Are you one of those people who struggle with pain and constant tight muscles despite all the stretches and exercises you do? Are you frustrated with your tight hamstrings, calves, or chest, hips and shoulders, and wondering where all that tension comes from? The truth is, your lack of flexibility doesn’t stem from your muscles or genes, but from your nervous system.

Your nervous system controls your movement by signaling your muscles and coordinating different body parts to create motion. When you want to touch your toes, for example, your nervous system sends a signal to your muscles to move your body in that direction.

The key to improving flexibility lies in understanding your structure (spine) and how your nervous system creates movement. When you actively engage your muscles to move your body in a certain direction, your nervous system signals not only the muscles you’re using but also the opposite muscles to lengthen, allowing for efficient cooperation and a smooth range of motion. However, when your nervous system detects a potential threat or danger, such as past injuries or poor posture, it may contract some muscles protectively to stop you from going too far. This protective mechanism can result in co-contraction and limited range of motion, even when there’s no actual injury or danger present.

If you’ve been struggling with tight muscles, it’s time to rethink your approach. Instead of focusing solely on stretching or exercise, consider the signals and patterns in your nervous system that may be limiting your range of motion. If your spine is in an abnormal position it will create limitations to your nervous system to send the right signals to your muscles. I will be hard for your muscles to truly loosen up if you don’t focus on the spine as well. 

Corrective adjustments not only focus on the nervous system but you can improve your quality of life, movement, and overall health. Your flexibility is not just about your muscles but about the signals your muscles receive from your nervous system. 

Ask us how we can help! 

Your Nervous System & Your Health

Do you know how much of your nervous system senses pain? ONLY about 10%!!! 

That means about 90% of your body’s function can be interfered with before you feel the pain. 

At our office we provide a neurofunctional scan which helps us track how your body is functioning to be able to catch issues BEFORE they become a problem.

Don’t assume the quality of your health based on how you feel. Be proactive to maintain a better Balanced Health!

Why to prioritize your regular chiropractic visits?? 

1. It can Prevent Repetitive Use Injuries
2. Keep our bodies healthy to do activities that would once put us laid up on the couch for days after.
3. Correct Effects of a Sedentary Lifestyle 
4. Gets your Nervous System working at 100% all the time.Promote your overall Health – It all starts with your nervous system. Every process/action in your body needs the nervous system.
5. Lets all be honest – we forget once we are not on the schedule and by the time you feel it it is too late. Do you know how much of your nervous system senses pain? ONLY about 10%!!! Look at the picture to the right and see how small the sensory part is of the nerve. That means about 90% of your body’s function can be interfered with before you feel the pain. Your true health potential starts with the nervous system. Specific corrective adjustments help to relieve abnormal irritation to the spine and nervous system to allow your body to work at its best ability. 

What is the Thoracic Spine?

The thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae, which are like stairs for your back. This is the largest area when compared to your neck and lower-back. Your spine is able to move in all planes of motion, although it is primarily responsible for rotation. It also helps to facilitate movement of the arms with its relationship to the shoulder blade, and provides a stable base for the neck. Furthermore, your spine is paired with your ribs to influence breathing. It is such an important part of the body that is often forgotten!

Exercises to Improve Thoracic Mobility:

Build these into your daily routine to reduce and/or prevent mid-back mobility issues and stiffness. These are also great exercises to add into your breaks during the workday.

1. Cat Cow
2. Childs Pose
3. Simple twist with Childs Pose
4. Pecs Doorway Stretch
5. Shoulder CAR 
6. Neck Circles
7. YTW

If you start any of these and get any type of pain or sharp feeling please stop and ask me about them at your appointment. There are modifications for every exercise and stretch and we can also make sure you are doing them the right way. 

Exercises and stretches done right can help support your regular adjustments. 

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Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz can)
• 1 can Tomato Sauce (15 oz can)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (freshly shaved)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 8 oz rotini pasta (uncooked)

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella

Instructions

• Add the chicken breast, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and chicken broth to the crock pot.
• Cover crock pot with lid, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
• Shred the chicken. Stir in the shredded parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream and rotini pasta. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes or high for 15 minutes.
• While this is cooking, sauté the bread crumbs in the butter in a sauce pan on the stovetop.
• Top the individual soup servings with mozzarella cheese and bread crumbs. Enjoy!