text neck” puts extreme strain on your neck muscles and can lead to crotched posture and further back discomfort. Having the proper posture as you may spend more time seated, through the Fall and Winter months can be the best way to help you manage your spine health. A well-trained chiropractor will be able to evaluate your posture, adjust it, and help you stay healthy and energized through the holidays.

When is the last time you visited a chiropractor? 

If it has been longer than 6 months, then now is the time to schedule an appointment! The friendly doctors at Corrective Chiropractic will be happy to give you a free phone call and answer any questions you may have.

You deserve to be stress-free (or at least pain-free) now and through the end of the year!

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What Age Can a Child Start Seeing a Chiropractor?

What Age Can a Child Start Seeing a Chiropractor?

From when your child is born, their body undergoes an immense amount of growth over the first four years. Children’s muscles stretch and their bones grow. This is why we make sure they are in alignment can help with their development and overall health. Getting your child chiropractic treatments early on in life can help them reduce any physical pain. It can also help any discomfort they may feel during growth spurts.

A child’s spine experiences the highest rate of expansion during the first 10 years of life. Simple events like wearing a heavy backpack or having poor posture can take a toll on how their spine develops. When the spine is misaligned, this impacts the nervous system. This can result in a host of illnesses and conditions: such as colic, asthma, ear infections, bedwetting, even a weak immune or digestive system.

Taking your child to receive chiropractic treatments can be an effective way to keep their spine healthy during development years.

Do pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractors need specialized training?

All chiropractors receive some basic pediatric training during their doctoral program. Some may pursue more in-depth courses as part of their continued education. Likewise, some highly-trained pediatric chiropractors also engage in research in the field of pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractic medicine. If you are seeking out a reputable pediatric chiropractor in your area, consider consulting the list of chiropractors recognized by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

The friendly doctors at Corrective Chiropractic have over a decade of experience working with children, as young as a few months old, to ensure that their spine is in perfect alignment as they grow and thrive. If you would like to explore our techniques or want to learn more about how chiropractic treatments can help your child stay happy and healthy, contact our Atlanta (locations in Alpharetta, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Woodstock) and Charleston, SC area office today at 404-355-5499, or schedule a free initial consultation here.

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Protect Your Spine While Travelling
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How To Take Care Of Your Spine While Traveling

Protect Your Spine While Travelling

As the summer months approach many people will be leaving Atlanta and heading to the beach. As much as an advocate I am of traveling and refreshing, it’s important to make sure you are actively caring for your body. So, for this article we’ll discuss how to take care of your spine while traveling.

Easy Steps to Follow

Many of you who have been through our corrective care program would like to not destroy your spine so here are some simple steps to use while being on that plane and sleeping in hotel beds.

1) Before you get to your hotel request a cervical or memory foam pillow. If your hotel does not have this than it is important to bring your own. These pillows help support the neck while sleeping and maintain its proper curvature, especially for those of you who have corrected their spine at our office in Atlanta.

2) Before leaving your house for the airport make sure to drink a bunch of water and bring healthy snacks. When traveling at high altitude our body becomes dehydrated. It’s important to keep our internal system hydrated and well nourished. Airplane food or convenience store food, for those driving, is not “real” food and has usually been created by man. If it has been artificially created then there is a strong likelihood your body does not know how to process this.

3) Bring lacrosse balls or grab Yoga Tune Up balls from our office and sit on them regularly. Place them on your gluteus muscle and make sure it does not get too tight. It will be uncomfortable for a bit but this means that it is working. Also, place those balls on your back while flying on the plane or driving.

4) Personally, when i travel I like to do at least 1 yoga class while on vacation to help stretch my body and improve energy. There is a great free app for your phone called Omfinder, which tells you where and when all the classes are in the location you will be staying and about the class.

Also, check out YogaGlo.com for videos you can do at your hotel while traveling so you don;t have to leave your resort. However, even though it is convenient to not leave your hotel, it is nice to try new yoga classes such as Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga or Yoga On The Beach or in the mountains.

5) Whether traveling by car or plane, please make sure to create movement in your body and either stop to stand up and stretch or walk around the plane to increase circulation.

Your Turn

Where do you plan on traveling this summer?

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8 Steps To Better Posture

Tight neck? Tight Upper back? Weak back? Could be upper cross syndrome

Tight psoas? Tight lower back? Weak core? Weak glutes? Could be lower cross syndrome

If any of the pictures above represent you which the odds are “Yes” then please pay attention. In today’s World where weak posture is not only common in adults but in children it is unfortunate to see how many people think this is OK. Posture is the window to our spine and nervous system and the weaker our posture then the weaker our nervous system ultimately indicating weaker health.

There is hoards of research constantly being pummeled out of the pipeline sharing how proper posture is crucial to overall health and how the nervous system functioning well is vital to quantity and quality of life. Recently an article came out describing how forward posture can decrease lung capacity by 30% which increases the risk for cardiovascular problems. Another paper showed how for every inch forward the head moves creates an additional 10 pounds of stress on the upper back and double that on the lower back. Posture is our lifeline and the more we care for it whether we have pain or not then the better health it will generate to us.

I have made a commitment to improve everyone in my offices health no matter what it takes which is why we are committed to free newsletter and free workshops. Next week we have a workshop that can make a significant impact on your health by fixing the problems in the pictures above and restoring posture.

If you plan on attending please register HERE as seating is VERY limited. Please only register if you can 100% attend and guests are encouraged as we will be working in partners.

Also, if you plan on attending BE SURE to buy either 2 lacrosse balls at Dick’s Sporting Goods or go HERE and get the 2 therapy balls (Highly recommended). Make sure to bring these to the class so please order them ASAP.

We will be taking you through the following 8 steps to maximize your posture and help you feel and be your best.

Upper Cross Release Technique

1) Strengthen the deep neck flexors (Core around the neck that holds up cervical curve AKA Arc of Life)
2) Strengthen rhomboids (Muscles that help you stand more upright)
3) Release upper trapezius (Tight upper back where most people say “carry tension”)
4) Release pec muscles (Rounded posture increases tension in chest)

Lower Cross Release Technique

5) Strengthen abdominals
6) Release erector spinae (muscles that hold up spine)
7) Release psoas (Main hip flexor)
8) Strengthen glutes

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