Move Well to Live Well
by Dr. Maura Roan & Dr. Jessica Roan

Life is about motion. Without movement we cannot sustain life.  Think about it - our lungs expand and contract to exchange oxygen, our hearts pump to circulate the oxygenated blood, and our nerves relay impulses to and from our brain.  Move- ment is meaningful, especially when it comes to our spines.  Movement of the spine literally recharges our brains.  In order to live well, we must have good health and in order to have good health we must move well. Remember that health has very little to do with how we feel and everything to do with how our bodies function.

If you have been reading “Health for Life”, you know that chiropractic has a
philosophy that includes making choices that respect and support the inner wisdom
of the human body, and you know that chiropractic care is for life, beginning at the
earliest age possible. Chiropractors work with the spine for no other reason than it
allows us access to the nervous system. There is no theory about the nervous system being responsible for controlling and coordinating all the cells, tissues, organs and systems of the body.  It is not a hypothesis that absolutely everything we do, think, feel, and how we relate to our environment is orchestrated by the nervous system. This is a fact.  This fact and its significance to our health are why it’s important to undergo regular chiropractic care.          

Roger Sperry received the Nobel Prize for his work related to the brain and spine.  His work clearly demonstrates the importance of spinal function and movement to the brain’s well-being. He found that the more structurally distorted a person is, the less energy there is for thinking and healing.  His research illustrates the importance of posture and a healthy spine and its relation to our overall health.

Consider all of the incidents that occur as a person grows and develops that allow the spine to sustain subtle injuries.  The subtle injuries create areas of the spine that do not move properly, known as subluxations. Sometimes these subluxations are painful, but more often they are not.  It is only over time that the body becomes overloaded with stressors, either physical, chemical or emotional and it begins presenting pain or symptoms. The public in general has never been educated about the importance of taking care of their spines.  The purpose of chiropractic is not to “fix” you once these subluxations have been present for years, but to keep the spine healthy over time through regular chiropractic adjustments.

Anyone who makes exercise a regular part of their health routine has experienced the elation following a good workout, or has found it easier to concentrate and focus following exercise. This is one of many reasons why exercise is so important to a healthy lifestyle.  We all know that exercise has global health benefits, but few of us understand the reasons why.  One of the major reasons is the stimulation of the brain through the motion of the spinal joints.  Regular chiropractic care keeps your spine healthy so you can maximize this brain-recharging effect.  Chiropractic care is basically exercise for the spine, and it is why regular checks to ensure the fluid motion of your spine are so vital.  This lifelong care is essential.  We have all heard the cliché: once you go to a chiropractor, you have to go for the rest of your life.  Have your ever heard someone complain that their nutritionist expected them to eat fruits and vegetables for the rest of their life, or complain that their personal trainer suggested they exercise for the rest of their life?  When something is healthful and improves your quality of life, when would you choose to stop doing it?  The same is true for chiropractic care.

Movement in the spine charges your brain’s battery and allows you to think, feel and most importantly, function better!!! A healthy spine means a healthy nervous system.  Chiropractic is not for any one person, it’s for EVERYONE!

Dr. Maura Roan & Dr. Jessica Roan are the owners of Roan Family Chiropractic providing chiropractic care for the entire family. Visit www.RoanFamilyChiropractic.com