I Was Injured While Running – Can Chiropractic Help?
Although our bodies are designed to run long-distances, it takes a special toll on us. For example, the impact from running wears down the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints in our legs, which then has an effect on other parts of the body. If you’re regularly spending time running or jogging for exercise, or you were injured while running, here’s what you need to know about how chiropractic care can help support your health and well-being.
Is the human body made for running?
A lot of people wonder if the human body is really made for running, and there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that it is. Our leg muscles are comparatively large, and our feet are uniquely shaped in a way that makes them good for running. These facts point toward running being an activity we’ve adapted to do over time.
The advantages of running and jogging often entice people to make it their go-to workout. For instance, in addition to rapidly burning calories, these exercises also strengthen the legs, create lean muscles, improve balance & respiration, metabolism function, lymphatic system circulation and heart health – just to name a few benefits. Even though it’s hard to believe that there could be any negatives with all those positives, if not done correctly running can have some drawbacks.
What are the downsides of running and jogging as exercise?
Though running and jogging have a fair share of benefits, there are some disadvantages that should not be overlooked. For instance, this high-impact activity puts immense pressure on the knee joints which can result in early arthritis and disc degeneration. Also, joint degeneration is one of the leading causes medical doctors cite for this type of exercise.
Not only does running and jogging impact your joints, muscles, and tendons, but the repetitive motion can also lead to cramps. Long-distance runners in particular are susceptible to a form of muscle loss that inhibits proper healing before using those muscles again.
“How do I prevent the negative effects of running and jogging?”
It’s essential to allow your body rest between running and jogging sessions so it can recover properly. If you don’t let your body rest, you won’t experience the full benefits of exercise despite all of your healthy lifestyle efforts.
Diet is key to maintaining good health and should be given just as much attention, if not more, than exercise. To keep or improve muscle tissue, you need minerals, proteins, amino acids, and other nutrients which can best come from talking with a dietitian or another dietary expert. They will make sure you are getting everything you need from your workouts while still being able to function properly by ensuring that nutrient levels remain high.
North Alabama Spine & Rehab recognizes the benefits of chiropractic care for runners and joggers, as it often prevents injuries. This form of health care can help protect muscles and joints, increase energy levels in the body, and improve athletic performance.
How can chiropractic care help runners?
When runners and joggers support their neuro-musculoskeletal system through chiropractic care, they improve performance overall. The neuro-musculoskeletal system is made up of bones and joints, nerves, muscles, tendons, soft tissue and ligaments in the body – all of which are mostly affected by running or jogging. Consequently, if this system is healthy, the body can more easily adapt to running/jogging recover faster post-exercise and perform better as a whole.
Chiropractic care can support the joints.
If you’re a runner or jogger, you probably worry about your joints. But with chiropractic care, you can improve and support them. That’s because chiropractors help decompress any joints that have been compressed by constant impact–something runners deal with often. They achieve this through adjustments, which enable the knee, spine, and ankle joints to move smoothly over surrounding discs and nerves.
Chiropractic care can support the muscles and connecting tendons.
Chiropractic care has benefits that go beyond muscles and connecting tendons- it also positively affects the soft tissues in your body. This is because as the different layers of the neuro-musculoskeletal system are addressed, any inflammation or abrasion from joints, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues is alleviated. In other words, chiropractic care allows for resetting and optimal function in the neuro-musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic care can improve the function of nerves.
When your joints are out of place, they can compress nearby nerves. This pressure often results in problems like severe pain, numbness and tingling sensations, difficulty focusing and being alert, and fatigue, among other issues. Fortunately, chiropractic care by realigning the joints can relieve this nerve pressure.
Research indicates that when the nervous system isn’t working optimally, the body ages more quickly and appears fatigued. However, at North Alabama Spine & Rehab in Decatur, we use chiropractic care to restore balance to the neuro-musculoskeletal system, rejuvenating patients’ entire bodies. In fact, our patients often tell us they feel younger and healthier after treatment.
Chiropractic Care in Decatur, Alabama
At North Alabama Spine & Rehab, Dr. Adam Shafran wants to help you heal by getting to the root of your pain. That’s why if you’re a runner or jogger and are experiencing recurrent discomfort, we can assist you here. Our team will also analyze your general health and wellness as well as assesses your lifestyle and daily activity levels. This allows us to get a better grasp of where changes need to be made in order for you to reach and optimize your health goals.
Our treatment plans are designed to help improve your care and see results quickly. Chiropractic BioPhysics®, which uses mirror-image® adjustments and spinal traction, can take up to 90 days for significant changes. However, by starting with a personalized treatment plan, we can help relieve pain more efficiently and ensure that you see life-enhancing results at the end of your treatment period.
If you’re in pain and looking for a Decatur chiropractor who specializes in back pain, North Alabama Spine & Rehab is the place for you. We also serve local athletes and anyone else seeking general relief from alignment issues. Give us a call today!
