Is Pain Your Obstacle To Fitness?

Chiropractic May Help

Are aches and pains getting in the way of your weight loss goals? This fall, doctors of chiropractic here in Newtown and across the country will highlight how they can help patients focus on getting past the roadblocks to fitness and better health during National Chiropractic Health Month.

On September 29, local chiropractors Dr Aaron Coopersmith and Dr Della Schmid met with First Selectman Pat Llodra to receive an annual proclamation in recognition of the health protecting and preserving efforts of all the local chiropractic physicians in Newtown.

According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the theme for the 2010 observance is “Why Weight? Get Healthy!”

More than 60 percent of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese, according to CDC statistics, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Many people are unaware, however, that even modest weight loss, such as five to ten percent of a person’s total body weight, could improve blood pressure as well as blood cholesterol and blood sugars levels.

That’s only ten to 20 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds.

Yet losing weight can be a struggle, and many people wonder where to begin. The answer for some may be in the office of a doctor of chiropractic (DC).

“Diet pills and extreme diets do not offer long-term solutions,” says Dr Rick McMichael, president of the American Chiropractic Association. “Doctors of chiropractic, on the other hand, offer natural approaches such as exercise, diet, and hands-on care to help keep you active and able to achieve your weight-loss goals in the short term, and also help you maintain your fitness level and thereby avoid some chronic conditions down the line.”

Consultation with a DC is particularly important when you consider that the effects of obesity on the musculoskeletal system — osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain and joint pain — often cause overweight people to avoid physical activity and exercise when they need it most.

“If you’re carrying more weight than the load-bearing structures of your body — your spine and legs — can handle, there’s going to be pain, loss of movement, and degeneration in the joints,” added Dr Coopersmith. “Particularly if you’re carrying most of your weight in your abdomen, the low back and the spine will need to work harder to hold you upright. This adds extra stress and tension on your muscles, which in turn creates stiffness.”

Sponsored by ACA, National Chiropractic Health Month is held each October. The event helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.

Easy Tips And Healthy Substitutes

The American Chiropractic Association recommends the following tips for individuals looking for easy and tasty ways to cut calories and lose weight.

Breakfast

*Stir low-fat or fat-free granola into a bowl of low-fat or fat-free yogurt. Top with sliced apples or berries.

*Have fruit as a midmorning snack.

*Add strawberries, blueberries, or bananas to your waffles, pancakes, cereal, oatmeal, or toast.

*Top toasted whole-grain bread with peanut butter and sliced bananas.

*Add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes to your egg or egg white omelet.

*Canned, dried, and frozen fruits and vegetables are also good options. Look for fruit without added sugar or syrups and vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces.

Lunch & Dinner

*Ask for more vegetable toppings (like mushrooms, peppers, and onions) and less cheese on your pizza.

*Add some cooked dry beans to your salad. Or, if you have a sweet tooth, add chopped apples, pears, or raisins.

*Add broccoli, green beans, corn, or peas to a casserole or pasta.

*Have soup. You can stick with the basics like tomato or vegetable soup or mix up some minestrone or veggie chili to cut winter’s chill. When possible, choose soups with less sodium.

*Add lettuce, tomato, onion, and cucumber to sandwiches.

*Order salads, vegetable soups, or stir-fried vegetables when eating out.

*Choose beans, corn on the cob, or a side salad with low-calorie salad dressing instead of french fries.

*Try eating at least two vegetables with dinner.

*Canned, dried, and frozen fruits and vegetables are also good options. Look for fruit without added sugar or syrups and vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces.

Snacks

*Place a box of raisins in your child’s backpack and pack one for yourself, too.

*Try hummus and whole wheat pitas.

*Snack on vegetables like bell pepper strips and broccoli with a low-fat or fat-free ranch dip.

*Try baked tortilla chips with black bean and corn salsa.

*Stash bags of dried fruit at your desk for a convenient snack.

*Keep a bowl of fruit on your desk or counter.

*Drink a fruit smoothie made with whole fruit, ice cubes, and low-fat or fat-free yogurt.

*Top a cup of fat-free or low-fat yogurt with sliced fresh fruit.

*For quick and easy snacks, stock up on fresh, dried, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables.

*Pick up ready-packed salad greens from the produce shelf for a quick salad any time.

*Encourage your child to choose his or her own fruit when shopping.

*Store cleaned, cut-up vegetables in the fridge at eye level and keep a low-fat or fat-free dip on hand.

For more tips and fun ideas to get healthier, visit www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov.