 Do you suffer with back pain? Well, you’re not alone. According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work, and the second most common reason for visiting a doctor (only behind upper respiratory infections). Why is back pain so common? There is more than one answer to that question. A large number of back pain patients suffer because of the following three reasons: They Have Suffered a Back Injury Individuals can hurt their backs by lifting heavy objects, overexerting themselves, or moving the wrong way. The muscles and ligaments in the back can be twisted and damaged. Back pain that is the result of a recent injury is called acute pain, meaning it comes on suddenly. Acute pain is usually temporary, so when the injury heals, the pain lessens or disappears completely. Over the counter medications such as analgesics, topical creams, and anti-inflammatory drugs help manage back pain caused from an injury but don’t necessary fix the problem. Chiropractic care is another way to lessen acute pain and feel more comfortable. By adjusting the spine, chiropractors can relax the muscles, and relieve acute pain faster than simply "suffering through" the injury. They Battle a Medical Condition or Illness Unfortunately, there are several illnesses that can cause back pain. Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, inflammatory diseases of the joints, and scoliosis are some of the common conditions that cause back pain. Because the conditions create pain that lasts longer periods of time, this type of pain is considered to be chronic pain. Chronic pain is an entirely different animal than acute pain, and patients who suffer with it often look for options outside of traditional medication. Chiropractic care is an excellent choice in dealing with chronic back pain. Adjustments to the spine can promote healing in all areas of a person's body, as well as provide relief from the pain. Chiropractic care for medical conditions sometimes takes a bit longer to show results, so the patient must be committed to the treatment plan the chiropractor suggests in order to enjoy the maximum benefits of chiropractic. They Have Made Poor Lifestyle Choices Decisions we make can affect our health, either negatively or positively. Being overweight, avoiding an exercise routine, and smoking can result in health issues that cause back pain.
Chiropractic care can assist in lessening a patients back pain, which then hopefully leads to better lifestyle choices. Feeling better often prompts patients to embark on a fitness routine, eat healthier, and quit smoking. Exercise regimens that include strength training can positively impact a person's health in a number of ways, including back pain reduction. Millions of people struggle with back pain on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to treat both the symptoms and the underlying causes. Chiropractic care either by itself or in a combination with other treatments is one of the best choices available today. Get a jump start on your 2020 health & wellness goals with Dr. Tinsley at Well Balanced Body.
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 When we think about chiropractic care, many of us don’t think much past aligning vertebrae. But the benefits of proper chiropractic care are much more far-reaching than just the spine.
Chiropractic supports the nervous system which is the system responsible for all other systems in the body. Most importantly, the nervous system is designed to work in perfect harmony with the immune system to coordinate proper immune response to fight off sickness. When our nervous system is compromised, often due to misalignment of the vertebrae, our immune system and its ability to protect us from sickness is also compromised. One of the best things you can do to boost your immune response if you’re already under the weather, or strengthen your immune system so you have a better chance of not getting sick in the first place, is to get an adjustment. Proper vertebral alignment helps the nervous system and immune system work together as effectively as they were designed to. When we’re sick, our first reaction is usually to cancel everything and stay home. And while that may be the right call for places like school and work, keeping your chiropractic appointment when you’re sick can actually help boost your immune system and have you feeling well sooner. So the next time you’re not feeling well, keep that chiropractic appointment and see for yourself that you’ll be back to ‘well’ in no time! Start your health & wellness journey with Dr. Tinsley at Well Balanced Body.  How to Find the Time, Money and Energy to Stay In Shape They say that being a parent is hard, but sometimes if a partner is involved, at least someone is present to share the brunt of the work. Single parenting is even more difficult because you are doing it all alone. However, there are some upsides because any available downtime that you do get is yours for the taking.
