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.
What causes the “cracking” noise during an adjustment? It doesn’t offend me, but I’ve never liked the term “cracking” when talking about an adjustment because nothing is cracking or breaking. The sound occurs (with certain chiropractic techniques) when a joint is moved. As this happens, a little bit of air and nitrogen are released from the joint and thus the sound is heard. Just like if you press into your knuckles it can cause that sound, the spine works the same way.
A recent observation? I have a friend that coaches a flag football team of young kids. His team is currently undefeated and this past weekend their opponents showed up to the game and willingly forfeited because they expected to lose badly. All expect one of the parents on the forfeiting team supported this decision and I found this horrible to say the least. In sports and in life, it is never fun to lose but losing is a great teacher. Losing teaches us what needs to be improved and makes us re-evaluate what we’re doing to get there. It also gives us an appreciation for success and winning and how challenging it can be to attain it. I think the faulty message that was sent to that group of kids with that ridiculous forfeit was that unless you’re sure you can win, it’s not worth trying. It also told them that no one thought they could handle it if they tried and failed. Making things too soft for kids (and adults) only makes them soft and weak, take a loss and move on.
Something I’d recommend more people do? I am a huge fan of doing some type of exercise in the morning. This does not have to necessarily be your main workout or anything super lengthy or intense, just something to get moving. I believe this gives you a tremendous edge as you begin your day. You feel refreshed, more alert and like you are ahead of schedule already. I now do a 10-20-minute moderate intensity workout without any equipment each morning for this reason and it gets me ready for the day. Give it a try, you will be glad you did!
Is there something you recommend for improving posture? There are 3 main recommendations I make regarding posture. First, focus on keeping your breastbone up. This simple step helps the rest of the body to naturally get into healthier positions. Second, create what I call “postural checkpoints.” For example, when you’re driving or at your desk you may find that you tend to slouch. Going forward, when you hit a stoplight or as you complete a portion of a task at work, remind yourself to sit up straight. If you begin doing this, soon it will become intuitive and will greatly improve your posture. Finally, receive chiropractic checkups on a regular basis. Much of our poor posture is a response to having misalignments in the spine and our bodies adapting bad positions to accommodate them. Therefore, a regular tune-up here and there can prevent and/or fix this.
A quote I love? “How you do anything is how you do everything.”
Want more?
- Don’t forget to follow Dr. Kenney on Instagram @Coloradochiropractor
- Check us out on Facebook under New Body Chiropractic