8 Wonderful Ways A Healthy Diet Benefits Your Life

It’s hard to turn on the television or cruise the internet without being bombarded with headlines about “Americans don’t sleep enough” or “one third of adults are obese.”

While stress, heredity, and smoking are all factors that play into a person’s well being, one of the biggest is a healthy diet. Choosing to eat healthy benefits the body in a number of key areas. Still gobbling up the pizza and slurping down the diet soda, unconvinced? See if these eight points about a healthy diet change your mind.

1. Strengthens and improves muscle function

Healthy muscles carry us where we want to go. The right foods, along with proper exercise, build and maintain muscle mass, maintaining strength and mobility.

2. Promotes a longer life

Feeding your body what it needs can add years to your life. Reducing stress is one way to promote health, and a healthy diet is another. Foods rich in minerals and vitamins build up every cell in your body, preparing it to fight illness and stay alive longer.

3. Enables richer years

An individual who is healthy maintains a higher level of physical activity and brain function than their less healthy peers. A stronger body provides a richer life with more unique experiences.

4. Makes you prettier

If you won’t eat healthy for your insides, maybe a better outside will motivate some dietary changes. We all want to be physically attractive. Healthy foods contribute to clear skin and shiny hair that no amount of high priced beauty products provides. Fueling the body with rich omega fatty and other healthy foods nourishes skin, hair, and nails.

5. Makes you smarter

Research shows certain dietary choices power up your brain to function at a higher level, and help everyday brain function. Introducing “brain foods” into your diet aid with memory retention and problem solving skills.

This is one of the best reasons to commit to a healthy diet of vitamin-rich foods, as a healthy brain allows a much more active and independent lifestyle, from working longer to being able to drive.

6. Decreases your injury risk

A high-functioning body with strong bones and muscles maintains balance, handles heavy loads, and holds up under stress better than its weaker counterparts. Muscles and bones lacking calcium and protein over time grow weaker.

This, unfortunately, causes the body to be less stable and more prone to injury. Falls, slips, and twists end up with more serious injuries if a person’s body isn’t strong and healthy.

7. Fights bad genes

If you are already worried about the cancer that runs on mom’s side or the heart attack risk that runs on dad’s side, take heart. While you can’t change your DNA, you can use a healthy diet to combat some of your genetic disposition to disease.

Ingraining a healthy diet into your life, as well as exercise and regular doctor checkups, helps minimize the risk of falling victim to your family’s predisposed illnesses.

If you end up with an illness, whether or not from heredity, a healthy diet….

8. Prepares you to fight illness

A nutrient-rich diet boosts a person’s immune system to be able to fight off infection and illness. When a person falls victim to a disease or other medical condition, their diet helps them fight it off so it hopefully doesn’t get worse and is cured quickly.

A healthy diet is integral to a long, happy life. Deciding to eat healthy and maintain that commitment consistently may seem like a big change in lifestyle at first, but it will benefit you and your loved ones in ways that are practically immeasurable.

Dr. David Ness is a sports chiropractor practicing in NY since 1988, and New Paltz, NY since 2002. Dr. Ness serves has served as the official chiropractor for the Army West Point football team since 2015.

 

How Asthma Sufferers Can Breathe Easier With Chiropractic Care

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that has afflicted more people in the last 20 years than ever. Some doctors attribute the increase to the pollutants in the air, the changes in the modern diet, and lack of adequate ventilation in homes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, asthma symptoms vary by individuals and may be mild, severe, or somewhere in between. Shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, along with a wheezing sound when exhaling are common asthma symptoms. Common treatments include inhalers and other medications.

With the millions of asthma sufferers seeking relief, non-traditional treatments have emerged in addition to the everyday remedies. One of the alternatives that has shown positive results is chiropractic care.

A person who suffers from asthma can enjoy multiple benefits from chiropractic. Four of the top benefits chiropractic care can bring to asthma patients are the following:

Reducing the frequency of attacks

Over time, spinal adjustments can help some asthma sufferers decrease the number of attacks. When a spine is in alignment, energy flows through the nerves to the person’s organs. A nonaligned spine can cause the energy to fail to flow through the nerve endings as effectively, and a host of issues can arise.

