Functional medicine is a holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues. If you’re looking for a complementary therapy to integrate into your functional medicine treatment, consider chiropractic care. 

Chiropractic care doesn’t just address musculoskeletal health; it aligns with the philosophies of functional medicine by promoting nervous system function, supporting the body’s natural healing processes, and enhancing overall wellness. Keep reading to explore how chiropractic care can become an integral component of this alternative approach.

Understanding Functional Medicine and Its Approach to Health

Functional medicine is a patient-centered model of care that aims to identify and address root causes of health issues rather than just treating the symptoms. This cause-and-effect philosophy is key to providing effective solutions and enhancing patients’ overall quality of life.

Another core principle of functional medicine is that the body is made up of countless interconnected parts that influence each other in intricate ways. Something that affects one part of the body can have a far-reaching impact on the body as a whole. Additionally, practitioners often collaborate with specialists to ensure well-rounded care.

Finally, functional medicine focuses on the influence of lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management on overall health. It emphasizes the importance of personalized, patient-centered care. Practitioners develop individualized treatment plans for each patient, taking into account their unique genetics, health history, and goals. 

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Functional Medicine

The goals of chiropractic care include improving spine health, relieving pain and discomfort, and optimizing nervous system function. These principles align with functional medicine by focusing on natural, non-invasive treatments that promote healing and support whole-body health. Rather than focusing on symptom relief, chiropractors aim to improve their patients’ long-term wellness and prevent further health issues.

How Chiropractic Care Supports Functional Medicine Goals

Chiropractic care fits seamlessly with functional medicine. By adding chiropractic care to your treatment plan, you can support your health goals and contribute to lasting wellness.

Pain Management without Medication

By restoring musculoskeletal alignment, chiropractic adjustments can relieve pain naturally, reducing reliance on pain medications that may be addictive or have unwanted side effects. Minimizing medication use is often prioritized in functional medicine, making the natural pain relief of chiropractic care a suitable complementary treatment.

Improving Nervous System Health

Functional medicine recognizes that the nervous system is essential to all bodily functions, facilitating communication between the body’s interconnected systems. The spinal cord is one of the most integral parts of the nervous system and is responsible for carrying signals from the brain to the rest of the body. 

One of the roles of the spine is to protect the spinal cord. Chiropractors aim to restore spinal alignment through targeted adjustments, alleviating pressure on the spinal cord that could interfere with signals. The ultimate goal of these adjustments is to improve nervous system health and support overall body function.

Reducing Inflammation

Acute inflammation is an important part of the body’s healing process. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can cause severe damage and contribute to a wide range of health conditions. Functional medicine often seeks to manage systemic inflammation as a root cause of many chronic diseases. Chiropractic adjustments can help in these endeavors, relieving inflammation by reducing joint and muscle stress.

Promoting Mobility and Physical Wellness

Functional medicine encourages a healthy, active lifestyle. Chiropractic care can be an effective tool for increasing range of motion and strengthening muscles, helping patients become more physically active.

Supporting Stress Relief and Mental Health

Chiropractic care doesn’t just treat physical health; it can improve mental health, as well. By reducing physical tension and alleviating pain, it can aid in stress relief, promote more restful sleep, and support mental wellness. This aligns with functional medicine’s emphasis on stress reduction, which is an essential part of its holistic approach to mental health.

Achieve Whole-Body Wellness with Chiropractic Care

If you’re seeking a non-invasive, holistic way to manage chronic pain, improve nervous system function, reduce inflammation, promote mobility, and support your mental health, consider scheduling an appointment at Elevate Wellness Chiropractic. 

Whether you’re seeking chiropractic care as part of a multifaceted functional medicine care plan or not, targeted adjustments from one of our expert chiropractors won’t just provide relief from musculoskeletal ailments — we can help you achieve enhanced overall wellness and a better quality of life.

If you’re ready to experience the power of chiropractic care, contact Elevate Wellness Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment.

Back pain is one of the most common ailments for adults. Bad posture and improper desks are some of the leading causes of back and neck pain in adults. Alleviating back pain can be difficult when you are constantly putting strain on these muscles and your spine. While the idea of alternating between sitting and standing while working can be appealing, there are some considerations to keep in mind when incorporating a standing desk into your work day. 

The Link Between Sitting And Back Pain

Long periods of sitting can put pressure on the spine. Most people who work a desk job begin to slouch or have compressed spinal discs because of this pressure and the weight of gravity. Prolonged sitting can increase the risk of back pain by as much as 50% so any type of movement throughout the day is encouraged to promote normal posture. 

Noticing your posture throughout the day while sitting can help alleviate some pressure on your joints and spine. Standing desks are a way to more subconsciously improve your posture instead of constantly focusing on the straightness of your back while working. Standing, taking a walk, and stretching are all great ways to help limit pain while working a sitting job. 

Posture Considerations

When switching to a standing desk or implementing some standing during your workday will promote upright posture. Here are some of the benefits that standing desks can provide. 

Reduce Slouching

Standing is what promotes a more natural spinal alignment as compared to a slouched position. As gravity pulls our weight down, we tend to bend over or slide down in a chair. While this may feel more comfortable, it is not natural for the spine. Slouching causes neck, back, and hip pain. 

Engaging Core Muscles

While standing is more relaxing on the spine, it can become tiring or put pressure on other areas of the body. Your core muscles will be more engaged when you are standing. This can help improve your strength, work ab muscles, improve digestion, and more, but it can also become tiring after a while. Your feet and legs may start to hurt after standing for 8+ hours a day. 

Improve Blood Flow

Sitting for your job has been linked to higher blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack, and tight muscles. Standing up, even for just a few hours of the day can help achieve better blood flow to your heart and other muscles. Improved blood flow helps lower your risk of blood clots and other heart issues.

