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Athletes

Sports Spine Specialist Chiropractic Team: Athletes strive to achieve their body’s maximum performance by participating in numerous training regimens consisting of strenuous exercises and physical activity and ensuring they meet all of their body’s nutritional requirements. Through proper fitness and nutrition, many individuals can condition themselves to excel in their specific sport. Our training programs are designed for athletes that look to gain a competitive edge in their sport.

We provide sport-specific services to help increase an athlete’s performance through mobility, strength, and endurance. Occasionally, however, the excess workouts can lead many to suffer injuries or develop underlying conditions. Dr. Alex Jimenez’s chronicle of articles for athletes displays in detail the many forms of complications affecting these professionals while focusing on the possible solutions and treatments to follow to achieve overall well-being.


Structural Mechanics and Movement: Biomechanics Explained

Structural Mechanics and Movement: Biomechanics Explained

For individuals experiencing musculoskeletal issues and pain symptoms, can learning about biomechanics and how it applies to movement, physical training, and performance, help in injury treatment and prevention?

Structural Mechanics and Movement: Biomechanics Explained

Biomechanics

Biomechanics studies all life forms and their mechanical workings.  Many think of biomechanics in sports and athletic performance, but biomechanics helps create and improve technologies, equipment, and injury rehabilitation techniques. (Tung-Wu Lu, Chu-Fen Chang 2012) Scientists, sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and conditioning specialists utilize biomechanics to help develop training protocols and techniques to improve therapy outcomes.

Body Movement

Biomechanics studies the movement of the body, including how muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together, especially when movement is not optimal or correct. It is part of the larger field of kinesiology, specifically focusing on motion mechanics and analysis of how all the individual parts of the body work together to make up athletic and normal movements. (José M Vilar et al., 2013) Biomechanics includes:

  • Structure of bones and muscles.
  • Movement ability.
  • Mechanics of blood circulation, renal function, and other functions.
  • The study of forces and the effects of these forces on the tissues, fluid, or materials used for diagnosis, treatment, or research. (Jose I. Priego-Quesada 2021)

Sports

Sports biomechanics studies motion in exercising, training, and sports, which incorporates physics and the laws of mechanics. For example, the biomechanics of a specific exercise looks at:

  • Body position.
  • Movement of the feet, hips, knees, back, shoulders, and arms.

Knowing the correct movement patterns helps make the most of the exercise while preventing injuries, correcting form mistakes, informing training protocols, and increasing positive results. Understanding how the body moves and why it moves the way it does helps medical professionals prevent and treat injuries, alleviate pain symptoms, and improve performance.

Equipment

Biomechanics is used in the development of physical and sports equipment to improve performance. For example, a shoe can be designed for optimal performance for a skateboarder, long-distance runner, or soccer player. Playing surfaces are also studied for this purpose, such as how the surface stiffness of artificial turf affects athletic performance. (Jose I. Priego-Quesada 2021)

Individuals

  • Biomechanics can analyze an individual’s movements for more effective movement during training and games.
  • For example, an individual’s running gait or swing can be filmed with recommendations on what to change to improve.

Injuries

  • The science studies the causes, treatment, and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal injuries.
  • The research can analyze the forces that cause injuries and provide information for medical professionals on how to reduce the risk of injury.

Training

  • Biomechanics studies sports techniques and training systems to develop ways to improve efficiency.
  • This can include research on positioning, release, follow-through, etc.
  • It can analyze and help design new training techniques based on the mechanical demands of the sport, aimed at resulting in better performance.
  • For example, muscle activation is measured in cycling using electromyography and kinematics, which helps researchers analyze factors like posture, components, or exercise intensity that affect activation. (Jose I. Priego-Quesada 2021)

Motions

In biomechanics, the body’s motions are referred to from anatomical positioning:

  • Standing upright, with the gaze straight ahead
  • Arms at the sides
  • Palms facing forward
  • Feet spaced slightly apart, toes forward.

