Crossfit and Chiro

By Dr. Dave Edenfield

CrossFit is the sport discipline that is designed to train the body to function optimally. Chiropractic is the medical discipline that is designed to optimize the functioning of the spinal column along with its interrelated nerves, muscles, and soft tissues.  Together these two disciplines can revolutionize the way in which people approach fitness.

Not Just for Jocks

Athletes know the value of daily workouts as well as how to maximize their use of various forms of fitness equipment.  Many non-athletes sign up for gyms and other physical fitness programs.  Unlike athletes, most of these people have limited experience with workout routines and equipment.   As a result, the dropout rate for people who enroll in gyms and other fitness membership programs is high.

According to theexaminer.com – “Of the 50.2 million people who belong to a health club in the U.S., about 62% visited fewer than 100 times a year, according to data compiled in January 2011 by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), a Boston-based trade group that represents nearly 9,000 clubs. Last January, approximately 30% of total gym members were new; this suggests that initial strong attendance is followed by health club truancy and cancelled memberships. Research has found that these dropouts often come in with unrealistic expectations and get discouraged because they do not know how to use the equipment or just get bored.”

What makes crossfit unique is that workouts are completely supervised.  Add to this the fact that it isn’t centered exclusively on the use of weight training and other forms of workout equipment.  In crossfit, your body is the workout equipment.  A typical session starts with a warm up followed by highly focused skill sessions that are usually last only a few minutes.  The remainder of the class is dedicated to a number of other routines that are designed to work out various parts of the body.  This philosophy not only keeps participants from becoming bored, but it also works out the entire body in as little as 30 minutes.

 You’ve done more in 10 to 25 minutes in CrossFit than three hours in the gym doing circuits. I’ve done that. It’s nothing like this,” said Jason Umberger, deputy chief of police, Swatara Township.

  http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2011/01/a_typical_crossfit_workout.html

No Pain No Gain

Just like seasoned athletes, crossfit training doesn’t come without a certain amount of soreness as an 

after effect.  Especially to those new to the training regimen, your muscles will feel it on the following day.  This is where chiropractic care comes in.  When it comes to taking the hurt away without resorting to pain killers nothing beats chiropractic.  Offering everything from manual adjustments to massage, ultrasound, laser treatment and other deep tissue treatments, chiropractic is used and recommended by a number of top athletes including Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

Face it, hard workouts put a number of stresses on the body.  Checking in with your chiropractor after a workout will not only help you overcome any aches or pains, but it will also ensure that your spine is properly aligned, your frame is balanced and your nerves are better able to communicate.  This means quicker recovery times between workouts and better overall results.

You Are what You Eat

Another benefit of both crossfit and chiro is that both disciplines stress nutrition.    When it comes to maintaining peek fitness, diet plays a big part.  While crossfit is an excellent way to lose fat and tone muscles, it also requires proper nutrition to maximize results and increase muscle mass.  Food such as leafy greens, garden vegetables, nuts and seeds, along with lean meats and fish are good.  Starchy foods and sugars, including bread, rice, candy, potatoes, sodas and candy should be kept to a minimum.  Vitamins and other nutrients are also vital to peek performance.  Both your trainer and your chiropractor can help you answer any nutrition-related questions. 

If you are looking to improve your health, shed pounds and improve your muscle tone and cardiovascular condition, crossfit and chiropractic fit together like two peas in a pod.  If you are thinking about starting a workout or crossfit program, consult your chiropractor today.  Your body will thank you.

Dr. Dave Edenfield  and Dr. Steven Warfield are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://chiropractor-jacksonville-fl.com and http://endyourpain.orgwho are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives.