How Exercise and Chiropractic Care Work Together

There is no doubt that movement is the best medicine. I have never met anyone who has said that their body and mind feel worse after a workout.

Movement, and more specifically, exercise, is a drug that should be in everyone’s preverbal medicine cabinet.

That being said, it’s very challenging to begin an exercise regimen to help alleviate pain when you are currently suffering from pain.

That is why I’m writing this blog; to give you guidance so you can use the power of chiropractic care to get you out of pain and get the most out of your workout.

Reducing Pain

When we think about areas of the body that chiropractic is most beneficial for, our mind tends to go to the neck and lower back. Sure, chiropractic is certainly one of the best modalities of medicine to address pain in those areas.

However, chiropractic can be just as helpful for extremity pain including: elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and foot pain.

This is because all nerve roots that intersect with these joints stem from the spine, and if the spine is out of alignment, the nerve, in turn can be irritated. Leading to pain downstream.

For instance, say your elbow has been bothering you when doing bicep curls, overhead press or when you a row workout.

The pain may be coming from soft tissue due to overuse, but it might also be coming from the cervical spine via nerve irritation.

Stretching, strengthening, and even massage guns not working? Then maybe it’s time to pivot and change directions.

Increase Range of Motion

Improving your strength at the gym requires you to take your joints through their full range of motion.

Poor mobility can lead to compensation, which can lead to overuse and pain down the line.

Sit at a desk all day?

Then more likely than not, your spine has become accustomed to that position and has lost mobility over time.

That’s ok because chiropractic, coupled with the right functional rehabilitation, can quickly restore that range of motion so your joints can move more freely and you can ultimately get the most out of each workout with less likelihood of being sidelined by injury.

Here is a simple self-test if your spine likely needs mobility to optimize exercise or sport. 

1. Stand with your back to a wall.
2. Flatten your back to the wall and tuck in your chin with your head touching the wall.
3. Now bring your elbows up to the shoulder line and see if you can touch the back of your hand to the wall without losing your lower back and chin position.

If you were unable to do it, don’t worry! You’re not alone.

However, this is a good general assessment to see how much your mid-back (thoracic spine) is able to move when exercise requires it.

Use this assessment as a humbling realization of how interdependent your body is and how your entire system needs to work together to be able to perform optimally.

Looking to restore your mobility so your body can move the way it’s intended to do? Then chiropractic might be right for you.

Are You Currently Dealing With Pain?

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. If you are currently having back, neck, or extremity pain, the best thing you can do is get it assessed and treated right away.

The longer you wait, the longer it will take to recover, and the more time you would’ve lost. We have 3 Seattle locations and 1 Portland location to serve you. Make an appointment today.