The three anatomical planes include:

  • Sagittal – median – Dividing the body into right and left halves is the sagittal/median plane. Flexion and extension occur in the sagittal plane.
  • Frontal – The frontal plane divides the body into front and back sides but also includes abduction, or moving a limb away from the center, and adduction, or moving a limb towards the center in the frontal plane.
  • Transverse – horizontal. – The upper and lower parts of the body are divided by the transverse/horizontal plane. Rotating movements occur here. (American Council on Exercise 2017)
  • Moving the body in all three planes occurs with daily activity. This is why performing exercises in each plane of motion to build strength, function, and stability is recommended.

Tools

Various tools are used to study biomechanics. Studies are usually performed using a device known as electromyography or EMG sensors. Sensors are placed on the skin and measure the amount and degree of muscle fiber activation in certain muscles during test exercises. EMGs can help:

  • Researchers understand which exercises are more effective than others.
  • Therapists know whether patients’ muscles are properly operating and functioning.
  1. Dynamometers are another tool that helps measure muscle strength.
  2. They measure the force output generated during muscle contractions to see if the muscles are sufficiently strong.
  3. They are used to measure grip strength, which can be an indicator of overall strength, health, and longevity. (Li Huang et al., 2022)

Beyond Adjustments: Chiropractic and Integrative Healthcare


References

Lu, T. W., & Chang, C. F. (2012). Biomechanics of human movement and its clinical applications. The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences, 28(2 Suppl), S13–S25. doi.org/10.1016/j.kjms.2011.08.004

Vilar, J. M., Miró, F., Rivero, M. A., & Spinella, G. (2013). Biomechanics. BioMed research international, 2013, 271543. doi.org/10.1155/2013/271543

Priego-Quesada J. I. (2021). Exercise Biomechanics and Physiology. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 11(2), 159. doi.org/10.3390/life11020159

American Council on Exercise. Makeba Edwards. (2017). Planes of Motion Explained (Exercise Science, Issue. www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/exam-preparation-blog/2863/the-planes-of-motion-explained/

Huang, L., Liu, Y., Lin, T., Hou, L., Song, Q., Ge, N., & Yue, J. (2022). Reliability and validity of two hand dynamometers when used by community-dwelling adults aged over 50 years. BMC geriatrics, 22(1), 580. doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03270-6

A Guide to Motor Units: Benefits of Weight Training

A Guide to Motor Units: Benefits of Weight Training

For individuals starting to lift weights, motor units are important for muscle movement. Can building more motor units help build strength and maintain muscle mass?

A Guide to Motor Units: Benefits of Weight Training

Motor Units

Motor units control the skeletal muscles and are the force behind every body movement. (C J. Heckman, Roger M. Enoka 2012)
This includes voluntary movements like lifting weights and involuntary movements like breathing. When lifting objects and weights, the body adapts to motor unit needs, meaning that individuals must consistently increase the weight to progress.

  • Lifting weights regularly trains the body to generate more motor units and force.
  • General guidelines recommend lifting weights for all muscle groups two to three non-consecutive days a week.
  • Consistency helps maintain muscle mass.
  • Regular progression increases the risk of plateauing.

What They Are

Exercise increases the body’s muscle strength, while sedentariness and inactivity weaken them. A motor unit is a single nerve cell/neuron that supplies the nerves to innervate a group of skeletal muscles. The neuron receives signals from the brain that stimulate all the muscle fibers in that particular motor unit to generate movement.

  • Muscles comprise different fiber types.
  • They are attached to the bones with connective tissue, which is stronger than the muscle.
  • Multiple motor units are dispersed throughout the muscle.
  • The motor units help ensure muscle contraction force is evenly spread throughout the muscle.
  • Motor units are different sizes and operate differently depending on where and what they do.
  • Small motor units might only innervate five or ten fibers. For example, to blink or sniff.
  • Large motor units can comprise hundreds of muscle fibers for swinging or jumping movements.

