Let's Get Crackin! The Joint Chiropractic - Landmark Recommends These Fun & Safe Activities!
Story by Liesel Schmidt
Photography Jonathan Thorpe
Chiropractic care is an alternative medicine practice that has been around for centuries. From various musculoskeletal issues and neurological pain to immune function and improvement of internal systems, getting a chiropractic adjustment can have a major impact on one's quality of life. That impact was the very thing that led Justin Velez-Hagan to invest in the Joint Chiropractic.
“After the military, I found that chiropractic care [was] the only cure for my back issues and [I] subsequently fell in love with the practice, especially the opportunity to heal people without the need for surgery or the band-aid of potentially addictive opioids,” says Velez-Hagan, an economist and business investor who holds investments in several businesses along with his wife, Laura Berrocal. “After visiting my chiropractor one day, I pitched my wife the idea of improving the typical chiropractic healthcare clinic model. I loved chiropractic, but having to make appointments, rely upon insurance approvals, visit inconvenient locations and take time off from work to visit during awkward hours became such a hassle to me that I neglected my healthcare, like so many others do. So I investigated the process of ‘reinventing’ chiropractic care, hoping to improve existing business practices. During this process, we came across the Joint Chiropractic, a franchisor with more than 750 clinics around the country, doing exactly what we wanted to do: open locations in super convenient shopping centers with night and weekend hours, the ability to walk in whenever a patient wants and a pricing structure that anyone can afford without the need to deal with insurance companies. Our prices are typically more affordable than a copay.”
Having opened the Joint Landmark, their first clinic, in March of 2022, Velez-Hagan and his wife have plans to open their second location in Burke by August of 2022, with a third in development in Annandale. And while it may be a franchise, there’s nothing cut-rate about their team. “Our chiropractors have various degrees of experience, from a few years to decades, but all have four-year medical degrees and are licensed and monitored by the same state medical boards as all doctors,” Velez-Hagan notes.
'...virtually everyone can benefit from consistent care to maintain proper alignment and body functionality. - Justin Velez-Hagan, Co-Owner The Joint Chiropractic - Landmark
With regards to how often chiropractic adjustments should be made, Velez-Hagan says, “Recommended adjustment frequency depends on several factors and an individual’s needs. During our consultations, our doctors always put together a custom treatment plan based on their assessments. Most patients go through the three basic stages of relief, recovery and wellness. During the relief stage, pain, discomfort and motion restrictions are addressed and eliminated, often requiring multiple visits per week in combination with other home therapies such as ice and stretching. During the recovery stage, healing is promoted by maintaining proper communication throughout the body to ensure pain and discomfort are kept at bay. It is often easy for chiropractors to eliminate those discomforts, but consistent, continued visits of once or twice per week help a patient through the muscle and tissue recovery stage, strengthening muscles and joints to ensure pain doesn’t return. Even after patients get to the wellness stage, virtually everyone can benefit from consistent care to maintain proper alignment and body functionality. Everyday activities can affect our alignment and lead to multiple forms of health side effects, so maintenance plans are almost always recommended. Combined with a balanced diet and exercise, there are so many benefits to overall well-being through continued chiropractic care.”
With the onslaught of summer, some of those “everyday activities” that adversely affect alignment can change, but there are still many chiropractor-approved summer activities that won’t send you screaming for an adjustment. “Our doctors always recommend good stretching techniques and exercise practices that enhance flexibility while improving strength, such as yoga, walking or hiking, swimming, biking and other low-impact exercises,” says Velez-Hagan.
Chiropractic care is an alternative medicine practice that has been around for centuries. From various musculoskeletal issues and neurological pain to immune function and improvement of internal systems, getting a chiropractic adjustment can have a major impact on one's quality of life. That impact was the very thing that led Justin Velez-Hagan to invest in the Joint Chiropractic.
“After the military, I found that chiropractic care [was] the only cure for my back issues and [I] subsequently fell in love with the practice, especially the opportunity to heal people without the need for surgery or the band-aid of potentially addictive opioids,” says Velez-Hagan, an economist and business investor who holds investments in several businesses along with his wife, Laura Berrocal. “After visiting my chiropractor one day, I pitched my wife the idea of improving the typical chiropractic healthcare clinic model. I loved chiropractic, but having to make appointments, rely upon insurance approvals, visit inconvenient locations and take time off from work to visit during awkward hours became such a hassle to me that I neglected my healthcare, like so many others do. So I investigated the process of ‘reinventing’ chiropractic care, hoping to improve existing business practices. During this process, we came across the Joint Chiropractic, a franchisor with more than 750 clinics around the country, doing exactly what we wanted to do: open locations in super convenient shopping centers with night and weekend hours, the ability to walk in whenever a patient wants and a pricing structure that anyone can afford without the need to deal with insurance companies. Our prices are typically more affordable than a copay.”
