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Chiropractic therapy and exercise each have important benefits for your physical and emotional well-being. You may have known that already! But did you know that if you combine the two, you’re likely to really enhance the results of both, which can include improving life expectancy and preventing chronic pain and other lingering conditions?
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic therapy is usually an ongoing treatment, providing alignment, improved muscle health, injury, or even a method of preventative care. You may benefit from chiropractic therapy to feel better, improve your range of motion, or address an injury. In some instances, you could see improvements in posture or athletic performance. It is also possible to avoid prescription medication by choosing chiropractic therapy to reduce pain.
Common chiropractic care treatments that are especially helpful for those who exercise include:
Spinal Adjustment: A spinal adjustment is a common chiropractic treatment used to relieve back and neck pain by repositioning joints and vertebrae to their proper positions. It can be used to treat existing pain, or when used regularly it can help prevent back pain.
Spinal Decompression: Nonsurgical spinal decompression is a type of motorized spinal traction that is used to reduce the pressure on the spinal discs. It only takes 15 to 30 minutes of gently stretching the spine several times over a period of a few weeks.
Cold Laser Therapy: Cold laser therapy is a chiropractic treatment option that addresses arthritis pain, back pain, joint pain, and muscle issues. When the laser is directed at the treatment area, the affected tissues absorb the light causing the blood to rush to the treatment area, which encourages faster healing.
Massage Therapy: Massage therapy is often used alongside other chiropractic treatments as a way to relieve pain caused by overuse of muscles and tendons.
Benefits of Exercise
Everyone tells you that exercise is good for you. And we’re no exception. But exercise is a bit different depending on your overall health, medical conditions and age. If you’re just getting started with a new exercise plan it’s a good idea to talk to your chiropractor or doctor, especially if you have any preexisting medical conditions.
Two main types of exercise are strength and cardiovascular or aerobic training. Both have many health benefits and can be performed daily in moderation for most reasonably healthy adults. These exercises can be done at home, in a gym, or outside when the weather is good.
Getting in Your Cardio
Some popular forms of cardiovascular exercise are walking, hiking, aerobics, swimming, biking, and dancing. There are also group exercise programs like OrangeTheory, Zumba, Spenga, Pure Barre, and others in The Woodlands area that offer options based on what you enjoy.
Cardio is a good way to burn calories which can result in weight loss sooner than doing only strength exercises. Trimming down to a healthy body weight takes the stress off compacted vertebrae and can result in better sleep, movement, and overall health. Cardiovascular exercise also aids in digestion and promotes better circulation, both essential for general well-being.
Add in Strength Training for Even More Fitness Results
Strength training includes lifting weights, using resistance bands, and doing pushups, pullups, crunches, or squats. Some experts recommend alternating the days each exercise is done, and others advise mixing both into a workout. For instance, end a long walk with some bodyweight drills or do yoga sculpt with weights to burn calories and tone muscles.
Building core strength can actually reduce back pain. But if you have a bulging or herniated spinal disc, hold off on doing crunches. Another benefit to building muscle is that muscle burns more calories than fat when at rest, increases metabolic function, and improves overall health.
Benefits of Combining Chiropractic Care and Exercise
When combined, you may experience both the pain relief and balance of chiropractic therapy and the improvement in strength and stability gained through exercise. If you’re focused on the physical objectives of the exercise, such as weight loss, muscle tone, and improved physique, incorporating chiropractic care ensures the body can safely engage in exercise for the long haul.
Another advantage of mixing visits to the gym and chiropractor is that since each brings out the good in the other, it doesn’t really matter in which order you do it. Seeing the chiropractor prior to exercising ensures better spinal alignment, reduces the risk of strain or injury, and almost guarantees a better workout. Choosing to exercise before getting adjusted means looser muscles and ligaments, which warms up the body and prepares it for chiropractic therapy.
What If Your Lifestyle Already Includes Regular Exercise?
Suppose you’re already active in cardiovascular or strength training exercise and considering incorporating chiropractic care? Schedule an appointment at our location in The Woodlands to talk with one of our chiropractors who will learn more about your exercise routine and any pain you may be experiencing to help create the best chiropractic treatment plan to enhance your exercise routine and to relieve pain that may be caused by exercise.
