Outdoor Activities That Are Good For Your Back
Houston Chiropractor Comments: When patients recover from their injuries, it is common that they as me “What are some outdoor activities that are good for my back?”
Outdoor activities like walking, hiking, biking, and gardening are beneficial for spinal health as they promote low-impact movement, strengthen core muscles, and improve overall fitness. These activities help reduce back pain and support a healthy spine without excessive stress.
Here’s a more detailed look at these spine-friendly activities:
Walking:
- Walking is a natural and safe form of exercise that is great for the spine.
- It improves cardiovascular health and helps maintain a healthy weight, which reduces stress on the spine.
- Walking can be done at various paces and distances, making it suitable for different fitness levels.
Hiking:
- Hiking is a low-impact cardiovascular activity that activates core muscles to maintain balance and stability.
- It strengthens muscles around the spine and improves overall fitness, which can reduce back pain.
- Hiking on varied terrain provides a more challenging workout while being gentle on the joints.
Biking:
- Biking is a low-impact exercise that is gentle on the spine, offering a good workout without excessive jarring.
- It can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and increase flexibility.
- Biking on scenic trails can make the experience enjoyable and motivating.
Gardening:
- Gardening provides a gentle form of exercise that involves bending, twisting, and lifting.
- It can strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote overall health.
- Gardening can be done at a variety of levels of intensity, allowing for customization based on individual needs.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Is it worth visiting a chiropractor if I have no pain?
Houston Chiropractor Comments: While most patients visit our Houston, TX office because of some form of pain, pain is not always the best way to determine your health. A lot of problems can exist for a long period of time before a patient notices pain. Heart problems and cancer typically have been present for a while before the patient notices any pain. In our office we see patients coming in with an extensive amount of arthritic degeneration that occurred before they noticed pain.
Similar to the check engine light in a car, people will say that they noticed various symptoms for a while, but they thought it was normal. Some patients had attributed it to “just getting older”.
Here are some reasons for visiting a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
- Preventive Care:
Even if you don’t feel pain now, misalignment can be a precursor to pain later. Chiropractic adjustments can address these issues before they become significant problems.
- Improved Overall Health:
Regular chiropractic care can optimize the nervous system, leading to improved function of the entire body.
- Enhanced Performance:
Chiropractic care can improve flexibility, range of motion, and overall physical performance.
- Better Sleep:
Improved posture and spinal alignment can contribute to better sleep quality.
- Stress Management:
Chiropractic care can help manage stress by optimizing the nervous system.
- Addressing Underlying Issues:
Chiropractors can identify and address issues like tight muscles, limited flexibility, and aching joints, even if they are not causing immediate pain.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
New Year Resolutions
Houston Chiropractor Comments: It is that time of the year again. The start of a new year. This is the time of the year when people tend to make resolutions about what action steps they will take to reach their goals.
One of the most common resolutions involves their health. These resolutions typically involve losing weight, exercising more, eating better, or drinking less alcohol.
Here are some action steps that you can take to help you succeed in your resolutions.
First, make sure that you are getting enough GOOD sleep. Studies have shown that the best rest is in a cool, dark room in a bed with enough support. It is helpful to put away your phone or iPad before going to bed and to refrain from caffeine. A good night’s rest will help to lower your blood pressure and to reduce inflammation.
Second, is to resolve to stop using tobacco and to minimize your use of alcohol and caffeine. This will help you to reduce your stress level, help you sleep better and prevent consumption of empty calories.
Third is to reduce the amount of stress you have. Stress can increase the chance of a stroke or a heart attack. Take time to exercise, walk, talk to a friend, read a book or just practice meditation. All these things will help reduce your stress levels.
Fourth is to get a checkup from your chiropractor and other health care providers. These doctors can answer your health questions and give you important information. Your chiropractic doctor will make sure that your joints are properly aligned and that you are able to move to your full potential. Your other doctor can check your lab results to see if you need to change your diet or need medication management.
