One of our core principles that we believe in at Premier Sports Chiropractic and Recovery is that exercise and movement are vital in the recovery process from injury.
“Movement is medicine” is a phrase that gets used a lot and in reality is a catchy saying. But, is it true? How can we use movement as a means to help with pain? How can movement really be used as medicine?
Any time we experience pain, it is essentially the body telling itself that there is something wrong. Our body uses pain as a protective mechanism to help guard us from adverse movements. Pain can be accompanied by various other effects such as inflammation, decreased range of motion, numbness and tingling, etc.
At first, it may seem counterintuitive to engage in exercise and physical activity while experiencing pain. But, there are numerous research studies that have shown that when applied appropriately, exercise can have a beneficial effect on reducing pain and improving overall function.
When we exercise or perform any kind of physical activity, we release hormones called endorphins. Endorphins naturally reduce pain perception, reduce stress levels, and improve both physical and mental health. When endorphins are released in the body, they block the transmission of various pain signals which ultimately helps decrease pain perception in the body and gives the patient an overall sense of well-being.
As mentioned before, it is important to remember that exercise recommendations for patients must be applied appropriately. Which is why we take our patients through various different exercises and movements in order to determine which one’s are the most beneficial for their injury.
Once pain has decreased and the patient can tolerate more extensive movement, we can begin implementing specific exercises to help strengthen the problem area. By strengthening the area, we can build a strong and resilient body that helps reduce the occurrence of injury.
By understanding how the body moves and functions, Dr. Vincent is able to prescribe and tailor specific rehabilitation exercises for each patient. We utilize different methods of rehabilitation including stability and mobility drills, balance exercises, and use strength and conditioning principles to help bring strength, stability, and function back to the body.
Utilizing these techniques in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and other modalities in our office helps patients get out of pain, and get back to moving efficiently and effectively.
Dr. Vincent Youngross, DC
