Back and Spine Health Exercise: Exercise is one of the most significant ways to increase longevity, improve health, and decrease pain and suffering. A proper exercise program can improve flexibility, mobility, increase strength, and reduce back pain. Knowledge of the best exercises to improve health or decrease pain is essential to a workout plan or pain management program. Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for overall health. The many benefits include improved health and fitness and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
There are many different types of exercise; it is important to pick the right types. Most benefits from a combination of exercises: Endurance or aerobic activities increase your breathing and heart rate. They keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy and improve your overall fitness. Examples include brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and biking.
Strength or resistance training, exercises make your muscles stronger. Some examples are lifting weights and using a resistance band. Balance exercises can make it easier to walk on uneven surfaces and help prevent falls. To improve your balance, try tai chi or exercises like standing on one leg. Flexibility exercises stretch your muscles and can help your body stay limber. Yoga and doing various stretches can make you more flexible.
Reaching, twisting, walking, and driving are everyday activities that require upper and lower back strength. An aching back can easily affect daily activities, generate frustration, anger, and affect all-around health. The more back muscle strength an individual has, the more they can accomplish far more without injury. Immense power is not required to protect the body from a back injury. All that is needed is regular, consistent physical activity and exercise. A balance of body strength is vital for preventing injury. However, overdoing one fitness exercise or physical activity can imbalance musculature, leading to injury. Because the back/spine is the central part of the body, complete and proper care is necessary for optimal health and wellness. For individuals experiencing sore, aching, and tired muscles, here are some exercises that will help in the process.
Alternating Arm and Leg Extensions
Alternating extensions help build strength and coordination in the core areas. The back muscles increase their efficiency by creating muscle memory that supports the work shared by all the torso muscles. Upper and lower back muscles must work together to maintain a healthy balance and not overwork each other, causing strain and fatigue.
Start by placing hands and knees on the floor with the head directly between shoulders and facing toward the floor.
Feet are directly in line behind the buttocks and resting on the floor.
Hips and shoulders rest above the knees and hands.
Raise the right hand straight ahead with the arm at full length.
At the time same time, raise the left leg straight behind the body.
Try to keep the arm and leg as straight as possible.
Hold for 10 seconds.
Switch sides.
Repeat three to eight times, depending on strength level.
If it is difficult, a modified option is to raise the arm and leg separately.
Plank Hold
These can help build back muscles and strengthen the arms, legs, and the front torso area. Plank holds are a recommended starting point. Plank holds can be done on the elbows, palms of the hands, or closed fist hands. The key is to keep the shoulders, hips, and ankles straight like a wood plank parallel to the floor.
Place hands and feet directly on the floor like doing a push–up.
Toes should be on the floor.
Keep the abdominals tight and buttocks lifted to prevent straining the lower back.
Face straight down.
Hold for a count of 10.
Repeat three times.
For those with an aching back, keeping the hips level with the shoulders could be challenging at the beginning.
With practice, it will become easier; then, the individual is recommended to increase the length of time until 30 seconds is achieved.
Then increase the challenge to try more than three repetitions.
A modification for beginners is to start with the body resting on the floor, stomach down.
Then raise the body into the start position from the floor.
Hip Raises
Hip raises help to strengthen the lower back muscles to unite and support the lower half of the body. Training the body to work cooperatively is critical for reducing the aching and pain from muscle imbalance.
Rest the body flat on the floor, facing upward.
Place the hands flat at the body’s sides.
Knees should be about shoulder-width apart.
Keep the feet flat on the floor
Pull the feet toward the buttocks.
Look straight up.
Raise the hips as high as possible while pressing down with the hands.
Physical activity that keeps blood moving throughout the body. Examples include yoga, gardening, and dancing.
While the back is healing, go at a gentle even pace for any activity. Jerking and quickly stopping can be hard on joints and discs. When injured, the other muscles try to compensate to avoid causing a flare-up that could worsen the injury and/or create a new injury.
Aching Back Muscles
Strength-building exercises are great for preventing injury and avoiding re-injury. However, avoid overreaching or overstretching with any of the activities. Continuous aching or painful back muscles could indicate something else is occurring that could be:
The beginning of an arthritic condition causing inflammation.
Back muscle tear/s.
Pregnancy.
Body Composition
Sarcopenia – Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Strenght Causes
Decreased Physical Activity
Physical inactivity is one of the primary contributors to sarcopenia.
Sedentariness can exacerbate the effects of sarcopenia.
Regular resistance exercise can help maintain muscle mass and build muscular strength.
Decrease in motor neurons
Aging is accompanied by a loss of motor neurons caused by cell death.
This can lead to a decrease in muscle fibers and size.
This decrease leads to:
Impaired performance
Reduced functional capacity
Decreased ability to perform everyday tasks.
Increase in Pro-inflammatory Cytokines
Poor diet and exercise also promote the storage of visceral fat.
This type of fat tissue produces pro-inflammatory cytokines.
This can accelerate muscle breakdown.
