"How do you maintain your vitality?"
Dr. John Brow has been with THWC since 2014. In addition to being a caring provider, he is a great Dad, husband, chef and athlete. He continues to play competitive ice hockey on a regular basis. I recently took some time to ask him how he manages all of it and stays as youthful and healthy as he does. Please read more about Dr. Brow here and I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it...
- How long have you been playing sports?
I have been playing sports since I was about 4 years old. I have played tennis, baseball, soccer, and ice skating at 6 and ice hockey at 8 years old. I continue to play ice hockey today. At around 12 I played a little golf with my father and brothers, and continue to play golf with my sons. I grew up with five siblings so there was always someone to be around
- What do you like about it?
I like the team aspect of the sports and being with other individuals competing for the same goals. But I also enjoy competing and challenging myself to be better at something. Competition in sports will teach many life lessons, as long as we are willing to listen and learn.
- What do you do now?
Currently I continue to play ice hockey on the weekends now, but will be looking to play more once school is finished. I also play golf with my sons as they are looking to play in school.
- How do you keep yourself physically healthy and agile?
Currently I am getting back into doing some weight and physical training with my sons who are looking to improve themselves in sports – golf, soccer, and Tae Kwon Do. I also engage in doing yoga which has helped with flexibility and reducing the risk of muscle strains / sprains.
5. What is your overall wellness routine to stay on top of your game?
-Not so sure I am still at the “top of my game” but as I believe that yoga has been a great tool and starting to integrate more functional weight resistance training for overall flexibility and strength to be able to maintain being active has been very helpful.
- How does a lifetime of athletics prepare you to better help patients?
I believe being an athlete has helped me over the last 30 years with assisting patients to be the best athlete that they can be. That may be getting someone to start walking to eventually getting to run a 5K for example, rather than being in pain throughout the day and not able to do things with their children or spouse. You are never too old to start moving – “Life is Movement” , so let’s be an active participant in our life rather than allowing it to pass us by……do not live with regrets.
- Where’s a good place to start for someone who wants to get in better physical health?
I believe that the place for someone to start ( that has not been active) is to go for a walk around or down the block. Get your kids, husband/ wife or even man’s best friend and go down the road to start. As this progresses and you are looking to do more and set goals for things to achieve – this may be the point of having an assessment done to make sure that you are eating right and getting the nutrients “your” body needs to be successful on this journey through life no matter when you decide to do it.
- What are specific tangible things that (middle aged ) men can do to maintain their optimal health?
-As men we sometimes take our health for granted and neglect seeing the doctors, sometimes until it may be too late. I believe that men would benefit from having a health assessment done to make sure that they are capable to start or continue to maintain their exercise routine. BUT, also doing things to prevent or limit injuries along the way. Getting a functional assessment lab work to make sure that they will be getting the necessary nutrients to assist them in reaching those goals and maintain a longer healthier lifestyle and optimal health for them. Chiropractic care is also hugely beneficial to maintain an agile body.
Dr. Brow is available for Chiropractic and functional medicine appointments in our Mechanicsburg and Manheim offices. You can also learn more about him by visiting our YouTube channel.