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The Triune of Triathlon

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The Triune of Triathlon includes the three sports of swimming, cycling and running that create one of the most challenging and fulfilling competitions one can find. It is also one of the fastest growing sports across the country. The key to success in triathlon is to condition your body in all three sports in order to perform at your best.

Triathletes spend months of training and dialing in their nutrition leading up to the race. There is a lot of planning that takes place in order to prepare your body to endure the many miles you will cover with limited food and water. It would be extremely difficult and dangerous to show up at the starting line unprepared.

On the day that an athlete signs up for their first event, there’s usually no way they could complete the race and it seems like a crazy idea. But as they train, their body steadily changes and come race day they are primed and ready to go. This phenomenon that happens in endurance sports is the change that occurs in an athlete over time. Getting ready for a race doesn’t happen in one day, one week, or even one month.

What exactly is this phenomenon that enables your body to adapt to the training and compete? It is a second Triune of Triathlon that is as follows…

Innate Intelligence: Your body has an innate intelligence that is allowing it to adapt and change according to your training and nutrition. This intelligence conditions your muscles and improves the metabolic pathways to use your energy stores effectively throughout the race. Your body will adapt as long as your nervous system is healthy.

Interference: There can be interferences to your body’s ability to adapt. These can be lifestyle related such as lack of sleep, poor nutrition, over training, alcohol, work and relationship stress. There can also be nerve interference. Dysfunction in your spine and nerve system has a negative impact on your body’s ability to adapt to your training and may lead to injury or poor performance. Since your nerve system controls your body’s ability to adapt, interference here will slow your training plan and you will not get the maximum benefit out of your workouts.

Adjustments: Remove the interferences in your lifestyle and in your nerve system to optimize your training. By eliminating the things that are holding you back, and making small changes and corrections, you will improve your overall health, respond more efficiently to your training, eliminate and prevent injury and optimize your performance.

The chiropractic care our office provides addresses this triune to help Triathletes and all other types of athletes heal quickly from injury, adapt to their training and perform at their highest level.

Casual athletes and anyone for that matter who addresses this triune as a foundation of their health and lifestyle, often sees great results.

Many people begin to feel less pain, have more energy, take less medications, sleep better and set personal records in the gym. Others have more stable emotions and improve their relationships with their family and loved ones. Others see allergies clear up and their immune systems get stronger. Kids often become more focused, stand up straighter and demonstrate a greater sense of well-being.

Just as training consistently will allow you to race at your best, getting checked for nerve interference regularly will allow your body to function properly so that you can achieve optimal health and peak performance.

Whether you’re thinking about taking on a Triathlon, or you just want to get more out of life, apply this triune. Take your Innate Intelligence out for a test drive and you will be blown away by your own capabilities. Remove the interference from your life and make the critical transition from crisis care into lifestyle care. Adjust your lifestyle and enjoy a sensational century.

Improving Marathon Performance

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Marathons are on the rise and people are striving to improve their marathon performance. If this is you or you know someone who is into extreme sports, you will love the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.

Flying through the book because I couldn’t put it down and talking with a good friend and fellow 100 Year Lifestyle Chiropractor, Dr. Dan Traxler of Connect First Family Chiropractic in Sterling, VA, has inspired me to challenge myself with running longer distances. I recently signed up for the St. George Marathon in October. This being my first marathon, I’ve been constantly researching everything I can about how to improve my performance and decrease my chances of injury. So far, I’ve come up with two things, and I believe they are the most important two things anyone training for a marathon, ultramarathon, iron man, etc. should consider; sleep and chiropractic care.

We all know sleep is important, whether we’re training hard or just doing our normal routine, but I think we fail to realize just how important sleep actually is for athletic performance. Studies have shown an increase in sprinting speed by 9% among basketball players who slept two extra hours each night. Their shooting accuracy also improved.1 Imagine carrying these benefits over to running and how your time will improve! It might be difficult to get an extra two hours of sleep every night while you’re training, but even increasing your sleep the week leading up to the event can boost your race-day performance.

A reduction of time spent sleeping reduces your reaction time, regardless of what sport you play or participate in. Just one night without sleep can reduce reaction times by up to 300%.2 If you’re training for a race and you’re also a student studying hard for finals, a CEO running a company, or a mom just trying to keep up with daily life, make sure you’re getting at least eight hours of sleep each night to keep your reaction times on point.

You might think the strongest predictor of sports injuries would be how many hours you practice, and you’d be in the majority. However, studies have shown that sleep is actually the biggest predictor of injuries.3 Without adequate sleep, your body doesn’t have enough time to regenerate cells needed to heal and protect your body. Without adequate sleep, your reaction times are slower, as previously discussed, so you can’t stop an injury as it’s about to occur. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep to keep you healthy and off the sidelines as you train.

