Whether you’re chasing your grandchildren around the playground or chasing an Olympic gold, there’s nothing like feeling great so you can enjoy the activities that bring meaning to your life.
But sometimes, life’s aches and pains stand in the way. What then?
Athletes know the benefits offered by chiropractic: All NFL teams have an official chiropractor, and more than 50% of NCAA athletes choose alternative therapy — including chiropractic — to stay on top of their games.
What about your game? Whether it’s golf or tennis, or just taking a stroll in the park on a beautiful spring morning, is your body ready?

Winning Form

You don’t have to play golf or softball to see how the back, joints, and muscles coordinate to swing a club or bat. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation, or adjustment, to relieve pressure on joints and improve nerve function. They can also advise you on diet and exercise to maintain optimal health.
Even in people without symptoms, research has found that manipulation therapy increased joint motion and increased muscle strength. Here are some other examples of how chiropractic can help you but a spring in your step:

• The New Zealand College of Chiropractic’s Centre for Chiropractic Research found that spinal manipulation may prevent fatigue and boost muscle function.
• A similar study of 40 South African soccer players found that lumbar and sacroiliac joint manipulation increased kicking speed, and range of motion in lumbar extension, right rotation, and SI joint angular motions.
• Another published report found that a full range of treatment, including soft tissue therapy (massage) and manipulation, can assist with rotator cuff injuries.
• A study of various approaches showed that manipulation of the neck area produced increased flexibility at the hip.

Getting off to a Good Start

When you first get back into an active, outdoor lifestyle, overdoing it can lead to back and neck pain, and reduced mobility. Whether these come from months of cold weather, too much time in the easy chair, or taking on too much at once, a chiropractor can recommend a wide range of options including adjustment, exercise, and diet to get you and keep you healthy and active. Here are some common complaints, and how chiropractic can help.
Back Pain
If you don’t even want to lift your clubs or tennis racket, you’re not ready to play. Of the 22 million chiropractor visits annually, 7.7 million, or 35%, are from patients seeking relief from back pain, which can be caused by wear and tear, poor posture, diet, or lack of exercise. Studies published by the National Institutes of Health found strong evidence for the efficacy of manual treatment. Patients with acute pain showed strong evidence of improvement when compared to placebo treatment for pain, function, and health improvements. For chronic pain sufferers, there was moderate to strong evidence in favor of chiropractic compared with placebo treatment for pain, function and overall health.
Neck Pain
Neck pain is another leading complaint. Studies demonstrate that cervical manipulation increases active range of motion and decreases pain in patients with neck issues. All these improvements were maintained at 6-month follow-ups. One study showed that manipulation was 1.5 times more effective in reducing neck pain than massage-style mobilization therapy. Those receiving chiropractic care demonstrated a significant increase in joint flexibility over the group receiving other treatment.
Headache
Chronic headaches can keep you inside and in the dark, and poor posture — the same problem that can lead to backache — can contribute to frequent tension headaches. One study found that in the long run, one month of chiropractic care (approximately 2 visits per week) was more effective than a commonly prescribed drug for the condition.
Other Conditions
A host of other conditions — even constipation, which might keep you indoors — can improve with proper treatment from a chiropractor. Chiropractic adjustments can remove blockages in the nervous system that are preventing the proper function of your body, slowing you down and keeping you planted on the couch. Getting your body in shape can help alleviate dizziness, tinnitus, osteoarthritis, stuffy ears, and numerous other symptoms.

Time to Get Moving!

Don’t let aches and pains keep you indoors when the sunshine is calling you outside. And as you head out the door with the clubs slung over your back, consider how much better your swing will be if your body is in perfect mechanical balance. You wouldn’t take off on a road trip without having your car checked out. Give your body the same essential tune-up with a visit to Tuck Chiropractic Clinic.
Want more tips about staying active and fit this spring? Stay tuned to our blog in April for a fitness-themed month of posts!