Why Your Spine Is Like Your Teeth

Many of us are very diligent about our preventive, routine check-ups, annual physicals, and teeth cleanings, for example. Few of us, though, think about our spine the same way; yet without proper, routine “maintenance,“ we can end up with spinal decay or degeneration.

Spine Decay & Degeneration

Spinal decay/degeneration refers to changes in the spine that accompany ageing. Constant stress on your spine plus subluxations (left untreated) negatively affect your discs. As was mentioned in a previous post, discs degenerate as part of ageing, as activity declines or when they become dehydrated. This results in the thinning of the cushion between the discs and a loss of flexibility in the spine. You can then expect other problems such as misalignment, pinched nerves, herniated discs, or osteoarthritis, to name a few.

Spinal decay is a slow process. You don’t have to have been in an accident or experienced trauma to see changes in the spine. Everyday things such as poor diet, lack of exercise, poor posture, or incorrect lifting can impact the health of the spine.

Spine Decay Process

The decaying process is made up of three phases.

• Phase 1: Loss of spinal curves and/or reduced ability to bend or turn
• Phase 2: Increased calcium between joints to compensate for Phase 1; space between discs decreases
• Phase 3: More calcium and bone deposits (spurs), increased neck and shoulder tension, neurological problems; space between discs is nearly gone

This begs the question: What is the spinal equivalent of good teeth cleaning?

Firstly, get an x-ray of your spine the same way your dental x-rays your mouth each year. This allows your chiropractor to determine what condition your spine is in before you start any treatment.

Secondly, seek chiropractic care and start getting your spine re-aligned. One of the goals of chiropractic care is to identify where the spine is not working properly and restore alignment through adjustments. This also gets the nerves working properly again. When the spine is moving freely you are also slowing degeneration. Just like you go to your dentist for regular cleanings to prevent tooth decay, regular visits to your chiropractor can prevent spinal decay.

This is what you need to do now. Click here and get our free report called “The 10 Keys to Increase Energy and Weight Loss.” If you are ready to take action and seek the help of a chiropractor, give us a call and make your new patient appointment. I look forward to seeing you and creating immense value for you.