Spring is here at last! Even though we have had a couple of mild winters in a row, the return of spring is still such a welcome event. Everyone talks about getting outside and moving their bodies more, whether it is lawn mowing, garden work, golfing, or spring sports. It is time to step outside again and maximize your spring workouts and activities.
Despite the winter not being as cold as years past, many of us still cut way back on our activity levels during winter when it’s colder outside. Because we do that, we can’t expect our bodies to pick up where we left off last fall and immediately be ready for rigorous workouts again. As we get older, getting back into shape seems like it happens a little slower, doesn’t it?
One way to avoid the tough period of getting that spring back in your step is to never let it lapse in the first place. Keep moving all winter. When I move my running and workouts indoors for the winter (thank you Cutting Edge!), it is great to see so many people still getting their workouts in. That way when spring arrives, you don’t have to get back on track; you are already there. The other option is to begin to slowly prepare as outdoor activities get closer. Start your stretches and some basic movement like walking before you start more rigorous spring workouts.
Chiropractic can help with your body’s resilience
As always, we recommend a tune-up of your spine and nervous system to prepare yourself for that increased physical activity. Your chiropractor can help restore your spine and nerves. Getting aligned will help avoid injury when you start your spring workouts. You don’t want to kill the excitement of getting back outdoors by injuring yourself right away! Chiropractic can help by creating a strong sense of resilience, so when you challenge your body, you are more injury-proofed. When you realign your spine and major joints before you start working out, you do two things. One, you make sure they won’t exacerbate an underlying weakness caused by scar tissue or nerve blockage. Two, it ensures that as you begin your workout program, you are building things in a balanced way. That way, you become stronger by integrating left to right, front to back, and top to bottom.
When it comes to resilience, connective tissue such as tendons, ligaments, and fascia will have increased density where nerve flow is compromised. This means less range of motion, more joint compression, and increased risk of injuring internal joint components. Restoring maximum nerve flow through chiropractic adjustments allows for looser, more elastic soft tissue.
Supplements can help fight inflammation
Another thing to do is to keep taking your supplements. A good example is taking fish oil for inflammation. People always comment on how well it works for inflamed joints, but then they quit taking it when the pain is gone. The truth is, we all have some amount of inflammation basically all of the time! Fish oil keeps that inflammation down and helps increase our bodies’ ability to heal and restore from day-to-day irritations. Too many people turn to over-the-counter pain pills, which may make you feel better temporarily, but they are just blocking the pain without actually correcting the problem. Fish oil actually makes you healthier. One example of OTC pills doing more harm than good is with Tylenol. Studies* have shown that Tylenol increases the likelihood of bleeding in the GI tract as well as kidney damage.
Vary the type of spring workouts you do
One more thing to consider is to switch up the type of spring workouts you’re doing. By varying exercises, you ensure that one part of the body isn’t strengthened at the detriment of the rest of the body. For instance, if all you do is bike, then you won’t develop your arms very much. If you focus on lifting weights, you won’t strengthen your cardiovascular system nearly as much as you would by running. By incorporating all parts of your body — especially your core — you eliminate weak spots that would be the first to go once you challenge them. Doing equal parts cardio and strength training ensures that both systems are strong and resilient.
As a final note: think of your health like a bank account. Chiropractic, exercise, stretching, and supplements are like putting money in. Sitting around too much, taking medication, letting things continue to hurt are like withdrawals. Add up too many withdrawals, and pretty soon your body is going to be in a tough situation. Why not attain your health and keep it?
It’s time to put the spring back in your step. Don’t wait for an injury to feel better. You deserve to feel great, have great spring workouts, and enjoy life. You know what to do, now step into it!
Dr. Burtis, D.C., M.S., CFMP, DACBN, has been providing natural healthcare to the Fairmont area at Burtis Chiropractic Center for over 35 years. He uses a combination of chiropractic, nutrition, and functional medicine to help individuals restore and maintain health and healing through individualized care plans. The mission of Burtis Chiropractic Center is to provide transformational healthcare that takes an individual’s life to the next level. We strive to be a solution for families to experience transformational healthcare and help create vibrant and resilient lifestyles that can be passed to future generations.
*References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5696016/
https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/acetaminophen-toxicity-what-pharmacists-need-to-know