Stronger Body Healthier Life Through Chiropractic Care

Stronger Body, Healthier Life: Connecting Fitness, Wellness, and Chiropractic Care

 

Fitness and wellness are often used interchangeably, but they are not identical. Fitness is mainly about your body’s ability to do physical tasks—like lifting, walking, climbing stairs, or playing sports—without getting overly exhausted. Wellness is bigger. It includes your mental, emotional, social, and physical health working together at their best (Long, 2024; Frymark, 2022). ACE Fitness+1

Regular physical activity is the “glue” that connects fitness and wellness. It strengthens your body, supports your mind, and makes it easier to live the lifestyle that keeps you well (Foothills Sports Medicine, 2017; FYZICAL Eastlake, n.d.). foothillsrehab.com+1

Integrative chiropractic care adds another powerful layer. By aligning the spine, improving nerve function, relieving pain, and prescribing targeted exercises, chiropractic helps your body move better, which boosts both your fitness and overall wellness (Newbold Chiropractic, n.d.; ShoreLife Chiropractic, 2025). newboldchiropractic.com+1

Below is an easy-to-read guide explaining how fitness, wellness, physical activity, and integrative chiropractic care all work together, with clinical observations from Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC in El Paso, Texas. El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic

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Fitness vs. Wellness: What’s the Real Difference?

What is fitness?

Fitness is about your physical ability—your strength, stamina, flexibility, and how efficiently your body handles physical work. ACE Fitness defines physical fitness as the physical components of well-being that enable a person to function at an optimal level (Long, 2024). ACE Fitness

Think of fitness as:

• How strong your muscles are

• How far or fast you can move without getting exhausted

• How well your heart and lungs handle activity

• How flexible your joints and muscles are

• How coordinated and balanced you feel

In simple terms, fitness = what your body can do.

What is wellness?

Wellness is much bigger than just being in shape. Wellness is a multidimensional state of optimal health encompassing physical, mental, emotional, social, and sometimes spiritual and environmental aspects of life (Long, 2024; Frymark, 2022). ACE Fitness+1

Common dimensions of wellness include:

• Physical wellness – caring for your body through movement, sleep, and healthy choices (Dziak, 2024). EBSCO

• Emotional wellness – understanding and managing feelings and stress

• Mental/intellectual wellness – learning new things, thinking clearly

• Social wellness – healthy relationships and support

• Spiritual wellness – connection to values and purpose

• Environmental & occupational wellness – safe surroundings and meaningful work

So while fitness is one part of wellness, wellness is about your whole life feeling balanced and healthy, not just your workout routine (Vida Fitness, 2022; Juliette’s House, n.d.). VIDA Fitness+1

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How Fitness and Wellness Work Together

Fitness and wellness are strongly connected. According to FYZICAL Eastlake, fitness is your ability to perform daily physical activities, while wellness is a state of optimal health that includes physical, emotional, and social well-being (FYZICAL Eastlake, n.d.). Fyzical

When you build fitness:

• Your heart, lungs, and muscles work better

• Your energy goes up

• You move with more confidence

• You’re more likely to make healthy choices in other areas

When your overall wellness improves:

• You handle stress better

• You sleep more deeply

• You connect better with others

• You feel more motivated to stay active and eat well (Foothills Sports Medicine, 2017). foothillsrehab.com

Key idea:

Fitness focuses on what your body can do, while wellness focuses on how your whole life feels and functions.
Both are important—and physical activity holds them together.

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Physical Activity: The Glue Between Fitness and Wellness

Regular physical activity is one of the strongest tools humans have to support both fitness and wellness.

Health benefits of regular exercise

Mayo Clinic notes that exercise can:

• Help control weight

• Lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers

• Improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression

• Boost energy and stamina

• Improve sleep quality

• Support brain function and lower risk of early death (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). Mayo Clinic

Foothills Sports Medicine adds that exercise therapy helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of diabetes, and lowers the risk of some cancers and hip fractures (Foothills Sports Medicine, 2017). foothillsrehab.com

HelpGuide and MedlinePlus explain that physical activity and structured exercise improve heart health, strengthen muscles and bones, and support long-term independence (HelpGuide, n.d.; MedlinePlus, 2022). HelpGuide.org+1

Types of exercise that support fitness and wellness

Different types of exercise build different parts of health:

• Aerobic exercise (walking, running, biking, swimming)

  • Supports heart and lung health

  • Builds endurance and stamina (MedlinePlus, 2022). NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Strength training (resistance bands, weights, bodyweight)

  • Builds muscle and bone strength

  • Supports metabolism and joint stability (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). Mayo Clinic

• Flexibility training (stretching, yoga, Pilates)

  • Improves joint range of motion

  • Helps prevent injury and stiffness (MedlinePlus, 2022). NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Balance and coordination work (tai chi, single-leg stands, balance drills)

  • Reduces fall risk

  • Helps you move confidently in daily life

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How Much Physical Activity Do You Need?

