Our bodies are like complex machines, each part working together for one purpose: Movement. Each organ, each bone, each muscle, a cog in the machine, necessary to keep us going. (Except maybe the appendix.) Some cogs work to convert food into fuel, some to move oxygen to our cells, some do the actual work of moving our bodies.
National Chiropractic Health Month aims to spotlight how chiropractic adjustments can improve mobility, health, and reduce pain without the need for addictive painkillers.
This year’s Chiropractic Health Month is focused on musculoskeletal health which provides the very framework that moves us. Our musculoskeletal system includes the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the body that all work together to give us movement. An injury or illness in the musculoskeletal system can cause pain that is short-lived or chronic. Things like chronic lower back pain, for example, can reduce your quality of life. It can affect your work, how you move, and even if you move.
Chronic pain can cause a person to avoid activities because they’re too painful and they become more sedentary which can lead to further health problems. This can also drive people to use opioids for pain. Painkillers are a quick fix that doesn’t fix the problem at all. They mask it. Chiropractic adjustments can treat the problem and reduce muscle tension, restore and improve your range of motion, and improve your overall health.
Besides seeing your chiropractor, what can you do to improve your musculoskeletal health?
Move. The more you move, the more you’ll be able to move. Your body was made to move and it needs to move to continue to work properly. You don’t have to go to the gym to stay active. Walking, doing yardwork, weightlifting, hiking, and jogging can keep your body moving and these types of weight-bearing exercises can even improve bone density.
Eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet with whole foods and a minimum of processed foods will not only give your body the nutrients it needs but it will keep you at a healthy weight that your musculoskeletal framework can handle. Obesity can put a strain on this system that can cause pain and discomfort.
Drink plenty of water. It helps lubricate joints and it carries oxygen to your muscles which makes them stronger.
Get some fresh air. Being outside in the sun helps us replenish Vitamin D which allows our bodies to more easily absorb calcium.
Cut the bad habits. Smoking can lead to a host of health problems, not the least of which is osteoporosis and bone fractures because it decreases bone density. Excessive alcohol consumption can decrease bone density as well.
Get enough sleep. While you sleep, your body repairs muscles and joints. It needs enough time to do this.
Improve your posture. Poor posture can lead to injury or strains in your Musculoskeletal system. Sit up straight and use an ergonomic chair if you sit for long periods.
How does one observe National Chiropractic Health Month? By making an appointment with your favorite chiropractic office, of course! North County Pain Relief provides drug-free, non-invasive relief from pain that may be keeping you from moving. Call our Saint Louis, Missouri office at (314) 731-4201 to find out more about how we can help manage your pain and get you back on the move.
