Active Care and Progressive Rehabilitation

Active Care, Chiropractic and
Progressive Rehabilitation
by Gregg C. Anderson, D.C.

     Anti-aging is a something we all consider at one time or another.  Heck, who wants to get old, sit on the couch, pop pills and watch re-runs?  Not I, you say?  You’re not alone.  Every 8 seconds a baby boomer turns 50. Perhaps you’re one of them.  Most boomers don't want to stop "doing" as they age. 

     An increasingly popular view is that growing older isn’t necessarily feeling, looking and acting old.  I find that many Boomers are willing to do whatever they can to stay active and young.  This desire is fueling the growing demand for anything that promises anti-aging.  If you have this desire, please read-on.  This stuff is exciting.

     What many people simply do not know is the simple and understandable truth that chiropractic adjustments help keep people active and maintain full range of joint motion.  My experience is that the public perceives the value of chiropractic largely as a pain relief alternative for low back and neck pain. 

     One of the ironies of chiropractic is that many in our profession do not effectively communicate the benefits of adjustments past the point of pain relief, and many confuse patients with intellectualizations of wellness philosophies focusing on complexities such as the neuropathophysiology and histopathophysiology of the vertebral subluxation.  I know I have a tendency to do this myself.  I love the complexities, however the simple truth is that chiropractic can keep you moving and active.  More folks need to know this, take advantage of it and enjoy more youthful function.  Remember, it’s “use it or lose it.”

     A very interesting literature review was published in the prestigious medical journal, Spine, in 2001 (Linton, Phd, Spine; 26:778-87).  The authors reviewed previously published results from controlled trials that were done to determine which interventions for preventing back and neck pain had any value.  They concluded that simple “back schools” and lumbar supports were not effective.  No controlled studies were found that concluded if ergonomic interventions or risk factor modifications were of any use.  There was however significant and consistent evidence that exercise is an effective preventive intervention.  

     The reasons it is believed to help is that exercise strengthens the back muscles and increases flexibility, increases blood supply to the spine muscles, joints and intervertebral discs and improves mood and thereby alters the perception of pain. 

     The bottom line is that “combination care,” that is, care that includes both passive and active elements is the best way to treat, manage and prevent back and neck pain.  Combination care can help you maintain an active, pain-free lifestyle, well into your senior years. 

     The one big problem is that while most of us know what’s good for us, not all of us are doing it.  In fact, one large report published in a 2003 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review, noted that as few as 1% of arthritis sufferers enjoy the full benefits of the passive and active interventions that can reduce pain, improve function and prevent disability.  That is tragic.  My advice, don’t be a statistic!  Read on…

     Active care includes some key elements.  First of all, muscles must be stretched and/or strengthened in order to pattern new motions.  Then, exercise must become a habit.  Performance and response should be at least periodically monitored to ensure that exercises are being done correctly.  In addition, as much as possible, additional components such as cardiovascular exercises must be added to really achieve optimum function. 

     There are three basic subsystems of tissues that are involved with the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Most basic are the connecting system tissues including the bones, ligaments, tendons and fascia.  Next is the contracting system.  This is made of the muscles.  Lastly is the control system that includes the brain the spinal cord and all the peripheral receptors in the muscles, tendons and joints. These provide control through joint position sense (proprioception), reflexes and motor stimulation.  These all are necessary to functionally choreograph every motion a person makes.  It is truly an amazing system.   

    Chiropractic adjustments affect the connecting, contracting and control subsystems of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system on a more fundamental level than any other intervention. That’s why they are so helpful.  They are like “mini-exercises.”

     What’s tremendously powerful is if you combine adjustments with an ideal active therapy that affects all three systems.  A very good active therapy involves exercising with a gymnastic ball.  When you sit on a ball, you get an excellent active exercise because it forces your body to balance as it exercises on a wobbly surface. This exercise creates a high demand on the control system, which changes both the level of muscle activity and the way that the muscles co-activate to stabilize the body.

     The problem folks face is what exercise to get started with.  Other than the gym balls, many of the exercise tools and devices I have tried do not work very well.  Folks don’t want to purchase them or take them home to become dust collectors or pet toys!  I believe that is because the tools are often too expensive, difficult and awkward to use or just don’t fit into the time budget.  Clearly, for exercise to work, it has to be done on a regular basis.    

    I am very excited about a NEW solution to this problem and am providing it in my office to help my patients get even better results.  It is a neck region exercise.  Low tech, but effective!  It uses a headband and some resistance tubing.  It will help you stretch and strengthen your neck and back in a very dynamic and effective way through progressive resistance exercise. I have been very impressed with its results.  It has been helpful for relieving tension headaches, tension in the upper back, TMJ problems, and many other issues and dare I say it, relief of snoring!  Yes really.   

     It is reasonably priced and easy to learn.  It feels good to use, often produces immediate results, and it only takes a few minutes of your precious time to enjoy a great exercise.  These factors make it an excellent choice for those seeking improved health and function: inexpensive, easy, quick and beneficial.  Call us and we’ll get you active! 

Call Anderson Chiropractic in Sacramento at 916-485-5433