What would you do?

If chiropractic care pops up in your daily news fix, it’s probably talking about the strides doctors of chiropractic are making in helping those battling chronic back and neck pain. Given the number of studies showing most patients experience significant reductions in pain following treatment, it’s the sort of press we love to see here at the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.

But sometimes buried in the deluge are the less attention-grabbing accounts of people who seek chiropractic care for preventive reasons – think athletes! – and to return mobility and range of motion. Or, intrigued by the anecdotal stories of well-being, there are others like Tyler Maas who simply want to experience it for themselves.

In a piece published in the Milwaukee Record, Maas called chiropractic care the best kind of crack. His head-to-toe adjustment included one that let loose “a noticeable crack and instantly (relieved) head and neck tension I didn’t even know I had,” he wrote.

Without a doubt, he said, he was coming back for more. And why not? What would you do if you could reach for the fly ball making its way into centerfield again? What if a trip to the park found you, instead of scuttling to the nearest bench, asking your grandchildren what they wanted to do next?

What would you do if chiropractic care gave you back your life?

• Go for a swim! Not only is it refreshing, it’s good for you! It’s also a great way to spend a summer afternoon with family and friends. As your doctor of chiropractic surely told you, activity is key to staying aligned. Swimming is easy on joints, it burns about 500 calories an hour, and is one of the only exercises that works all your body’s major muscle groups. Don’t forget that wonderful rush of endorphins. What’s not to love?

• Take up a hobby! Get your watercolor paints back out. Dust off your wood-working tools. Plant a garden and enjoy the fresh, healthy produce your doctor of chiropractic recommended adding to your diet. Need another reason? Numerous studies show that therapeutic horticulture promotes overall health and quality of life in everyone from military vets and prison inmates to school children and older adults.

• Share your newfound sense of well-being! A large London School of Economics study of American adults found that volunteering once a week raised happiness levels comparable to having an income of $75,000 to $100,000 instead of $20,000.

• Let others know about your chiropractic experience. A majority of Americans believe that chiropractic care does help and are willing to give it a try, according to the most recent Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic report. However, they admitted that not knowing enough about the philosophy behind chiropractic keeps them from scheduling an appointment. Word of mouth is a powerful way to educate your family and friends about something you believe in.

Now get out there and enjoy life again!