How Do Neck And Back Pain Begin?

The root cause of neck and back pain may not be the chair you are using or the actual act of sitting. Sedentary lifestyles, outside of work can add to your pain and health issues. Even though a standing desk may help to alleviate some back pain, it can put pressure on other parts of your body. 

Most neck and back issues are caused by spinal misalignment. Our spines are responsible for communication from the brain to other parts of the body. Slipped disc or spinal misalignment can lead to stiff neck, back pain, muscle weakness, and more. 

Stay Healthy While Using A Standing Desk

Standing can also have negative affects on the body. The development of muscle pain and fatigue, especially in your feet, legs, and hips are common complaints when using a standing desk. By not standing correctly, you can also put strain on your ankles and back, exacerbating your lower back issues. Using a combination of standing and sitting desks will help alleviate the pressure on your body. Getting enough exercise and having a proper diet will also help combat the risks of sitting desks. 

Chiropractic Services From Elevate Wellness

Since a majority of issues originate in the spine, we suggest chiropractic care for many muscle and joint issues. Elevate Wellness Chiropractic has helped patients of all ages achieve more well rounded health with chiropractic adjustments. Aligning the spine will help your body communicate better and send proper nutrients to the rest of your body. While chiropractic is not a reversal of the effects of sitting desks, it can help give you better movement and energy for a more active lifestyle. Chiropractic can reduce pain, so you have more energy to participate in physical exercise outside of work.

Whether you experience pain, want to be a better athlete, or are pregnant, Elevate Wellness has evidence based treatments for you. Dr. Casey Simmonds has seen first hand how chiropractic can change your life. Reach out to our office and book a consultation today!

It’s fall, which means the summer heatwaves are over. It’s the perfect time to go for a run outdoors and enjoy the crisp autumn air. As you seek to enhance your running performance and avoid injuries, consider the potential of chiropractic care. 

This often overlooked yet highly effective approach to injury prevention and recovery goes beyond addressing back pain — it can play a vital role in optimizing your athletic performance, reducing recovery times, and preventing future injuries. In this blog post, we’ll dive into how chiropractic care can benefit runners and keep them on track.

5 Ways Chiropractic Care Helps Runners

As a high-impact sport, running places significant stress on the body, from the spine and joints to the muscles. Many runners sustain injuries such as runner’s knee, shin splints, IT band syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. Fortunately, chiropractic care can be an effective way to give the body the tools it needs to perform optimally.

1. Improved Biomechanics

One of the main goals of chiropractic care is ensuring the musculoskeletal system is properly aligned. Running requires a lot of repetitive motion, which means that even a slight imbalance or misalignment can cause the body to compensate with movement patterns that put undue stress on certain joints and muscles, increasing wear and tear on the body. 

By using manual adjustments and other techniques, chiropractors aim to restore alignment to the spine and joints and ensure proper biomechanics, which allow the body to move more efficiently, enhance running performance, and reduce the risk of injury. 

2. Injury Prevention and Recovery

One of runners’ biggest challenges is avoiding injury. Regular chiropractic adjustments are key to maintaining optimal musculoskeletal health and ensuring imbalances are corrected before they can escalate into significant injuries that put runners on the sidelines. Chiropractors are able to detect and address areas of misalignment or tension that make a runner more likely to sustain common injuries like knee pain or shin splints. 

However, even the most careful runners sometimes get injured. Whether it’s a strain, sprain, or overuse injury, chiropractic care can help them recover faster. A combination of soft tissue therapies, spinal adjustments, and rehabilitation exercises help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote better healing. By addressing the root cause of the injury rather than just the symptoms, chiropractic treatment can help prevent recurring injuries.

3. Enhanced Flexibility and Range of Motion

As runners push their bodies to the limit, flexibility and mobility are crucial. Chiropractic care helps maintain or increase range of motion by promoting overall joint health. Targeted adjustments can alleviate tension and stiffness in the joints, ensuring the body can perform its best. 

With an enhanced range of motion, runners are less likely to experience cramps, strains, or muscle tightness. Increased mobility allows for smoother movements, which can improve running efficiency.

4. Better Posture and Running Form

For runners to maintain efficiency and prevent injury, they need proper posture. Postural issues such as slouching shoulders or forward head carriage can negatively affect their form, leading to improper foot strike, overpronation, or other issues. These small deviations can cause more serious problems down the road, including IT band syndrome or persistent back pain.

Chiropractors can evaluate and correct postural issues, helping runners maintain proper alignment, optimize their form, reduce fatigue, and prevent unnecessary muscle and joint strain.

5. Natural Pain Relief

One of the most significant advantages of chiropractic care is its drug-free approach to managing pain. Runners may be tempted to reach for painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications to continue training, especially those dealing with chronic pain. However, these drugs simply mask pain without addressing its underlying cause.

Chiropractic care, on the other hand, offers a natural and effective pain management solution. Chiropractors can use various techniques to reduce pain and inflammation without the need for medication. This approach allows runners to recover and heal more holistically and continue training with fewer side effects.

Integrating Chiropractic Care into Your Running Routine

If you’re a runner looking to integrate chiropractic care into your training routine, follow these tips:

• Schedule regular adjustments — even if you’re not currently experiencing pain — to maintain alignment and prevent injury.
• Address minor pain and discomfort before they become more serious issues.
• Incorporate the stretches and exercises recommended by your chiropractor.
• Communicate with your chiropractor regarding your training goals so they can help you achieve peak performance.

Enhance Your Performance with Elevate Wellness

At Elevate Wellness Chiropractic, we specialize in helping athletes enhance their physical performance and keep their bodies running smoothly. If you’re a runner looking to bring your speed and endurance to the next level, schedule an appointment with us today!