I interact with hundreds of patients each week and get asked a lot of questions. On Fridays I like to share some of the answers I give and hope it has value for you.
Should I work through pain or soreness? I have this discussion regularly and I think it’s important. Soreness will happen anytime your body is exposed to a stimulus to which it is unaccustomed. This could be the start of exercise, a new type or form of exercise, more weight or reps, running more than usual, lifting boxes around your home, etc. Soreness is very normal and can be worked through without risk of damage. Pain is different. Examples of this would be improper motion, something feeling pinched, abnormal symptoms or basically a feeling of something not being right. These are signals your body is sending to you that something is in fact wrong. Trying to work through this is likely to cause more injury. So, soreness is fine to work through while pain is not.
I’ve heard if I get adjusted once I’ll have to get adjusted forever, is that true? I have gotten this one thousands of times and it always baffles me. Chiropractic adjustments are meant to help your body function better so that you can feel and move better. If that appeals to you then you are welcome to do it as much or as little as you like. Good nutrition, brushing your teeth, exercise, dental checkups, massage, physical therapy and much more are also meant to help you, though few people ever ask whether if they do those once they’ll need to do them forever. While an adjustment is likely to make you feel and function better, there is no process that begins after an initial adjustment that would necessitate you getting adjusted forever unless you decide you want to.
A piece of exercise and/or nutrition advice I think everyone should follow? This time of year, many are trying to eat better and exercise more. Based on my experience, here is my number one piece of advice…just start! Will you make mistakes? Yes. But you will learn from mistakes and the trial and error will help you. Many people get “paralysis by analysis” where they feel they need all the perfect information before beginning anything. Sadly, many of those people never begin at all. When I look back at my early days of exercise and eating better, I want to laugh and trust me, you would too. I really had no idea what I was doing but I stuck with it and learned from mistakes. Eventually that produced knowledge and efficiency and it will for you too. Just get started and adjust as you go.
Something useful I’ve been using? I love motivational videos on YouTube. I’m usually up by about 5am and I will often go onto YouTube first thing and start watching videos while I have a cup of coffee. After a few Rocky or Navy SEAL videos or something with Les Brown, Jocko Willink or David Goggins in it I’m fired up to start doing something physical like burpees or pushups. This really helps me get primed up for the day. Motivation can’t finish a job for you, but it can definitely help you get started so utilize it!
A quote I love? “Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” ― Bruce Lee
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