Hitting for the Cycle

Image of a grandfather, son and grandson with baseball bat and glove.

In baseball, hitting for the cycle means that a batter hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run during the same game. Hitting for the cycle is a rare baseball event, occurring about as often as a no-hitter by a pitcher. Certainly, a great deal of skill is involved in accomplishing such a feat. A batter needs to have a good eye, quick hands, speed, and a little bit of luck. If we consider that we're involved in playing the game of life, we could ask ourselves what it might take to "hit for the cycle" in our regular pursuits. We'd want our "cycles" to be things we succeeded in all the time.

First, we'd want to choose our milestones. In baseball, this is easy. The four bases are right there on the field, 90 feet apart. In our lives, if we wanted to set up milestones related to the health and well-being of ourselves and our families, we'd probably select achievements in the areas of exercise, nutrition, restorative rest, and positive mental attitude. Stretching the metaphor somewhat, if we could get a "base hit" in each of these areas on a daily basis, we'd very likely be improving our health status substantially. The tasks immediately before us, if we're going to play this "game", are to establish the kinds of things we're going to do in each category. Next, we'll specify the outcomes or measurable results by which we'll ascertain whether we're getting done the things we said we'd do.

In terms of exercise, federal guidelines recommend doing 30 minutes of vigorous exercise five times a week. Regarding nutrition, we want to consume at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, and make sure we're obtaining the right amount of calories per day based on our age, height, and body type. With respect to rest, getting eight hours of restorative sleep per night is optimal. Of course, many adults will regularly get less, so a realistic target range is six to eight hours of sleep per night. Action steps related to achieving and maintaining a positive mental attitude include meditation, guided imagery, and spiritual practices. Achieving your goals in each target area on a daily basis will equate to hitting for the cycle in the game of life. Our rewards are the enhanced wellness and well-being of ourselves and our families.

Regular chiropractic care provides great assistance as we pursue our health and wellness goals. By identifying and correcting sources of nerve irritation and spinal dysfunction, regular chiropractic care helps ensure that all the body's organ systems are receiving the information they need in order to function effectively. In this way, by helping to ensure optimal functioning of our nerve system and musculoskeletal system, regular chiropractic care helps optimize the activities of our entire physiological organism. As a result, we're able to gain maximum benefit from the healthful activities we're engaged in as we play the game of life.

1. Wilson MG, et al: Basic science behind the cardiovascular benefits of exercise. Br J Sports Med 50(2):93-99, 2016
2. Rodriguez-Casado A: The Health Potential of Fruits and Vegetables Phytochemicals: Notable Examples. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 56(7):1097-107, 2016
3. Helvig A, et al: Rest and the associated benefits in restorative sleep: a concept analysis. J Adv Nurs 72(1):62-72, 2016

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Testimonials

  • "SUCCESS!!
    I had been experiencing tightness in my lower left back and buttocks going down the exterior of my left leg for about six months. I tried adjusting my posture and doing frequent stretching exercises. Although the problem didn't get worse, neither did it improve.
    After my first visit with Dr. Rich, I noticed a huge improvement. The pain down my leg reduced by 80% and the tightness in my back and buttocks improved too. Thus far I have had four sessions and continue to feel better with each visit. If not for Dr. Rich's treatments, who knows how long I would have continued living day to day with this irritating constant pain."
    PF
  • "Thank You!!
    I want to thank you all so much for the care I received following my recent motorcycle accident.
    I came to my therapy the following Tuesday with a knot in my back that felt the size of a racquetball. After three sessions of very deep and hard massage it was finally broken up and has not come back since.
    Additionally all the work that Dr. Rich did on my spine, knees, left foot and shoulder joints have both relieved a great deal of pain and resulted in what I believe is an overall improvement in function.
    All in all by the time Dr. Rich recently released me, I feel that my back and joints are in better condition than before the accident. They certainly feel better.
    I cannot thank you enough."
    JKB
  • "I Feel Great!
    I started treatment with Dr. Rich and Christina, his wonderful massage therapist about two months ago. I had an appointment to see the nutritionist and arrived early so someone suggested to get a massage and I shared my neck and shoulder discomfort.
    I ended up being treated by Dr. Rich and he adjusted my neck, back and shoulder and I could not be happier. I never thought that all of my neck, shoulder and back issues would go away. I am a nurse and had been suffering with this pain for about a year. I am now able to work out and use my shoulder. My neck doesn't hurt and I am a happier person.
    Thank you so much Dr. Rich and Christina!"
    OP