You path to personal peak performance
What does peak performance mean for you? We all know that physical activity is a vital part of our health and fitness, but sometimes, we forget that just as a car needs to be checked and maintained, so do our bodies!
Aussie ouchies!
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there are close to 60,000 sports injury-related hospitalisations each year! Rugby and Aussie Rules, two of our country’s leading professional and recreational sports, provide some of the highest injury rates. Soft tissue injuries are common and this figure is only based on hospital admissions; how many more people experience sports-related back pain, knee pain, neck stiffness, etc.?
Don’t be a statistic
So, how do you mitigate the risks so that you can obtain the health and fitness benefits from exercise? They say prevention is better than a cure, so what better way to prevent accidents and injury than to improve your strength, flexibility, and recovery time, and to ease aches, pains, and joint and muscle stress. Prevention begins with conditioning your body to expect the movement and pressure of rigorous activity. Stretching is a great way to improve flexibility and body response.
The cat-cow stretch
Here’s a recommended exercise you can try to strengthen your back muscles.
1. Start on your hands and knees with your back flat
2. Breathe in as you slowly arch your back downward (like a cow) and look up to the roof. Hold this pose for 3-5 seconds.
3. Breathe out as you slowly arch your back up (like a cat) and look down toward the floor. Hold this pose for 3-5 seconds.
4. Slowly alternate between the cow and cat poses 5-10 times. Remember to breathe.
This simple exercise, done regularly, can improve your flexibility, posture, and back muscle strength while reducing wear and tear on your spine to prevent injury.
Get a competitive edge on your health
Contact your nearby chiropractor to develop a plan to reach and maintain your personal peak performance. Chiropractic care isn’t just about getting you back on your feet, it’s about prevention as well as maintenance and improvement of your health and fitness. Book an appointment online at https://www.mychiro.com.au/%28https://www.mychiro.com.au/%29