Staying healthy during winter - A chiropractor's perspective


Staying Healthy During Winter

Winter is an amazing time of the year here in Montana. Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and other winter activities await those willing to make the trek into the wilds during the dwindling hours of daylight.
With all the fun to be had, there are precautions to be taken during the winter time. Here are a few things to consider to maximize your experience this winter:

Conditioning matters

For those heading to the mountain to ski, snowboard, or snowmobile, preparation begins before the season. It takes a great amount of strength, coordination and flexibility to safely enjoy these high-intensity activities, and so a pre-season exercise routine starting 2-3 months prior to the season is advisable. This will help condition your body to the demands of high-impact winter sports.

Routine care from Gallatin Valley Chiropractic

Getting routine chiropractic care at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic is a great way to assist your body in adapting to the demands of pre-season conditioning, as well as between trips to the hill!
At Gallatin Valley Chiropractic, we work with many winter sports enthusiasts, because we are winter sports enthusiasts, and carry first-hand knowledge of the rigors of winter sport.
safety

Managing (SAD)

Also important to consider about Montana winters: the days are short. Coupled with the cold and increased time spent indoors, these shortened days between November and March have an effect to reduce the amount of sunlight many of us see each day. It is important to be proactive in combating the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that many Montanans face each year.

Vitamin D

Supplementing vitamin D can provide your body valuable material that our bodies use to create neurotransmitters that improve mood. Vitamin D can be purchased by itself as a supplement, or consumed in many different kinds of milk and other vitamin-fortified foods. Check labels to see if your foods have added Vitamin D, and reap the benefits of an improved mood!

Exercise

Another way to improve mood is to exercise! Here are a few ideas... 

  1. Going to the mountains

  2. Get a gym membership

  3. Exercise videos at home (YouTube is a great source!)

  4. Home gym (you can start with just an exercise ball!)

A review of studies related to exercise and mood drew a strong correlation between physical exercise and improvement in mood and decrease in depression markers.
As you would expect, at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic, we see improvement in the moods of our patients after being adjusted! The literature is starting to reflect this as well. In a case study carried out in Auckland New Zealand, the following results were seen: “improvements in both self- reported subjective and objective measures were noted in a patient with severe postural alterations, low back pain, balance disturbances, perpetual tiredness and a mildly depressive state of mind. These improvements include overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the patient.”

Stay safe this winter, and pay your favorite local chiropractors a visit! Call or go online to schedule an appointment.


406-551-2177

0766119001643904787.jpg

Gallatinvalleychiropractic.com



Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

Sunday:

11:00 am-4:00 pm