Another benefit of getting enough sleep is improved growth hormone regulation. Growth hormone is vital to sustaining athletic performance as it aids in muscle repair, muscle building, and bone growth. Almost 75% of growth hormone is released during sleep.4 Getting a regular seven to nine hours of sleep each night guarantees the production of growth hormone and your ability to recover so you can keep up with your training schedule.

Sleep is something most people understand when it comes to athletic performance. Something that not many people understand is how chiropractic care can help athletic performance. Chiropractic adjustments balance the body while also enhancing the function of the nervous system, the master control system of the body. The nervous system controls everything; the thoughts we think, our hearts beating, digestion of our food, breathing and muscle contraction. Studies have shown that after a single adjustment, athletes had stronger muscle contractions measured by EMG technology.5 By maintaining a healthy nervous system as a part of a healthy lifestyle, your muscles will be bigger, faster and stronger. Imagine how having faster and stronger muscles will improve your athletic performance!

There you have it. If you’re looking to increase marathon performance, or any other athletic activity, adequate amounts of sleep and chiropractic care are two things you can implement immediately. To find a provider near you, click here. Good luck on your training endeavors!

  1. Mah, C., Mah, K., Kezirian, E., & Dement, W. (2011). The Effects of Sleep Extension on the Athletic Performance of Collegiate Basketball Players. SLEEP, 34(7), 943-950.
  2. 5 Areas Sleep Has The Greatest Impact on Athletic Performance. (2015, September 23). Fatigue Science.
  3. Milewski, M., Skaggs, D., Bishop, G., Ibrahim, D., Wren, T., & Barzdukas, A. (2014). Chronic lack of sleep is associated with increased sports injuries in adolescent athletes. Jouranl of Pediatric Orthopedics, 34(2), 129-133.
  4. Sleep and Human Growth Hormone. (2019, May 8).
  5. Keller, T.S., & Colloca, C.J. (2000). Mechanical force spinal manipulation increases trunk muscle strength assessed by electromyography: A comparative clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 23(9), 585-595.

Next Level Yoga Practice

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At 14 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis during a routine health screening at school. Throughout the years following, mid to low back pain became an ongoing issue. As a hairstylist in my twenties, standing up for hours at a time on a concrete floor with minimal support led to excruciating back pain due to the compression of the spinal vertebrae. It was during this time I realized I needed to find relief.

I began my search for reprieve and natural healing for the pain I tolerated daily. I was unable to lie down, stand or even sit for extended periods of time without experiencing some sort of discomfort. At times my back pain would cause me to wake up from sleeping, unable to find comfort and go back to sleep. During this time I started seeing a chiropractor, however I did not remain consistent with the care. To be honest, I thought it was a scam having to see the chiropractor 2-3 times a week for at least 6 weeks. Keep reading and you’ll see why I was wrong.

While learning about the anatomy and physiology of the human body years later in massage school, I began assessing myself as a patient. This newfound knowledge and awareness guided me to yoga as a way to take control and be proactive in my healing process.

However, although I enjoyed practicing yoga, indoor cycling was my thing at the time. It made me feel good, but after realizing the postural misalignment cycling can cause on the neck, shoulders, and back, I decided to focus more on yoga. With consistent practice, I began to notice results. As I became more aware of the needs of my body, and more in-tune to the subtleties it was communicating to me, I found I really appreciated the feedback my body was providing with each vinyasa, and each breath before, during and after practice. It wasn’t until I fell down several flights of stairs at home, that I began experiencing consistent neck and hip pain. I knew I had whiplash and that my hip pain was injured from the impact as well. The pain was probably compounded from years prior of being in two car accidents where I was hit from behind, and a trampoline injury where I attempted (and failed) at doing a backflip and landed on my neck.

When I learned about The 100 Year Lifestyle, and the importance of a healthy spine and nervous system, I decided to give chiropractic care another chance and not settle for the limitations and discomfort that had built up over time. Their office was located in the same building as Nava Sen Spa (the massage studio that I work at).

