Last Modified on October 30, 2023 by Dr. Tyler Meier

Spending time on the track? Chiropractic for running and jogging.

Every runner knows that there is a unique toll that regular running and jogging take on the body. While the human body is uniquely suited to run, sprint, and jog—scientists agree that the human anatomy is well-equipped for endurance running and walking—“pounding the pavement” still puts enormous strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints of the leg. Of course, any activity that affects the legs is going to globally affect the rest of the body. If you’re spending time on the track, then here’s what you need to know about chiropractic for running and jogging.

Is the human body made for running?

A common question that people ask is “is the human body made for running?” There is a lot of evidence that points to the human body’s natural aptitude for running, jogging, and walking. The proportion of the legs to the overall length of the body, the size and shape of the leg muscles, and the unique anatomy of the human foot all point toward running as an activity that the human body is well equipped for.

It’s not surprising that people choose running and jogging as a regular form of exercise. Running and jogging are very efficient ways of burning calories, strengthening the lean muscles of the legs, improving the body’s balance, increasing metabolic function, stimulating the lymphatic system, and improving the body’s respiratory and cardiovascular processes. With all of those benefits, it’s hard to imagine that running could have any negative effect on the body, but it can.

What are the downsides of running and jogging as exercise?

Although there are many benefits to running and jogging, there are also some drawbacks. Running and jogging can be extremely hard on the joints of the knee, as well as on the joints of the spine. Running and jogging are considered high-impact activities. This means that the combination of gravity and the type of movement that is taking place when running adds undue pressure to the joints. Medical doctors cite running and jogging as one of the leading causes of degeneration in the joints. Running and jogging can lead to early-onset arthritis and disc degeneration.

In addition to the damage that running and jogging can cause to the joints, running and jogging can also be hard on the muscles and tendons of the body. The repetitive motion of “pounding the pavement” can lead to severe cramps, and long-distance running can lead to a type of muscle loss that prevents muscles from regenerating sufficiently before they’re used again.

How do I prevent the negative effects of running and jogging?

In order to help your body heal and recover between running and jogging sessions, it’s important to allow plenty of time for rest. Resting is an essential part of the exercise routine. In fact, the benefits of exercise (like running and jogging) can’t actually be realized until sufficient rest has occurred. For this reason, it’s imperative that you ensure your body is receiving plenty of rest. Without it, exercise will just be a counterproductive measure in the attempt to create a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to rest, complete nutrition is essential. In order to rebuild muscles, the body needs a variety of minerals, amino acids, and proteins. To ensure that your diet is appropriately supplemented, speak with a nutritionist or dietary expert. To make an exercise regimen truly beneficial to your body, you must ensure that you’re not depleting important nutritional reserves in your body simply to continue your workouts.

Just as importantly, we recommend chiropractic care for supporting your body for runners and joggers. At Core Posture Chiropractic, chiropractic often serves as a preventative health practice for our patients. Chiropractic care can help to protect muscles and joints, infuse the body with energy, and increase athletic performance.

How can chiropractic care help runners?

If you’re a runner or a jogger, chiropractic care can help you. Chiropractic care addresses the neuro-musculoskeletal system. The neuro-musculoskeletal system comprises the bones and joints, nerves, and muscles of the body. This also includes tendons, soft tissue, and ligaments. The neuro-musculoskeletal system is the system most affected by running and jogging. By supporting the health of the neuro-musculoskeletal system, the body can adapt to running and jogging more easily, recover faster, and improve overall performance.

Chiropractic care can support the joints.

The joints, which are one of the main concerns of a runner/jogger, can be significantly improved and supported by chiropractic care. Chiropractic can help to decompress joints that have been compressed by constant impact, which is particularly relevant to runners. Adjustments can help the joints of the knee, spine, and even ankle to move smoothly over the soft surrounding discs and nerves.

Chiropractic care can support the muscles and connecting tendons.

Chiropractic care can be used as an intervention to support the health of the muscles and connecting tendons. Chiropractic can also be beneficial for the soft tissue of the body because as the layers of the neuro-musculoskeletal system are addressed, the soft tissues of the body are freed of inflammation, abrasion from joints, tendons, ligaments, and tightness. Chiropractic can be very beneficial for the neuro-musculoskeletal system to reset itself and achieve optimal function.

Chiropractic care can improve the function of nerves.

Chiropractic care can improve the function of the nerves by taking the pressure of misaligned joints off of the nerves. When joints aren’t aligned correctly, they can press on nearby nerves. This pressure creates a host of problems, including sharp pain, sluggishness, numbness and tingling, lack of focus and energy, and slower responsiveness in the body. Nerves that aren’t functioning properly often make the body seem older and more tired than it really is. By correcting imbalances in the neuro-musculoskeletal system, the entire body is rejuvenated. Patients who receive care at Core Posture Chiropractic in Newport Beach often report feeling younger, more alive, and more healthy.

Chiropractic Care in Newport Beach, CA

At Core Posture Chiropractic, Dr. Tyler Meier and Dr. Alexandra Pimentel focus on treating symptoms at the root. This means if you’re a runner or a jogger, and have experienced any recurring pain or discomfort, you’ve come to the right place. At Core Posture Chiropractic, we look at your holistic health, your lifestyle, and what activities you engage in most. The Core Posture team looks at your wellness goals to determine where improvement is needed and then designs a treatment plan accordingly.

Our treatment plans are designed specifically for you to make sure that you are as aligned to receiving results from your care as possible without any delay. Chiropractic BioPhysics®, a form of care that uses mirror-image® adjustments and spinal traction, can take up to 90 days to fully begin changing your spinal alignment for the better. By creating a personalized treatment plan, we try to streamline your results and help get you out of pain as quickly as possible within that window.

If you’re looking for a back pain chiropractor in Newport Beach, or even for one of the best chiropractors in Newport Beach, Core Posture Chiropractic may be what you’ve been looking for. If you live in the Newport Beach area and are searching for a chiropractor, Orange County area, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Tustin, Irvine, Fullerton, or in any of the neighboring cities, book your appointment today. Proper spine alignment is only one call away, whether you’re an athlete or just looking for back pain relief. Make the call now!

Tyler Meier Chiropractor

Dr. Tyler Meier is a board-certified, licensed chiropractor and founder of CorePosture Chiropractic in Newport Beach, CA

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