Unlock Your Summer Potential with Chiropractic Care

With warm weather finally consistent, many people are increasing the amount of time they are spending outdoors. The variety of activities that change in the summer is a great motivation to get outside and move your body. Whether you are playing pickleball, golfing, swimming or getting out on the trails, it is the best time to enjoy all that Columbia has to offer. With new movement comes new aches and pains, and as we move through a summer of activities, Focus on Health is there to support you through it. 

Our bodies are incredibly good at adapting to change. When faced with a new stimulus, our bodies are adept at recognizing the change and responding with a change in our physiologic systems. When resting, our bodies prefer to be in a parasympathetic state, or the “relax and digest” mode. This state allows our nervous system to regulate itself to maintain homeostasis, or cellular regulation. Relaxation is great, but our bodies also crave and demand challenges to this system to stay balanced. Exercise is one of the most powerful and effective sources of stimulus that can positively engage the sympathetic nervous system. 

During exercise, a number of responses happen in the sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate increases, muscle fibers engage to increase speed and strength, the respiratory system provides the body with oxygen and blood flow increases. While these shifts happen, the body has to find a way to continue to maintain homeostasis, so it begins to sweat and deliver oxygen to the muscles that need an increase of oxygen and nutrients. All of this requires hard work from our systems, from the cellular level to the demand that we feel mentally. 

After exercise, as many of us have experienced, our bodies again have to adapt to change. Activities that are new to us often require new muscle and joint systems to fire on, which can cause soreness. This is a completely natural part of the adaptation process. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), stiffness, or fatigue can indicate that your body is learning, responding, and, most importantly, growing stronger.

However, it’s also important to differentiate between expected soreness and dysfunctional pain. Soreness that fades in a day or two and doesn’t restrict your movement is normal. Lingering pain or continual dysfunction during exercise are key indicators that it’s time to seek professional attention. This is where a proactive approach to recovery becomes essential. At Focus on Health, we aim not just to treat pain, but to identify the root cause and prevent future injuries, helping you stay active all summer long.

Rehabilitation doesn’t just begin after an injury; it can, and should, be integrated into your wellness routine as a form of ongoing care. This includes mobility work, neuromuscular re-education, soft tissue therapy and performance-focused training. These methods enhance your body's ability to adapt and recover by supporting better movement mechanics, muscle activation and joint alignment.

One of the most valuable things we can offer as rehab specialists is education. The more you understand about your body's response to stress and movement, the more empowered you become in your own health journey. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just lacing up your walking shoes again, intentional recovery strategies like dynamic warm-ups, belly breathing and guided mobility can dramatically improve performance and reduce injury risk.

As we move through the summer months, remember that sustainable progress doesn't require perfection, it requires consistency and support. At Focus on Health, we’re here to guide you through each phase of your movement journey, from pain relief to performance. Our goal is to help you return to the activities you love with confidence, efficiency and strength.

So go out and enjoy your pickleball match, your long hike or your laps in the pool, but give your body the tools it needs to recover well and move better than before. Movement is medicine, and when it’s supported with care, knowledge and a personalized approach, the results can be transformative.