The human spine truly is our ‘backbone’ and more often then not we take it for granted and overlook something I like to call spinal hygiene.
Dentists get it. They’ve managed to educate people about the value of oral hygiene and how taking care of their teeth provides significant health benefits and more importantly allows you to keep your teeth well into old age!
The same holds true for your spine. Spinal hygiene is essential to maintaining a well functioning spine, nervious system and musculoskeletal system. The spine will degenerate with time, as would your teeth IF you didn’t take care of them.
Why is it that spinal degeneration is acceptable as part of the ‘normal aging process’? I don’t think it is. Maybe it’s because we can actually see our teeth? Maybe it’s because if our teeth rot and degenerate somehow it’s impact is more REAL or more DIRECT because we have to look at them in the mirror day in and day out?
The reality is that if you were able to see your spine daily perhaps you would take spinal hygiene more seriously? Perhaps you wouldn’t?
The spinal column truly is the cornerstone of your body’s temple. It is the main weight bearing ‘wall’ through which all other structures emerge from and depend upon for normal movement and stability. Anyone who has thrown their back out or had a localized muscle spasm in their back can tell you how debilitating it can be for the entire body.
Even if your other body parts are unaffected the simplest of movements becomes unbearable because you must rely on your spinal for stability in order to move one of your outer limbs. This is called proximal stability. Without it your extremities don’t function normally. The stronger and more efficient the back bone the more proximal stability it can provide for the limbs or any other structures for that matter.
In this case structure really does dictate function. The following picture of the spine shows some of the many conditions that can affect the spine:
Many of the above noted conditions are degenerative in nature. The fact is that there always exists some degree of genetic predisposition but our environment may play equally important a role. Just as it does with our oral hygiene. You may be prone to cavities and decay but you can avoid and prevent it with proper care.
The same holds true with your physical body and your spine. It’s time people began taking a more integral role in their health and their health care. With the changing health care environment it will become increasing important for you as an individual to take an active role in your health and wellness.
Spinal hygiene can be accomplished through various means. The doctor of chiropractic is perhaps the best suited practitioner to advise on this and can also offer great advice on health, nutrition and fitness. You’ve got to start somewhere.
Movement is life and life is movement. If you become stagnant so will your spine and your body tissues. Even walking just 30 mintues per day can have profound longstanding benefits on your overall health and spinal hygiene.
Get active, start moving and start preserving and maintaining your spinal hygiene today.
