So how are you all doing with your healthy new year’s resolutions? Are you still excited about it or are you struggling to keep up?
The year has just begun yet most people fall into the trap of going back into the same old routine they had before they made the resolution. Probably because the goals were too unrealistic to begin with, and there’s also those challenges and obstacles along the way that can either be distracting or demotivating from achieving your end goal.
If you have, by any chance, already fallen into the trap, it is important to not give up. Struggling to keep up is part of the transformation journey, and failing once does not mean it’s impossible to achieve. Remember that if other people can do it, then so can you.
With this, let me share a little secret.
There is actually a way to get back on track and easily stick with your New Year health goals. It surely worked for me, my family and other people so there’s no reason why it won’t work for you.
And that is, (drumroll, please)— chiropractic care.
Working in the industry for almost 20 years, I have witnessed the success stories of people who have been helped by chiropractic. Most of them have struggled with improving their health at first, but with continuous guidance and effort, they are now enjoying their life more.
Here’s how chiropractic helped them achieve their health goals:
#1 Chiropractic makes it easier (and safer) to exercise.
People usually write “gym” and “getting more exercise” on the top of their resolution list yet they struggle to do this consistently. The common reasons for this is because they feel pain, or some tightness in the body, or they’re just plain tired. With regular chiropractic adjustments, exercising becomes much easier. Not only does it promote better mobility [1], it is also great at relieving spinal and joint pressure. With little to no pain, you will feel more energized allowing you to exercise longer, and at a more intense level.
When sports injuries do happen, the chiropractor will be able to spot them before they become worse, or notice when the body is not compatible with a certain workout. Chiropractors have a good eye when it comes to posture. They will notice if your body is showing early signs of poor form. Like a gym instructor, they can help you perfect your form and advise you on better, safer exercise routine that your body responds to more naturally.
#2 Chiropractic helps with diet and proper digestion.
For those who are focused on ‘weight goals’ this year, this is for you. Take note that losing all those unwanted fats or adding more curves is not just about the portion size or the kind of food you’re eating. Even if you are eating healthy and clean with the right portion size, the body still won’t get the benefits that it should if your digestive organs are not functioning optimally.
You see, your nervous system is connected to every part of your body, including your tummy. When nerve interference and spinal subluxations occur, the digestive organs may not function optimally— meaning, the food you are ingesting may not be properly digested, absorbed, and eliminated. This can result in nutritional deficiencies, constipation and even unhealthy cravings. For example, recall a time when you ate a healthy breakfast and lunch, but then still felt sluggish in the afternoon and so you craved for donuts, and finished a box of them before dinner. This is what nerve interference and subluxations can do with your eating habits.
Fortunately, chiropractic helps in clearing the nervous system pathways so your brain will be able to control itself on when to eat and when to stop. Furthermore, by aligning your spine and posture, your digestive system will be back to normal and your body will be better at absorbing the nutrients while eliminating waste properly [2] [3].
#3 Chiropractic promotes better sleep.
People with sleeping issues usually wake up tired. Because of this, there’s only little energy, focus and motivation that they can exert in their daily activities. It would also be hard for them to recover if they’re stressed or sick. In any case, having sleeping issues can hinder you from achieving a lot of your goals this year.
Poor sleep usually stems from a lot of factors like spinal misalignments, pain, anxiety, poor sleeping position and bad pillows/mattress. All of these can be addressed when you consult a chiropractor. Not only do they give expert advice on how to achieve your ideal sleep, they also correct spinal misalignments which release tension and improve the function of the neuroendocrine system (the system controls the hormones that regulate sleeping cycles) [4].
As we all know, many turn to sleeping pills just to regulate their sleep. Unfortunately, this can have side effects, and it doesn’t truly address the problem of why you are getting poor sleep. Chiropractic however, is a much safer alternative that targets the cause of your sleeping issues.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, chiropractic care is more than just “popping your back”. It’s about strengthening the health of one of the most important systems in your body, your nervous system! With improved mental health, you’ll be able to exercise more, eat smarter and sleep better. This means more energy, focus and motivation to reach your health goals!
So, if you’re struggling to keep up with your new year’s resolution, chiropractic care may just be the only thing missing in your list.
References:
[1]David J. Mann, DC. Ross Mattox, DC. Chiropractic Management of a Patient With Chronic Pain. J Chiropr Med. 2018 June.
[2]H. Kala Eulitt, DC. Vivian Giannakakis, DC. Resolution of Chronic Constipation, Fecal Incontinence, and Abdominal Pain in an 8 Year Old Child Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Study & Selective Review of the Literature.
[3]Monika R. The effects of chiropractic care on a patient with chronic constipation. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2001 Sep; 45(3): 185–191.
[4]Kovanur Sampath K, Mani R, Cotter JD, Tumilty S. Measurable changes in the neuro-endocrinal mechanism following spinal manipulation. Journal of Medical Hypotheses 2015 Dec; 85(6):819-24.