Do you change the oil in your car when your engine dies? Or do you routinely change the oil in your car to keep it in good condition for as long as possible? Hopefully, you chose the latter. Our bodies are very similar to cars in that there are a great many things we can do to stay in commission. Many patients come in after an injury or when they're experiencing extreme pain, and while chiropractic care is certainly needed at those times, I feel it's equally as important to invest in preventive chiropractic care. When potential issues are identified and addressed early on, chiropractic care can actually prevent frequent injury and pain in many cases. It's more than just performing a few techniques to correct your alignment. At Strack Chiropractic Wellness Center, I teach you how to move your body in a way that will strengthen your spine and allow for healthy movement. Much like any other health venture, it's not a one and done situation. It takes consistency and a commitment to change your movement habits. Here are five reasons preventive chiropractic care is the best option.

1. Promotes Joint Movement

A lack of joint movement can ultimately lead to joint osteoarthritis. Keeping your joints moving can:

• Slow down the progression of arthritis.
  
• Make the body less stiff in the morning.
• Reduce stiffness after sitting down for a period of time.
• Keep nerves firing at a more optimal level.
  

2. Increase Ergonomics 

After an adjustment, patients have a more stable and erect posture. Their spines feel as if they have been reset and they can move more naturally. I also give them pointers on how to move in a way that doesn't irritate their problem areas. When applied outside of the office, patients find that they experience less pain and better movement. 

3. Improved Immune System 

Pain relief isn't the only benefit of chiropractic care by far. It has also been found that an adjustment can improve your immune system! An adjustment improves your nervous system function, which is closely related to your immune system's ability to fight off infection. 

4. Improved Athletic Performance

There's a reason that so many professional athletes have a team chiropractor that works on them regularly. Not only can sports chiropractic prevent injury, but it can also improve the athlete's range of motion, reduce pain, and help reduce the recovery time if an injury does occur. I've even seen patients perform better after an adjustment. 

5. Addresses the Root of Pain 

All too often, doctors treat the symptom and don't look further into the cause. Though this may provide temporary relief, it doesn't solve the problem and can sometimes make the pain or injury worse in the long run. My goal is to always search for the root of the problem and consistently treat it in a way that reduces pain and solves the issue long term. Consistent chiropractic care allows me to address the root of the issue and potentially prevent future injury or pain. 

It's incredible how connected our bodies are. It's important that we take care of ourselves and do what's necessary to keep our bodies fully functional for as long as possible. Take care of your body like you take care of your car so you can live a long, healthy, and active life for as long as possible.