Have you ever noticed it feels better when you get up and move? Your body has a specific need when it comes to the amount of movement you experience each day. Not enough movement and you have a deficiency, too much and you overdo it and cause pain. Whether it’s right after you fall on your driveway, or after you’ve watched a full movie without moving, it will feel better to get up and move. It doesn’t have to be a fancy type of exercise or one that makes you sweat, just enough to work the muscles and joints. This in turn sends signals to the brain through your nerves that are considered by many to be like a nutrient for the brain; stimulation from movement.
Without enough brain stimulation your brain actually tends towards a state of stress, with the resulting increase in cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar etc. It also tends to affect the brain and make you more irritable, less able to concentrate and generally foggy. As well you will often notice more pain and stiffness, while your immune system is affected, resulting in more colds, allergies, and flus.
The remedy is to move more. Whether it’s simply doing more yourself, or in the case of acute or chronic joint pain, you may need some help to get moving better. If your nerves are irritated or pinched, you are even more likely to need some help. A Chiropractor is likely your best option. Initially, we help relax and stretch your sore and stiff muscles. Then, as movement is more comfortable we gradually help get your joints moving with a variety of gentle techniques from stretching, to mobilizing and adjustments (or manipulations). These are gentle procedures that may or may not result in the famous ‘crack’ sound. Most first time patients are surprised how easy and gentle these treatments are. A big part of Chiropractic care involves home care. After you leave our office, it is very important you don’t undo the good of our treatment. Good sound advice is about the use of ice and/or heat, posture and sleeping positions, lifting/shovelling tips, as well as home exercises. First we encourage stretching at home, then as the condition improves you need to start some strengthening exercises. This should be a very gradual process so as to avoid aggravating the condition while trying to stabilize your core.
Whether you are feeling good and want to maintain health or in a lot of pain and need relief, movement is usually the answer. Be careful, move smart, but get moving!