Performing Your Best

Bottom Line:

You don’t need to be a pro athlete to have a desire to perform your best, but the link between Chiropractic and performance was discovered by some of the most popular athletes in the world. The difference between winning and losing is often razor thin, and athletes are always on the lookout for anything that can help them perform their best. What used to be a “secret” of athletes like Babe Ruth over 60 years ago has now become the standard for nearly every professional sports team. Chiropractic care is a crucial part of the team, helping athletes stay in the game and perform their best.

Why it Matters:

Performing your best starts with feeling good. Simply put, you can’t perform your best in pain, and Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to help reduce discomfort. Over the past ten years, researchers have seen some exciting benefits of Chiropractic care, including the potential for improved strength and balance. Recent studies have started to examine how Chiropractic adjustments can positively impact the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). Researchers refer to these as changes in cortical drive and biochemical markers - we call it awesome!

-       Nearly every major professional sports team has a Chiropractor on staff to help the athletes achieve their best performance.

-       Strength (or cortical drive) has been shown to increase for a short time following a Chiropractic adjustment.

-       The chemistry of the brain, or biochemical markers (such as oxytocin and neurotensin) can change as a result of an adjustment.

Next Steps:

Part of performing at your best is having an excellent healthcare team behind you. With Chiropractic as part of your life, you’ve taken a significant first step, but sometimes finding great medical doctors can be tough. As you put together your all-star team, don’t hesitate to ask us if you’re looking for a referral. We’re proud to work with the best healthcare providers in the area and would love to direct you to someone who can help keep you performing your best.

Science Source:  The effects of a single session of spinal manipulation on strength and cortical drive in athletes. European journal of Applied Physiology. 2018

Changes in biochemical markers following spinal manipulation-a systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2017

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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Injury Prevention

Bottom Line:

Have you ever been excited to start a new exercise program, shed a few pounds, and get in shape? It’s incredible, until about 2-3 weeks in when you suffer an injury, take a few days off and then never quite get back on track. Does this story sound familiar? You’re not alone. It happens all the time. So let’s take a look at how you can get active, reach your goals, and avoid those pesky injuries during those first few weeks.

Why it Matters:

While it’s impossible to avoid every potential injury, a balance of spinal strength and flexibility can help dramatically reduce your likelihood of getting injured.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your body. Long term strength is built through repetition. While there is a time and place for loading with max weight, if you are just getting started in a workout routine, it’s usually best to start slow by using lighter weights and working towards increasing your repetitions. Flexibility is the second key to staying injury free. Whether you are stretching during long work hours at the computer, practicing yoga on the weekends, or using Chiropractic care to improve your spinal (and extremity) range of motion, it’s essential to view flexibility as a journey rather than a destination. Every day that you take a proactive step with your strength and flexibility, you are reducing the chance of an injury, making progress towards your goals, and living a healthier life.

-       Stretching can improve your flexibility and decrease your risk of injury.

-       Dynamic (or movement-based) warm-ups have been shown to potentially enhance performance.

-       Strength training can increase your resilience and prepare your body for activity.

Next Steps:

We understand that everyone has unique health goals. If you have a specific question about injury prevention based on the activities you love, ask! We believe that by taking a proactive approach with your health and wellness, you can have a more inspired and fulfilling life, and we’ll be here for you every step of the way.  

Science Source: Mayo Clinic: Stretching: Focus on Flexibility. 2017

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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The Intersection of Crossfit and Chiropractic

Bottom Line:

If you’re into Crossfit, then you know how addicting it can become. The mix of high-intensity interval training with a little competition can help you stay motivated and make amazing changes to your body. The key to success is staying consistent with your workouts, but it can be challenging if you start to suffer injuries.

Why it Matters:

Injuries can often occur when your body doesn’t have the correct balance of strength and flexibility. Muscles tears, sprain and strains, and even painful arthritic changes can flare up by either lifting too much weight or by not having enough flexibility to support that weight through a full range of motion. So, here a few tips to reduce the likelihood of injuries:

-       Take a few minutes to stretch before and after your workout.

-       Increase the weight you lift slowly and focus on reps vs. max weight.

-       Use good posture and ergonomics during your workouts. Don’t “cheat” and increase your risk of an injury

Next Steps:

Researchers have discovered that a combination of proper warm up/cool down, a full range of motion and progressive intensity training can help reduce injuries when strength training. One of the most effective ways to improve your spinal mobility and flexibility is through Chiropractic care. Adjustments to your spine and extremities have been shown to increase their range of motion and may help you find that perfect balance of strength and flexibility. 

Science Source: Short-term effect of spinal manipulation on pain perception, spinal mobility, and full height recovery in male subjects with degenerative disk disease: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2014

Progressive resistance strength training and the related injuries in older adults: the susceptibility of the shoulder. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2014

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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Why Growing Up Regular is a Good Thing

Bottom Line:

Constipation is a common issue many for children. It also stinks for parents. No one enjoys luring their child to the potty with a reward hanging in the balance for a job well done. But, for many families, the frequency of bowel movements with your child can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Fortunately, most cases of constipation aren’t a medical emergency and can be resolved without the use of medications.

Why it Matters:

Passing a large, dry stool isn’t fun. And if your child is fearful that it may hurt, then he/she may try a variety of tactics to avoid going. This becomes a vicious cycle that leads to more abdominal pain and constipation. So how do you break the cycle? A combination of high-fiber foods, plenty of fluids, exercise, and even Chiropractic care have been shown to improve the regularity of children.

·       High-Fiber Foods: foods that are high in fiber can help prevent gas and bloating.

·       Exercise: regular physical activity and exercise can reinforce normal bowel function.

·       Chiropractic: researchers have children may have an increased frequency of bowel movement after receiving Chiropractic adjustments.

Next Steps:

Encouraging your child to take time out from play and regularly use the toilet is an excellent first step towards overcoming issues with constipation. By keeping an eye on their diet, establishing daily routines, and using other forms of natural care (such as Chiropractic), your child should be on track to grow up regular!

Science Source: Successful resolution of chronic constipation in pediatric patients with adjustments to sites of vertebral subluxation. Clinical Chiropractic. 2008. Constipation in Children. Mayo Clinic. 2018

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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