How They Work

The number of units activated depends on the task. Stronger muscle contractions require more. However, fewer units are needed to accomplish the movement for individuals expending less effort.

Contraction

  • Once a unit receives a signal from the brain, the muscle fibers contract simultaneously.
  • The force generated depends on how many units are required to accomplish the task. (Purves D. et al., 2001)
  • For example, picking up small objects like a pen and paper requires only a few units to generate the force needed.
  • If picking up a heavy barbell, the body needs more units because more force is needed to lift the heavier load.
  • The body can generate more force with stronger muscles.
  • This happens when lifting weights on a regular basis and overloading the muscles with more weight than they can handle.
  • This process is known as adaptation.

Adaptation

The purpose of lifting weights is to challenge the muscles so they adapt to the new challenge and grow in strength and mass. Motor units are a major part of the adaptation process. (Dr. Erin Nitschke. American Council on Exercise. 2017)

  • When first starting weight training, the brain recruits more units every time a muscle is contracted. (Pete McCall. American Council on Exercise. 2015)
  • As individuals continue working out, their ability to generate more force increases and units activate more rapidly.
  • This makes movements more efficient.
  • Individuals can increase motor unit recruitment by consistently increasing the weight challenge to their muscles.
  • The development creates movement memory.
  • A relationship between the brain, muscles, and motor units is established even if the individual stops working out. The pathways are still there no matter how long the individual takes off.
  • When returning to training, the body will remember how to ride a bike, do a bicep curl, or squat.
  • However, the muscles will not have the same strength as the strength needs to be built back along with endurance that may have been lost.
  • It is the movement memory that remains.

Military Training and Chiropractic Care: Maximizing Performance


References

Heckman, C. J., & Enoka, R. M. (2012). Motor unit. Comprehensive Physiology, 2(4), 2629–2682. doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c100087

Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors. (2001). Neuroscience. 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2001. The Motor Unit. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10874/

Dr. Erin Nitschke. American Council on Exercise. (2017). How Muscle Grows (Exercise Science, Issue. www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/blog/6538/how-muscle-grows/

Pete McCall. American Council on Exercise. (2015). 10 Things to Know About Muscle Fibers (Exercise Science, Issue. www.acefitness.org/resources/pros/expert-articles/5411/10-things-to-know-about-muscle-fibers/

Improve Your Athletic Performance with Acupuncture

Improve Your Athletic Performance with Acupuncture

 For fitness and sports enthusiasts, weekend warriors, and athletes looking to improve physical performance, can incorporating acupuncture for sports performance be effective?

Improve Your Athletic Performance with Acupuncture

Acupuncture For Sports Performance

Acupuncture for sports performance follows the same needle insertion for specific points to treat pain symptoms, alleviate inflammation and fatigue, and enhance blood circulation to improve physical and athletic performance. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles that focus on restoring the balance of the nervous system and body to activate natural healing and increase energy circulation. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2024).

  • Acupuncture has become a popular alternative treatment for sports injuries as it has shown positive outcomes and recovery from injuries. (George G. A. Pujalte et al., 2023)
  • The body’s blood and energy pathways, known as meridians, become blocked by inflammation because of illness, injury, or overuse, resulting in pain, stress, and various symptoms. The acupuncture needles stimulate the pathways to clear the blockages, allowing optimal circulation of energy and blood to reduce inflammation and restore balance. (Jiajie Zhu et al., 2021)
  • Sports acupuncture works by maintaining optimal circulation of blood and energy through meridians through the arteries, tendons, muscles, and organs for enhanced productivity and ability. (Liang Kang et al., 2021)
  • Electroacupuncture involves connecting electrical stimulation from a tens machine to specific points over an area to enhance the needle treatment. (Keitaro Kubo et al., 2020)

Acupuncture Can Help

Ways that acupuncture can help include:

Increase Range of Motion

  • Acupuncture can help loosen tight muscles, tendons, and ligaments overused during training or games.(Chi-Tsai Tang, 2023)
  • This allows athletes to perform at peak levels without risking worsening or causing further injury.

