Workout vs Chiropractic Adjustment: Are They the Same Thing?

Chiropractor

If you’re looking to minimize your lower back pain, then exercise and chiropractic care are important. A misconception that some patients have is that you can do a good workout to get the same benefits as a chiropractic visit. While both have their benefits, a workout does not replace a chiropractic adjustment. Exercise can help keep your back healthy, but it is not the same as having an adjustment.

Back Exercise Benefits

If you engage in exercise for your back, you can help the discs to exchange fluids. This fluid exchange helps reduce the swelling of the tissues around any injured discs. If you don’t exercise for your back, you may end up with increased swelling and malnourished, degenerating discs. Likewise, to exercise your back will reduce stiffness. It keeps the connective fibers and tendons flexible so that you improve your mobility. This increased flexibility will keep your connective fibers from tearing if under stress.

Your back muscles need to stay strong and they need the ability to repair themselves. Exercising your back will stretch and strengthen your muscles to support your back. The muscles in your back and abdomen support the vertebrae discs, ligaments and facet joints. If you have weakened back muscles, they cannot support your back correctly.

If you want to help your existing back problems, then exercise can help you. Likewise, you may have exercises that you’re prescribed after a back surgery to keep your back healthy and to prevent later pain. Most patients need a regimen to integrate for pain relief. You should always discuss back exercises for an injury with your doctor to guarantee you won’t hurt your back further.

Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits

In many cases, you can combine back exercises with your chiropractic adjustment. In a chiropractic adjustment, the chiropractor will adjust the vertebrae in your back. These adjustments can help with lower back and neck pain. Many patients opt for an adjustment over surgical procedures or additional pain medication. After a chiropractic adjustment and between visits, exercising will help you strengthen those muscles. You can preserve your pain-free state with the help of exercising. You don’t have to do one or the other and one does not perform the same function as the other.

If you want to replace a chiropractic adjustment with exercise, this isn’t necessarily an idea that will work for you. Exercise benefits the back immensely and you should take part in a good workout to increase strength, flexibility and reduce inflammation. However, combining a good workout routine with the chiropractic adjustment is the best option available. If you’re ready to take initiative on your back health, contact a chiropractor right away.

Source: Chiropractor Glen Burnie, MD, Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab and Chiropractic