Obesity and muscle weakness are associated with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
References
Alfuth, M, and D Cornely. “Chronischer lumbaler Rückenschmerz : Vergleich zwischen Mobilisationstraining und Training der rumpfstabilisierenden Muskulatur” [Chronic low back pain : Comparison of mobilization and core stability exercises]. Der Orthopade vol. 45,7 (2016): 579-90. doi:10.1007/s00132-016-3233-1
Kim, Beomryong, and Jongeun Yim. “Core Stability and Hip Exercises Improve Physical Function and Activity in Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine vol. 251,3 (2020): 193-206. doi:10.1620/tjem.251.193
Smith, Benjamin E et al. “An update of stabilization exercises for low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis.” BMC musculoskeletal disorders vol. 15 416. 9 Dec. 2014, doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-416
Suh, Jee Hyun et al. “The effect of lumbar stabilization and walking exercises on chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.” Medicine vol. 98,26 (2019): e16173. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000016173
Finding the right physical activity that elevates heart rate and maintains it for 30 minutes a day increases the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart, brain, and muscles. Some form of aerobic activity will keep individuals moving in a healthy direction. This benefits the:
Heart
Muscles
Mood
Self-esteem
Amount of energy
It helps to lower:
Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Blood sugar
Body fat
Anxiety
Depression
Fatigue
Finding What Works For You
Doctors and health experts agree that individuals need to perform normal/moderate activity balanced with vigorous/intense activity. Some ideas for both types include:
Sports – soccer, field hockey, tennis, basketball, flag football, volleyball
Hiking
Cycling
Mountain biking
Skating and skateboarding
Horseback riding
House and Yard Work/Chores
Moderate house and yard work exercises:
Sweeping
Vacuuming
Mopping
Washing the car by hand
Sweeping the garage, walkways, sidewalk, or patio
Mowing the lawn
Raking the lawn
Labor intense gardening
Vigorous house and yard work exercises:
Shoveling dirt, rocks, etc
Carrying groceries upstairs
Carrying boxes
Moving furniture
Cleaning and organizing the house
Mix it up
Finding the activities that work for you are important. But mix them up, so you don’t get bored and tired of them. For example, if getting bored with walking, try a light aerobics class, dancing, or something similar.
Try new routes for walking and biking.
Change the room for exercising or stretching.
Exercise at different times, so it doesn’t just become a chore.
Mix up the amount of time exercising. Do a full 30 minute or longer workout one day, then break the workout into smaller 15, 10, 5-minute workouts other days.
Having options allows you to pick and choose what suits your mood and schedule.
Job Physical Activity
If job occupation includes sitting for long periods, try adding short bursts of activity throughout the day:
If the commute permits, walk, jog, or bicycle to work.
Park several blocks away or the furthest in the parking lot to get some walking in.
Use the stairs instead of the elevator for a few floors.
Get coffee or use the bathroom on another floor using the stairs the farthest from the office.
Need to talk to a coworker, take a walk to their office or station instead of e-mail or phone.
Finding breaks to take quick walks and stretch out.
Get Involved In Competition
Competition can motivate individuals as it:
Requires specific and measurable goals to work toward. An example could be training to walk or run a race.
Learning the details of an event and preparing/training can generate or restore the excitement and challenge of the activity.
Instead of entering a competition, an individual can help with organizing and planning. This can provide friendship with other individuals interested in the same activity that can lead to working out together and staying motivated.
CrossFit Training
CrossFit training is a combination of various exercises to work out various muscle groups. CrossFit can be beneficial because:
It prevents boredom by providing a variety of workouts.
It helps maintain balance among various muscle groups.
For example, runners that have powerful leg muscles cross-train to strengthen the upper body.
It reduces the risk of injuries because the combination of exercises allows muscles to recover while working out a different set of muscles.
Whatever the case, it’s all about finding what works for you. But the objective is to keep the body moving to maintain overall health.
Body Composition
Why the brain needs sugar?
The brain needs half of the body’s energy supply because of its complex system. The brain needs glucose for brain cell energy. As neurons cannot store energy, they need a constant fuel supply to function properly. The ability to think, learn and recall information is connected with the body’s glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are low, the ability to think clearly is slowed down as the production of neurotransmitters is reduced, leading to communication disruption. Natural sugars can increase brain health for optimal functioning. When consuming naturally occurring sugar like apples and bananas, sugar is released incrementally into the bloodstream. This maintains energy levels at a steady pace, and the body does not crave more sugar.
References
Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Biochemistry. 5th edition. New York: W H Freeman; 2002. Section 30.2, Each Organ Has a Unique Metabolic Profile. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22436/
Ainsworth BE, et al. (2011). Compendium of Physical Activities Tracking Guide. Columbia, SC: Prevention Research Center, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina. Available online: prevention.sph.sc.edu/tools/compendium.htm.
Poor spinal health in adolescence can lead to chronic pain in adulthood. Teenagers, just like adults, can experience back pain from accidents, sports injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, part-time jobs, chores, etc. However, sitting too long in school along with heavy backpacks can also contribute to compromised spinal health. Chiropractic professionals can help these young individuals address and prevent spinal issues/injuries to maintain a healthy spine.
Teenagers Spine Issues
If discomfort or pain is present, much push through, as they and their spines are young. There are common spinal dysfunctions that teens and parents should be aware of. These include:
Disc injuries
Teenagers can put a serious strain on the spine from various forms of physical activity, jumping, dancing, and playing. This pressure gets transmitted through the spine. During a teenager’s development, this can result in permanent disc damage.