Increase Flexibility

  • Acupuncture helps increase elasticity in joints by releasing adhesions within connective tissue for increased mobility.

Improve Reflexes

  • Targeting key points stimulates nerve activity, which can improve quicker reflexes and improve coordination.(Chi-Tsai Tang, Bo Song. 2022)

Increase Circulation

  • Acupuncture increases blood circulation to areas lacking oxygen.
  • This expedites muscle recovery after intense physical exertion.(Keitaro Kubo et al., 2020)

Improve Mental Focus

  • Acupuncture releases endorphins, which reduce pain and also provide an overall sense of calmness and relaxation.
  • This enables athletes to stay focused and motivated throughout training and games. (Chi-Tsai Tang, 2023)

Reduce Fatigue

  • Regular acupuncture for sports performance can help maintain energy levels to help prevent burnout and maintain optimal performance during practice and games. (George G. A. Pujalte et al., 2023)

Relieve Muscle Tension

  • Acupuncture treatment can help relax tense muscles caused by repetitive use as well as from stress tension that could be caused by anxiety before a game or tournament.
  • This helps athletes remain flexible and explosive. (Chi-Tsai Tang, Bo Song. 2022)

For individuals who want to improve their physical performance, sports acupuncture can provide a natural, non-invasive alternative that can help improve athletic performance mentally and physically.


Lumbar Spine Injuries in Sports: Chiropractic Healing


References

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Acupuncture (Health, Issue. www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture

Zhu, J., Li, J., Yang, L., & Liu, S. (2021). Acupuncture, from the ancient to the current. Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007), 304(11), 2365–2371. doi.org/10.1002/ar.24625

Kang, L., Liu, P., Peng, A., Sun, B., He, Y., Huang, Z., Wang, M., Hu, Y., & He, B. (2021). Application of traditional Chinese therapy in sports medicine. Sports medicine and health science, 3(1), 11–20. doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2021.02.006

Tang, C. T., & Song, B. (2022). Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Sports Performance and Recovery. Current sports medicine reports, 21(6), 213–218. doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000968

Kubo, K., Iizuka, Y., Yajima, H., Takayama, M., & Takakura, N. (2020). Changes in Blood Circulation of the Tendons and Heart Rate Variability During and After Acupuncture. Medical acupuncture, 32(2), 99–107. doi.org/10.1089/acu.2019.1397

Tang C. T. (2023). Practicing Outside the Lines: Using Acupuncture in the Athletic Training Room and on the Field. Medical acupuncture, 35(5), 266–269. doi.org/10.1089/acu.2023.0043

Fine-Tune Your Walking Exercise: Increase Duration or Intensity!

Fine-Tune Your Walking Exercise: Increase Duration or Intensity!

For individuals who have decided to start exercising for fitness and health, walking is a great place to start. Can planning a walking exercise schedule help individuals maintain a fitness routine and improve endurance and speed quicker?

Fine-Tune Your Walking Exercise: Increase Duration or Intensity!

Walking Exercise Planning Schedule

While any amount of walking benefits health, individuals can increase the benefits by walking more per week or by increasing the pace. Brisk walking for 30 minutes per day, totaling 150 minutes per week, is recommended by health experts to decrease risks for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other conditions. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022)

  • Individuals with ongoing health conditions should talk to their doctor before starting any new exercise program.
  • Beginners are encouraged to focus on using proper walking posture and technique to steadily improve strength and endurance.
  • The increased duration or intensity can help if weight loss is a goal.
  • Improving diet is also necessary for the best results.
  • Individuals can build healthy walking habits by tracking walks.

Schedule

Checklist

  • Individuals can walk outdoors, indoors, or on a treadmill.
  • Wear proper athletic shoes and clothing.
  • Check walking posture.
  • Walk at an easy pace for a couple of minutes before picking up speed.

First Week

An example of what a walking exercise schedule can look like, but it’s advised to consult a professional trainer to develop a personalized fitness plan.

