Chiropractic adjustments are a great way to relieve pain, reduce stress, and help properly align your body. For permanent change to take effect, however, further action is required. Otherwise, your injuries and pain points are likely to reoccur.
Adjusting your posture, stretching regularly, and performing physical exercises are all great ways to improve the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment, as well as your overall physical health. If you want to improve posture, strength, and flexibility all at once, you should consider yoga.
Not too long ago, yoga was viewed by many as strange, mystical, and pseudo-scientifical. In recent years, however, it’s been recognized as an effective way to increase strength and flexibility while also improving balance, breathing, blood flow, and more. This makes yoga the perfect companion to chiropractic treatment.
Implementing Yoga into Your Daily Routine
If you’ve never tried yoga before, it might seem intimidating. It doesn’t have to be though. There are plenty of free resources out there that can get you started. Searching “yoga for beginners” or “yoga for men/women” on YouTube will help you find stretches and routines that are great for you.
It’s also important to know that you don’t have to become a full-time yogi to benefit from yoga stretches and exercises. Simply adding a few poses to a daily stretching routine can make a big difference. You may already know a few.
(Though we’re providing brief descriptions and showing images of poses, we highly recommend watching in-depth videos or having someone experienced in yoga show you how to perform these moves).
Child’s pose begins by kneeling with your knees at hip-width. Exhale and extend your arms before you, laying your palms flat on the ground. Now gently pull your torso back towards your tailbone, keeping your back flat and low.
Downward dog starts in a pushup position with your hands shoulder-width apart. From there, exhale as you push your arms straight and move your tailbone back and into the air. Your back should remain flat as you straighten your legs as much as you can.
Upward dog starts off in the same position as downward dog. However, instead of pushing your tailbone back, you push your torso upward, stretching your chin towards the sky as you arch your back. As you do this, your arms will be straight, and the base of your body will lift off the ground.
Make sure to untuck your toes as you do this. You also shouldn’t push yourself too far. Only go as far as your body will comfortably allow.
Cobra and sphinx poses are similar to upward dog, though it’s a little simpler and less intense. Unlike upward dog, you keep your legs and hips on the ground while your arms stay slightly bent. This makes it a great beginner’s pose.
Functional Chiropractic Care
At Watkins Family Chiropractic, we take a holistic approach to spinal care. In addition to providing a variety of chiropractic treatments, we help teach our patients stretches and exercises that will strengthen their bodies and provide a way to permanent relief.
This includes yoga stretches and poses such as cobra, child’s pose, and more.
If you need of a chiropractor in Prior Lake or Savage, MN, contact Watkins Family Chiropractic today. We work within your timeframe and budget, and we will never try to sell you on expensive packages and services that you don’t need. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