The lungs can suffer when the spine is not aligned. Chiropractors are able to treat the spine so that, over time, it aligns. In some cases, this helps lung function and decreases the number of asthma attacks.

Stimulating air flow

The lungs are obviously vital for breathing, but the airway and diaphragm also play a part. Both of these can be hindered by a spine that is not aligned.

When a chiropractor works with a patient to align the spine, the airways and diaphragm can move more freely, allowing better airflow. While this is not a cure for asthma, in many cases stimulating a body’s airflow can help decrease the suffering the chronic condition causes.

Boosting the immune system

A significant number of asthma attacks are brought on and exacerbated by an individual’s low immune system. Chiropractic care helps increase the effectiveness of the immune system.

Think of it this way: The autonomic nervous system is connected to the body’s immune system by way of the endocrine system. When the spine is out of line, it can affect the immune system.

If a person suffers from chronic asthma attacks, this could be the time when he or she has an episode. A chiropractor who can align the spine can create a positive domino effect. The nervous system improves, the immune system improves, and the asthma attacks decrease.

Working in conjunction with traditional asthma medication

People with asthma commonly use inhalers and steroids to manage their symptoms. Chiropractic care is non-invasive and works with these treatments to lessen the instances and severity of attacks.

A study by Michigan Chiropractic Council showed that asthma sufferers who went through 30 days of chiropractic treatments reported a 70% reduction in medication.

Patients who commit to chiropractic can sometimes manage the symptoms of asthma more naturally, and lessen their dependence on medications. (It’s important to note that patients should never go off medications on their own. Always speak to a doctor before changing medications).

Asthma patients fortunately have a variety of treatment options. For those who don’t respond to traditional medication, or who wish to decrease their dosage, non-traditional choices like chiropractic may be the answer.

It’s advisable to speak to both your medical doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic about your asthma symptoms. By having both disciplines co-manage your case, you’ll work toward a healthier outcome, possibly even without the use of drugs. Give Dr. Ness a call to learn more.

Dr. David Ness is a sports chiropractor practicing in NY since 1988, and New Paltz since 2002. Dr. Ness is the official chiropractor for the football team at United States Military Academy at West Point since 2015. Dr. Ness also provides chiropractic care at Marist College and Vassar College during the school year.

How Losing Weight Can Help Reduce Back Pain for Chiropractic Patients

Back pain is one of the most common and most troublesome problems that people experience. Eight out of 10 individuals will struggle with back pain during some point in their life, the US National Library of Medicine reports. Low and chronic back pain can be aggravated by many triggers. Mechanical stress, excessive strain, muscle weakness, poor sleeping position, lack of exercise and excessive weight could all contribute to making the situation worse.

The good news is that chiropractic ranks among the most popular and effective treatment options available today for back pain. Through the chiropractic adjustment, chiropractors not only help ease the pain but also work toward correcting the problem. According to chiropractors, spinal adjustments can deliver even better results when combined with weight loss.

In today’s article, we’ll exam the following:

  1. How Obesity and Back Pain are Related
  2. How Weight Loss Helps Reduce Back Pain
  3. Improving Back Health through Chiropractic

How Obesity and Back Pain are Related

Individuals that are classified as overweight or obese are much more likely to experience back pain than people that aren’t according to the American Obesity Association.

Obesity prevents individuals from engaging in everyday physical activities, as well as healthy exercises. These are essential for strengthening the core muscles. A stronger core can take some of the burden away from the back, thus making back pain less likely.

In addition, the spinal discs becomes excessively burdened in the case of obese individuals. This is because it’s trying to compensate for the additional weight, which can cause tilting and uneven stress. Both of these can contribute to serious and chronic back pain. Thus the reason obesity is one of the most prominent aggravating factors in the case of lower back pain.

