Let’s begin with a lot of patients’ immediate reaction to the word exercise. Sometimes it sparks excitement, but sometimes it sparks dread. It all depends on which patient you ask. Some patients will immediately visualize themselves sweating buckets in a crowded gym. But many others are aware that when Dr. Livingston brings up the word “exercise” he means helping you to move better, feel stronger, and limiting your pain. As a chiropractor, he deals with both of the above types – those who can’t wait to get moving and those who’d rather do anything else.
In reality, exercise therapy isn’t about running marathons or doing CrossFit until you drop. It’s about finding the movement that works best for you and helps your body to heal.
So… What Exactly Is Exercise Therapy?
In reality, exercise therapy is a personalized movement plan that has been designed to help you recover from pain, injuries, or chronic conditions. Do not think of it as a “one size fits all” type of program. I guarantee you that your exercise therapy will look totally different from your neighbor’s, and that’s exactly the point.
Picture this: your lower back gives you a consistent pain after you’ve spent 8 hours at your desk. Or your shoulder has been leading you to the bottle of Tylenol ever since you tried to relive your high school baseball glory. Exercise therapy is about targeted, safe movements that retrain your body—so you can get back to living life without wincing every time you get out of bed.
Why Does Livingston Chiropractic Love Exercise Therapy?
Dr. Livingston is a big fan of exercise therapy for one simple reason: it works. The adjustments and manual therapy that Dr. Livingston does are the perfect way to relieve you of your pain, but when he adds movement to his therapy, you will have truly long-lasting results.
Here’s why:
- Exercise keeps you out of the “pain cycle.” Ever notice how pain makes you move less, then you feel stiff, then you have more pain? Livingston Chiropractic’s exercise therapy breaks that cycle.
- Builds strength where you need it. How does the pain begin? Many times, it comes from muscles that aren’t doing their job. But with targeted exercise we can wake those muscles up.
- Improves your body’s “user manual.” The more you move well, the better your body gets at moving. It’s like updating your software.
But What If I Hate Exercise?
You don’t need to love exercise to benefit from it. Actually, the best kind of exercise therapy feels more like a daily tune-up than a bootcamp. Our programs start small like some gentle stretches, or a few simple strengthening moves, and sometimes, if you’re feeling adventurous, some balance work.
The Livingston Chiropractic goal isn’t to exhaust you—it’s to help you move better and hurt less.
What Should You Expect?
When you’ve had your first session with Dr. Livingston, don’t be surprised if I send you home with “homework.” They could be a few easy stretches for your neck or some simple core work for your back. Whatever I think is best for you, I will demonstrate each move to make sure your form is spot-on, and I will answer all your questions (yes, even the ones you think are silly).
We will be adjusting your plan as we go because healing isn’t a straight line. And there are times when what worked for you last week will need a tweak this week. This is normal—and it’s why I will always be here to guide you.
In Reality: It’s Not Magic, It Just Feels Like It!
A lot of my patients are surprised by how much better they feel after they’ve been conscientious about sticking to their exercises in a period of a few weeks. It’s not about perfection or pushing through pain. It’s about consistency, patience, and trusting the process.
When you’re tired of living with pain, or you just want to move a little better, ask me about exercise therapy the next time you’re in. You will probably be surprised as to how much it can help you, and you won’t even have to set foot in a gym.
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to call Livingston Chiropractic at 440-528-0005 ext. 1. We’re here for you, and we want to help you get moving again.