The Importance of Spinal Health
By Sara Butler
The health of your spine is your chiropractor’s number one priority. The reason your spinal health is so important is because it literally impacts your overall health and wellness. Every cell in your body is controlled by your central nervous system, and if your spine is not able to support your central nervous system as it should, then a lot of problems can pop up. Here’s what you need to know about your spine and how to keep it healthy.
All About Your Spine
You have an 80 percent chance of experiencing back pain at some point in your life, according to the National Institutes of Health. That’s part of what makes spinal health so important, but it’s also important because in the whole wide world, your spine is part of what makes you special.
The spine is right up there with opposable thumbs when it comes to distinguishing humans from most other animals. Your spine provides support for your whole body, protects your nerves and allows you to move in many different ways. Knowledge is definitely power, and the more you know about your spine the better you can care for it.
All About Your Spine
Now it’s time for a little spine-ucation.
Your spine is comprised of 24 vertebrae separated by discs. Those discs help to keep your vertebrae together, act as shock absorbers as you move, and also allow your spine to move in many different directions dynamically. If your spine isn’t working correctly, problems can manifest from head to toe.
What Can Cause Spinal Problems?
Spinal problems tend to have more than one cause, but a few things can increase your chances of experiencing them. Some predisposing factors for spinal problems are:
- Poor biomechanics
- Poor mobility in the muscles around the spine
- Poor posture
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle imbalance
- A sedentary lifestyle
Your chiropractor is trained to find the source of your problems and work with you to correct them. The habits you have, the way you walk, and how much you exercise all play a huge role in the health of your spine, and if something goes wrong it is naturally the first place to look.
Make sure you see your chiropractor at The Joint so they can work with you to help you correct muscle imbalances, help you understand the impact of poor posture and how to correct it, help you to find an exercise routine that can work for you, and even give you some nutritional advice to keep the whole body working at its best.
If you’re worried about your spine health, come into The Joint Chiropractic today. You don’t need an appointment, so just walk on in and get started on the road to good spine health!