And these five top our list.

Stronger Immune System

Subluxations, or misalignments in the spine, can interfere with how your nervous system receives and sends messages throughout your body. This impacts how your body as a whole functions, especially your organs, including your heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. When your body isn’t functioning as it should, neither is your immune system. When your body is in alignment and balanced, your nervous system can work as it should, and you will enjoy stronger immunity against diseases and better health.

Better Balance

When your spine is out of alignment it can throw off your balance. Even slight subluxations can cause a problem. This is especially important if you are older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four adults, age 65 and older, fall each year. One out of five falls causes serious injury including broken bones or head injury. Regular chiropractic care can help improve your balance, thus reducing your risk of falls as you get older.

Increased Lung Capacity

When you think about chiropractic, lung capacity is probably not something that immediately comes to mind, but a growing body of scientific evidence shows that regular chiropractic care increases a person’s lung capacity. This can, in turn, help lower your risk of stroke, heart attack, and other serious cardiovascular issues. Patients who see their chiropractor regularly are likely to experience improved lung volume, so make that appointment so you can breathe a little easier.

Less Prone to Injury

A body that is in proper alignment functions better. It’s just that simple. This means that it has better balance and is stronger which translates to a body that is less prone to serious injury. Regular, long-term chiropractic care keeps your body tuned up and balanced, so it functions at an optimal level. Then, your body can get the most out of your workouts. Additionally, chiropractic helps keep you flexible and improves your range of motion. This is also a very important factor in decreasing your likelihood of being injured during exercise or regular activity.

Improved Mobility and Flexibility

Seeing your chiropractor regularly will help keep your body flexible which can help keep you more mobile. This is particularly true if you sit at a desk all day. Chiropractic care helps you keep your body aligned and everything moving as it should. If you have osteoarthritis or tension headaches chiropractic can provide relief while loosening those joints and muscles so that you can move easier and without pain.

Long term chiropractic care offers many benefits beyond pain management. If you’re not sure what advantages you can enjoy with long term chiropractic care, give us a call.

At Pure Wellness Chiropractic, we see patients every day for long-term and short-term care. Our caring, knowledgeable staff is ready to answer your questions so call today or schedule your consultation online. You’ll be so glad you did!

The best way to stay mobile as you age is to keep moving. And the best time to start is when you are young. However, if you are older and find that you just don’t have the get up and go that you once did, there are things you can do to increase your mobility. The best time to start is right now so find your decade below and use the tips to adopt a healthier lifestyle that will keep you moving into your 70s and beyond.

In your 30s

This is where you might start to notice a little stiffness, maybe you just don’t move like you did in your 20s. People in this age group are usually juggling work and family, leaving little time for a workout. Try to carve out a few minutes a day and choose workouts that make every movement count. High-intensity interval training will give you the most bang for your buck. It alternates high intensity and low-intensity exercise and is the smart way to work out because they can be done in less than 30 minutes.

Stretching before and after is very important, especially if you spend a lot of time behind a desk. Try using a standing desk or do some stretching exercises in your office. At lunch, take a walk. Your body will benefit.

In your 40s

Most people start to notice differences in their body when they hit their 40s. Most notice that it’s much easier to gain weight – and harder to lose it. Resistance training and cardio are a great combination to help keep the weight off and keep your muscles supple. Exercise also helps alleviate arthritis pain and can even prevent it. Stretching workouts like Pilates or ballet barre stretching are great for increasing or maintaining flexibility and strengthening the core which will help improve posture and give you better balance. Weight bearing exercise also prevents osteoporosis.

In your 50s

This is the decade that many people develop chronic conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Many women go through menopause around this time and men may also notice changes in their bodies. The aches, pains, and stiffness tend to be a little more common and you may feel like you just don’t have the energy you once did. The best remedy for all that though is good, old fashioned exercise.

A program that includes strength training two or three times a week, coupled with walking about 30 minutes a day is your best defense against chronic disease and the little aches that come with age. Adding some Pilates or yoga will help keep your workouts interesting while improving your balance.

In your 60s

People tend to start slowing down during this decade. It is very tempting to enjoy your retirement years kicked back in a chair, taking it easy. While that’s all well and good, it isn’t very good for you. The risk for certain cancers increases at around this age and exercise can help prevent them. Regular exercise can also prevent or reverse many chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Cardio is a must. Try to get out and walk at least three times a week. Ideally, you want to aim for 30 minutes or better, but you may have to work up to it. Walk at a brisk pace and swing your arms for a little cardio boost. Flexibility and strength are huge factors now, so you want to engage in activities that increase both. Water aerobics, yoga, and Pilates are great for that and you’ll feel better too.

In your 70s and beyond

Many people who reach this age group get less active. This can result in increased frailty and a high risk of falls. Exercise helps to keep your body strong and healthy, decreasing your fall risk and preventing frailty. It is important though, to work at your own fitness level. Your best bet is to work with an exercise specialist or physical therapist who can help you create an exercise program that is right for you.

Walking is always good, but if you are unable to walk, sitting in a chair or on the side of your bed and working out with a ball or small weights can be very beneficial. Try to do exercises that work your core and legs. This will help you continue to move as well as make it easier for you to do simple things like turn over in bed or tie your shoes.

The key to staying mobile as you age is to keep moving. Add to that a healthy diet, good quality sleep, and staying hydrated and you have a terrific plan for great health. It’s just that simple. Do what you can but don’t be afraid to challenge yourself a bit. Just make sure you stay safe. If you are unsteady, make sure someone is there with you, so you don’t fall or get hurt. If you can find an exercise buddy, that’s even better.

