Have you been struggling to lose weight? You're not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 39.8 percent, or more than one-third of American adults, were found to be overweight or obese in 2016. Being overweight is a serious mental and physical strain, and can place a burden on daily life.
Sometimes even just losing a few pounds of stubborn belly fat seems impossible. If you've been hitting a plateau in your weight loss, or have wanted to make a healthier lifestyle change, help is closer than you think. Chiropractic is an all-natural solution to aiding weight loss without tonics, pills, or cleanses. For seven ways that a chiropractor can help you lose weight, keep on reading.
1. Fix Neurological Pathways with Adjustments
Subluxations within the spine can directly impact weight gain. Subluxations are misalignments within the spinal vertebrae, which can often press on spinal nerves. This is problematic because the nerves of the spinal column act as carriers of messages sent throughout the central nervous system (CNS).
Information on anything from emotions to hunger and eating cues can be affected when these pathways are misaligned. In turn, many functions of the body, such as the metabolic system and the body's ability to burn fat, may begin to decline.
Using chiropractic adjustments, a chiropractor can correct subluxations of the spine. With routine adjustments, communication between the brain and the body's systems can begin to improve, making it easier for the body to lose weight.
2. Eliminate Pain That Prevents Exercise
The pressure subluxations place on spinal nerves often results in pain, tingling sensations, or even burning sensations in the affected area, which can extend into the extremities. This may result in chronic pain or even limited range of motion, which can greatly impact physical activities. When exercise is difficult to perform, it can seem impossible to begin shedding the pounds you want to lose.
Likewise, carrying excess weight places a tremendous amount of stress on the spine. Specifically, the lower back, which takes on more pressure due to the excess weight it has to support. This can result in chronic back pain, which can make it difficult to exercise comfortably.
At ChiroCare of Florida, our knowledgeable physicians work to effectively relieve subluxations, so that pain can be alleviated. Using chiropractic adjustments, as well as soothing treatments such as ultrasound therapy and hot laser, our physicians can help to reduce pain levels and increase flexibility. With an improved range of motion as well as diminished pain, getting in shape can be achievable.
3. Help Tone the Muscles
The body is composed of a variety of soft tissue, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Connective tissue is the structure that connects, supports, and separates other tissues and organs of the body. When connective tissue becomes loose, we refer to it as adipose tissue.
This loose tissue stores energy in the form of fat cells, which cushions the muscles. While the body needs connective tissue, the fatty composition of adipose tissue makes it difficult to tone the muscle underneath. Chiropractic adjustments may help to get rid of adipose tissue, which can lead to better muscle tone. Not only will this show in a workout, but it will also make it more difficult for the body to put weight back on after it has been lost.
4. Ditch Weight Gained from Pain Medication
If you've been suffering from back pain, you may have turned to prescription pain medications. However, prescription pain and inflammation medications, like corticosteroids, are frequently linked to weight gain.
Chiropractic care helps to alleviate both chronic and acute pain that can plague those trying to lose weight. By alleviating pain, chiropractic care can reduce the dependency on prescription medications. This helps to eliminate the cause of the weight gain, and help begin the weight loss process.
5. Nutritional Advice and Guidance
Sometimes the issue with losing weight is that you just don't know where to begin, or don't understand what it is that's causing you to plateau. Proper nutrition and lifestyle are the keys to successful, long-term weight loss. In order to effectively lose weight, an individual must have healthy eating habits and smart food choices in place.
That's where chiropractic comes in. At ChiroCare of Florida, our doctors are well-trained in nutritional support and guidance. Our physicians make professional recommendations for diet suitable to your unique needs, as well as recommendations for physical activities and exercises.
For guidance on losing weight, visit any one of our six South Florida locations that offer nutritional support:
6. Decrease Stress Levels
Experiencing stress can really slow down any weight loss efforts. With negative effects on eating habits and metabolism, oftentimes high levels of stress can thwart our attempts to lose weight. Likewise, high stress levels increase levels of cortisone in the body, which can increase cravings and send hunger signals to the brain.
Chiropractic lessens not just physical stress, but mental stress as well. Chiropractic adjustments and techniques decrease the tension being held by muscles, as well as lessen the pressure being held at the nape of the neck. Pressure held here, at the top of cervical spine, is likely to impact moods as well as cause headaches, which can heighten stress levels. Chiropractic helps to release pressure and lower stress levels, making it easier to lose weight.
Visiting a Chiropractor for Weight Loss Support
Weight loss journeys can be difficult when you venture alone. At ChiroCare of Florida, our dedicated physicians will be alongside you every step of the way. From making sure your body's systems are effectively communicating to alleviating pain and improving range of motion, a chiropractor can aid you with nutritional tips and tricks that can help lower that number on the scale.
If you've been trying to lose weight, but feel like you could use some help, don't hesitate to contact ChiroCare of Florida. With 10 locations throughout South Florida, one of our dedicated physicians is always ready to embark on your weight loss journey with you.
