Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays I like to share some of the experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant in some way. I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.
As a chiropractor, are you for or against physical therapy? I get this often and the answer is that I’m very much for it. For whatever reason, people often think this must be a one or the other type thing, but it does not need to be. As a chiropractor, I focus on correcting underlying structural issues with the spine to impact the nervous system in a positive way. Physical therapy will focus more on stretching, strengthening, and rehabbing the musculature around it. Adjustments will help PT because you’ll be able to get stronger around better spinal alignment thus enhancing the results. Likewise, PT will help you hold your adjustments better as you address the musculature around the spine and maximize its ability to maintain proper position. Both chiropractic and physical therapy are extremely valuable, and I’ve seen excellent results over the years separately and especially when combined.
A lesson from an unlikely source? My 2-year-old son is a unique boy. One of his trademarks when he doesn’t want your help or does not want to do something is to wave at you very pleasantly and say, “bye bye.” He rarely can keep his pants or a diaper on so I’m not suggesting you follow all his advice but this one I like. Too often in life we say yes to things we know won’t help us or serve us in the long run. When we do this, it can add unnecessary stress and chaos to our lives. We get overbooked, over-worked, and have less time to focus on our true priorities. Rather than doing this time and again, we’d all be better off saying “bye bye” to some of these things. As adults we often make things very complicated but sometimes going back to the simplicity of our childhood ways is just what we need.
Any advice on eating better? One general thing I often recommend is to learn to cook about 6-10 relatively simple but healthy meals for yourself. These need not be Gordon Ramsey level dishes, just things with healthy ingredients that you’ll enjoy eating. In my experience, when people have access to healthy food, they’re more likely to eat it. When healthy food is not readily available, this is often when people turn to fast food or less nutritious choices. If cooking is not your thing, try to find takeout places that offer healthy options that you can take advantage of. Examples of dishes I like to cook are chili, steaks, acai bowls, various chicken dishes, etc. and take out options I use regularly are Chipotle and Mod Market.
A great lesson from a patient? A patient of mine has gotten involved in Jiu-jitsu for the first time and has been at it for two months. She has been working hard but has taken her lumps as well. Recently, she was unexpectedly awarded her first stripe. She was thrilled to receive it and it was like fuel to her self-confidence, drive, and commitment.
To me this reinforced 3 important lessons. First, hard work always pays off and is always noticed eventually. Second, you gain far more self-respect when you must struggle to earn something as opposed to when it’s just given to you. Finally, we should all challenge ourselves more often to try something new that we’re not instantly or naturally good at. Having the courage to try our hand at a new skill or new project is good for us – it keeps us humble, improves our focus and keeps us driven.
Some quotes I love?
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
“We’re born with a killer instinct that you can’t just turn off and on like some radio. We have to be in the middle of the action because we’re the warriors. And without some challenge, some damn war to fight then the warrior may as well be dead.” – Apollo Creed
“In the beginning of change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.” – Mark Twain
Want more?
- Don’t forget to follow Dr. Kenney on Instagram @Coloradochiropractor
- To see previous Friday 5 Spots, visit www.newbodychiro.com and go to “blog”
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