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Pine Chiropractic Center - Proprioception - Making Your Body Smarter

Topic: ChiropracticBy Dr. Ross Pine – Pine Chiropractic CenterPublished Recently added

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We usually don't think of our bodies in terms of their being "smart." For example, we walk to the corner store without giving a single thought to the complex mechanics involved in getting there and back. But behind the scenes there's plenty going on and your body's "IQ" has a lot to do with your success in accomplishing everyday tasks.

Proprioception is one of those background physical processes that make up your body's total IQ. Proprioceptors are specialized nerve endings located in your muscles and joints that inform your brain about your body's position in three-dimensional space. You're able to write legibly because proprioceptors are sending instantaneous data about the angles of the small joints of your fingers and wrists as your pen moves across the page. You're able to run on the beach because proprioceptors are continuously sending signals to your brain about the changing shape of the uneven surface of the sand.

Without these specialized nerve endings, we'd never be able to hit a baseball, throw a Frisbee, or drive a car. But proprioceptors can be smart or less than that. It all depends on how well-trained they are. One person out for a stroll might trip over a crack in the pavement and suffer a badly sprained ankle. Another person might trip over the same crack, even badly turning over their ankle in the process, and keep on walking without even a trace of a limp.

The difference between injury and non-injury is the level of proprioceptor training, and this level usually is related to whether you're doing regular exercise. Exercise trains your muscles and joints to adapt to varying kinds of stresses (weight-bearing loads) throughout a variety of positions (the full range of motion of those joints). As a result, trained proprioceptors can withstand a high degree of stress (such as a sudden twisting of an ankle). The untrained ankle, possibly the ankle of a person who hasn't done much walking, running, or bike riding in the last 5 years, will be damaged by an unusual and unexpected stress. The result is an ankle sprain of varying severity and possibly a broken ankle.

Similarly, it is well known that older adults experience more frequent falls than do younger adults. Part of the explanation involves proprioception. Many older adults don't engage in regular exercise. Proprioceptive function decreases, changes in level or surface aren't recognized quickly by the person's feet and ankles, and the person falls.

It's easy to see that the effort to maintain your body's IQ is time very well spent. The fastest way to boost this skill set is by doing regular exercise. All kinds of exercise provide benefit, so the best exercises are the ones that have some interest for you personally. Optimally, a person is doing both strength training and cardiovascular exercise. As always, the key to long-term health and wellness is consistency.

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About the Author

After opening its door in Pompano Beach thirty two years ago, another generation of Pine Chiropractic is in town. Dr. Ross Pine is partnering with his father, Dr. David Pine, who began his practice in 1978. They are committed to combining the traditional principles of chiropractic along with the latest state-of-the-art technology to improve the health and well being of the South Florida residents.
Dr. David Pine was born in Queens, New York and grew up in Port Washington on the north shore of Long Island. There he attended Paul D. Schreiber High School and was a member of the varsity tennis and soccer teams. Dr. David pursued his higher education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. His extra-curricular activities included the varsity soccer team, a position as chairman of the university's concert committee, and membership in the ZBT frate
ity.
The National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois is where Dr. David completed his four year post graduate studies in order to receive his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees. By this time, Dr. David had met and married his wife, Dale, and together they moved to Florida to "thaw out." They co-authored a book entitled Fitness For Couples which endorses exercising with a partner to stay fit and combat the boredom of exercising alone. Their book was featured in "McCall's" magazine and on various television talk shows.
In November of 1978, Dr. David opened his chiropractic office in Pompano Beach. He became active in the community by lecturing and writing health articles for local newspapers and he also became the team physician for the Ely High School football team. Dr. David coached and sponsored a variety of local soccer and baseball teams and in 1994 he authored his second book entitled, 365 Good Health Hints which offers sensible tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Ross Pine is a wonderful addition to his father's well established and much respected practice. While attending Nova High School in Davie, Dr. Ross was a member of the National Honor Society and received numerous awards as an accomplished trumpet player in the high school's marching and jazz bands. He was also a member of the distinguished Florida Youth Orchestra. Dr. Ross earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Tulane University in New Orleans where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Frate
ity. He pursued his post graduate studies at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. In his final year he was a chiropractic intern for the Northweste
University Athletic Department in Evanston, Illinois and the DePaul University Athletic Department in Chicago. In addition to receiving his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2009, Dr. Ross completed many hours of post doctoral studies and is a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner. He uses the Kinesio Tape to enhance the athletic performance of his patients and expedite their recovery from various injuries. As certified ProAdjuster practitioners, Dr. David and Dr. Ross utilize instrumentation in their office that is based on NASA science technology. The ProAdjuster provides a computer analysis of the motion of vertebrae and chiropractic treatment can be done comfortably in an upright position without turning, twisting or sudden movements. Dr. Ross Pine - Pine Chiropractic Center http://www.pinechiropracticcenter.com
Pine Chiropractic Center is keeping in step with all the advances in chiropractic healthcare. They have a computerized scanner to check the arches of the feet and can customize orthotics to correct the foundation of the entire pelvic structure. Dr. David and Dr. Ross offer rehabilitation therapy, cold laser, mechanical traction, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, massage therapy, nutritional counseling and corrective exercise programs. With the merging of two generations of chiropractors, Dr. David and Dr. Ross are able to offer the community traditional methods of chiropractic along with modern breakthroughs in healing.

Pine Chiropractic Center - Proprioception - Making Your Body Smarter

About the Author

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