The first law of Newtonian physics states that an object in motion stays in motion, and an old Latin proverb says moss doesn’t grow on a rolling stone. And over the years, several of my wise patients proclaimed, “If ya don’t move it, ya lose it,” and, “Motion is lotion!” I declare from atop my office soapbox with fist in air, “Stasis equals death!” Just kidding, that would be weird…even if it was true. It’s simple enough, though. I find that if a patient understands the why, it helps with compliance.
So just what makes active people stay active? Biomechanically speaking, joints that have full range of motion circulate synovial fluid into all the little nooks and crannies of the cartilage on the joint surfaces. Nicely lubricated joint surfaces have less friction, thereby reducing wear and tear and helping to keep the dreaded Arthur (arthritis) away.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the result of thinning, dried-out cartilage, and is progressive in nature. Eventually, it can result in bone spurs and joint degeneration. OA is also a positive feedback loop; the stiffer your joints become, the less areas are lubricated and the more cartilage dries out…and on and on. Once Arthur comes to visit, he doesn’t leave, so keep that pesky guest contained or, better yet, avoid it altogether by keeping your joints moving through their full ranges.
Action Items
- see your chiropractor regularly, not just when you can’t walk or have a migraine
- use an inversion table several times a week
Joints aren’t the only body parts that need to move. Supple muscles and nonfibrotic fascia are crucial in flexibility, pain management, injury prevention, and venous and lymphatic drainage. Next to yoga, the best way I’ve found to address soft-tissue elasticity is regular massage therapy. Too often we think of massage therapy as a luxury or treat, but the therapeutic benefits are innumerable. If it’s not in your budget, get books to learn simple techniques at home. Even a bad massage is better than no massage, except perhaps for those who think they’ll get an award for clenching their teeth in silence through a deep-tissue session. Always communicate your body’s needs.
Action Items
- preschedule regular massages with a pro or partner
- practice yoga often…it’s not just for hippies!
- make stretching a routine: coffee + stretches in morning, teeth brushing + stretches at bedtime
Other important facets of movement include the ebb and flow of electricity, chi, energy, life force, and prana in your body. We’re bioelectrical beings; every neuron that fires, myofibril that slides, gland that secretes, and receptor that responds relies on the flow of ions. While seemingly etheric because we don’t always feel it, it boils down to boring old science. The Body Electric, by Robert O. Becker, MD, and Gary Selden, is a book I recommend for more understanding. We’re inundated daily with microwaves, radio waves, x-rays, gamma waves, and UV rays, which are imperceptible, but create a response in our electrical bodies. The earth emanates a frequency called the Schumann resonances, which help balance our body’s electricity when waves get us out of sync. Using rubber-soled shoes, being indoors, and literally just not being in contact with the ground insulates us from this harmonizing frequency. Think about lightning storms and static. Better yet, walk barefoot in the grass or garden and you’ll see that the practice is legitimate. Bonus: the earthing concept is easy and free!
Sound also has a healing resonance that can affect the ions in our bodies. It can break glass and levitate mass. The effect on our biology is sound—ha ha, get it? Thousands of years ago, traditional Chinese practitioners recognized the need for the movement of energy for balance, and today, acupuncture remains one of the oldest healing arts in the world.
Action Items
- regular acupuncture treatments
- visit a Reiki healer
- use a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy (see drpawluk.com for educational videos)
- practice breathwork on your own and take classes
- use music and sound as medicine (sound baths, music therapy, etc.)
- practice grounding (walk barefoot on grass or use a grounding mat)
- block Wi-Fi routers, avoid Bluetooth devices in ears, don’t sleep next to electrical appliances, and don’t move next to a 5G tower (see emfacademy.com)
Lastly, mechanoreception and proprioception improve kinesthetic awareness and modulate pain perception. Want that in English? Keep firing the nerve fibers that go from your body to your brain with information of stimulus and movement in space and time because it will improve your balance and body awareness and reduce pain. The movement nerve fibers are faster and more robust, so they’re able to override the pain fibers. A great example is when you stub your toe and there’s that millisecond delay of, “Oh, that’s gonna…OUCH!” You feel the stub (the more efficient pathway) before the pain, and then you squeeze and rub your toe (stimulating the movement nerves) to reduce the pain. This simple concept also explains why things feel better when you walk them and why chronic pains are worse in the morning or when you’ve been bedridden. Improving the pathway of nerves responsible for awareness of surroundings equates to better balance and reduced risk of falls and injury.
I hope you incorporate some of these to improve your quality of life now and in the future. Now, put this magazine down and get moving!
Sarah M. Nelson, DC, is the owner of Quick Fix After Hours Chiropractic (quickfixchiro.com) and Vitality Back Therapeutics, and a functional fitness instructor.
QUICK FIX AFTER HOURS CHIROPRACTIC
(608) 279-7560
quickfixchiro.com