Achieve Pain-Free Living with Chiropractic

What happens when you have a “crick in the neck,” a stiff knee, or a shoulder that feels stuck? Hopefully, your first stop is Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati, where Dr. Faith will get to the heart of the issue so can experience pain-free living. 

But, despite what we’ve been taught, there is a proactive choice in healthcare or pain management. Part of that includes regular chiropractic care. The other part of that is a healthy, well-balanced diet and movement. 

More than 60 percent of U.S. adults do not engage in the recommended amount of activity, and 25 percent of those adults are not active at all according to the Centers for Disease Control. This increases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and developing high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes. 

When we think of movement, we oftentimes think of extensive workouts in the gym. But movement can happen in various ways; it is not a one size fits all approach. No matter where you are or how you feel, there is always room for forward movement. 

Movement is life. 

Establish a Positive Relationship with Movement

A positive relationship with movement includes elements such as feeling connected with your body, allowing for rest and sick days, enjoying stress relief, and adapting to your body’s needs and limits. A harmful relationship with movement might involve an all-or-nothing mentality, a lack of rest days, feeling obligated or anxious if a workout is missed, or using exercise to dictate your dietary choices. Sometimes, we may unknowingly develop harmful patterns or use exercise as a means to control our bodies.

To cultivate a positive relationship with movement, you should try to make it a positive experience. If you’re just starting out, it’s ok to begin small by setting an attainable goal like walking 1,000, 2,000, or 10,000 steps per day, starting a couch to 5K program, or doing arm swings, leg kicks, and walking lunges for 5 minutes a day. You can build on that goal by adding more time or length to your movement. Consider whether you prefer to exercise alone or with others, whether you like being outdoors or indoors.

Physical activity is closely tied to the health of our minds and bodies. 

Movement helps your brain

Movement releases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones, and relieves stress, which can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It will also improve self-esteem and cognitive function by creating a connection between our minds and bodies, making us aware of how we move, function, or respond to different stimuli. 

This practice also triggers the production of a specific protein known as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). This protein not only safeguards existing brain cells but also supports the growth of new and healthier ones, ultimately leading to improved brain function.

Benefits of Increased Heart Rate

We all know that movement helps us increase our heart rate. This is important as we age because we are training our body to move oxygen and blood to our muscles more efficiently. 

It also helps us burn calories and lowers our cholesterol. Increased circulation aids in digestion by moving essential nutrients through our digestive system. This contributes to not only weight management but also effective waste elimination.

Express Yourself

There is one other benefit that movement provides: we also express ourselves through movement. Whether it’s through dance, sports, or other physical activities, movement enables us to communicate non-verbally, conveying our unique thoughts and emotions.

We don’t want to encourage anyone to overdo it because that has consequences, too. At Simply Well Chiropractic, we just want everyone to live their best life. It’s important to start where you’re at and listen to your body. If an activity feels too strenuous, seek ways to adapt it to your abilities and needs.

If you need any help, please reach out to Simply Well at (513) 271-1233 or schedule an appointment online.