The spine interconnects the entire body transmitting and receiving messages from the brain allowing for coordinated movement. Maintaining optimal spinal health requires some form of regular physical activity that counts as exercise. There are diverse ways to keep the spine at its healthiest. This includes:

• Stress management
• Healthy weight
• Proper posture
• Regular exercise
• Adequate hydration
• Healthy diet

Exercising and the benefits of exercise for spinal health.  

Exercise Increases Spine Health

Regular exercise maintains spinal health and boosts the spine’s durability. Here are a few ways:

• Core strength for the stability of the spine is increased
• The flexibility of the spine increases without strain when moving around
• Poor movement patterns that shift the spine out of alignment decrease
• An improved posture that minimizes unnecessary pressure on the spinal joints and nerves
• The body’s natural endorphins are released and properly circulate to provide natural pain relief
• Increased blood circulation to the spine prevents injuries and helps flush toxins
• Improved health of essential tissues like the discs, ligaments, nerve roots, and the cord

Regular body movement improves the quality of life and spinal health. This is because, like a high-quality engine, all the body’s systems are activated and operate at optimal levels.  

Guidance

Individuals do exercise but often it is not getting enough exercise that contributes to declining health. Reasons for not getting enough physical activity are related to:

• Pain
• Fatigue
• Motivation or lack thereof
• Not enough time
• Not sure what to do
• Results don’t show quick enough

For individuals experiencing generalized fatigue, pain, or problems staying active, the guidance of a sports/fitness chiropractor can make a significant difference.  

Chiropractors Can Help

When spinal health is in top form the body can function at its absolute best. A fitness and sports chiropractor can inform/educate an individual, and based on their specific needs, on what type of exercise stretching regimen would benefit them the most. When the spine is in proper alignment, the motivation falls into place for maximizing an individual’s exercise routine and spinal health long-term.

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Body Composition

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Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the most well-known immune-supporting vitamin. It is an antioxidant that reduces free radicals and protects from oxidative damage that can cause chronic diseases. Vitamin C deficiency can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases-CVDs, which include:

• Coronary heart disease
• Ischemic stroke
• Hypertension

Vitamin C plays an essential role in collagen synthesis which helps reduce inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Studies have shown that vitamin C could help lower blood pressure. Vitamin C could also help prevent obesity and related illnesses. Sources of Vitamin C include:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Citrus fruit
• Strawberries
• Sour cherries
• Broccoli

Disclaimer

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP, CIFM, CTG* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com phone: 915-850-0900 Licensed in Texas & New Mexico  

References

Garber CE, Blissmer B, Deschenes MR, Franklin BA, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(7):1334-1359. McGill SM, Childs A, Liebenson C. Endurance times for low back stabilization exercises: clinical targets for testing and training from a normal database. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999;80(8):941-944. McGill SM. Low back stability: from formal description to issues for performance and rehabilitation. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2001;29(1):26-31. Yang EJ, Park WB, Shin HI, Lim JY. The effect of back school integrated with core strengthening in patients with chronic low-back pain. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;89(9):744-754. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e3181e72239.