Everyday in practice, I am reminding patients of the benefits of regular exercise. However, occasionally I get patients who ask me, "...but I heard that running can be bad for your joints and health?". So lets discuss some of the myths out there regarding running and potential harm to your joints and overall health.
Let's start off by saying that if you are not physically active now but are interested in starting an exercise program, that may include running make sure you are screened first. Have your family physician or Chiropractor assess you to make sure you are physically able to endure moderate to intense exercise. (Make sure you inform your Chiropractor of all health conditions concerning your heart and medications you may be on). If everything is ok here, regular physical exercise is one of the very best things you could do for your health. I often explain to my patients that you would normally eat everyday because your body needs the fuel and nutrients. But your dentist will tell you that you also need to brush and floss everyday to take good care of your teeth. The same logic applies to the rest of your body. Exercise and movement is vital to proper body and spinal 'hygiene'.
"Running is bad for your joints". Wrong. A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found no evidence of accelerated rates of osteoarthritis (joint degeneration) among long-distance runners. In fact, weight bearing exercises have been shown to be actually beneficial to the bones by encouraging increased bone density.
"What about heart attacks?". Another concern that some people have is that running and other strenuous forms of exercise can 'overload' your heart and cause a heart attack. Well, there is a chance that exercise may raise the odds of suffering a heart attack, mid-workout however, regular exercise can be beneficial. Regular cardiovascular activity can reduce your chances of heart attacks and can serve as 'protection' over the long haul.
The moral of the story is, don't let these concerns stop you from becoming physically active or running. However, if you're not convinced and want to be extra 'sure', go get assessed by your doctor or Chiropractor first. Remember, exercise is best done regularly, for the long term. So don't be in a rush to run a marathon tomorrow. Take it slow and steady! If you're in the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, drop by the office or check out the website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC
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