Though you could probably use a few more hours added to your day, on top of all the chores, drop-offs and meal planning, this is also a great time for self-improvement. Getting that much-needed exercise is possible with careful thought and without compromising time with your kids. Practice Self-Care Putting on your own oxygen mask prior to helping your children is a sure way to becoming a better parent. It may sound selfish, however, studies provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that taking time for yourself lowers stress levels. Self-care is identifying your own needs and taking the necessary steps to meet them. As far as fitness is concerned, you may choose to exercise as a family or while your children are at school. When our basic needs are met in terms of getting adequate amounts of sleep, healthy diet and exercise, we are much better able to cope with life’s stressors. If you’re a stressed out, tired parent, then exercise can do wonders for you, physically and mentally. Not only does it boost your mood, but your level of fitness, increases your overall well-being. Therefore you are a happier parent, able to focus on the needs of your offspring. Types of Workouts If your children are infants and toddlers who are not currently in school, gentle activities such as walking, swimming or biking make a bigger impact than being sedentary all day. Walking or riding your bike for as little as 30 minutes per day helps improve your mood, burns calories and builds muscle tone. Walking can even lead to you become an avid runner, by implementing some interval jogging within your workout. Other forms of exercise may include fitness groups for parents, a gym, or within the comforts of your own home, with a DVD. An in-home gym is another option in which you can stock your basement or an available room with home exercise equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells, adaptable resistance bands, door frame pull-up bars and suspension trainers, all tools for toning and strengthening the body. You may even choose to take a yoga mat with you for asanas training within a studio, at home or at the park. Schedule your Day According to Northwestern University, getting lots of sleep correlates with longer exercise sessions, which also leads to more weight loss, while too little sleep leads to higher fat content. There are small tweaks one can implement throughout each day, which all boils down to taking the time to exercise no matter what. Most importantly, be creative don’t forget to add a little fun to your routine. Adults only need about 150 minutes of exercise per week (30 minutes per day) and there is no best time of day to do so. You can either choose to fit in a quick workout while children are at home, at school or right before bedtime, just as long as you do so at least 2 hours after dinner, a suggestion by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other creative ways to get in some laps is to walk around when you’re on the phone, around your child’s school or at a park with a fitness tracker so that you get the recommended 10,000 steps per day. If you are seriously swamped for time, you may even try the 10X3 plan, 10-minute intervals, throughout the day, that adds up to 30 minutes. Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you should neglect yourself. If you’re craving a fitness plan that matches your lifestyle, then these helpful tips will get your body in tip-top shape for keeping up with the kids and gaining more energy.  Running is one of Americans' favorite forms of exercise. The reasons for its popularity are simple — it can be done almost anywhere, takes no special equipment, and burns lots of calories. Running also offers a great many health benefits such as weight control, decreased blood pressure and cholesterol, and relief from stress.
Everything with running is fabulous, right up until the time you hear a snap, crack, or pop. The downside of all the wonderful benefits is that running causes its share of injuries to the body. The New York Times featured a study by Harvard scientists who presented an alarming statistic that two-thirds of runners will be injured in some way. Tendonitis, shin splints, ankle sprains, hip pain, and knee strains are a few of the many injuries brought on or exacerbated by a regular running routine. What is a runner to do? It's important to take common sense precautions to not get injured in the first place. Purchasing high quality shoes and respecting the body's limits are two excellent choices. Another great choice is committing to chiropractic care. Regular runners can reap many positive results from visiting a chiropractor. Three big benefits chiropractic care offers for runners are the following: Increased Range of Motion Loose and relaxed joints allow for greater flexibility and movement, all of which benefit a runner's gait and time. A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found evidence that a chiropractic treatment regimen increased mobility in the hips over time. While chiropractic care does not guarantee an individual will experience an increase in speed, unrestricted joints and better range of motion will definitely help a person move more freely and stand a better chance of avoiding running injuries. Decreased Healing Time for Injuries Unfortunately, runners frequently deal with injuries, some of which take weeks or months to heal. For dedicated runners, a serious