Sunday, August 2, 2009

How To Avoid Pain

Avoidable pain is frequently associated with injury to muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursae, discs and joints. While it is unlikely to live completely free of these common aches and pains, it is possible to minimize their severity, frequency and duration. There are 4 general rules to accomplish this goal.

1. Maintai
n the biomechanics of your body. This requires a periodic visit to your chiropractor even when you are feeling well. The chiropractor will help restore proper biomechanical alignment to your spine and extremities before any problem becomes clinical.

2. Exercise regularly. Do not over-exercise, however. The goal in exercise is to increase your heart rate but not to get out of breath. For some, this may be as little a
s stretching to maintain range of motion. All joints need motion to assist in repair and maintenance. In fact, studies show that if a good joint is immobilized, it will degenerate. Joint motion brings in nutrients the body needs for maintenance and removes waste product generated by normal activity.

3. Find ways to keep stress levels low. Rest following exercise. Learn relaxation techniques. Take up meditation. Explore Tai Chi. Find activities that promote a calm state-of-mind.

4. Pay attention to nutrition. The body will only maintain and rebuild most effectively based on the nutrients it has available. Foods today don’t contain the same levels of nutrients as in the past. The soil in which foods grow is depleted of some important nutrients. High quality nutritionals from specialized sources (not the supermarket or phar
macy) are critical.

The solution is simple and needs only a little planning. Avoid junk foods and fast foods. Use high quality foods that can be found in natural and organic stores like Whole Foods Markets. Obtain high quality supplements from health food stores or your health care professional, not supermarkets and drug stores. Get some exercise. Find ways to relax. See your chiropractor when needed but no less than once a month. This lifestyle will help keep you pain-free for many years.

9 comments:

back pain denver said...

Great tips doc. Although many doctors are saying avoid eating fast foods I think this is widely ignored. Do you think it is recommended to at least visit a chiropractor every month?

Doc Evans said...

Thanks for your comment. I think there is an increasingly larger segment of the population that embraces the "Slow Food" concept. But there is, definitely a long way to go. The "Forks Over Knives" movement is also growing.

Everyone seems to have an ideal treatment frequency. I have patients that I've been treating twice a week for years, just to keep them functioning. The other end of the spectrum of periodic treatments are those I see about 4 times a year. It just depends on the person.

Nathan said...

This is a great post. It's amazing how many people don't incorporate exercise, healthy eating and meditation into their lives. Chiropractic care is important, but it isn't the only aspect of optimal body heath and should be used in conjunction with the rest.

Great insight!

Doc Evans said...

Thank you, Nathan. You are right, of course. No one approach to health restoration or health maintenance addresses all aspects of human health.

Anonymous said...

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Juanita Swindell said...

I learned the hard way the value of exercising regularly. I spend the major part of my day at my high-stress, desk job and eventually I started reducing my physical activity down to almost nothing. The high stress and lack of any physical activity eventually took its toll on my joints and my back. Fortunately, a colleague recommended an excellent chiropractor who helped me get my body ‘sorted out’. Even though I am now completely pain-free I still see him at least once a month just for a overall check up. I can testify to the fact that it getting chiropractic treatment definitely helps. Chiropractic Care

Doc Evans said...

Thank you for your comment, Juanita. I'm glad you found a way out of your downward spiral. We would be a healthier nation if everyone did what you are doing.

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Josh Bailey said...

Thanks for the great post.
Seattle Chiropractic Center
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