Overtraining

The syndrome of overtraining is a pitfall that only the human can have: under the influence of the reward system in the brain, we innately believe that more exercise should always bring more muscle or more stamina, but this is not always the case. There is a point of optimization beyond which you can actually cause more harm than good to your own body; it is not always easy to realize exactly when you have reached this point, but you can usually tell by listening to your body. Here are some key signs:

• Feeling drained after a standard workout
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Inability to concentrate
• Abnormal aches and pains

The problem could be nutrition, especially if you are not hydrating fluidly or providing your muscles with enough protein after a heavy workout to help them rebuild. But even the most hardcore athlete, who thinks they have perfected their gym routine down to the perfect formula, can push themselves too far on a given day, particularly when you take into account the presence of nervous system imbalances. At Haynes Chiropractic, we offer specialist support for the athlete’s body to help them improve recovery time between workouts, rehabilitate injuries, work on stiff, strained muscles and keep the spine balanced, thereby influencing the efficiency of the nervous system as it relates to working out.

Chances are, if you have overtrained, you feel it. If you need help getting back to your personal standard of excellence, give our office in Bakersfield a call to schedule an appointment today.

Dr. Jeff Haynes, D.C.