  • Start with a 15-minute walk at an easy pace.
  • Walk five days the first week.
  • Building a healthy habit is the goal, so consistency is important.
  • Spread out rest days, like making days 3 and 6 rest days.
  • Weekly goal – 60 to 75 minutes

Second Week

  • Add five minutes, so the walk time increases gradually.
    Or, individuals can extend more on some days, followed by a rest day.
  • Weekly goal – 80 to 100 minutes

Third Week

  • Add five more minutes with each session, so the walk increases to 25 minutes.
  • Weekly goal – 100 to 125 minutes

Fourth Week

  • Add another five minutes to increase the walk to 30 minutes.
  • Weekly goal – 120 to 150 minutes

Individuals who find any week to be difficult are suggested to repeat that week instead of adding time until they are able to progress naturally. Once able to walk for 30 minutes at a time comfortably, individuals are ready for a variety of different walking exercise workouts to add intensity and endurance. A weekly walking plan can include:

  • Longer walks
  • Higher-intensity walks
  • Speed-building walks

Beginner Walking Speed

An individual’s objective should be brisk walking to achieve a moderate-intensity workout. This is the intensity that is associated with the most health benefits.

Brisk walking should feel like:

  • Breathing is heavier than normal.
  • Able to carry a full conversation while walking.
  • Not out of breath. (Siti Ruzita Mahmod et al., 2018)
  • If the speed is slower and the heart rate is lower during the initial weeks, this is normal.
  1. The first goal is to walk for 30 to 60 minutes a day without injury.
  2. Adding speed and intensity gradually.
  3. Staying consistent in regularly walking before trying to walk faster and longer.
  4. Using proper walking posture and arm motion will help in faster walking.
  5. To reduce the risk of injury, gradually increase the length of the walk or pace, only changing one component at a time.

Individuals may consider joining a walking group or club to have others to walk with and an incentive to maintain regular walking.


Home Exercises for Pain Relief


References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need? Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Measuring Physical Activity Intensity. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/measuring/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Target Heart Rate and Estimated Maximum Heart Rate. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/measuring/heartrate.htm

Mahmod, S. R., Narayanan, L. T., & Supriyanto, E. (2018). Effects of incremental cardiorespiratory exercise on the speech rate and the estimated exercise intensity using the counting talk test. Journal of physical therapy science, 30(7), 933–937. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.30.933

Achilles Tendon Tears: Risk Factors Explained

Achilles Tendon Tears: Risk Factors Explained

Individuals who participate in physical and sports activities could suffer an Achilles tendon tear. Can understanding the symptoms and risks help in treatment and return the individual back to their sports activity sooner?

Achilles Tendon Tears: Risk Factors Explained

Achilles Tendon

This is a common injury that occurs when the tendon attaching the calf muscle to the heel gets torn.

About the Tendon

  • The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body.
  • In sports and physical activities, intense explosive movements like running, sprinting, quickly shifting positions, and jumping are exerted on the Achilles.
  • Males are more likely to tear their Achilles and sustain a tendon rupture. (G. Thevendran et al., 2013)
  • The injury often occurs without any contact or collision but rather the running, starting, stopping, and pulling actions placed on the feet.
  • Certain antibiotics and cortisone shots can increase the likelihood of Achilles tear injuries.
  • A specific antibiotic, fluoroquinolones, has been shown to increase the risk of Achilles tendon problems.
  • Cortisone shots are also associated with Achilles tears, which is why many healthcare providers don’t recommend cortisone for Achilles tendonitis. (Anne L. Stephenson et al., 2013)

Symptoms

  • A tendon tear or rupture causes sudden pain behind the ankle.
  • Individuals may hear a pop or a snap and often report the feeling as being kicked in the calf or heel.
  • Individuals have difficulty pointing their toes downward.
  • Individuals may have swelling and bruising around the tendon.
  • A healthcare provider will examine the ankle for continuity of the tendon.
  • Squeezing the calf muscle is supposed to cause the foot to point downwards, but in individuals with a tear, the foot will not move, resulting in positive results on the Thompson test.
  • A defect in the tendon can usually be felt after a tear.
  • X-rays may be used to rule out other conditions, including ankle fracture or ankle arthritis.