General guidelines are recommended for most adults:

• At least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity
  or 75 minutes of vigorous activity

• Plus strength training for all major muscle groups at least two days per week (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). Mayo Clinic

You can break this into small chunks. For example:

• 30 minutes of brisk walking 5 days a week

• 10–15 minutes of light strength or resistance exercises 2–3 days a week

Small steps count. Even short walks, stretching breaks at your desk, or gentle core work at home can add up over time.

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Where Integrative Chiropractic Care Fits In

Now we add another powerful partner: integrative chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care focuses on the spine, joints, and nervous system. When combined with exercise and healthy lifestyle choices, it becomes a strong tool for both fitness and wellness (Newbold Chiropractic, n.d.; AdventHealth Whole Health Institute, n.d.). newboldchiropractic.com+1

What does chiropractic actually do?

Chiropractic care can:

• Align the spine to improve posture and joint position

• Reduce nerve interference, helping signals move more freely between the brain and body

• Relieve pain in the back, neck, hips, and other joints

• Improve mobility and flexibility, making movement easier

• Support balance and coordination, especially after injuries (ShoreLife Chiropractic, 2025; Tigard Chiropractic Auto Injury, n.d.). ShoreLife Chiropractic & Wellness+1

Newbold Chiropractic explains that by improving spinal alignment and nervous system function, chiropractic care can boost overall health and help prevent future problems (Newbold Chiropractic, n.d.). newboldchiropractic.com

Chiropractic + exercise: a powerful combination

Several chiropractic and integrative health clinics highlight the benefits of combining chiropractic care with exercise for long-term results (AdventHealth Whole Health Institute, n.d.; Tigard Chiropractic Auto Injury, n.d.; ShoreLife Chiropractic, 2025). AdventHealth+2tigardchiropracticautoinjury.com+2

Together, chiropractic and exercise can:

• Reduce pain so it’s easier to stay active

• Improve joint alignment so movements are safer and more efficient

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• Support athletic performance and faster recovery

• Help prevent re-injury by addressing weak or tight areas

In short:

Chiropractic care helps your body move better, and exercise uses that movement to build fitness and wellness over time.

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Clinical Perspective: How Dr. Alexander Jimenez Integrates Fitness and Wellness

In El Paso, Texas, Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, blends chiropractic care, functional medicine, sports science, and nurse practitioner training to support both fitness capacity and whole-person wellness. His clinic focuses on spinal health, mobility, and integrative lifestyle care for patients recovering from injuries and those seeking better long-term health (Jimenez, n.d.). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic

On his site, Dr. Jimenez highlights:

• Mobility & flexibility science – structured programs to improve joint range of motion and movement quality

• Spinal & joint manipulations – hands-on adjustments to restore alignment and reduce pain

• Posture corrective care – strategies and exercises to support healthy, functional posture

• Sports injury recovery and performance – care for athletes and active individuals, including customized rehab and strength work

• Health coaching, nutrition, and functional medicine – guidance on inflammation, gut health, hormones, and metabolic balance to support long-term wellness (Jimenez, n.d.). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic

Common clinical observations from Dr. Jimenez’s integrative practice

In a dual chiropractic and nurse practitioner setting like Dr. Jimenez’s, typical patterns seen in patients include:

• Patients who receive spinal adjustments plus core strengthening often report less back pain and fewer flare-ups over time.

• Those who combine chiropractic care with aerobic activity and resistance training tend to recover faster from injuries and regain function sooner.

• Patients who address nutrition, stress, sleep, and movement together show better improvements in mood, energy, and daily function than those who focus only on exercise or pain.

• Supporting nerve function and alignment often makes exercises feel smoother and more natural, which encourages people to stay active and consistent.

These observations align with research and clinical guidelines indicating that physical wellness, exercise, and spine health reinforce one another (Dziak, 2024; MedlinePlus, 2022; Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). EBSCO+2NIH MedlinePlus Magazine+2

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How Integrative Chiropractic Care Makes Exercise More Effective

When your spine and joints are aligned and moving well, exercise becomes safer, easier, and more enjoyable.

