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Crossfitters and Chiropractic

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CrossFit is Hot

CrossFit is hot and getting hotter. It has become the next big thing on the workout scene finding its way on ESPN where the CrossFit Games have aired to find the fittest people on earth. CrossFit’s philosophy is that their workouts are high-intensity functional movements, constantly varied and filled with pushups, pull-ups, jump rope, Olympic-style lifting, box jumps, running, and tractor tire flips. These workouts push the human body to achieve the next level of fitness.

The Chiropractic Connection

In the 2013 CrossFit Games the connection between Chiropractic and elite fitness was made apparent as 100 Year Lifestyle Licensed Affiliate Chiropractors, Dr. Devin Waterman and Dr. Brent Waterman of San Ramon, CA, teamed up to run the sports injury tent.

The majority of the top athletes at the games are under Chiropractic Lifestyle Care and many athletes lined up for their adjustments prior to competing. They understand that if their spine and nervous system are not working properly they cannot perform at their best or recover as quickly for their next event.

CrossFit athletes who received chiropractic adjustments for the first time were inspired by the improvements in their performance while those already under care wanted to ensure their competitive edge.

Northern California CrossFit regional athlete Dusty Sulon, AKA “The Dark Knight” gets checked for vertebral subluxations once a week, not because he has to, but because he understands the importance of a properly functioning spine and nervous system. He states, “I owe many of my personal records to Chiropractic Care.” Many CrossFit athletes nationwide feel the same way.

Dr. Kristin Dominguez, another 100 Year Lifestyle Affiliate, is involved in the CrossFit community in Atlanta and takes care of many of the athletes at gyms and competitions. As a competitor herself, Dr. Dominguez understands firsthand the importance of a healthy spine and nerve system.

CrossFit workouts test the strength and mobility of the human frame and in doing so can place excessive stress on the body. Athletes learn their physical weaknesses quickly and often look for professional help to keep them strong. The spine is used for loading and setting up the extremities for proper biomechanics. The nervous system is the brain’s connection to muscles, tissues and cells.

CrossFitters and elite athletes in all sports understand that the health of both the spine and nervous system are vital and are directly connected to their performance. No wonder so many people in the CrossFit community have embraced chiropractic care.

Performance is about Lifestyle Care

These athletes understand that performance is about Lifestyle Care not Crisis Care. They care for their body like a race car. It doesn’t only get serviced when it is broken down. Before it is pushed to the limits everything is checked and adjusted so it can perform well on the track. However, unlike a race car that can have all of its parts replaced over time, you only have one spine and nervous system for a lifetime. Keeping it healthy should be your top priority.

Why Recurring Injuries Recur

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Recurring injuries are annoying to athletes of all ages who want to compete at the highest level. They are also annoying to everyday people who want to enjoy the outdoors and recreational activities as well as those who just want to climb the stairs or sit at their computer without pain. Maybe they are annoying to you?

If you have recurring injuries, you may have thought or asked a version of this question on more than one occasion:

“Why do recurring injuries recur”?

Recurring injuries are likely to recur if you are just treating symptoms rather than getting to the underlying cause of the problem. Over the counter medication, prescription drugs, or anything else for that matter that is focused on artificially reducing inflammation or chemically numbing the pain can be a reason why injuries come back over and over again. Chemically altering the way you feel can lull you into a false sense of well-being while also setting you up for a recurring injury.

Just because you feel better does not mean the problem is gone. Just because the pain has subsided does not mean the injury has been eliminated or corrected. It just means the pain is gone for now. This can lead to recurring injuries, severe and permanent problems as you age.

When it comes to truly healing, sometimes the injury can be your best advocate. If you listen to your body’s Innate Intelligence rather than put it to sleep with drugs, you will be able to make choices that eliminate the underlying cause and support your long term health.

One of the most common underlying causes for many health problems and injuries is a condition known as vertebral subluxation. Vertebral subluxations are injuries to the spine and nervous system that can affect your health on every level. They can lie dormant and asymptomatic for decades or cause immediate pain and discomfort in any part of your body from head to toe including your organs, systems and muscles.

The nerves in your neck are the most widespread in the body and can affect the function of your heart, lungs, stomach, shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers. The nerves in the lower back control the bladder, bowel, hips, legs and feet. Injuries in this area of the spine can cause unexplained recurring problems here and every other area supplied by these nerves. Vertebral subluxations are very often the reason why recurring injuries limit your life and return relentlessly.

If you want to eliminate recurring injuries and get off the recurring crisis rollercoaster, you must continue with your consistent chiropractic care to give your body the opportunity to regenerate, adapt and strengthen itself with healthy nerve supply.