Risk Factors

  • Achilles tendon ruptures are most seen in men around 30 or 40. (David Pedowitz, Greg Kirwan. 2013)
  • Many individuals have symptoms of tendonitis prior to sustaining a tear.
  • The majority of individuals have no history of previous Achilles tendon problems.
  • The majority of Achilles tendon tears are associated with ball sports. (Youichi Yasui et al., 2017)

Other risk factors include:

  • Gout
  • Cortisone injections into the Achilles tendon
  • Fluoroquinolone antibiotic use

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are commonly used for the treatment of respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and bacterial infections. These antibiotics are associated with Achilles tendon rupture, but further research is needed to determine how they affect the Achilles tendon. Individuals taking these medications are advised to consider an alternative medication if Achilles tendon problems begin to develop. (Anne L. Stephenson et al., 2013)

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment can consist of non-surgical techniques or surgery.

  • The benefit of surgery is there is usually less immobilization.
  • Individuals can often return to sports activities sooner, and there is less chance of re-rupturing the tendon.
  • Non-surgical treatment avoids the potential surgical risks, and the long-term functional results are similar. (David Pedowitz, Greg Kirwan. 2013)

Treating Ankle Sprains


References

Thevendran, G., Sarraf, K. M., Patel, N. K., Sadri, A., & Rosenfeld, P. (2013). The ruptured Achilles tendon: a current overview from biology of rupture to treatment. Musculoskeletal surgery, 97(1), 9–20. doi.org/10.1007/s12306-013-0251-6

Stephenson, A. L., Wu, W., Cortes, D., & Rochon, P. A. (2013). Tendon Injury and Fluoroquinolone Use: A Systematic Review. Drug safety, 36(9), 709–721. doi.org/10.1007/s40264-013-0089-8

Pedowitz, D., & Kirwan, G. (2013). Achilles tendon ruptures. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 6(4), 285–293. doi.org/10.1007/s12178-013-9185-8

Yasui, Y., Tonogai, I., Rosenbaum, A. J., Shimozono, Y., Kawano, H., & Kennedy, J. G. (2017). The Risk of Achilles Tendon Rupture in the Patients with Achilles Tendinopathy: Healthcare Database Analysis in the United States. BioMed research international, 2017, 7021862. doi.org/10.1155/2017/7021862

Create a Winning Fitness Mindset with These Strategies

Create a Winning Fitness Mindset with These Strategies

For individuals that are feeling unmotivated to work out and exercise can developing a fitness mindset help improve and maintain motivation?

Create a Winning Fitness Mindset with These Strategies

Fitness Mindset Motivation

Learning to exercise as part of a regular workout routine can have a significant impact on health and well-being. In the beginning, individuals are all in, but as time goes on, mental blocks can interfere with workout motivation. Being flexible with oneself and fitness/health goals is part of the process, and overcoming mental blocks is key to maintaining motivation. It’s all about creating a fitness mindset to maintain confidence and motivation and enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.

Feeling Tired

When feeling tired, individuals should ask themselves if it’s physical or mental fatigue. If the exhaustion is not from lack of sleep, illness, or a physically demanding job, it is more than likely mental tiredness. Mental exhaustion can often feel physical, and a recommended cure is physical activity. Often, once an individual starts working out and gets over the mental fatigue, they feel better. (Juriena D. de Vries et al., 2016) Regular physical activity can increase energy levels and leave the body feeling less fatigued. (Bryan D. Loy et al., 2013) However, individuals need to make sure there is ample recovery time to repair and restore the body after working out.

Self-Talk

Sometimes there is a small voice that says to take a day off or perform an easier workout. It’s okay to be flexible, but most times, individuals need to be ready to stand up to the skip-the-workout voices and stay motivated.