Not only did I appreciate the wisdom, science and expertise, the purpose and benefits of chiropractic care became increasingly clear to me. I should have paid more attention early as I pleasantly surprised how much it resonated with me. After only a few adjustments, and now with Lifestyle Care, I continue to notice:

  • A decrease in overall neck and hip pain
  • No more numbness or tingling down my arm in certain yoga poses
  • More flexibility in my upper and low back
  • My hips adjust naturally
  • More openness in my chest doing heart openers
  • Greater lung capacity
  • Increase in flexion during backbends
  • More awareness of the subtle energies within my body
  • More ease in spinal twists
  • Greater energy flow between the energy centers (aka “chakras”) along the spine during meditation
  • An increase in my desire to practice more
  • More mental clarity, peace of mind and emotional stability
  • Faster recovery in Savasana
  • Better alignment in yoga poses
  • An increase in desire to consume better, healthier food

With these observations, I’ve decided that living my 100 Year Lifestyle is important to me and chiropractic care is one of the greatest investments for my health I could make. I wish I would have found this sooner! Now, I look forward to my adjustments and my body craves optimum alignment and healthy nerve supply! My 17 year old son, a high level high school basketball player, has had phenomenal results as well, healing quickly from a knee injury and getting back on the court quickly. He hasn’t had any issues, pain or swelling since getting started with care.

I am excited to continue exploring and discovering the many health benefits of practicing yoga supported by chiropractic care for many years to come. I no longer suffer from scoliosis, and I’m beyond grateful. Thank you to The 100 Year Lifestyle message and the education about the importantce of chiropractic care!! Not only am I pain-free, I’m a better yogi too!

It’s never too late to begin practicing yoga or take your practice to your next level. Along with chiropractic care and massage therapy, it can help you live your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle. Schedule your appointment today!

This article by Kisha Crawford reprinted from www.the100YearLifestyle.com.

Performance Based Care

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Many of the top athletes and performers in the world think, train, and use chiropractic care differently. Let’s begin with their thinking.

Top athletes and performers believe that they are capable of accomplishing higher levels of success in business or athletic endeavors and they organize their life around these thoughts. They make eating decisions, training decisions and health care decisions around performing at very high levels rather than around mediocrity. Because they are committed to higher levels of performance, it is easier for them to draw a line in the sand and say no to things that reduce their potential while also saying yes to the things that help them reach their goals. They make these thoughts their lifestyle.

High achievers and performers also train differently than most people. They train for personal bests and record setting performances. They do not study to pass or get a C grade on a test. They get A+ ready through training, study, and whatever else is necessary for them to achieve higher levels.

This high performance training, which is built upon high performance thinking, is what separates high achievers from the pack. Average performers consider the sacrifice that top performers make too much to bear. High performers look at things differently. They believe that performing at less than your best is the unfortunate sacrifice.

When it comes to chiropractic care, the top athletes and performers take their Lifestyle Care to another level with Performance Based Care.

If you look at the Lifestyle Care Continuum, you will notice that, to the right under Lifestyle Care, the dots representing the frequency of visits get closer together. This is Performance Based Care. The goal is to never allow nerve interference to settle into your body for even a day. This type of care fine tunes your nervous system to fire at optimum efficiency at all times, to optimize the fluidity of muscle contractions and joint movements and to improve recovery time during extensive training.

In The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout book, there are numerous stories of professional, Olympic and youth sports champions who, through Performance Based Care, outperformed and outlasted the competition to win their medals and reach their goals.

NFL Super Bowl Champion, Roger Craig, credits regular chiropractic care for his professional athletic success. He believes the principle of Getting his ESS in Shape, Endurance, Strength and Structure, enabled him to reach the level of achievement he desired when he played for the San Francisco ‘49ers and it still keeps him active and performing at high levels today.

One of the top youth soccer coaches in the nation, David Eristavi, understands that the emphasis on the principles of the ESS, including chiropractic care, plays a key role in the health and recovery time of his players. As a former professional player whose team focused on endurance and strength training along with chiropractic care, he knows the importance of these principles to optimize the performance and longevity of his players.

You, too, are capable of higher levels of health and performance. Talk to your 100 Year Lifestyle Licensed Affiliate chiropractor and take your Lifestyle Care to the next level with Performance Based Care.

Super Bowl, Hall of Famers, and Chiropractic

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The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Many of the players who participate in the biggest game each year receive chiropractic care, including future Hall of Famer Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. In fact, players from nearly every professional sports team utilize chiropractic care to heal quickly from injuries and perform at their highest level. It is even common to see chiropractors giving adjustment on the sideline during games.

Current Hall of Famers, Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice, some of the greatest players ever at their positions have been huge chiropractic advocates for decades. Emmitt Smith is the leading rusher in NFL history. A perennial Pro Bowler and three time Super Bowl Champion when he retired with over 18,000 yards, Smith said, “I thank God, my family and my chiropractor.” Chiropractic care not only helped him heal quickly from injuries but he also used chiropractic care as a part of his lifestyle and training regime to keep him functioning at the top of his game.

