Chiropractor
Chiropractic care is another important element of self care. This goes hand-in-hand with massage. During the last part of my training, I visit my chiropractor weekly for an adjustment.
**Please check with your insurance provider to see what coverage you have. Most insurance plans offer a select amount of chiropractor visits/calendar year, under alternative medicine. Use your insurance plan to your advantage! It’s not just there for you if/when you’re sick!**
If you’ve never been to a chiropractor, the thought of having your neck cracked may seem a bit scary. You might have fears of becoming paralyzed or may have heard horrible stories that once you visit a chiropractor, you need to go for the rest of your life. Remember, chiropractors are doctors. They are trained professionals who know the ins and outs of your body. Also, there is so much misinformation out there. I will try to give you the non-chiropractor explanation of what a chiropractor does, based on what I have learned and how I have been helped.
What is a chiropractor? A chiropractor is a trained medical professional who uses manual therapy to manipulate the spine. A visit to the chiropractor is called an “adjustment” and that’s just what he/she does, adjusts your body. Daily wear and tear on the body creates misalignment in the spine, even more so if you’re active. A chiropractor’s job is to put everything back in place so your body performs better.
Why is it suggested to go so often? Our bodies remember. After years of “living” our bodies will undoubtedly misalign. A chiropractor’s job is to get everything back in line and balanced. If you go once, it will feel great, but once you start using your body again, it will go back to the familiar, unbalanced position it was in. The goal is to create a new and healthier/happier memory, and the only way to do that is to go regularly for a while, at least in the beginning. After the initial visits, you won’t need to go as often, just as needed for maintenance.
You don’t have to have an injury to benefit from a chiropractor. Sore hips? Your pelvis might be misaligned from all those miles. Sore knee? One of your hips might be out. Sore foot? Your arches might be falling. Having your feet adjusted (cracked) is, in my opinion, the most amazing feeling!
Chiropractic care along with massage and yoga will keep your body feeling good. You won’t even feel like you’re training for a marathon, if you take care of yourself.
Some interesting facts, which (hopefully) will encourage you to visit a chiropractor:
Marathons and Overuse Injuries
- A 1983 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that 6 out of 10 runners reported injury from training for a marathon. 75% of these suffered interruption to training, which varied from several days to several weeks. 6% never recovered pre-race. 43% reported partial recovery, and only 51% reported full recovery.
- Almost all injuries were to the leg, hip and knee
- 55% of the injured runners did not seek professional help!!
Athletes and Chiropractic
Joe Montana, Tiger Woods,Barry Bonds and Lance Armstrong are just a few of the famous athletes who choose chiropractic treatment. And, all but ONE of the 32 NFL teams, employ a team chiropractor. Former Super Bowl champ, Joe Montana, touts the benefits of chiropractic, and is even a spokesperson of chiropractic in California!