Remove Obstacles

  • Remove obstacles that can distract from exercising.
  • Have the workout gear ready and exercise time pre-scheduled so there are no second thoughts.
  • If limited space is an issue, find compact equipment like a cordless jump rope that doesn’t require a lot of room.

Don’t Allow Relaxation Takeover

  • Individuals who plan to exercise after school or work shouldn’t go home, sit down, and relax watching TV before working out.
  • Individuals who may need a transition to work out should try something gentle but active, like stretching or doing a light chore.
  • Individuals who exercise in the morning should wear their workout clothes immediately, so they can’t second guess and can continue their workout.
  • Remind yourself of the reasons for committing to exercise.

Research shows that using second-person self-talk can help maintain motivation. Encouraging oneself with phrases like you can do this, you got this, or you are going to achieve your fitness goals improves the chances of obtaining the desired outcome. (Sanda Dolcos, Dolores Albarracin. 2014)

Fight Through The Doubt

Start with small steps. Ask if doubt is stopping you from starting. If doubt begins to arise:

Ask For Help

  • A colleague, friend, or partner can help reinspire motivation.
  • Tell them about the challenges of sticking with exercise.
  • Ask them to work out together.

Do What Is Possible

  • If working out for 30 minutes is too difficult, don’t worry about it.
  • Go for as long as possible and try for more the next time.
  • Keep it simple and make it count. (Margie E. Lachman et al., 2018)

Redefine Exercise

  • Working out can feel like a job, but it does not have to.
  • For example, individuals sitting or standing all day can approach the workout as 30 minutes to get out and move around.
  • Or, after getting the kids settled in, it is time to do something for yourself and exercise the stress away.

Healthy Reminders

  • Write inspirational fitness mindset notes and put them where they will be seen regularly.
  • These can be exercise goals; for example, I will exercise for 30 minutes because I want more energy, better sleep, strength, etc.

Train The Brain For Exercise

When the issue is motivation, the mind needs to be convinced to exercise. How to use mind-over-matter skills:

Rewards

  • When finishing a workout, rewards can help.
  • Exercise has its own rewards – more energy, improved mood, stress relief, and reduced disease risk.
  • Maybe a new pair of shoes, earbuds or headphones, workout equipment, or a massage will increase motivation.

Make A Deal

  • Continue to exercise for whatever amount of time, and if the desire to stop is still present, then stop.
  • Nine times out of 10, individuals will keep going.

Pretend

  • Make-believe can encourage the fitness mindset.
  • Pretending to be in a race, or in a movie, anything that makes the body want to move.

Set Achievable Goals

  • Making difficult goals can generate the fear of being unable to achieve them.
  • Aim for small achievable goals that go along with a bigger overall goal.
  • That way, there are more victories, and the motivation to keep moving is maintained.

Competition

  • Healthy competition can be a great motivator.
  • Competing with oneself for faster times, heavier weights, or more frequency can keep the inspiration going.
  • Social media and apps to compete with family and friends can also help.

Visualization

  • Athletes use visualization techniques of going through the game, match, and tournament to get themselves prepared and ready to execute what they’ve been practicing.
  • Individuals can do the same thing by picturing themselves going through their workout from beginning to end.
  • Visualize the workout and the success of finishing, and make it happen. (Fritz Renner et al., 2019)

Work Things Out

  • Exercise provides meditation time to think about problems and challenges.
  • Use the workout time to work through the problems and refocus strategies to solve them.

Process Goals

  • Choosing specific goals that are part of the workout process, like working out 3-4 times per week, is recommended compared to using outcome goals, like losing ten pounds.
  • Outcome goals can be out of the individual’s control; instead, focus on the steps to achieve the goals, which lessens stress and is a more controllable method of working out. (Kylie Wilson Darren Brookfield. 2011)

Changing lifestyle to include exercise is not easy. The most important step is having the right attitude. (Margie E. Lachman et al., 2018) Thinking about exercise as an obligation will discourage motivation. Instead, create a fitness mindset to treat exercise like a break from all the stress and a reward for the mind and body to a healthier life.