Scoliosis
A spinal deformity or exaggerated curvature of the spine is common and affects young children and teens. It usually happens during the growth spurt just before puberty. This is why it is important to have a teenager’s spine checked regularly and analyzed for signs/symptoms of scoliosis.
Spondylolysis
This condition is often associated with sports injuries. It happens when teenagers overextend/overreach their backs. It’s most common in gymnastics, weight lifting, tennis, football, diving, and other similar sports.
Protection and Prevention
There are several ways that parents and healthcare providers can help teenagers make healthy decisions to achieve and maintain optimal spinal health.
Sitting less, moving more.
Children are taught to sit from a very young age. In school, watching t.v., or doing homework, teenagers spend more time sitting than their bodies should. Teenagers need to stand, walk and move around just like adults to protect their spines from degeneration and injury.
Playing sports is healthy. However, there is a risk associated with teen sports. Although they are taught to play safely, encourage them to continue to educate themselves about sports injuries and know how to address them.
Chiropractic Support
At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, we’re committed to helping young adults and adolescents overcome and prevent spinal injuries that could turn into chronic pain conditions. We are continually developing our chiropractic, and physical therapy treatment approaches to achieve optimal results.
Body Composition
Sleep and Growth Hormone In Children
Growth hormones primarily control growth. The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland regulate this hormone. Sleep plays an important role in the proper function of these glands. A review showed that:
Growth hormone levels rise and peak at the onset of deep sleep
Multiple but smaller peaks were seen during other sleep stages
Individuals that have a delay in the onset of deep sleep have delayed peaks in growth hormone levels
For children to grow properly, they need to have adequate levels of growth hormone. This means they need to have a sufficient amount of sleep. The proper amount of sleep is vital for healthy body composition. A study measured the body composition of preschool-aged children. The study found that children who had proper sleep levels had less overall fat mass and reduced body fat. Children and teenagers need to get the proper amounts of sleep for their bodies to grow healthily.
References
Clement, R Carter et al. “What are normal radiographic spine and shoulder balance parameters among adolescent patients?.” Spine deformity vol. 8,4 (2020): 621-627. doi:10.1007/s43390-020-00074-9
Driehuis, Femke et al. “Spinal manual therapy in infants, children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis on treatment indication, technique, and outcomes.” PloS one vol. 14,6 e0218940. 25 Jun. 2019, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218940
Manansala, Christian et al. “Change in young people’s spine pain following chiropractic care at a publicly funded healthcare facility in Canada.” Complementary therapies in clinical practice vol. 35 (2019): 301-307. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.03.013
Children and adolescents are experiencing back pain. Why it happens, and how parents can help prevent it is the objective. When thinking of back pain the image is typically a man or woman, hunched over grabbing their backs and wincing in pain. However, back pain in children and adolescents is not that uncommon.
According to a 2020 study published in Spine, around thirty-four percent of children report having back pain, with almost nine percentexperiencing severe back pain. By the time they are fifteen, 20 to 70% of children will have experienced back pain at some point. Developing chronic back pain increases with age and is more common in girls.
The study found those that sought out early treatment, physical therapy, and chiropractic being the most prescribed lessened the need for more invasive treatments, like spinal injections, and surgery. Back pain can have a major impact on an adult’s life, and more so on a child. Prevention and treatment are important to help restore overall health and wellness.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms can vary, the most common:
Pain increases with movement, like bending or twisting
Increased pain after sitting or standing for an extended period
Sore and tender muscles around the spine
Tight muscles
Muscle spasms
Most back pain in children is mild. However, there are times when the child will require medical attention. A child should see a doctor if back pain persists for more than two or three days, if there is a fever, or if there is any numbness or weakness in the arms and legs.
Common Causes
Like adults, muscle sprains and strains are the most common cause of back pain. Strains are more common in the low back than around the neck or middle back and usually occur from overuse injuries, poor posture, poor body mechanics, and falls. Other common causes include:
Sitting and slouching in front of the computer for too long
Carrying an overloaded backpack
Spinal Conditions
Recreational and sports activities with injuries sustained are the most common causes of developing back pain. However, back pain can be brought on by underlying health and spine-related conditions. About a third of adolescents with low back pain could have a spinal condition. The most common conditions include:
Idiopathic Scoliosis
This is an abnormal curvature of the spine. This is usually not a painful condition. Some curvatures can be severe enough to cause pain and require medical care. Scoliosis can include the middle, low spine, or the entire spine. It is most common in adolescents 11-17 years of age. Symptoms include:
Tilted shoulders
Uneven hip bones
One side of the ribs projects out more than the other
Scheuermann�s kyphosis
This is a growth disorder of the vertebrae. It happens when the front of the spine does not grow as fast as the back of the spine. This can produce a humpback curvature. The spine bends forward but the child cannot stand up straight. Usually, it happens during accelerated growth periods.
Spondylolysis
The vertebrae can break in children and kids that do repetitive exercises involving bending and twisting. Sports like gymnastics and football create a heightened risk for spondylolysis. It usually affects the low back and presents with non-stop low back pain. The most common treatment is rest. Other causes include:
Spinal cord tumors
Sickle cell anemia
Infection
Tumors and infections are highly uncommon in children. They often present with pain and fever. If the nerves are pinched numbness, tingling, and weakness in the extremities can develop.
