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Physically
Centered
By Ryan Iverach, DC
Dr.
Ryan Iverach is a graduate of Western States Chiropractic College and
is licensed in the state of Oregon as a Doctor of Chiropractic. An accomplished
endurance athlete and Ironman Triathlete, Dr. Ryan has taught at Western
States Chiropractic College and is a Chiropractic Physician at Pure
Motion Chiropractic. Contact Dr. Ryan Iverach at 503-640-6404: email
drryan@puremotionchiropractic.com
A
vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise
healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.
—
Paul Dudley White
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Walk
Your Way to Health and Fitness
Walking
— we do it every day without really thinking about it. We walk
around the house, we walk at work, and we walk out in the yard. Walking
is something we have been biochemically designed to do, and it helps
to define us as a species. But how many of us truly realize the benefits
we derive from a sustained effort of walking?
The
truth is that walking promotes health throughout every system of the
body.
Regular
walking increases life expectancy, decreases the risk of coronary heart
disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression.
People who maintain a regular walking regime decrease their risk of
colon cancer, stroke, and low back injury. It’s as easy as dedicating
30 minutes, 4 times per week to go out for a sustained walk.
If
you’re reading this article, then you’ve already taken the
first step toward improving your health and developing your aerobic
fitness through walking. In upcoming issues, this column will examine
how different health care professionals can help you to stay on the
walking path and derive the maximum benefit from your walking efforts.
Chiropractors,
medical doctors, podiatrists, naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists,
and massage therapists can offer assistance when your body is telling
you it needs help. The most important detail for every walker to remember
is to listen to the body. You should also seek help from a health care
practitioner who is experienced in working with walkers, and not one
who will quickly dismiss your goals.
Choosing
a health care practitioner or therapist can be a daunting task, but
one that should be researched. After all, it’s your body you’re
dealing with!
Certain professions are better at treating specific injuries than others,
and the priority is to find a treatment or treatment style that works
for you.
Keep
in mind that every body is different, and there is no silver bullet
that works for everyone with a certain type of injury. Health care should
be just as much of an investment in the future as
a quick fix in the present. Get to know your practitioner and be sure
to let him or her know what type of fitness goals you are working toward.
This will help both of you effectively decide on the proper course of
treatment to best handle the current injury or concern.
A
consistent walking program can improve your aerobic fitness and significantly
increase your overall health, and it’s as easy as putting one foot
in front of the other.
Good
luck with your program!
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