injury is terrible news. The first action for runners after they have been injured is to stop running so it can heal. Most runners do not want to risk losing the stamina that interrupting their routine brings on. Chiropractors can work with runners who have injured themselves from the repetitive motion of running regularly. By using chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors can promote healing in the body as a whole. Runners love this because they want to get back to hoofing it as quickly as possible. Minimized Instances of Becoming Injured A spine out of alignment can cause other parts of the body to be weaker and more susceptible to injury. One part of the body compensating for another that is off kilter is one common way runners end up hurt. Chiropractic treatment helps to keep the spine in alignment, which can have a ripple effect through the body. Regular adjustments can reduce the negative impact the jarring motion of running has on a person's body, and help avoid running-relating injuries on the front end. Running is a popular exercise routine for many, and yields a multitude of positive results to a person's health and well-being. By taking proper steps to minimize the chance of injury, runners can enjoy the good points running brings to the table and steer clear of the bad. Chiropractic care can be an effective part of making certain your body is in prime running condition and resistant to injury. If a person ends up dealing with an injury, chiropractic treatment may be able to boost healing time. Ready! Set! Go! If you are a runner and would like to talk further about the benefits chiropractic care offers you, contact us today for a consultation. This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiros LLC for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiros, LLC.  You had good intentions when you created your latest fitness goal, but then things changed. Maybe you never clearly defined your goal, so you don’t really understand how to get started or maybe you did great for a couple of weeks, but now your motivation has waned and you can’t seem to get back on track. Regardless of the reason that you can’t achieve your goal, keep in mind that it’s okay to reevaluate your plans and make changes as needed. Review the signs below to figure out if it’s time to tweak your fitness ambitions.
You Hate It Change isn’t always fun, but there’s a big difference between wanting to take a day or two off from the gym and wishing you had never signed up to begin with. You can’t easily achieve a goal that doesn’t appeal to you, so it’s important to create plans that you’re passionate about. Identify why you hate your goal so that you can determine whether your disgust stems from self-doubt or just a general hatred for the resolution you’ve established. If you hate your goal because you’re scared it’s unattainable, break it into smaller goals. Instead of saying you’ll run a marathon by the end of the year, make it a goal to sign up for a 5K or run around your neighborhood without stopping to rest. After you hit that goal, you can set a bigger one. If you dislike everything about your goal, create a different fitness goal. If you’ve vowed to work out more often but hate the gym, sign up for a group fitness class or start swimming at a local indoor pool. If your goal is to exercise an hour a day, reduce it to 15 minutes and work your way up. You’re Overdoing It Did you know that it’s possible to get too much exercise? If you set a fitness goal that’s too difficult, the workouts may take a toll on your body. Missed menstrual cycles, insomnia, and lack of appetite are all signs that your exercise routine might be too intense. If you experience these issues regularly, take 1 to 2 weeks off from your routine and see if that helps. If not, it’s time to reevaluate your goal. You should also visit a healthcare professional to rule out medical concerns that may be causing your symptoms. It’s Too Expensive The average gym membership costs around $60 a month, and that doesn’t include other expenses, such as workout attire or wearable fitness technology. You may also rack up fees paying for a personal trainer or participating in group exercise classes. These fees aren’t a problem if you can easily afford them, but what if you’re struggling to pay rent or put gas in your car? That’s a sign that you need to cut back on some fitness-related expenses. Before you cancel your gym membership or withdraw from your fitness classes, talk to a manager about your financial situation. You may be able to lower your monthly payments or put your membership on a temporary hold. If you decide to work out at home, take your dog on a walk and get some fresh air. Or follow along with a fitness video--there are a lot of free options available on YouTube. When you make a fitness goal, you aren’t stuck with it forever. Life changes, so sometimes you have to adjust your goals. You aren’t giving up; you’re simply adjusting your plans to better suit your needs. Physical fitness is about more than just looking good. It’s about feeling good. It can keep you from experiencing (or help if you’re already experiencing) mental health issues, which can lead you down dangerous paths such as substance abuse, depression, etc. Don’t let your fitness goals fall by the wayside. Reevaluate them and make sure they’re attainable. Author: Paige Johnson |
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