Obstacles to Health: Walk without pain

By Dr. Timothy Douglass

Beautiful weather is finally here. So, GET OUT WALKING! Walking is the king of exercise. It not only helps you to lose weight but even helps control sugar and high blood pressure. But many people cannot enjoy this healthy recreation due to pain.Today, I would like to offer an alternative to those who suffer pain while they walk. There is hope. You wont get medical prescriptions or surgical consultation at a chiropractors office. The doctor of chiropractic is trained to identify problems in the neuromuscular systems that many times cause dysfunction and pain to the upper and lower extremities. With the normal gait pattern, your arms should swing alternately with your legs. This simple movement literally unwinds and conditions your entire neuromuscular systems, and is also a great stress reducer.A common cause of pain is when one of the 24 moveable spinal bones comes out of position and causes pressure both directly and indirectly to the delicate nerves that exit these vertebrae. When this occurs, the powerful muscles of the legs can be left wanting and can rob even the strongest individual when the great sciatic nerves are pinched. Many times these problems cause difficulty getting up out of a chair, as well as numbness and restless legs at night, or even neck, shoulder or arm discomfort.A visit to your local chiropractor may be just what you need. Your visit starts out with a simple review of your health history that focuses on trauma. Car accidents, work injuries, sports, as well as repetitive micro-trauma from stress and poor posture all damage the neuromuscular systems. A posture exam is an extremely important component to a chiropractic exam, as well as range of motion and muscle tone tests that evaluate balance and alignment. Your chiropractor may take X-rays if a subluxation of a spinal vertebrae is suspected. A vertebral subluxation is when one of the spinal vertebrae shift out of normal alignment and cause stress to the neuromuscular systems. A spinal X-ray will actually show clearly a vertebral subluxation. Many subluxations do not cause pain but can be detected by a postural exam and documented on X-ray. Vertebral subluxation left untreated destroys normal posture and weakens the neuromuscular systems of the human frame.Dont wait to have those you love get checked. It is simple, safe, and just makes good sense. Happy walking!Dr. Timothy Douglass, of Douglass Chiropractic, has offices in Conway and Glen. Phone numbers are (603) 447-2244 and (603) 383-4822.