How lifestyle, seasons and proactive care shape long-term health
Living in the Black Hills is a gift. Surrounded by open spaces, fresh air and abundant opportunities for outdoor activity, many residents value an active, hands-on lifestyle. At the same time, this way of life brings unique health challenges—many of which we see consistently in clinical practice.
Across South Dakota, population-level health data show patterns that directly affect the Black Hills region. According to America’s Health Rankings, approximately 25.7% of South Dakota adults report no leisure-time physical activity, a factor strongly associated with chronic pain, reduced mobility and long-term health risks.¹ Seasonal weather, rural distances and physically demanding work can further compound these challenges, particularly during winter months.
Chronic Pain and Musculoskeletal Strain
Back pain, neck tension, joint stiffness and headaches remain among the most common concerns for adults in western South Dakota. Reduced physical activity during winter months, followed by sudden increases in movement during spring and summer, may contribute to flare-ups and overuse injuries, particularly in physically active or labor-intensive populations. These patterns can lead to lingering discomfort that interferes with work, recreation, and daily life.
Stress and Nervous System Load
Chronic stress is another significant contributor to health concerns in the Black Hills. While statewide surveys do not measure stress directly, behavioral health data show that many South Dakotans report frequent days of poor mental health and sleep disruption, indicators often associated with prolonged nervous system activation.² Over time, this state of heightened stress may present as fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, reduced resilience to illness and slower recovery from injury.
Family and Pediatric Wellness
Families throughout the region are increasingly seeking proactive options for children and infants. Parents often observe posture changes related to screen use, backpack strain, sports participation and growth spurts. In infants, tension related to birth or early development may affect comfort and sleep. These observations highlight the need for gentle, preventative care approaches that support development rather than waiting for symptoms to become more severe.
Mobility, Balance and Injury Prevention
Mobility and balance are critical health priorities, especially for older adults and individuals returning to activity after periods of reduced movement. In South Dakota, unintentional falls are among the leading causes of injury-related death for adults aged 65 and older, with the state reporting a higher age-adjusted fall-related death rate than the national average.³ Many fall-related injuries are preventable through early intervention focused on strength, balance, coordination and confidence in movement.
Nutritional Health and Vitamin D Deficiency
Nutritional factors also play a meaningful role in regional health trends. Due to northern latitude and long winters, vitamin D deficiency is a documented concern in South Dakota populations. Research conducted within the state has shown that many individuals have low serum vitamin D levels, particularly during winter months.⁴ Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue and changes in immune function, which may contribute to slower healing and reduced overall vitality.⁴⁻⁵
How Solutions Can Help
At Solutions Chiropractic, our care model is designed to address these interconnected needs through a whole-body, preventative approach. Rather than focusing on isolated symptoms, we support the systems that allow the body to heal, adapt, and function at its best.
Our integrated services include:
- Chiropractic care to support spinal alignment, nervous system function, posture, mobility and stress resilience
- Massage therapy to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation and support nervous system regulation
- Physical therapy to build strength, balance and confidence in movement while reducing injury risk
- Stretching and mobility education to empower patients with tools for maintaining movement between visits
- Functional nutrition guidance to address common deficiencies and support healing from within
Together, these services allow us to care for individuals and families at every stage of life—from newborns to older adults—using a proactive model that emphasizes prevention rather than crisis-based care.
Our goal is simple: to help the Black Hills community move better, recover better and live more fully for years to come.
If you’ve been managing discomfort on your own or waiting until pain forces action, we invite you to take the next step. Schedule a wellness visit and invest in your health before pain becomes the priority. Call us at (605) 348-2116 or go online to solutionschiropractic.com.
References
¹ United Health Foundation. (2024). Physical inactivity: South Dakota. America’s Health Rankings.
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/Sedentary/SD
² South Dakota Department of Health. (2021). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) annual report.
https://doh.sd.gov/media/hj4n0qrx/brfss-2021.pdf
³ South Dakota Department of Health. (2025). Unintentional falls among adults aged 65 years and older in South Dakota.
https://doh.sd.gov/media/5bzdfnl4/unintentional-falls-among-adults-aged-65-years-and-older-2025.pdf
⁴ Bunde, E., Hanssen, K., & Huntington, M. K. (2012). Vitamin D status in eastern South Dakota. South Dakota Medicine, 65(6), 227, 229, 231.⁵ Forrest, K. Y. Z., & Stuhldreher, W. L. (2011). Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in U.S. adults. Nutrition Research, 31(1), 48–54.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2010.12.001