The final goal is to make sure that you are at your ideal weight. For most people this means losing weight. Being overweight can lead to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol or blood clots. Most people find greater success by focusing on lifestyle modification instead of just dieting. By eating healthily and exercising you can’t help but to lose weight. With a variety of apps and devices available, it helps to keep you focused on modifying your activities and caloric intake.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
How To Pick The Best Backpack For School
Houston Chiropractor Comments: This is the time of the year that parents start to look for school backpacks for their children. These backpacks, while necessary for carrying all their school supplies, tend to be poorly designed for the size of the students. The backpacks often place an excessive strain on their necks and upper backs. Over a period-of-time, the extra weight can distort the natural spinal curvatures.
This distortion can lead to:
- Rounding of the shoulders
- Causing irritation and muscle strain of the rib cage and spinal joints
- Cause the child to lean forward which can reduce their balance and make them more susceptible to falls
The problems with the backpack can be made worse by only utilizing one strap. Doing this causes the child to lean to one side and puts the muscles under non-symmetrical strain.
There is not a consensus among doctors on the correct amount of weight that a child can carry or the perfect backpack design, but parents should use common sense in choosing the best backpack for your child.
Look for backpack design features that help reduce the chance of back pain:
- Lightweight material (canvas as opposed to leather)
- Two padded, wide (2-inches), adjustable shoulder straps on the backpack
- Padded back
- Individualized compartments
- Hip strap, waist belt, or frame to redistribute the weight of the backpack from the shoulders and back to the pelvis
- Wheels so that the backpack can be pulled rather than carried
- Consider using a separate bag for the child’s laptop or other heavier electronic items
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Does Dehydration Affect Your Spine?
Houston Chiropractor Comments: As the weather heats back up here in Texas, we run the risk of becoming dehydrated by not making sure that we drink enough water and fluids. This can cause a variety of health concerns.
Our body is composed of up to 50% water and when you are not properly hydrated, you can begin to suffer from dehydration. Typically, you will first notice headaches and dizziness, but it can also result in back and joint pain.
Dehydration has a direct affect on our spine, since it pulls fluids from all areas of the body to support the brain. This leaves the joints, discs, and other connective tissues weak and unable to properly support and cushion the bones. Water helps to hydrate discs located between your vertebrae in your spine and prevents your tendons, ligaments, and muscles from becoming stiff and tight.
If you have chronic dehydration that has affected your spine, it can take 1-2 months to properly rehydrate your discs. You cannot just drink more water for a day or two and correct the problem, you will pee out the extra water before it gets absorbed. It needs to be a gradual increase and then maintained.
Make sure to drink water, milk, or fruit juices before you feel thirsty. Snack on water-rich fruits like melons and berries and minimized drinks like sodas.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
How To Improve Your Health And Fitness In 2024
Houston Chiropractor Comments: As a new year begins, people have goals of improving themselves. A common goal is to improve one’s health and fitness. As a doctor of chiropractic, this is the one that I hear about the most.
To help your spine and prevent injuries you should do activities that increase your strength and your flexibility.
For anyone who has been a patient of mine, I always emphasize flexibility. The more flexible you are, the less likely you are to sprain or strain a muscle or ligament. Some good ways to increase your flexibility is through stretching, Pilates, yoga, or tai chi. The benefit of this is to allow the muscle and joint to go through their full range of motion. Like the adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” that is true of your muscle and ligament elasticity.
To strengthen your body, you need to do any activity that makes you work harder than normal. You can either use your body weight for exercises or use some form of resistance. For body weight training you can do push-ups, sit-ups, squats, cycling, or stair climbing. For resistance exercises you can use weights or resistance bands.
Gradually build up the time that you are strengthening your body. Have a goal of performing the exercises and stretches both for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week. Mix in some aerobic activities such as walking or running for 20 minutes a day and you will have a good foundation for your health and fitness.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Thanksgiving
Houston Chiropractor comments: This is the time of the year that we reflect on people and events and we give thanks. Sometimes it is easy to think of all the wonderful blessings that we have been given and other times we need to think hard to find positive events.
