Fitness progress and a funky nervous sysem:
Why Your Nervous System Is the Missing Link in Your Fitness Progress
By Dr. Alexandria Saldivar, DC
You’re working hard in the gym. You’re lifting heavy, hitting your runs, dialing in your nutrition—and yet, you’re still not seeing the results you want. Your strength has plateaued. Recovery feels slow. Maybe you're even dealing with nagging injuries or muscle tightness that won’t go away.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the part most people don’t talk about:
It might not be your training, your macros, or your motivation.
It might be your nervous system.
The Nervous System: Your Body’s Hidden Powerhouse
The nervous system is your body’s control center. It connects your brain to every muscle, joint, and organ—sending signals that control movement, strength, balance, and recovery. Think of it as the operating system behind every rep, sprint, and stretch you do.
When it’s working well, your body moves efficiently and powerfully. But when the nervous system is stressed, misfiring, or out of sync, it can hold you back—no matter how consistent you are in the gym.
Signs Your Nervous System May Be Out of Balance
If you’re experiencing any of the following, your nervous system might be the missing link:
- Muscles that feel “offline” or hard to activate
- Recurrent injuries in the same areas
- Plateaued strength or speed despite hard training
- Poor coordination or limited range of motion
- Slow recovery or lingering soreness
- Increased fatigue or lack of focus during workouts
These aren’t just random issues—they’re often signs that your brain and body aren’t communicating effectively.
How Chiropractic Helps Reset the Brain-Body Connection
This is where chiropractic care comes in.
As a neurologically based chiropractor, I focus on improving the connection between your brain and body. When there’s misalignment or dysfunction in the spine, it can interfere with how your nervous system communicates. Adjustments help restore that communication—allowing your muscles to fire more efficiently, your body to recover faster, and your movement patterns to realign.
In simple terms:
Chiropractic care helps your body work smarter, not harder.
I’ve worked with athletes, lifters, runners, and weekend warriors who noticed massive changes after getting their nervous system dialed in. More power. Better posture. Fewer injuries. And, most importantly, renewed progress.
How to Support Your Nervous System Starting Today
Whether or not you’re ready to start chiropractic care, here are 4 ways to begin supporting your nervous system right now:
- Prioritize Sleep – Your brain and body recover most efficiently during deep sleep. Aim for 7–9 hours each night.
- Stay Hydrated – Proper hydration supports nerve signaling and muscle function.
- Incorporate Breathwork – Deep nasal breathing (especially post-workout) helps shift your nervous system into recovery mode.
- Move Often, Not Just Hard – Gentle movement like walking, mobility drills, or light stretching throughout the day keeps the nervous system active and adaptable.
Train Harder by Training Smarter
You don’t need to push harder—you need to work with your body, not against it. If you’ve been stuck in a training rut or feeling “off,” it’s time to consider what’s happening under the surface.
Your nervous system isn’t just part of your fitness journey.
It’s the foundation.
Ready to take your performance to the next level?
Let’s get your nervous system in check. Click here to reach out or book your mobile visit.