Chiropractic is a great complement to your healthy lifestyle. Regular chiropractic care will help you stay flexible and mobile no matter your age. It can help alleviate pain and even improve some chronic conditions. At Pure Wellness Chiropractic, we are committed to helping you have your best life. Call today or schedule a consultation online with one of our skilled chiropractors and see what a difference great health makes.

If you’re like most men, the “Dad Bod” trend of being a little softer in the middle suits you just fine.

But now that you’re well into middle age, you may look back on the days when you ate what you wanted without gaining weight and worked out without warming up or feeling sore after with a little longing.

Let’s face it, something has changed in the last decade (or two, or three…). What you may not realize is that your hormones are partly to blame.

A Crash Course on Men & Hormones

Testosterone is the main sex hormone found in men’s bodies. Made in the testes, testosterone is responsible for the physical changes boys experience during puberty. It is responsible for muscle growth, bone density, hair growth, and energy levels as wells as the quality of a man’s sex life.

Typically, testosterone levels begin to spike at the outset of puberty and are at their highest levels in a man’s 20’s. However, sometime after the age of 30, a man’s testosterone levels begin to decline, sometimes as much as 1 percent per year. Just as they are settling into their family life and careers, men in their 40’s and 50’s often experience symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, sometimes without even realizing it.

Symptoms of Hormonal Decline

It is easy to blame many of the symptoms of hormonal decline on high-stress lifestyles, poor diet or other lifestyle changes that often go hand-in-hand as men age. However, a hormonal decline can be the root cause of:

• Weight gain

• Muscle loss

• Fatigue

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Changes in sexual function

• Emotional changes such as sadness or depression

So, how do you know whether the symptoms you are experiencing are due to hormonal change or something else?

Putting the Pause on Hormonal Changes

Many physicians use the term “andropause” to describe the hormonal changes men go through as they age.

Fortunately, many of the symptoms of andropause can be alleviated by rebalancing the hormones in a man’s body. However, not all supplements are created equal. Only bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), administered by a qualified health professional, can give you the results you are hoping for in a safe, effective way.

First, a basic blood test will give your doctor a picture of your current hormone levels. Armed with this information, they can prescribe the right combination of bioidentical hormones to meet your needs.

Next, they will configure your therapy for your body, your symptoms, and your needs. Many BHRT patient report feeling stronger, happier and more energetic in just a few days.

Of course, over time, your BHRT may require adjustments as your body compensates for your new hormone levels. Imagine, losing your love handles, your lethargy and your need for an afternoon nap with one simple change.

Just because you are sporting a Dad Bod now doesn’t mean you have to live with fatigue, weight gain, lethargy, or a diminished sex drive forever.

Give yourself the best Father’s Day gift possible, whether you are a dad or just look like one.

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Congratulations! You’re having a baby!

If you know you are pregnant, chances are you have also noticed your body changing in unexpected ways.

Perhaps you were prepared for nausea and the eventual baby bump, but there are other common physical changes that happen in pregnancy that you may not be prepared for.

Whether it is low back pain, sciatic pain, round ligament pain, or general discomfort, chiropractic is a gentle, simple and safe solution that will keep you comfortable throughout your entire pregnancy.

1. Relaxin is relaxing.

It sounds made up, but relaxin is a hormone your newly developing placenta releases in your body that helps relax tendons and ligaments in your pelvis and thin the cervix in preparation for birth.

As important as this hormone is to childbirth, your placenta begins secreting it months before you are due. This helps your uterus and surrounding tissues expand to accommodate the growing fetus.

The problem is, it can also begin relaxing the ligaments and tendons throughout your body. This is why gentle exercise is recommended for women rather than high impact workouts.

The relaxin hormone and looser joints are more prone to injury.

Fortunately, it also means gentle chiropractic techniques are super effective on pregnant women. Properly positioning the pelvis and low back, as well as other areas of the body, can be done using low force techniques rather than traditional chiropractic methods used on patients who are not pregnant.

2. Party in the front, pain in the back.

Combine relaxin hormones with a growing uterus, weight gain and a change in your center of gravity and you have a recipe for low back pain.

Many women find that as the fetus grows and their uterus expands, they experience sciatic pain as well as something known as round ligament pain. Since the sciatic nerve runs from the low back down to the pinky toes on either side of your body, pain, numbness, tingling, and discomfort can extend along the same path.

The round ligament connects your womb to your groin and stretches as the fetus grows. Round ligament pain often shows up around the second trimester and is described as a stabbing, sharp pain in your lower belly or groin area. Both conditions can be safely treated with chiropractic care.

Repositioning the pelvis and bones in the spine relieves the pressure on both the sciatic nerve and round ligament making it more comfortable to sit, stand and sleep.

3. A well-positioned baby makes for a happy delivery.

Sometimes the baby doesn’t get the memo that they need to be head-down for delivery. The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique designed to gently position the pelvis, lower back, and round ligament to allow baby the best chance possible at turning on their own. Even if the baby is cooperative and awaiting arrival, the Webster Technique can properly position your body in preparation for delivery.

Having a baby is one of the most exciting and physically taxing things you will ever do. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Call Pure Wellness or schedule a consultation online and find out how we can help you have a more comfortable pregnancy.

302-365-5470