How Weight Loss Helps Reduce Back Pain

According to weight loss experts and chiropractors, weight loss can contribute to partial or complete reduction in the back pain symptoms. The research on the connection between weight loss and back pain is still insufficient but numerous practitioners report that they’ve seen cases of patients experiencing serious reduction in pain after losing weight.

Obviously, this occurs because the extra weight is taken off the spine. As a result, the spine doesn’t experience further stress. Especially when a chiropractor realigns the vertebral column through multiple sessions of chiropractic adjustments.

According to the American Spine Society, individuals that stay within 10 pounds of their ideal weight are the ones least likely to experience spinal problems, particularly chronic lower back pain.

Improving Back Health through Chiropractic Care and Physical Activity

The combination of exercise and chiropractic care can produce noticeable, long-term improvements in spinal health.

Besides aiding in weight loss, exercise is also great for strengthening the core muscles and guaranteeing a proper distribution of the body’s weight throughout the spine. Stronger muscles, less weight and better posture will provide amazing long-term benefits for chiropractic patients that suffer from back pain.

If you need more pointers on how to incorporate weight loss and exercise in your daily routine, speak to your local chiropractor. He or she is more than competent to guide you along the way. If you aren’t currently seeing a chiropractor, give Dr. Ness a call. We’re here to help!

5 Exercise Tips For Chiropractic Patients To Speed Healing And Maintain Health

Female runner jogging during outdoor workout on beach.

Chiropractic care is designed to alleviate pain and restore the body to its natural balance. For chiropractors, injury prevention is key for a healthy body. Good practices combined with solid exercises creates toned muscles that protect the body and spine from harm. While each patient receives exercise instructions for their specific condition, the following exercise tips for chiropractic patients apply to everyone.

Do Take Time To Warm Up Before Exercising

Before starting any exercises, it’s important to warm up. A series of dynamic moves will boost your heart rate and heat up the muscles that you will be using during your work out.

Select whole body movements such as leg lunges paired with arm motion or walk in place while raising and lowering your arms. Once you’ve warmed up, you can safely stretch without risk of injury.

Introduce Ergonomics Into Your Home And Work Space

One of the most important exercise tips for chiropractic patients is to take steps to keep your body in alignment as you move through your day. In the workplace, check with an ergonomics consultant to ensure proper positioning, especially if you spend most of the day seated or doing repetitive tasks.

A comfortable chair reduces muscle strain and prevents injury. Make sure that your feet sit firmly on the floor and that lumbar support is in place. Also, make sure you get up frequently at work to stretch. If possible set up a standing desk. At home, you should have a good mattress and supportive furniture.

Choose The Right Shoes

Before you buy your next pair of shoes, check for proper arch support, stability, flexibility, and comfort. During your test drive, make sure that the shoes feel firmly in place as you move through your entire range of motion for a stable gait during wear.

Footwear should be flexible enough to give easily at the base of the toe for a smooth gait, and there should be cushioning at all the right places with plenty of room for the toes to move, and proper arch support. Shoes that properly fit your feet means that your walk will be more natural and healthy during exercise and in daily motion.

Sit And Stand With Posture In Mind

Perhaps the biggest reason that these exercise tips for chiropractic patients are so important is that strong and flexible muscles will help you have good posture. Be mindful of the following as you move through your day:

  • When sitting, your feet should be on the floor, your shoulders should be relaxed, and your forearms should remain parallel with the ground.
  • If you will be standing for a time, make sure that you maintain posture by tucking your stomach muscles in.
  • When standing for an especially long period of time, be sure to shift your weight from one foot to the other and from the heels to the toes and back again.

These simple tips for maintaining good posture will passively work your muscles and result in a healthier spine.

Passive Stretches For Large Muscles

Finally, it is important to target large muscle groups with passive exercises. Use your weight to slowly stretch your hamstrings, your piriformis, and your entire back. Passive stretching is gentle and relieves stress points that cause back pain. These gentle exercises provide a great deal of relief and are easily adjusted to suit your current ability.

Dr. Ness will work with you to design an exercise program that is optimal for you. Be sure to follow through with the plan and include these tips in your regular work out to experience the joy of healing from chiropractic care.