Common Treatments
Back pain in children is usually a short experience and can be treated with ice, rest, and over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen for children and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. A playing/exercise program can significantly help reduce child back pain.
However, there could be a need to modify the activity, so as to not worsen the injury or create new injury/s. The activities could be made to be lighter or a brace could be utilized. A specialist like a chiropractor/physical therapist can provide treatment, along with exercises, stretches, and lifestyle changes that will help reduce the pain. Complementary therapies like massage and acupuncture can enhance the child�s healing/recovery time and knock out the pain quickly.
Parental Prevention
Proper posture can and will prevent back pain. Children’s and adolescents’ musculoskeletal structures continue to develop at this stage. Therefore, sitting, standing, and lifting properly is paramount to preventing back pain. Along with this is avoiding activities that place repeated strain on the spine. An example is an overexertion while playing sports. Tips for keeping kids back-pain free:
Avoid activities that generate repeated strain on the same muscles
Stretching breaks need to be incorporated when sitting for a long time
As much as possible make the home a stress-free environment
Maintain a healthy weight and diet with balanced meals and snacks
Help promote overall mental and physical health
Children and kids that are stressed out or depressed have a greater risk of developing back pain. Encourage the kids to stay active, get proper sleep, stretch out, and eat foods that are healthy for the spine. If back pain is presenting, a customized treatment plan along with lifestyle changes will get the child back to their favorite activities.
Lower Back Pain Chiropractic Treatment
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate 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 also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to 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. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Chiropractic adjustments for children’s health is nothing new, but it could be something new for parents. Do children really need chiropractic adjustments? Chiropractic physicians, also known as DC’s provide techniques and treatments that pediatricians don’t offer.
Chiropractors offer non-invasive options, before referring an individual to a pain specialist that might only prescribe medication/s and surgery. The body’s central nervous system controls everything. Birth itself can be physically traumatic for some infants. Therefore, receiving an adjustment can improve neurological input and correction, allowing for healthy development. �
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If involved in sports or some type of physical activity, chiropractic helps recovery from injuries progress faster and is less traumatic than disruptive therapies like pain-meds or surgery. Chiropractic medicine takes into account the entire person when there is an adjustment/correction in one area, it supports and corrects the other areas.
Depending on the chiropractor, other techniques and specialties like acupuncture, craniosacral, nutrition, and more could be incorporated into a patient’s treatment plan. Here are a few ways chiropractic can benefit children’s health.
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Non-invasive
Chiropractic treatment is holistic and non-invasive. For children’s health, adjustments help with proper growth and development by removing or limiting digestive issues like:
Nursing
Re-flux
Colic
Constipation
Other issues for where pediatric chiropractic care can be utilized include:
Allergies
Asthma
Bed-wetting
Colds
Ear infections
Attention deficit disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Autism
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However, unlike adults, children, and especially infants, chiropractic medicine focuses on mobilization that places a lower amount of pressure on the area, rather than manipulation associated with chiropractic for adult treatment that places more pressure on the area being adjusted.
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Nutrition
Parents who are considering chiropractic treatment for their children’s health and wellness should also expect nutritional health coaching for optimal health. Chiropractors go through extensive training in nutrition and are qualified to offer nutritional plans that are part of the treatment.
Proper nutrition is important for everyone�s health. But for children who are growing and developing, it is essential that they get the nutrients they need for optimal spine health and development. Some foods and food additives can cause behavioral issues. These foods include:
Dairy
Artificial colors
Sugar
Preservatives
Other food allergens
Chiropractors can help parents and caregivers by testing and identifying behavioral triggers whose root cause could be nutritional that is improper or deficient for children’s health. �
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Wellness Philosophy
Educating parents and families about the benefits of proper nutrition and fitness are essential for children’s health and wellness. Families need to follow the principles of:
Eating whole foods
Junk food minimalization
Electronic device limits
Playing/exercising regularly
These are strategies that will reduce childhood obesity that is causing a range of problems for health care like Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Excess weight in young children and if it goes on for a long time creates a higher chance of earlier death in adulthood. From a psychological perspective, it is important to understand that during childhood kids can develop a negative body image, leading to low self-esteem, and causing depression. This can lead to serious mental health issues.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate 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 also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to 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. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Strength training: The Centers for Disease Control have estimated that around 16% of six to nineteen-year-olds in the US are overweight or obese. This comes from inactivity, no movement, exercise, and poor diet. On the other end, young athletes search for ways to gain an edge, often falling victim to steroids and all of the negative effects they have.
This is where strength training comes in. This could be an answer to getting kids off the couch, moving, and offers a healthy alternative to the young athletes looking for that competitive edge. Fitness experts, doctors, health coaches, and parents say absolutely.
The focus for children in strength training is not to bulk up, as this is not weightlifting, powerlifting, or bodybuilding. Fitness experts agree that these types of training regimens are not healthy or safe for children. The goal is to:
Added benefits of strength training can help young athletes improve performance through increased endurance.
