March is National Nutrition Month. Here at Petett Chiropractic, we know that nutrition is a critical component in our overall health and wellbeing. What we put into our bodies directly affects our health status, and how our body is able to function. However, many of us do not maintain proper nutrition habits, simply because we are simply unaware of what types of foods can help certain parts of the body.

According to the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey, more than 97 percent of Americans admit to having an unhealthy lifestyle. This was based on the following the  key principles of healthy living—a good diet, moderate exercise, not smoking, and keeping body fat under control. Nutrition and chiropractic care are interwoven to the point where the slightest nutritional mishap can disrupt your overall musculoskeletal health. This is why it is critical to understand the basics of nutrition.

How Nutrition Affects the Body

No matter your age, nutrition must always be a top priority. When you eat well, your body runs at its best. Whole food nutrition increases your body’s health including the health of your muscles and tissues. If you are suffering from back pain or recovering from an injury, you should look at your diet. Your eating habits have a direct effect on your spine health.

If you tend to eat a lot of processed foods, exercise less, and don’t drink a lot of water, you are setting your body up for inflammation and weight gain. Inflammation leads to severe joint pain among other painful health conditions. This puts extra pressure on your spine which can cause you to experience chronic back pain.

Vitamins & Minerals for Your Body

Improper nutrition can affect the body’s ability to repair your muscles and overall function of your organs. If you have a poor diet, your body will not operate to its optimal efficiency making you feel tired all of the time. As a result, your body will start to break down at an early age.

If you are unsure about what kind of foods that you should be eating, speak with your Renton chiropractor, who can give you some recommendations. When in doubt, choose fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients and vitamins.

Here are some of the various foods that we recommend incorporating into your diet:

• Fresh vegetables, including cabbage, peppers and carrots are high in fiber and contain minerals and vitamins required by the body. You should aim to eat seven to nine servings of fresh veggies a day.
• Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries and pomegranates are loaded with high levels of antioxidants which help the body get rid of toxins.
• Whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and brown rice.

The Impact of Chiropractic Care

Spinal manipulation, or chiropractic adjustment, is the most common technique performed by chiropractors. The purpose is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become restricted in their movement due to a tissue injury.

Tissue injury is what can cause pain and inability to function in everyday tasks. The adjustment restores mobility, discharging the muscle tightness and allows the tissue to heal. But for your body to work properly, your skeletal system still needs a number of nutrients.

Schedule an Appointment with your Renton Chiropractors

Without proper nutrition, chiropractic care can only do so much. It’s important to pay attention to your health. Please call (425) 277-2225 to schedule an appointment with one of our trained and experienced chiropractic doctors. Our Renton chiropractic clinic is conveniently located about thirty minutes from Seattle. Our staff at Petett Chiropractic is here to answer any questions on nutrition and chiropractic care.