After being in practice since 1990 here in Clear Lake City, TX, I realize just how blessed I am.
First, I am thankful for my family. Without their support and encouragement, I would not have been able to follow my dream of being able to help patients get well without the need of drugs or surgery.
Second, I am thankful for my amazing employees. Having a small group of assistants that have each worked for several years has greatly eased my stress. One employee has worked here for 16 years! Their input and feedback have been invaluable.
Finally, I am thankful for all my wonderful patients. Knowing that thousands of patients have trusted their health to me and referred their friends and families is heart-warming. I have also enjoyed having several of you becoming friends as well. I have been able to learn about other countries and cultures as well as differing views of society.
Thanks again for a wonderful 2023 and looking forward to an equally enjoyable 2024.
Ward Beecher DC
The Chiropractor’s Effect On Emotional Health
Houston Chiropractor Comments: An aspect of chiropractic care that most people do not expect is the effect that we can have on a patient’s emotional health. The effect is similar to what some people feel when they get a massage, the emotions just come out. It can be very cathartic for the patient.
When I was an intern during my chiropractic training, several of us noted that a patient would start laughing or crying after we worked on a muscle or performed a chiropractic adjustment on them. This because some patients tend to store their stress and tension in specific muscles or areas of the spine.
Over time I have noticed that if a specific injury keeps someone from doing the things they like, that area has a greater probability of storing emotional trauma. Patients that have had a chronic joint problem that caused them to stop playing their favorite sport will sometimes have an emotional release when they are finally able to move their joint and return to the sport that they love. One of the more common areas is when people have repeatedly twisted their ankle. When we can restore their joint range of motion or breakup the scar tissue in their ankle or calf muscles the tears of joy are very rewarding.
The most extreme emotions I have noticed are from patients that have been taking care of a loved one for months or years. They have so much stress and tension built up in their body that when it is finally released the emotions just flow out. This is another part of the healing process, but most people do not like to talk about.
Not only does the chiropractic adjustment help increase the joints range of motion, it can help reduce the tension in the muscle, and allow endorphins to be released to aid in the complete healing of the patient.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
School Sports Physicals
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: As we get closer to the fall school activities starting, we wish to remind Intermediate and High School students and parents that we perform the required Preparticipation Physical Evaluation at our office. The charge for this examination is only $20. Please call the office at 281-286-1300 to schedule.
Here are the links for the (2) forms that are needed. Please fill out the medical history form before arriving.
Thanks,
Ward Beecher DC
Movement is Medicine
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: In my 34 years of being a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), the main thing that I have learned about health, longevity, and recovering from injuries; is that movement is medicine.
When I first started treating patients in 1989, it was not uncommon for them to come to my office after being told to have a week of bedrest for their low back pain from their medical doctor. Their pain had not gotten any better and they were getting frustrated. What I noticed was that the sooner they started moving around, the sooner they started getting relief. By the early 1990’s we started seeing the surgeons and PT’s trying to get the patient moving as quickly as possible after surgeries.
I then started having my patients perform some stretches and exercises on a regular basis to prevent a reoccurrence of their problem. While it does not prevent a person from injuring themselves, it does make the recovery quicker and easier.
There are several ways to make sure that you are moving currently. A common thing nowadays is to have a fitness tracker that counts your daily steps. This challenges you to reach your steps goal every day. Several businesses promote taking walk breaks instead of coffee breaks. Taking a 10-minute break to walk around a building or office complex can greatly reduce your stress, improve your circulation, and give you mental clarity. It is common now for people to have standing desks or exercise ball chairs. These allow you to work on balance and core strength.
Find ways to increase your movement daily. This can be from taking the stairs instead of an elevator. Parking in the back of a car lot instead of up front. Sitting on the floor instead of a soft chair. Ride your bike when you can. Find any excuse to move just a little more. Your body will thank you later. 😊
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