Training Guidelines
It is fundamental to find a program that is safe and successful for children. Parents want a program designed specifically for kidssupervised by a fitness professional with child experience, and most of all, it is fun. For strength training, there is not a minimum age; however, the kids should understand and follow directions.
Before starting a child on any new fitness program, check with their doctor or healthcare provider.
A training program should include:
A session should start with a 5-10 minute warm-up exercise/s like stretching and light aerobics.
Every session should end with a cool-down combined with stretching and relaxation.
Kids should not immediately be using weights until proper form and technique are learned.
Kids should start with their own body weight, bands, or a bar with no weight.
Using 6-8 different exercises that address all the muscle groups, begin with 8-15 repetitions.
Each exercise should be done with a complete follow-through of the full range of motion.
If the repetitions are too much with a specific weight, reduce the weight.
Repetitions and sets should gradually increase over time to maintain the intensity of the training.
Add more weight only when the child displays the proper form and can easily do at least 10 reps.
Workouts should be 20 to 30 minutes long, 2 to 3 times per week, to get the most benefit.
Make sure to rest a day between each workout day.
Safety
Strength training was not always considered an appropriate exercise for kids. Doctors and fitness professionals believed that it was unsafe for a child’s growing body because of the added pressure on growth plates or the cartilage that has not fully turned into solid bone. However, experts now know that kids can safely participate in a strength training program with proper technique and supervision.
As with any exercise/fitness regiment, safety measures need to be in place along with heightened supervision. Unfortunately, most injuries happen when kids are not supervised, not using proper techniques, or from trying to lift too much weight. Here are some safety precautions to remember:
Learning new exercises should be done under the supervision of a trainer/instructor, making sure proper technique and form are used.
Smooth, controlled motions should be the goal.
Controlled breathing and not holding their breath needs to be taught
Proper technique will help avoid injuries
The kids’ progress should be monitored
Have the children record the exercises they have done, how many reps, and the amount of weight/resistance.
If enrolled in a strength training class, a good ratio is one instructor per 10 students. With this ratio, the kids can receive proper instruction and supervision.
Kids should train in a hazard-free, well-lit, and properly ventilated facility.
Make sure the kids drink plenty of water during and after the workout
Fitness trainers/instructors will see to it that there are frequent rest and rehydration breaks
Keep in mind
In a strength training program for children, there should be no competitive drive. Instead, the focus should be on participation, learning the movements, and positive reinforcement. Set realistic goals and expectations for the child to understand that it will take time to learn these new skills.
Remember that kids do not increase muscle size until after puberty. Please make sure the kids enjoy the strength training sessions and that they are having fun. Keep in mind that kids can become easily bored. Therefore, use various exercises and routines, keeping them excited and wanting to learn and do more.
Healthy Habits
Getting kids interested in fitness early on can help establish a life-long habit of wanting to be and stay healthy. This includes a balanced diet, plenty of rest, and regular exercise. When done correctly, strength training can be a fun and highly beneficial activity.
[00:00:10] You know what keeps them moving and growing and living? Tell me. It’s other catfish or that predator. So, if we never had predators in our lives. We’d stay stuck and we progress nothing. So every time we ask, “God, take away the stress, God, take away this issue,” we’re asking God to make us weaker, not stronger.
[00:00:33] Because instead of asking like, “Hey, God, make me more creative, make me more passionate, make me more patient”. We ask, “Hey, take away this”.
[00:00:45] But then we still want everything else that comes along with it. How does that work?
[00:00:49] It’s easy. I don’t know. I mean, if you think about it, you know, from the first time we’re born, Danny. It’s not easy. Right. You’ve got to be one in a trillion sperm, really, and only to God, it’s very, very clear that, if you don’t get to that egg first? Done. Right. You’re done. So from the moment we’re given a chance, we’re on the point of destruction from the beginning. Exactly. So, in essence, why did that sperm get to that egg? Right. So you asked. It fought through. Fought through, right.
[00:01:27] So, when you think of everything else as far as people complain, how people say, “oh, you know, I want more money, I want this”. But they don’t look at everybody’s backstory, the back end. And then behind the curtains, they think, “oh, man, Dr. Jimenez, you’re a doctor”. Sure, you don’t know how many times you’ve lost and rebuilt your practice or you’re a gym owner and you have it made. You don’t know how many times you have to go in at 4:00 in the morning to get a work out because you have to train people all day long to ensure that this business stays afloat. You know? Right. People don’t see that back end. Right. You know, they’re quick to say, “oh, it must be easy”. No, it’s not easy until you step into the person’s shoes because you’re the one that has to sign the checks. You’re the one that has to stay up at night and figure out payroll. You’re the one who has to be creative and figure out how you’re going to make ends meet. You’re the one that constantly has to be on it. You know, as much as you want to kick back and say whatever and do this. Well, I would love to work out four to five hours a day. That my passion. Is it your passion? It’s my passion. And do we? No, no. Right. What do we have to do? We have to be meticulous. We have to be disciplined. And we have to keep, I’m sure, we have to keep a proper order to ensure that we stay on top of schedule. Yes or no? Absolutely. Exactly. You know, so I’m saying at the end of the day is, if you don’t have something chasing you, you become fat and dormant and you become lazy.