Jerry Rice is considered the greatest receiver in the history of the NFL. His durability and work ethic is legendary. He initially sought chiropractic care because of a crisis after being injured on the field. After learning about the benefits of Chiropractic Lifestyle Care™ from his teammates he made chiropractic care a regular part of his training routine and lifestyle. He is a three time Super Bowl Champion and today he is an official spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.

Another chiropractic advocate, 2012 Hall of Fame Semi-finalist Roger Craig, was a pioneer in the NFL. He is the only player to ever make the Pro Bowl as a fullback and a halfback, the first player to rush and receive for over 1,000 yards in a single season – a feat that took fourteen years to be duplicated – and he is the only running back in NFL history to ever lead the league in receptions. He is a three time Super Bowl Champion and is the only NFL player to make the playoffs for eleven straight years.

Like many children, Roger began receiving chiropractic care at an early age and today, like the others, still receives Chiropractic Lifestyle Care. In fact, Roger endorsed the #1 bestselling fitness book, The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, which he recommends for every athlete young and old because it stresses the importance of a healthy structure, spine and nervous system with chiropractic care as a core part of the training. This balanced fitness plan teaches athletes to Get Your ESS in Shape™, Endurance, Strength and Structure to help you maximize your performance, prevent injuries and support your longevity.

All three of these athletes took a tremendous beating over their careers which began in little league and continued into the pros. Chiropractic care as a part of their lifestyle, training and overcoming injuries has helped show the world that you can play high level sports and retain your health after you retire. You may even compete on Dancing With the Stars!

We’ve all seen videos of old time professional athletes who pounded their bodies into submission and became cripples when their career was over. This is not true for these three athletic superstars and it is no longer the norm as many professional, Olympic and youth sports programs have chosen to make chiropractic care a core part of their programs and many of the leaders of the Olympic sports medicine team today are chiropractors.

Don’t wait for an injury. If you’re an athlete or participate in an exercise program, be like these Hall of Fame and Super Bowl Champions. Make Chiropractic Lifestyle Care your top priority.

Extreme Sports and Peak Performance

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Extreme Athletes Expect Precision

Extreme Sports are on the rise. At the gym, on the bike, in the park, up a mountain; these are all places where people push their body to extreme limits. Whether you are extreme on your own or an Ironman, triathlete, distance runner, Tough Mudder, or participate in other extreme sports, this article can help you optimize your performance.

When you put extreme demands on your body, you want and need your body to respond with precision at the right times. Many professional and extreme sports athletes utilize chiropractic care to keep them performing at peak levels mentally and physically while minimizing injuries and recovery times.

Chiropractic Enhances Performance Levels

Research with athletes and Chiropractic shows that “a single adjustment has the power to improve speed and coordination throughout the entire body.”1 That means the brain-body connection is working much better than before the adjustment.

A recent JMPT report offered supporting research. Fifty athletes were given eleven different tests to check athletic ability. Tests were based on agility, balance, kinesthetic perception, power, and reaction time. Twenty-five of the athletes were given Chiropractic adjustments and the other half were not. The results were amazing. The Chiropractic group improved significantly on 11 out of 11 tests and the other group improved only slightly on 8 out of 11 tests. During the reaction time test, the non-Chiropractic group improved less than 1percent, and the Chiropractic group improved 18percent in 6 weeks and 30percent in 12 weeks.

The Brain-Body Connection

If you are an extreme athlete or athletic in any way, there are clear benefits of optimizing the health of your spine and nervous system. From the time you were conceived, your body’s innate intelligence utilized your nervous system to control and coordinate your development and the function of every single cell and system in your body. There are approximately three million different messages being sent from your brain to your body and back every second. Extreme athletes can optimize the efficiency of these pathways with Chiropractic Lifestyle Care that is performance-based. The intensity of your Chiropractic Lifestyle Care depends on the intensity of your lifestyle so as your training intensity increases you may need or want more intense care.

Fueling your body with healthy non-processed foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is also important. As a peak performer pushing your body to the limits, eating healthy organic foods is essential to get the nourishment that you need. Adjust your quality calorie intake according to your training intensity, and eliminate empty calories such as white sugar and white flour that have no nutritional value.

Training For Extreme Sports and For Life

When training for extreme sporting events, and for life, keeping your spine and nervous system healthy is crucial to your performance and for your longevity. Most importantly, don’t wait for a crisis or an injury to force you to alter your training or knock you out of a competition. Be proactive and enjoy the excitement that comes with pushing your body to the limits, and succeeding.

Research
1.http://www.sciencedirect.com/Volume 29, Issue 4, May 2006, Pages 257-266