If you are like most people, when your reaction time slows down, your flexibility and agility decreases, you think it is a natural part of getting older. What if this isn’t true? What if I told you an 80-year-old patient started running 5k races again? Or, a 50-year-old man got back into martial arts after years of inactivity? Both patients were able to reach their goals with the help of gentle chiropractic adjustments and a customized training program.
Why are our patients defying common beliefs about aging? Studies show that reaction time, flexibility and agility are improved with proper spinal alignment. So, how do you know if your spine is the culprit of decreased performance?
5 Ways To Self-Assess Your Spine’s Alignment
Leg length: Typically both legs are the same length. If one leg appears longer than the other, it is a sign of misalignment in the lumbar spine or pelvic area. Another way to test is by placing 2 bathroom scales together. Then stand up straight with each foot on a different scale. If your body weight is not equally distributed, it could be a sign of misalignment since your body is compensating by leaning to one side.
Shoe wear: The wear on your shoe heels can be an indicator of misalignment. When your lumbar spine or pelvis is out of alignment, it will cause your body to compensate. This compensation will put stress on other areas of your body and effect how you walk. If the heels of your shoes are wearing unevenly it can be an indication of spinal misalignment.
Flexibility: How is your range of motion in your neck, back, arms and leg? Can you easily rotate your head side to side, up and down and in circle? Can you easily bend over? Touch your toes? Can you put your arms one at a time in front of you, then bring it up above your head, then rotate it behind you and bring it back to your starting position? How far can you lift your legs? If any of your ranges have decreased over time, it is likely that your spine is out of alignment and impacting your health.
Posture: Check your posture by standing against a full mirror and have someone mark on the mirror your bottom earlobes, the top of your shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. Are the points on your left side aligned with your right?
If not, this is a sign of misalignment.
Getting You Back In Action
These are just a few ways to self assess. To get a real picture, we recommend you come in for a personal assessment. If your spine or other areas of your body are out of alignment, we can put together an individualized plan for you. This plan may include a combination of adjustments; customized routines to build muscles increase flexibility and agility; and massage therapy to improve circulation and reduce muscle tension and fatigue.
Chiropractic adjustments naturally and safely can realign your body and help you defy the common attitude about aging. More important, it will get you back doing the activities you love and put a smile on your face.
Dr. Steven Trauben is the founder of King Street Chiropractic Wellness Center, a pain relief and wellness center located in Alexandria, Virginia. He has been practicing just outside Washington DC for over twenty years now. If you’re interested in speaking with Dr. Trauben, you can call (703) 454-5180 to schedule an appointment or you can go online www.kingstreetwellness.com.