Athletic Chiropractic Care

Why should athletes seek chiropractic care? Here are a few reasons and a few athletes who have sought out chiropractic care to help them reach their maximal performance.
1. Posture Improvement - This leads to core improvement and thus greater potential to reach top speeds, take hits better, and breathe better.
2. Maximal Joint Range of Motion - This will lead to less pain in the joints and muscles will be able to produce force through a greater spectrum. This will create greater force. Also there will be greater joint flexibility and a decreased likely hood for early degeneration. A joint that does not move through its range of motion and is repetitively moved will be more likely to degenerate.
3. Improved Clarity and Focus - Studies have show higher cognitive testing and better brain flow to the brain after a chiropractic adjustment.
4. Injury Prevention and Faster Recovery - Flexibility in joints and soft tissue is very important whether the athlete is performing repetitive exercises or if they are taking hits. Also an athlete who receives chiropractic care will be less likely to have scar tissue after an injury.

At this time 95% of all NFL teams regularly provide chiropractic care for their athletes.

Couple of Quotes:
Jerry Rice "You probably know about my long and successful career in football... chiropractic was the key to keeping me in the game."
Arnold Schwarzenegger "We've got to let the people know that there is a necessity, it's not even an option, it's a necessity to have a chiropractor."
Lance Armstrong "The team wasn't just riders. It was the mechanics, sasseurs, chefs, soigneurs, and doctors. But the most important man on the team may have been the chiropractor."
Tiger Woods "I've been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It's as important to my training as practicing my swing.
Emmit Smith "Playing in a football game is like being in 30 to 40 car accidents. That stuff takes its toll. But if you take advantage of the healthcare, balance your body back out, put it back where it's supposed to be, you function better, and you recover faster"

Thanks to the Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation.

For Protien Shake Reference

This chart is for reference of different protein shakes tested by consumer reports, not really news. Just good to have, hopefully more third party testing gets done on supplements.

King of Fruit

The Mango! Woo Hoo! Here is a nice article from the NYT that has more than one reason why the mango is king of fruit. "the mango is not high in calories, and it is an excellent source of beta carotene, vitamin A and potassium. Now is the time to get acquainted with them: although they’re in season from January to August, mangoes peak in May and June"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/health/nutrition/25recipehealth.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimeshealth&seid=auto

Bottom line: its time to eat a mango.
Try the Ataulfo/champagne mango:
http://www.champagnemango.com/site/champagne

Chiropractic For Migraine

Recent studies from Norway's Akershus University Hospital are showing that chiropractic among other manual therapies is just as effective as popular migraine medicines propranolol and topiramate. Not to mention the awesome side effects of chiropractic.....a maximally functioning nervous system!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21298314

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Vs. Leisure-time Physical Activity

Mowing the lawn and sweeping the floors are great, but are they as good as getting that heartbeat up? Several studies say cardiorespiratory fitness is a greater indicator for mortality prevention. In the past there have been studies showing the better performance in the maximal treadmill test the better lower the chances of cardiovascular mortality. Now in a large study, they are showing the maximal treadmill test is a better predictor than leisure physical activity for all causes or mortality. So, get out enjoy the day, and get that heartbeat up.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20418526

Ice Vs. Heat LBP

Sooooo.... I stole this from another website, but its such a great summary.

Ice or Heat for Herniated Discs / Which to Use?

Ice is an anti-inflammatory agent which will reduce swelling and temporarily retard circulation when applied. Ice is also an anesthetic agent and will reduce pain in muscular tissues. However, ice will also enact a reflex response as the body reacts to the cold by expanding blood flow to the affected area.

Heat increases cellular activity and circulation. Heat loosens tight muscles and helps in the removal of cellular waste products, due to increased blood flow.

For most injuries, ice is recommended for the first 24 to 48 hours and heat is recommended from then on. Ice should be left on for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and the area should be allowed to warm for at least 30 minutes between applications. Heat can be applied liberally and is especially effective when wet heat is utilized.

+1 Chocolate Milk!

I love chocolate milk. More and more studies are showing that it makes a great recovery drink. The protein, calcium, and carbs help in muscle repair. While the coco helps neutralize free radical production from exercise.

Here one of many good articles about how it compared to carbohydrate drinks.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19234590