[00:02:54] I think nature is designed to eliminate you. Alex would say, you know, it’s survival of the fittest limiting the species or whatever he’d call it when he’s in biochemistry. You know, I got to tell you, it’s not easy to be a business owner. It’s not. It’s not easy when you have no sleep.
[00:03:15] Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve put time in from early hours and you’re here from 430 in the morning and here. What time is it now? You’re here. You’re here. And we’re here sharing some stories. You know, it’s one of those things where it’s going to be nonstop all our lives.
[00:03:29] But here’s the thing. If you don’t do it, it doesn’t stimulate you to become good at what you do. Right. You become lethargic and everything goes bad. Literally, you slowly begin the process of ceasing to exist. Right.
[00:03:45] So, we all need rest. Right? Right. To rejuvenate. Get creative. It’s scientifically proven. You need that to reset. You have to. Otherwise, you burn out. Right? Right. But after how many days of rest? One. Two. Where you just get, disconnected, spastic. You know, you’re kind of like, “All right, cool. I rested enough. I’m good”. You don’t stay stuck there.
[00:04:12] No, no, no, no. And I pray for vacation. Right. And when I get it, after about three days, I’m like, OK. Right. All right. I’m done. Let’s go. Yeah, OK. What am I going to break? What am I going to do? That’s how we are. Exactly. But that’s what makes you so successful, right? Yeah, well, it drives us. And it drives us in creating who we are. And it also gives us a vision as to what we’re going to do. You know, Danny, when we start these podcasts, we want to get a little bit or tell the people a little bit about the story of what you do. And tell them about, you know, where you’ve been and what’s been happening with you. OK. So for me, it’s very important to share with the people what is actually happening.
[00:04:59] I’ve always been one to say, you know, I see how hard you work. And I see how much effort you put into things. But I’d like to know a little bit about you as to what actually made you and what kind of makes you click a little bit. When I actually discuss these things, I want to ask you what made you begin PUSH, what made you start this massive, massive organization.
[00:05:25] I want to reach the masses of people and help people.
[00:05:33] So, in all reality.
[00:05:39] My sister, my brother-in-law, my brother. We’ve all come from platforms, as far as, speaking, preaching, singing. Whatever it is. I was always, kind of the black sheep, so to speak, and I mean that like in a good way because I wasn’t treated differently. I just was very much a rebel. If that makes any sense.
[00:06:00] I wanted to create my own. So if my family went right, I’d go left. The people go right. I’d go left. I was always trying to find a different way. And I was just stubborn like that. But I think that’s what allowed me to become the most successful. But that’s what allowed me to create this place so I can reach the masses of people and have my own platform of changing people’s lives.
[00:06:23] Let me ask you. When you first started PUSH. What was the reason you started it out? You know? Did you? You were always in the fitness. Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve always been into a deep understanding. You know, I love sharing that story with people about when I first met you. You were driven. I mean, you were this kid, it’s just like you were hunting for knowledge. You were trying to figure out what it was that made people tick. And you wanted to teach people. A little cocky. I’d say. But being 18 years old, I mean, who isn’t? Right. At that age? You haven’t even thumped in the head a couple of times, but you did and you shared it with people and you did that. But what made you, what drove you? Because I got to tell you, I’m a big believer, Danny. About like, when you evaluate families, I see how hard your dad works. I see how your mom is incredible in terms of what she does. She just, she wins these crossfit competitions just on mere, literally, you have to turn off the lights to get her off the wall because she just keeps on going. Right? I mean, what is it that you feel drove you and what started the whole philosophy of trying to help people out?
[00:07:32] I mean, like you put it, in my my parents work ethic. They just never stop. They still don’t stop. They still try to move forward despite what life throws at them and they’re successful in their own way. They never stop working towards their marriage, towards their love, towards serving each other. The biggest thing they showed me is that, well, we always have to serve people and they serve each other. They serve at the church, they serve wherever they go. My dad, it doesn’t matter where it is. He’s always trying to, if it’s not your house. It doesn’t matter. Try to take out your trash, clean your table, whatever it is. You’ve got to tell him, “Hey day, just chill. But that’s where I learned it from. You don’t just go anywhere and just be. Wherever you go, you always serve. And that’s my sense of faith mentality. You know, it’s biblical. You know? Wherever you are, we are supposed to serve people. As husbands and wives, we’re supposed to serve each other. That’s what makes us so successful. You know, you look at Jesus in the Bible and he’s, “What do you do? You serve people.
[00:08:44] He helped people.
[00:08:47] Not the norm. The most unorthodox non-religious people, you know, other people that needed the most help, not the most religious. And I think that’s what I love to do. I love helping the people that need the most help. The unconventional. Not the people that are already athletic. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I do love helping them, but I guess I like helping the unorthodox, so to speak.
[00:09:17] Yeah. You know what? When you mentioned that about your dad, one of things I noticed is that I came here to work out around 6:00 in the morning and it was freezing outside, literally freezing.
[00:09:29] You had a flat tire. Your dad was lifting the car by himself to get that tire up. Yeah. It was crazy. I go, you know, by the time I got there, I was like, there’s this guy working on that. There was no jack. He’s actually picking up the car himself. He’s pushing that thing up and lifting the car to fit the tire on. I was like, you gotta be kidding me. You didn’t even know. I told you and you go, man, my dad never asked or, you know, he just does it. That’s one of the things you said. And that’s who we are. We are our parents. We eventually become our parents to some extent. And that’s very much how you are. Your philosophies that have guided the PUSH fitness, you know, entourage and the people that come here have been like extreme athletes. Tell me a little bit about that. In terms of what actually drove you to pick athleticism as your way of serving.
[00:10:20] I think seeing the potential of.
[00:10:24] Well, what people can be pushed to if you believe in them. A lot of times people, you know, do believe in themselves but it’s amazing what you see people become or individuals or athletes when you say, hey, I believe you. Someone that, not your mom not your dad, because it’s kind of like, it’s expected, sister, relatives, you know. And you know, not that they have to tell you that but, you know, it’s kind of sometimes expected. Yes, exactly. But then you have this stranger saying, I believe in you genuinely, wholeheartedly. And it brings out that much more of you. I know. That’s how I was. I still remember various times where you tapped me on the shoulder and said, you know.
[00:11:15] What are you doing? You can, and I’m very different.
[00:11:20] I don’t need someone to preach to me. To tell me how to run the place it’s kind of like a little, just a little hug. A kick, a get going. And that gets you going to move on to the next level of the mountain. And that’s what allowed, that’s what I love seeing as a potential that you could bring out in all individuals. When you see that pretty much you’ve been able to see everyone crack.
[00:11:45] What is it you look for when you see them kind of hit that wall? When you start working with an individual with a specific set, whatever sport they’re in or whatever their dreams are, a weight loss or whatever it is. What is it you look for?
[00:11:59] To see the reason why they’re quitting. They’re genuinely tired or have they’ve been?
[00:12:07] Babied so much by society that they don’t know how to push themselves anymore, and it’s really a sensitive society nowadays you can’t, you know, push kids because they get their feelings hurt or they feel this way or that way, and sometimes it’s like.
[00:12:25] Dude, you got to wake your ass up.
[00:12:28] If not, you’re not making it in this life. Nothing comes easy. And then we’re all expecting for things to become easy because we’re, you know, a microwave generation, everything we do we want to do so quick. So I look for the reason as to why they’re quitting. This genuinely like, the why, they’re tired and they’re gonna throw up. Oh, alright. But you remember firsthand when I worked out with you, I went to go to the restroom, threw up. I came right back. Why? Because it’s what you build with that person, that respect. You know, why would you want someone to quit on you when it gets hard, you know? Yeah. That’s exanctly right. How are you gonna count on them. I know you depend on them. No, when it gets tough. You know, they’re just gonna jump the wagon. That’s it. You’re left alone.
[00:13:18] You know, you’re given a responsibility, a huge one, with a lot of the El Paso kids in whatever sports they do, in whatever the sport, whether it be agility sport based or just some sort of sport based system where where they’re just kind of, you know, let’s say hockey or even things like tennis or golf.
[00:13:37] But they all have a moment of trying to reach within. I love the way you do that in terms of, you can go ahead and see the depths of what is wrong with them and you can actually connect with them like no other. I’ve seen that every single time, my own kids too when you train them. You asked why? So really like that boats to the point? No one cares what you know. They care that you care. And that caring really allows them to open up, huh?
[00:14:04] Right. Yeah, definitely it does. You know, it makes them see like I do have it in me. I, you know, need to quit babying myself. Right. And I need to get up and get after this because no one’s gonna give it to me. I gotta get up after it and work for it, period.
[00:14:20] When I would tell my daughter, when they would come in, I’d say, you know what? You know, I’m not coming and, you know, I’m not going today. Right. I’d say, all right let me call, Danny. No, no. They’d feel like they have a, well.
[00:14:34] They sense the obligation that and the trust that you have put into their hearts like no other. Because that’s what they want. They want someone to believe in them. Exactly. You know, push them. That’s why the push. Push. You know, there’s the added edge of the push. You know, these are very important points. What got you into, do you have to deal with, like the mind-stuff and like work? How do you work on developing a child or working them through their own mental impediments or their own mental kind of dynamics to make them better of who they are? If that makes sense.
[00:15:13] You have to build a foundation with them first. You have to build trust with them. You can’t just go in and yell at them. Hey, let’s go, let’s go. Like, move your ass. Don’t be a little, bitch. You know, you can’t just do that. You have to build a relationship first, have them trust you and have them understand why you’re pushing them. And then when they’re at the brink of giving up, you yell at their ass and they know why you’re yelling at them. A good parent, after they discipline their kid or ground them, they’ll tell them the reason why they did that. But they don’t stop loving them. They appreciate because they know they’re wrong.
[00:15:48] Same concept here. Obviously I don’t hit them. But I do yell at them after they know like hey. Yeah, I was sucking and I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and get after it. Right?
[00:16:01] You know, in my own experience with what you did. You know, you have a lot of moms watching you train their kids. Moms are really sharp. There’s nothing smarter than a mother in this world. Right.
[00:16:14] And they intuitively understand and they feel the depths of the change in the child. Right. So when they see the depths of the change in the child, they trust you. And this is in mass because I have like a whole wall of families of moms, dads. They bring their kids no matter what. Tired, cold, sleet, rain, snow. They bring their kids here to train with you and the entire crew with the philosophies of pushing to those limits. You know, how does that feel when you see those kids, you know, kind of, excel?
