How Movement Keeps Your Body Pumping

How Movement Keeps Your Body Pumping

Our bodies are incredible machines that work together to keep us healthy and strong. One key system that plays a major role in our health is the cardiovascular system. You have probably heard that the heart is the main pump responsible for moving blood around our bodies. But did you know that movement also acts as a second pump, helping to keep our blood flowing smoothly? Dr. Aaron Workman of Chambers Medical Group, one of the highest rated auto injury care facilities in Lexington, addresses how movement keeps your body pumping.

Before we talk about how movement helps, let us understand the heart’s role in our body. The heart is a strong and muscular organ that works non-stop to pump blood through our blood vessels. It sends oxygen-rich blood to our organs and tissues, providing them with the nutrients and oxygen they need to function properly. Keeping our heart healthy is vital for our overall health, and moving regularly can help us achieve that. Here is what movement will do. When we move, our muscles also help pump blood. It is the second pump in our body. It is like having a sump pump in a house’s basement to supplement water drainage except body movement supplements your bodies drainage. When we exercise or do physical activities, our muscles contract and relax. This action pushes blood back to the heart, especially the deoxygenated blood that needs to return there.

The important part happens when our muscles contract. As we move, the muscles around our veins squeeze the blood inside them, pushing it upward toward the heart. This action prevents blood from staying in one place and helps it circulate efficiently. This is important for injury recovery as it aids in reduction of swelling. A lot of times when patients are hurt due to an injury they stop moving, which is the opposite of what they need to do. Movement promotes healing. Sitting or being inactive for long periods can have negative effects on our circulation. Think about sitting on a long plane flight and how you are told it is important to get up and move for your circulation. When we sit for too long, blood flow can become slow, especially in our legs. This can lead to dangerous conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein and can be very dangerous.

Tips for Keeping Your Body Pumping with Movement

1. Stay Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. That breaks down into about 25 minutes a day. It could be walking, running, swimming, or biking. Choose activities you enjoy.
2. Take Breaks: If you sit a lot, take short breaks every hour to stand up, stretch, and walk around for a few minutes.
3. Stay Active Throughout the Day: Look for opportunities to move more, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a walk during breaks.
4. Ankle Exercises: Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when sitting or lying down to keep the blood flowing in your legs. This helps circulation from legs to the heart.

The heart is the main pump in our body, but movement is the second pump and together they work on keeping our blood flowing smoothly. Regular exercise not only benefits our heart but also improves our overall circulation, reducing the risk of heart problems. So, let us get moving, keep our bodies pumping, and stay healthy!

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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Have you been in a car accident? If you or somebody you know has been in a car accident, be sure that you seek medical attention from a car accident doctor or car accident chiropractor to treat your injuries. Visit Chambers Medical Group  to receive world-class medical treatment for your injuries.

Chambers Medical Group has car accident medical clinics in the following locations:

• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Tampa
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Plant City
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Brandon
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lakeland
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Sarasota
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Louisville
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lexington
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Florence