As a holistic practice, chiropractic cares about the overall health and wellbeing of its patients. Exercise, for example, is critical when it comes to keeping your body in shape. In fact, many chiropractors will prescribe certain exercises or stretches to complement their in-office therapies and adjustments. But before you jump straight in and get started, there are some things you should know. Exercise is good for strength, stamina, and flexibility, but it must be done correctly to avoid injury. Read on for 5 tips to consider as you begin planning your routine.
- Warm Up. The importance of a proper warm up cannot be overstated. Before engaging in any level of strenuous physical activity, you should give your body a chance to acclimate. Your muscles tend to shorten and stiffen with prolonged periods of inactivity, so you must begin your exercise by giving them time to loosen up. Failure to do so could result in one or more strained muscles.
- Wear Good Shoes. Good shoes are absolutely essential to an effective exercise routine. Everything from simple stretches to more intense workouts is designed to push your body to its limits and sharpen your abilities in some way. But you must invest in the proper footwear to avoid injury and begin seeing results. Find a quality pair of tennis shoes that fit your feet and give you plenty of support.
- Practice Proper Technique & Posture. Whether it’s jogging, weightlifting, or yoga, every activity has a proper technique and form. Improper technique or sloppy form can actually do more harm than good, which defeats the purpose of exercising in the first place. Do your research ahead of time to prevent serious injury from occurring.
- Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard. As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain.” While it may be true that you have to push yourself to see results, be careful to observe your natural limitations. Exercise that is too frequent or too intense can actually be detrimental to your health, and it increases the chances of injury.
- Drinking plenty of water should be a high priority every day, but it’s especially important during and after an exercise session. Staying hydrated will actually help your recovery process and improve performance. It’s crucial that you replace the fluids you lost through your sweat.
If you’re looking for more exercise tips and tricks, we’d be glad to work with you. Let us help you optimize your body’s performance and resilience through chiropractic care. Call our office or fill out the form on our website to get in touch with us and schedule a free consultation!
