Smart Snacking
As chiropractors, we don’t just help to get you healthy—we want to help you stay healthy, too. Sometimes, this goes beyond adjustments and considers diet.
Admit it or not, everyone snacks—but not always healthily. Here are a few tips to help you snack smarter.
1. Keep chewing. Did you know that a fully chewed bite can mean moving your jaw up and down 40 times? Studies show that people who chew thoroughly feel fuller than those who skimp on chewing.
2. Fill gaps with snacks. Finding it hard to fit in the recommended servings of fruits and veggies each day? Consider snacking on frozen grapes or celery with peanut butter to fill nutritional gaps in your diet.
3. Plan your snacks. The brown-bag approach never fails. Pack your snacks yourself so you aren’t stuck running to a vending machine for sugar-laden munchies when hunger strikes.
Exercise For the Elderly
Aging means celebrating the best years of your life with the ones you love. For some, it might mean traveling. For others, relaxing. Whatever it means to you, making time for exercise in your elder years is crucial.
To start, it’s important to condition the mind to accept the challenges that may come with physical exertion.
Don’t do this by setting out to run five miles after a year of inactivity. Instead, set small goals like adding a quarter-mile to your walk each day until you feel like you’re back in the workout groove. This will also help you avoid unnecessary injury.
To improve balance and lower the likelihood of falls during activity, consider getting adjusted. Many seniors consult our practice to improve joint range of motion, reduce postural issues and increase a sense of well-being. The health of your spine plays an important role in your health and vitality.
Do’s and Don’ts of Back Pain
Got back pain? You’re not alone. Consider these do’s and don’ts to help you get through it.
DO: Strengthen your core. Regular exercise strengthens important core muscle groups including obliques, pelvic floor and deep abdominals.
DON’T: Sleep on your stomach. Stomach sleepers put the largest amount of pressure on their spine, head and neck at night, leading to pain during the day.
DO: Stay hydrated. Because most of our body is water, it needs proper, steady intake to keep it functioning properly. If you’re thirsty, you’ve waited too long.
DON’T: Sit for long periods of time. If you sit behind a desk all day set a reminder to get up and move at least once each hour.
DO: Get your spine checked. You shouldn’t have to live in pain, and chiropractic care can help correct the underlying issue.