If You’re Feeling No Pain, Why Still Get Adjusted?
Something you may have heard about chiropractors is that once you start going, you never stop. That is not true, but it is why some people have never gone to the chiropractor or why they may be nervous to go. Once patients are out of their “acute” state of pain, many continue going to maintain the healthy alignment we have worked to get back in their spine. And some continue going for the “extra” health benefits that are often hard to measure…like improving your immune system, improving sleep, and feeling an overall state of wellness.
Pain is usually the last symptom to appear, but it is the symptom that causes the biggest disruption in your life. However, just because you are out of pain does not mean that there is not some type of interference going on at the spinal level with the nerve roots.
Maintaining proper spinal alignment can help prevent the painful symptoms from returning and take the interference off the nerve roots.
So, don’t wait until the pain returns but rather practice prevention with conservative medicine to decrease the chance of flare-ups and to maintain your healthy lifestyle.
Just a few tips to keep your back pain down while gardening…
– Warm up first. A brisk 5 minute walk and some stretching can go a long way. Try doing a set of squats to warm up the leg muscles, and stretch your calves and hamstrings out.
– Lift carefully. It’s easy to lift heavy pots, bushes and full watering cans incorrectly. To lift correctly, begin by squatting and not bending at your waist. Use both hand to hold the object, keeping it close to your body and slowly straighten your legs as you lift.
– Take breaks. Take a water bottle out with you, and do some stretching everytime you take some water in.
– Get support from kneelers or chairs to assist you in getting up and down off your knees.
– Garden while standing…bring the plants to you. Instead of planting in the ground. Use pots or try raised beds, wall gardening, or hanging plants in window boxes.
Don’t stop enjoying what you love to do, just modify!
Hamstring Stretch
Our hamstrings tend to be shortened in a majority of people who sit all day long. The above is a great diagram on how to stretch your hamstrings while standing – and can be done anywhere. Put a straight leg up on a stool, stair, or chair and bend directly over that straight leg at the waist. Maintain a straight spine and do not round at the mid back. As you can see from the picture, the girl is maintaining a nice straight back and bending at the waist. Hold each pose for 30 seconds and do both sides 2-3 times.
Hope you are enjoying the summer as much as Miss Lizzy is. Tough life at the beach today…
Upcoming Saturdays:
July 29 – Dr. Bob
Aug 12- Dr. Catie
Aug 26- Dr. Bob
Sep 9- Dr. Catie
Sep 23- Dr. Bob
We will be CLOSED on Monday August 21 but will re-open for Tuesday afternoon August 22nd!