[00:16:54] Proud.
[00:16:57] Completely, pretty much over the moon because you see the hard work that you took to instill that time into them and make sure their full potential came out. So it’s well, it’s rewarding. It’s inexplicable.
[00:17:11] Let me ask you this. You’ve been now, you know, you’re not young, like 16 years more. You’re in your 30s, which is a very young age. However, you’ve lived long enough to see some of these kids go on and do their their thing.
[00:17:27] Tell me how that feels in terms of you watching them develop, in terms of who they are and what they are, what they develop because of the foundation or at least influenced by the foundation of just don’t give up and keep on pushing through it. How does it feel? What do you think?
[00:17:45] It feels very, in a lot of sense, a lot of pride, because you can see what they could have been and what they couldn’t have been. A lot of times some kids do come from poor or poor extremities. And so to see them excel, believe in themselves, to go to college, to get a successful job, to be something of a higher profession, that other wise they thought they couldn’t build or settling for less and not letting them settle for less is really amazing. It’s of most, that’s why I keep doing what I’m doing.
[00:18:26] These kids keep on calling you? They talk to you personally?
[00:18:30] Yeah, they do. They still kind of keep up with me as far as like what they’re doing, how they’re doing, the’ll come in work out. Still, you know, to chat with me, everything. It’s fun. You build that long lasting relationship.
[00:18:43] If you could come up with a couple of words vindicating what makes PUSH unique and you can look deep inside your heart and figure out what it would be. Say you were to had an obituary being read about you. What would they say about PUSH and you? What would you want them to say?
[00:19:04] Honestly.
[00:19:06] That they have somebody other than their parents believe in them.
[00:19:11] That’s amazing. That’s really a huge component to everything that’s going on. When do you think someone should actually be coming out to this place and enjoying the kind of lifestyle that this place, you know, helps enhance their lives with? When is that time?
[00:19:29] Whenever. Whenever you want to be a better version of yourself.
[00:19:33] Ok. Ok.
[00:19:34] What do you think people sometimes think about, you know, why shouldn’t they come in? What should not be an impediment? Of them coming in here?
[00:19:43] Their image, that they can’t do it. That they’re not athletic enough. That they’re obese. That they have any problems, low back problems. That they look foolish. You know, the whole thing is that at the day, we all look foolish to one extent or another.
[00:19:56] But the point is that if I always assume what others thought and paid attention to how I felt, as far as being embarrased and not being good enough, then I wouldn’t be where I’m at.
[00:20:11] I tell you, I’ve learned a lot from you, and if anything, my kids have learned a lot from you by just your persistence. You know, I can honestly tell you that my son is better as an athlete because of his relationship with you.
[00:20:29] But let me ask you, in terms of what kind of physical changes as well as emotional changes have happened with you in terms of watching your clients attain their goals?
[00:20:43] Hearing people say you saved me from.
[00:20:48] From diabetes, medications, diabetic medications, I mean you hear people say like.
[00:20:55] I would have died being in this obese state. You saved my life. Man. How do you not get emotional with things like that?
[00:21:04] How do you not get emotional? People saying like, you know, I thought I couldn’t walk or had this muscle imbalance or muscle type of. How do you say?
[00:21:18] I have this one client that couldn’t build muscle. I can’t remember terminology, but the fact that she can build muscle now where the doctor told her she wouldn’t be able to squat a bar and now she’s squatting over one hundred and thirty five pounds, that’s phenomenal.
[00:21:31] How does that not keep you motivated and getting up every single day when you don’t feel like getting up, you know, and I’ll say it again. I am in the King David. You know, when you had to encourage yourself, because somebody is not always going to be there to encourage you. You do have to encourage yourself so you can be the best or somebody else that needs it more than you. Ultimately, at the end of the day, someone has it harder than you and you can always help somebody under you.
[00:22:01] Oh, Danny, you’ve basically said it in very short and very important keywords. You know, we appreciate you. We’re here at the PUSH Fitness Center. You know, we’ve got some information there that you can use to find Mr. Alvarado, the PUSH Fitness Center is a monster center with a lot of people that care and make changes in people’s lives.
[00:22:25] If you guys have any questions, any comments, any ideas in terms of what we do for people, let us know. And we’re here to serve as Danny is. Danny, thank you very much, brother. And I appreciate everything you’ve done.
[00:22:38] And God bless, brother. God bless. Thank you.
Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention.
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with a variety of food sensitivities and intolerances. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs.
Gut Zoomer for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate gut health associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The Vibrant Gut ZoomerTM offers a report that includes dietary recommendations and other natural supplementation like prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The gut microbiome is mainly found in the large intestine and it has more than 1000 species of bacteria that play a fundamental role in the human body, from shaping the immune system and affecting the metabolism of nutrients to strengthening the intestinal mucosal barrier (gut-barrier). It is essential to understand how the number of bacteria that symbiotically live in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences gut health because imbalances in the gut microbiome may ultimately lead to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and multiple inflammatory disorders.
Formulas for Methylation Support
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