Chiropractic care can:

• Reduce pain in key areas like the neck, back, hips, and knees

• Increase range of motion so you can squat, reach, twist, and walk more freely

• Improve posture, which helps with breathing, energy, and form during workouts (AdventHealth Whole Health Institute, n.d.). AdventHealth

• Enhance nerve communication, which supports muscle activation and coordination

In many integrative clinics, including Dr. Jimenez’s, chiropractors and other providers often recommend targeted exercises such as:

• Core stability exercises – planks, bridges, and bird-dog to support the spine

• Hip and glute strengthening – squats, clam shells, step-ups for better alignment

• Postural exercises – scapular squeezes, chin tucks, wall angels to correct slouching

• Gentle stretching – hamstring, hip flexor, chest, and lower back stretches to reduce tension

These exercises help maintain the improvements from chiropractic visits and build true fitness that supports daily life and long-term wellness (Tigard Chiropractic Auto Injury, n.d.; ShoreLife Chiropractic, 2025). tigardchiropracticautoinjury.com+1

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A Simple Plan to Build Fitness and Wellness with Chiropractic Support

You don’t have to redesign your whole life at once. Start with a simple, realistic plan that connects fitness, wellness, and chiropractic care.

Step 1: Know your starting point

• Check your current activity level:

  • How many steps or minutes do you move each day?

  • Do you get out of breath easily?

• Notice your pain or stiffness:

  • Do you have back, neck, or joint pain?

  • Does pain limit your walking, lifting, or sleeping?

Step 2: Build a basic movement routine

Aim for:

• Most days of the week – 20–30 minutes of walking or other moderate activity

• 2–3 days per week – light strength training (bodyweight or bands)

• Daily – 5–10 minutes of stretching or mobility drills

Step 3: Add integrative chiropractic care

Work with a chiropractor—ideally one with an integrative or wellness focus—to:

• Evaluate your spinal alignment and posture

• Identify areas of nerve irritation or joint restriction

• Receive adjustments and soft-tissue work as needed

• Get personalized exercise recommendations that match your condition and goals (AdventHealth Whole Health Institute, n.d.; Newbold Chiropractic, n.d.). AdventHealth+1

Step 4: Support your wellness foundation

Round out your wellness routine by focusing on:

• Sleep – aim for 7–9 hours per night (Foothills Sports Medicine, 2017). foothillsrehab.com

• Nutrition – choose more whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (MedlinePlus, 2022). NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Stress management – breathing exercises, journaling, or mindfulness

• Social support – staying connected with friends, family, or groups

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When to Get Help Sooner Rather than Later

You should seek professional help—possibly including integrative chiropractic care and a primary care or nurse practitioner evaluation—if you notice:

• Pain that lasts more than a few weeks

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs

• Trouble with balance or coordination

• Severe stiffness or loss of range of motion

• Exercise makes your pain much worse instead of better

Clinics like Dr. Jimenez’s often combine imaging, physical exams, functional testing, and lifestyle assessment to build a safe plan for movement and recovery, especially after injuries or long-standing pain (Jimenez, n.d.). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic

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Bringing It All Together

• Fitness is your body’s physical capacity—strength, endurance, and how easily you can move.

• Wellness is your whole health picture—physical, mental, emotional, and social.

• Physical activity connects the two by improving your body, mood, and brain, and by enhancing long-term independence (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023; MedlinePlus, 2022). Mayo Clinic+1

• Integrative chiropractic care helps align the spine, improve nerve function, relieve pain, and guide targeted exercises, making it easier and safer to stay active and build a healthy life (Newbold Chiropractic, n.d.; ShoreLife Chiropractic, 2025; Jimenez, n.d.). newboldchiropractic.com+2ShoreLife Chiropractic & Wellness+2

When you stack these pieces together—movement, alignment, lifestyle, and support—fitness and wellness stop being separate goals and become parts of the same long-term health journey.

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References

AdventHealth Whole Health Institute. (n.d.). A beginner’s guide: Combining exercise & chiropractic care for maximum benefits.

Dziak, M. (2024). Physical wellness. EBSCO Research Starters.

Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy. (2017, February 3). Wellness as a whole—Fitness, nutrition, lifestyle.

FYZICAL Eastlake. (n.d.). Fitness and wellness.

HelpGuide. (n.d.). Fitness.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). El Paso’s premier chiropractic clinic – Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC.

Long, A. (2024, July 19). Wellness vs. fitness. ACE Fitness.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023). Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity. Mayo Clinic.

MedlinePlus Magazine. (2022, August 15). Physical fitness and nutrition: Know your terms. National Library of Medicine.

Newbold Chiropractic. (n.d.). Unlocking wellness: How chiropractic care enhances overall health.

ShoreLife Chiropractic & Wellness. (2025, December 6). Integrative approaches for complete wellness journey.

Tigard Chiropractic & Auto Injury. (n.d.). Integrating exercise with chiropractic: A synergistic approach to sports medicine.

Vida Fitness. (2022, February 23). Fitness vs. wellness – What’s the difference?.

Juliette’s House. (n.d.). Are wellness and fitness the same?.