Your personal habits and lifestyle choices have a lot to do with perpetuating or eliminating recurring injuries too. If your body is telling you not to run because of an injury that won’t go away, listen to it and go for a walk or ride a bike instead. If your body is telling you not to lift a certain way or with a heavier weight, listen. If it’s telling you to eat or not to eat a certain food, listen.

Whether you plan to live as a high level athlete or just want to be able to do your daily activities with ease, taking the actions described above, listening to your body’s messages and responding to them wisely will enable you to eliminate recurring injuries and enjoy your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle.

The Core of Your Core

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Everyone in the fitness world is talking about the importance of a healthy core. Your core, which is the center of gravity of your body, consists of numerous muscles, organs, ligaments, nerves, and of course, your spine and pelvis. Too often a fitness professional will reference the core or abdominal area and only focus on the muscles. If you want to be healthy and have a strong core, that’s simply not enough.

The muscles are only one component of your core and they are not the most important. Muscles are attached to bones and they are controlled by nerves so they depend on spinal alignment and proper nerve supply to have a chance at being strong and healthy. When the spine is not aligned properly it can place unnecessary stress on the muscles, which can lead to injuries and limit performance. When a muscle does not have the proper nerve supply it will begin to weaken, while other areas of the body controlled by those nerves will also be adversely affected.

Research in Spine reported that “nerve root compression can exist without pain,” and The JMPT reported in a study by B.I. Rydevik that five to ten millimeters of pressure can interfere with the nutrition of the nerve, starving it of necessary nutrients. Researcher Seth Sharpless at the University of Colorado found that on spinal nerve roots, where the nerves exit the spine, it only took eight to ten millimeters of pressure, about the weight of a dime, to reduce nerve transmission. Another study by T. Videman, M.D., from the Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki, Finland, found that “after two weeks of immobilization, the first signs of scar tissue appear.”

Underestimating the importance of good alignment, a healthy spine and nervous system as it relates to the core is a mistake. Too many people only take care of their spine when it hurts and they ignore their spinal alignment until they have pain. This is not a good choice. Chiropractic Lifestyle Care can help keep your core strong and it is not symptom based. In fact, many athletes at both the professional and amateur level participate in Lifestyle Care so they can get the most out of their workouts and reach peak performance levels.

Don’t wait for a crisis to make your core as strong and healthy as possible. Get to the core of your core and call our office for an appointment today.

Stress Less Fitness Tips

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These five Stress Less Fitness tips will lessen your Stress and allow you to Live More.

There is an acronym for Fitness in The 100 Year Lifestyle that will ensure you Stress Less, Live More, stay healthy and on top of your game. The acronym takes the word Fitness and uses the N2ESS as follows:

N: Neurology – Stress is a nervous system reaction that can affect your entire body. Your brain and nervous system control and coordinate everything: your heart, digestion, breathing, hormones and muscles. A healthy nervous system is essential in adapting to stress.

N: Nutrition – Good nutrition is important for your body to be healthy. Quality calories come from live foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. They are nutritionally satisfying because they contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and amino acids that are the building blocks of a healthy body. Choose organic or chemical free options. Both empty and excess calories will lead to sickness, low energy, obesity and chronic health problems. Empty calories come from foods such as white sugar, white flour and white rice.

E: Endurance – Exercise can help your body cope with stress in a healthy way. If you have good endurance, you will enjoy a greater sense of stamina now and while you age. Your energy will be higher and you will feel like staying active. You will be able to endure stressful times. You can increase your stamina through cardiovascular and aerobic exercise that strengthens your heart, burns calories and increases your energy.

S: Strength – Your level of strength will determine your ability to remain active and independent as you age. Through regular strength training with a personal trainer or on your own, you can build muscle and stand strong, no matter how many birthdays you celebrate. The saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it” is definitely true when it comes to strength. Free weights, functional training machines, Pilates and Yoga are all examples of exercises that build your strength.

S: Structure – If your body breaks down at the onset of a new fitness routine, there may be an underlying cause in your structure and spine, such as subluxations. You may experience pain and injuries that become nagging to severe. It can also keep you from getting results.

Chiropractic examinations can reveal underlying problems in your spine that can keep you from getting in shape and also lead to all types of health problems. The opposite of Stress Free living! Don’t wait until you “feel it” to get checked. You may be waiting too long. Why spoil your momentum if you are working out to get in shape, Stress Less and Live More?

Schedule an appointment for your chiropractic check-up today!

Soccer and Chiropractic

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Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. People of all ages enjoy playing for fun and fitness and billions of fans everywhere gather to watch the most talented athletes in the world play “the beautiful game” every week and especially during the Fifa World Cup.