Home Exercises for Pain Relief


References

de Vries, J. D., van Hooff, M. L., Geurts, S. A., & Kompier, M. A. (2016). Exercise as an Intervention to Reduce Study-Related Fatigue among University Students: A Two-Arm Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial. PloS one, 11(3), e0152137. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152137

Bryan D. Loy, Patrick J. O’Connor & Rodney K. Dishman (2013) The effect of a single bout of exercise on energy and fatigue states: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior, 1:4, 223-242, DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2013.843266

Dolcos S, Albarracin D. (2014). The inner speech of behavioral regulation: Intentions and task performance strengthen when you talk to yourself as a You. Eur J Social Psychol. 44(6):636-642. doi:10.1002/ejsp.2048.

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What To Know About High-Intensity Interval Training | El Paso, TX.

What To Know About High-Intensity Interval Training | El Paso, TX.

Chiropractic is more than just spinal adjustments. It is a whole-body therapy that may include health supplements, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes that include exercise. By getting the patient to take specific steps, chiropractors make them a vital participant in their healing.

Exercise is outstanding for not only healing but also for the prevention of injury and certain health conditions. Regular exercise helps to reduce weight, improve flexibility, mobility, and balance, build muscle, and increase stamina. However, most people do not get enough exercise. The main reason they give is that they do not have the time. There is an exercise method, though, that can get incredible results in just 12 minutes a day or less: High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT.

What is HIIT?

High-intensity interval training is an exercise method that involves alternating segments of high-intensity activity and low-intensity activity.

After a 2-minute warm-up, you may try any of these HIIT exercises:

  • Sprint for 1 minute, walk for 2 minutes, repeat several times
  • On a stationary bike, pedal as fast as you can for 30 seconds, then slow it down for about 1 minute and repeat several times.
  • Jump rope, double time for 30 seconds, then jump-walk for 1 minute.

The thing that makes HIIT so appealing to so many patients is its adaptability. Patients can adapt it to any fitness activity that they enjoy doing. It also works much faster than most traditional exercise methods. Where most exercises must be done for an hour or more, HIIT only requires about 15 – 12 minutes, and it provides an excellent cardio workout, so it helps to increase metabolism.

In a few weeks, patients will see noticeable improvements, including weight loss, increased endurance, and more strength. It doesn’t require equipment unless the patient wants to use a bike, kettlebell, jump rope, or other devices to enhance their workout. The patient is also always in complete control. They can decide the workout level and intensity that is right for them.

high intensity interval training el paso tx.

 

Benefits of HIIT

HIIT has several tremendous benefits, including apparent weight loss and fitness-related perks. A 2012 presentation at the European Society of Cardiology revealed another advantage. Exercise activates an enzyme, telomerase, which slows the again process. HIIT stimulates the release of telomerase while reducing p53 expression, a protein that promotes premature aging, at the same time.

In other words, HIIT can help to slow or arrest the aging process. Other youth-oriented benefits of HIIT include:

  • Improved muscle tone
  • More energy
  • Firmer skin
  • Lower body fat
  • Increased libido
  • Fewer wrinkles

HIIT can also help to balance certain hormones in the body that contribute to unhealthy eating habits (such as stress eating) and weight gain. The hormones leptin and ghrelin are responsible for weight. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is often responsible for giving you munchies and causing cravings for salty, sweet, and fried foods. Leptin is the hormone that alerts your body when you’ve had enough to eat. It gives that full signal. When these two hormones are not acting as they should, it can result in obesity and other problems.

Staying fit and healthy is integral to maintaining a healthy body and spine. This is why chiropractors so often recommend HIIT. It helps to get the body healthy and fit so that when problems arise, it can significantly contribute to healing itself. If you need to drop a few pounds or want to be more appropriate, talk to your chiropractor about HIIT and get results fast.

Integrated Chiropractic & Rehab