Chiropractic can enhance the effectiveness of an exercise program. Chiropractic works on the neuromusculoskeletal system, which comprises the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. It produces an indirect effect on the immune system, involving the body’s processes resulting from exercise and muscle development. Most individuals are familiar with the benefits of regular exercise and physical activity. Regular physical activity and exercise:

• Increases circulation
• Improves strength
• Increases immune system function
• Produces brain-boosting endorphins and chemicals
• Improves mood
• Increase muscle mass
• Contributes to enhanced flexibility and mobility

Exercise-boosting practices can multiply the effectiveness of a workout program. Exercise-enhancing methods that are well known include:

• Incorporating rest days
• Staying hydrated
• Consistent and high-quality sleep
• Utilizing supplements that enhance the body’s ability to produce and sustain muscle.

A chiropractor can develop a personalized treatment plan to support and enhance an individual’s workout/exercise program. This plan can include specific interventions to improve alignment or maintain muscle relaxation and prescribed stretches and movements to decrease the strain from an exercise regimen.

Nervous System

Chiropractic helps to balance the nervous system. Treatment allows pressure to be removed from compressed, bruised, and severed nerves. Chiropractic decreases and eliminates pain originating from inflamed muscles, joints, and tissues. When it comes to exercising, nerve pain usually originates from vigorous movement. Swelling and inflammation in the body can cause nerves to become inflamed or compressed. Misalignment in the spinal structure and joints can occur during strenuous exercise, particularly when weight resistance is involved. It can also constrict/pinch nerves, contributing to sciatic pain, which originates in the lower back and spreads down the gluteal muscles and back of the legs. Chiropractic can help:

• Reduce pain and discomfort
• Improve physical responsiveness
• Decrease inflammation
• Improve immune function

Muscular System

The muscular system is interconnected with the nervous and skeletal systems. Manual chiropractic manipulation helps to:

• Reduce pain in inflamed muscles that have been utilized during exercise
• Release tense and strained muscles
• Remove muscular knots
• Accelerate muscle repair
• Improve exercise performance

Skeletal System

The skeletal system is the foundation for all physical movements and activities. It plays a role in physical activity/exercise, recovery, and the development of strength and musculature. During exercise routines, the joints can become misaligned, especially with weight-bearing or lifting activities. Chiropractic for the skeletal system can:

• Rebalance the system
• Realign bones and joints
• Decrease muscular strain
• Improve posture and form
• Reduce and eliminate pain in the knees, wrists, and shoulders
• Increase the body’s capacity for taking on additional weight healthfully

Keep The Chiropractor Informed

To receive enhanced exercise and performance-related benefits from chiropractic care, individuals must keep their chiropractor informed of goals and style of physical activity. The more the chiropractor knows about the types of exercises, the more they will provide a customized treatment plan for an individual’s specific needs. Any injury or strain experienced during an exercise session or a specific part of the body seems to be recovering at a slower rate than the rest of the body, inform the chiropractor. They can survey posture, stance, determine imbalances, and discover other body areas that may be over-straining to compensate.

Time Sessions Appropriately

Depending on the type of physical activity and exercises, individuals may be advised to seek care on rest days or the same days of the workout. Discuss with the chiropractor what days of the week are best for treatment and before or after workouts.

Health Goals

Movement and exercise practices are unique and vary with each individual. Individuals have different goals for their regimens that range from:

• Increasing flexibility and agility
• Building strength, endurance, and muscle mass.

Identify health goals and share them with the chiropractor. Depending on the purpose of the exercise routine, treatment may vary to support and enhance specific objectives.

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Body Composition

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Improve Insulin Sensitivity

When consuming carbohydrates, it is broken down into sugar. The body needs a certain amount of sugar to function. However, cellular damage occurs if the levels become too high for too long, like in diabetes. Insulin’s role is to guide excess sugar – glucose into the safety of the cells. However, more individuals are experiencing high blood insulin levels, called hyperinsulinemia. It’s dangerous to let glucose levels remain elevated, which is why more insulin is produced to bring the blood sugar down. After a time, constant hyperinsulinemia results in a condition called insulin resistance, where the cells become resistant to the effects of insulin and less effective.

Insulin Sensitivity and Weight Loss

A high insulin level in the blood can trigger weight gain and make it difficult to shed excess fat. Research shows that high insulin:

• Inhibits lipolysis
• Hinders the breakdown of fat
• Increases possible fat accumulation
• Increases the risk of regaining weight loss following a low-calorie diet

Improve Insulin Sensitivity

• Consume whole, low glycemic foods
• Eat healthy fats
• Incorporate regular exercise
• Focus on gut health
• Manage stress

References

Erion, Karel A, and Barbara E Corkey. “Hyperinsulinemia: a Cause of Obesity?.” Current obesity reports vol. 6,2 (2017): 178-186. doi:10.1007/s13679-017-0261-z

Hawk, Cheryl et al. “Best Practices for Chiropractic Management of Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline.” Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) vol. 26,10 (2020): 884-901. doi:10.1089/acm.2020.0181

Hoogvliet, Peter et al. “Does the effectiveness of exercise therapy and mobilization techniques offer guidance for the treatment of lateral and medial epicondylitis? A systematic review.” British journal of sports medicine vol. 47,17 (2013): 1112-9. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091990

Peluso, Marco Aurélio Monteiro, and Laura Helena Silveira Guerra de Andrade. “Physical activity and mental health: the association between exercise and mood.” Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) vol. 60,1 (2005): 61-70. doi:10.1590/s1807-59322005000100012