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Health & Fitness

Take a Load Off: Your Guide to Musculoskeletal Health

Not many people know when, why, or even how they got into pain. It all boils down to a very simple principle of load. What is load? Read more to find out!

Do you have a "Loading" Issue?

My guess is yes!

How do I know?

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Because I see it every day!

What do I mean by a loading issue?

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To start, let us begin with the definitions. What I mean to say, is that each tissue of the body, whether that be muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, or nerve has only so much it can handle, or capacity. The "load" is any force placed on the body.  Some examples of this are running, weightlifting/training, or even sitting. These loads build-up over time in unhealthy tissue.

To look at this further, if the capacity of the tissue is greater than the load being placed on that tissue, you have no problems or dysfunction. The tissue is essentially in HEALTH.  On the other hand if the load being placed on
the tissue is greater than what the tissue can handle there has to be, by
definition, DYSFUNCTION of that tissue. Then, after some time, and the dysfunction has built up SYMPTOMS and PAIN occur.  Only then do most of us even think about doing something about it.

Fortunately, being that the human body is highly efficient
and intelligent by design, we are fully capable of adapting to the dysfunction
without ever knowing about that dysfunction or even feeling any pain.  Much like anything else, once that adaptation tissue becomes overloaded it too becomes dysfunctional.  Only when the body is no longer able to adapt to the dysfunctions are we left in pain. Unfortunately, by then, we have had so much dysfunction built up, that it is hard to tell what the main problem is, or when it even started!

I see so many people that just "wake up with pain."  We are wired to think that we just slept wrong.  But how was it different than any other night?  All it took was a small change in sleep posture that added to your already dysfunctional tissue to throw your body into the symptoms and pain category.

So how are you supposed to know that there is dysfunction if
you can’t feel it?  This is very tough, but not as tough as you may think. 
Whether you are active or sedentary, maybe you have noticed some slight
changes.  Maybe your legs get tired more quickly while running or your stride isn’t as long.  Or, maybe if you have a desk job, you’ve noticed that your posture has changed and you are no longer able to sit upright, as long.

So what can you do to fix this?

Take the load off! Maybe taking the load off is resting more between workouts, or getting up to stand and stretch at work, or receiving treatments for the
dysfunction.  The result of any good treatment increases the tissue capacity and reduces the load on the system, bringing you back to health.  Look to a
chiropractor for treatment as they have specialized training in dealing with
most musculoskeletal issues.

When choosing a chiropractor, don’t be afraid to call the
office and ask questions.  You have a right to know what services and techniques are provided in the office.  Look for a chiropractor that has additional training and certifications in soft tissue techniques, like Graston or Active Release Technique.  Ask your friends what chiropractor they go to.  If your friends
like the chiropractor you are more likely to like them as well.

So if you have a loading issue, see your local chiropractor
and take a load off! It may be all you need!

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