For many of these athletes, Chiropractic has played an important role in their training to achieve peak performance levels and as a part of their lifestyle.

Dr. Mike Foudy of Mission Viejo, CA, team chiropractor for the Women’s World Cup Championship Team in 1994 said, “all but one member of the team received regular chiropractic care during their training and on the days of their matches. Chiropractic adjustments balanced their spine, removed nerve pressure and optimized the function of their bodies. They felt like they healed quicker from injuries and that the care gave them a competitive edge.”

Recently, 2015 Master’s Champion Jordan Spieth thanked his chiropractor during his Green Jacket speech. Famous athletes in every sport have made chiropractic care a regular part of training, including NFL greats Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith and Roger Craig.

Dr. Eric Plasker, author of the #1 Best Selling, The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, was the chiropractor for one of the top youth soccer teams in the nation. During a winning streak that led to a National Championship, Dr. Plasker said, “The team receives adjustments prior to games. During tournament weekends, while the other teams are scrambling to change their lineups due to injuries, our team bounces back fast and brings an energetic advantage to championship games. The players and coach agree that chiropractic care helps them compete at the highest level and avoid injuries.”

For soccer players and for athletes of all ages, there are three components to maximizing your performance and fitness levels that will help you get your ESS in Shape. All three components of the ESS are crucial for any athlete who wants to heal quickly function and at their highest level and participate throughout their lifetime.

“E” stands for Endurance. Cardiovascular fitness is necessary to have a healthy heart and maintain stamina during games. The first “S” stands for Strength. Athletes who are physically strong can get the competitive edge over others. The second “S” stands for Structure which means having a healthy spine and nervous system.

Unfortunately, too many athletes have their ESS out of balance, focusing on one or two of the components of the ESS rather than all three. This imbalance keeps athletes from reaching peak performance levels and can also lead to injuries.

Soccer players must pay particular attention to the balance of their ESS, especially their structure, spine and nervous system. Repetitive twisting on the lower back and hips while kicking the ball can lead to misalignments that put pressure on the nerves. This may cause immediate symptoms such as back, hip, leg, knee, ankle or foot pain, or it may lie dormant and asymptomatic until ‘the straw breaks the camel’s back.’ As time goes on, these imbalances can make an athlete slower and weaker, diminishing the strength of their kick.

Locating these spinal subluxations can be done by a chiropractic examination. During this World Cup season, treat yourself like many of the pros do and schedule a chiropractic appointment. You will get a big kick out of the care.

Trying or Training

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Contributed by Dr. Dennis Buckley, Affiliate in Pasadena, CA

If you wanted to run a marathon how would you prepare in anticipation?

Would you go out and TRY to run 26.2 miles or would you devise a plan to TRAIN yourself to accomplish such a feat?

Trying to run 26.2 miles without any training would prove to be nearly impossible and you could injure yourself by pushing beyond your capabilities. To cover that distance takes time to build up the strength and endurance required.

Why would someone TRY to be healthy instead of TRAINING to be healthy? Why would someone try to be more generous, disciplined, spiritual, honest, professional, etcetera instead of training to be that way?

Trying can be the first step to move in a new direction but it is not the last step. It is a tiny step, a baby step. Trying can fool us into thinking we are improving but the key to long lasting change is training and quick fixes rarely last. Committed training through disciplined action is the key to long lasting change and optimum performance.

Exercise and Nutrition only get you part way to your goal. When it comes to your health and living your 100 Year Lifestyle, you need to train yourself in 5 areas: Neurology, Nutrition, Endurance, Strength and Structure.

Restoring the structure of your spine and nervous system gives you the potential to become a master at whatever it is for which you are training. All 5 areas integrate together, enhance each other and are required if you seek quantity of years and quality of health.

You will train in these areas by choice or by necessity. Necessity follows crisis. If you want to avoid an untimely and expensive crisis then train with consistency.

Your training will be optimized through Chiropractic Care. There are 3 types of care: Crisis Care, Critical Transition and Lifestyle Care. Crisis Care is based on need and takes you to the point of relief and stability. Lifestyle Care is based on want and supports the health goals you have for your life now and as you age.

The Critical Transition is critical. It opens up greater opportunity to reach and surpass those goals and is vital to the regeneration of your body’s innate ability to heal itself and function at optimum levels.

If a crisis does appear you will still be better able to deal with it and recover by the training already done. Take a good look at yourself. In the vital areas of life are you TRYING or really TRAINING? Make the choice today to TRAIN and reap the benefits tomorrow and for years and years to come.