Chiropractic Tips for Weightlifters
By Sara Butler
Maybe you’re a weightlifter who lives for competition, or maybe you’re just a weekend (and evening) warrior who wants to get stronger. No matter your motivation, strength training is certainly a must when it comes to improving overall health and fitness. The chiropractors at The Joint think strength training is essential, but just as essential are caring for your back as you lift all those weights! Here are a few chiropractic tips for weightlifters to help keep you and your back going strong.
Know the Hazards
Before you start any kind of demanding or strenuous workout, you need to know the risks associated with it. Weightlifting can cause back pain in a few different ways. It’s not uncommon for chiropractors to see strained ligaments and tendons in the back and restrictions or dysfunction in the spinal joints.
When you lift weights, you’re putting your body at risk. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of the type of injuries that can occur and address them as needed before they turn into more serious problems – with the help of your chiropractor, of course!
Use Your Core
One of the best measures you can take to protect your spine while weightlifting is to use your core muscles. Those are the muscles located in your abdomen and hips. They’re important muscles to develop in order to support the spine in everyday activities, not just the gym, so make sure to engage them when lifting. Doing this also has the added benefits of helping you to avoid using the wrong muscles when you lift by helping you to use the correct posture. If you reach a point in your workout where you’re too exhausted to engage your core, then you better call it a day.
Don’t Lift with Your Back
Lifting weights is just like lifting anything else – you never want to use your back muscles to do it. Keeping your spine straight when lifting is very important, otherwise, you risk damaging the nerves in your arms and legs. Also, it’s important not to twist as you lift, which can cause muscle strain in your back as you exercise, which may result in pain when you’re done.
Your chiropractor is a big fan of strength training and weightlifting, but they’re also a fan of doing it right! If you need guidance to help you find the best practices for weightlifting in order to keep your spine healthy, then discuss it with your chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.