Does The Mirror Lie?
Does The Mirror Lie?Some of the most challenging patients are athletes. Many base their health directly on their performance. “I can outrun you, I have less body fat than you and look better at the beach, therefore, I am healthier than you.” This is a very erroneous supposition.
Exercise and proper nutrition are certainly a large part of the pie that makes up your health. However, relying solely on these two with such religious fervor is like taking a few verses of the Bible out of context and using only them to live your life by. “But it says ‘Cast the first stone’ so you better DUCK! Wait, am I reading that right?”
Let’s cut right to the chase.
There is a lot more to keeping yourself healthy than destroying every inch of flab on your body in an effort to attain “Hulk” status, minus the green skin. The reality is that your ability to be healthy relies on your body’s ability to adapt to stress and remain balanced in a state of homeostasis so that everything and I emphasize EVERYTHING, functions the way it should. E.g. being able to crack walnuts with your butt cheeks isn’t terribly beneficial if you’re constipated for weeks from eating nothing but Monster drinks mixed with protein powder and creatine.
Sports Chiropractic
Now for those of you that think I’m only writing this because I have “Muscle Up Envy” (FYI that’s a Crossfit joke) I’m not trying to downplay the importance of exercise. However, it’s important to realize that 6 pack abs or running a marathon, although not bad goals are not perfect and clear reflections of health. Professional sports are littered with examples of athletes who developed testicular cancer, breast cancer, Parkison’s, Heart Disease etc. Sadly I found many of these examples in an article titled “Even Healthy People Get Sick”. To which I would say, “mmmm are you sure about that?”
Right about now, most of you are not happy with me. You’re probably thinking of a friend or family member that is sick, got sick, or died of something that you were told was either just bad luck or genetics. Bottom line is that we’re all going to die eventually and perfect health is as attainable in our current world as the fountain of youth. But just don’t forget that while all that muscly goodness may be nice to look at it’s not the only thing that is necessary to keep you functioning optimally.
The whole argument can be summed up in one statement.
Athleticism and health are NOT one in the same. Remember that word homeostasis? It’s synonymous with balance. Balance is NOT being able to squat a Volkswagen. The athletes that make millions do so because their accomplishments are so far outside of the norm. They have to push and often abuse their bodies in a way most of us are not willing to do, just so that they can be the best at a particular physical task. This certainly does not mean that all professional athletes or even the best athletes are not healthy, it’s just important to understand that being more athletic does not guarantee better health.
You cannot find balance if you ignore any one factor responsible for your health. So here they are:
Optimal Nerve function
Optimal Nutrition
Optimal Exercise
Optimal Mental State
Minimal Toxins
You must respect ALL of these to find balance and good health.
Most of us are aware of at least two or three of these and honestly, some of us don’t even make an effort to focus on them let alone all five. But for those of you who think you’re the “bee’s knees” you need to more than look in the mirror. You many need to look on your plate, in your head, in your medicine cabinet (yes Rx drugs are toxins) and more commonly look at your spine!
Most of us are aware of at least two or three of these and honestly, some of us don’t even make an effort to focus on them let alone all five. But for those of you who think you’re the “bee’s knees” you need to more than look in the mirror. You many need to look on your plate, in your head, in your medicine cabinet (yes Rx drugs are toxins) and more commonly look at your spine!
Nerve function is often the black sheep of these pillars of health. After all, you “know your body”. Well if that’s the case I’d be happy to give anyone who’s never had x-rays of their spine 100 to 1 odds that they have no clue what their spine looks like. That’s why we take them. Even posture, while often touted as “a window to the spine” does not give a full picture of all the rooms in the house. That’s why chiropractic is essential for optimal health, 22’ biceps or not.
Sports Chiropractic seeks to help improve the balance of your body and, in turn, your health by allowing your nervous system to send and receive messages more efficiently and without interference or nerve irritation. The best way to do this is by utilizing structurally focused care which goes beyond traditional chiropractic care. Corrective Chiropractic in Greenville, NC has Eastern North Carolina’s premiere structurally focused chiropractor. If you want to find out where and how you can improve your health call to set up a consultation today.