Having opened the Joint Landmark, their first clinic, in March of 2022, Velez-Hagan and his wife have plans to open their second location in Burke by August of 2022, with a third in development in Annandale. And while it may be a franchise, there’s nothing cut-rate about their team. “Our chiropractors have various degrees of experience, from a few years to decades, but all have four-year medical degrees and are licensed and monitored by the same state medical boards as all doctors,” Velez-Hagan notes.
With regards to how often chiropractic adjustments should be made, Velez-Hagan says, “Recommended adjustment frequency depends on several factors and an individual’s needs. During our consultations, our doctors always put together a custom treatment plan based on their assessments. Most patients go through the three basic stages of relief, recovery and wellness. During the relief stage, pain, discomfort and motion restrictions are addressed and eliminated, often requiring multiple visits per week in combination with other home therapies such as ice and stretching. During the recovery stage, healing is promoted by maintaining proper communication throughout the body to ensure pain and discomfort are kept at bay. It is often easy for chiropractors to eliminate those discomforts, but consistent, continued visits of once or twice per week help a patient through the muscle and tissue recovery stage, strengthening muscles and joints to ensure pain doesn’t return. Even after patients get to the wellness stage, virtually everyone can benefit from consistent care to maintain proper alignment and body functionality. Everyday activities can affect our alignment and lead to multiple forms of health side effects, so maintenance plans are almost always recommended. Combined with a balanced diet and exercise, there are so many benefits to overall well-being through continued chiropractic care.”
With the onslaught of summer, some of those “everyday activities” that adversely affect alignment can change, but there are still many chiropractor-approved summer activities that won’t send you screaming for an adjustment. “Our doctors always recommend good stretching techniques and exercise practices that enhance flexibility while improving strength, such as yoga, walking or hiking, swimming, biking and other low-impact exercises,” says Velez-Hagan.
1. Aquacise
Water training exercises are low impact and great for strengthening your muscles. This type of exercise includes treading water, stand-up paddle-boarding and pool sports such as pool volleyball.
2. Body Weight Strength Training
Strength training helps build muscles and improves muscle tone. Those muscles protect and support your joints and heavy weights are not required for results. Body weight exercises are ideal for building muscle in a low-impact way, which is great for anyone suffering from joint pain.
3. Fruit and Veggie Picking
Picking patches at produce farms provide the perfect summer activity. Your joints will get a light workout at the same time as you stock your crisper, plus it’s a relaxing way to enjoy being outdoors.
4. Get Walking
Traveling is a great time to go on a casual walking tour. Walking is a low-impact exercise that can be done at your own pace and also helps heart health.
5. Go Swimming
Swimming is the quintessential summer activity and a great way to exercise for anyone of any age because it’s so low impact. Spoiler alert: it not only cools you down during the intense summer heat, but it also helps alleviate back pain and improves your muscle strength.
6. Hang out in a Hammock
Here’s one that anyone will love: chilling out in a hammock. Lay back and raise your legs in your hammock, which will help your circulation. The flexibility of the hammock also allows your body to relax the back and joints, which combats inflammation and relieves joint pain.
7. Ride a Bike
Get out and explore on a bicycle. It’s low-impact on your joints—just watch your posture, stay hydrated and take breaks if you feel you need them.
8. Stretch
Duh. Really, this is something ALL of us need to do before any strenuous activity, during every season of the year. Cycle through a series of stretches to warm up your body, which will reduce the risk of injury to your muscles and joints.
9. Strike a Pose
Yoga involves a series of poses, breathing techniques and meditation that help clear the mind and relax the body to put you in tune with your body’s health.
10. Take a Hike
Hiking is a great way to appreciate the outdoors while you exercise. Make sure to take your time and use walking sticks for challenging hikes. Pack light backpacks or fanny packs with only essentials to avoid overloading or straining muscles and joints. “Hiking is great for your back,” says Velez-Hagan. “Our doctors always recommend some form of exercise to maintain good bone, spine and joint health, combined with muscle strengthening to support the musculoskeletal system.”
