There are many benefits to maintaining an active lifestyle,
however according to the department of health and human resources (HHS) less
than 5 percent of adults report getting enough exercise in a day (about 30
minutes of exercise) and only one in three children are physically active every
day. This is a worldwide pandemic that is leading to an array of health
conditions. Inactivity can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, high
blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer, osteoporosis, depression and a wide
variety of other health concerns.
It is recommended that adults exercise at least 30 minutes
per day and kids get 60 minutes of activity per day. The type of exercise varies
from individual to individual and can include aerobic exercise like walking,
jogging, running, swimming or anaerobic like weight training. These activities
help to increase energy and combat the diseases listed above.
Physical movement and exercise are extremely important in
maintaining a good, healthy lifestyle and regular chiropractic care should be a
part of your lifestyle as well. Chiropractic care works by improving the
movement of the spine and removing additional stresses on the body to help improve
the function of the nervous system.
Everybody understands that the purpose of the spine is to
protect the spinal cord, but that is not it's only purpose. The spine was
designed to move! When we talk about the anatomy of the spine we talk about
segments of the spine. One segment includes a vertebral body on top, the
intervertebral disc (disc) in the middle and then another vertebral body on the
bottom. It is important for each segment to move properly because this is how
the disc gets its proper nutrition and blood supply. This process occurs via
imbibition, or a form of osmosis. When the spine is not properly moving the
disc can become injured because it is not properly hydrated nor does it have
the proper nutrients to withstand stresses applied to it. When we have a
weakened disc this can lead to a "slipped disc" or disc
bulge/herniated disc. In addition, when a disc is weakened it will be more
susceptible to injury or inflammation that can lead to nerve irritation and
subsequently pain and dysfunction.
It is important for the entire spine to move properly to
help ensure we have a good functioning nervous system. Every tissue, muscle,
cell and organ has its own nerve supply that tells it how to function. When we
have a nervous system that is under unnecessary stress it can lead to tissue
dysfunction and a variety of health conditions. The most common conditions that
present to a chiropractic office include low back pain, neck pain and
headaches, however chiropractic care has been shown to help with an assortment
of conditions including ear infections, vertigo, colicky babies and many more
ailments.
Maintenance care is also important to help maintain a
healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of injury or re-injury. A recent study
published in the journal PLOS One found that maintenance chiropractic care was
more effective than symptom-guided treatment in reducing the total number of
days over 52 weeks with bothersome non-specific low back pain. Maintenance care
helps to improve function and health throughout the body and should be part of
your everyday lives!
For more
ways to keep your family happy and healthy, visit our website at
www.oxborochiro.com and check out the links below!
By: Travis
L. Klug, D.C.
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