Maintaining Spinal Health

The spine is one of the most important parts of the body. It helps you stay upright, allows you to bend, and houses the spinal cord. The spinal cord controls movement and sensation throughout the body, and is essential to living a healthy and active life. When there are problems with the spine, it can impact a person’s quality of life. Wall Family Chiropractic can help treat problems with the spine. 

Car Accident Chiropractor in WA

The Spine’s Functions

The spine has a lot of vital functions for the body. Let’s go over some of its core uses. 

1. Support and Stability

The spine supports your body’s weight and holds you upright. It distributes your weight so that you can walk properly. Most mammals are quadripedal, meaning that they walk on all fours, but humans are bipedal. This means that our heavy heads need to be supported, which is what the spine does. This is also why good posture is important; if the spine is hunched over, it can’t support your weight properly.  The spine also offers a base for muscles to attach to and support for organs. 

2. Movement

When your spine is healthy, you are able to bend, reach, and twist. When you have a condition such as bulging or herniated discs, it can restrict mobility. A stiff spine isn’t as flexible, limiting a person’s daily activities. The spine is also important for controlling movement because it is a channel for sending signals from the brain to muscles. When the spine is injured, it may cause partial or total paralysis. 

3. Neurological Communication

The spine doesn’t just deliver nerve signals so that your body can move. It also delivers nerve signals so that you can feel temperature, touch, and pain. Spine issues can cause loss of sensation, numbness, and tingling. If your body can’t respond to its environment, it can lead to dangerous situations, such as getting burned because you don’t realize something is too hot. You might also not realize if you are injured. 

4. Shock Absorption

The spine naturally has bends in it to help absorb shock and balance the body’s weight. There are also discs in between the spine’s vertebrae that act as cushions. Jumping, running, and even walking can produce pressure, and the discs work like a spring to absorb shock. The spine protects your body from shock. Unfortunately, intervertebral discs can wear down or become injured over time. 

5. Protection

The vertebrae of the spine are made of hard bone, providing protection for the delicate nerve tissues of the spinal cord. If the spinal cord didn’t have this protection, it would be exposed and could be injured more easily. When the vertebrae or discs are injured, they can put pressure on the spinal cord or pinch it, leading to unpleasant symptoms. When the spine isn’t properly protecting the spinal cord, it makes it vulnerable and susceptible to injury. 

Effects of Poor Spinal Health

Spine misalignment or injury can cause many unpleasant symptoms. Even minor issues can lead to problems that impact a person’s daily functioning. Some symptoms of poor spine health include: 

• Shooting pain, aching pain, and other chronic pain in the neck and back. Pain may also spread to other areas from pressure and strain. 
• Numbness and weakness in the extremities. 
• Muscle spasms. 
• Joint inflammation and pain. 
• Migraines and headaches. 
• Fatigue, insomnia, poor sleep, and low energy during the day. 
• Stiffness, reduced flexibility, and range of motion. 
• Depression, anxiety, and mood swings. 
• Chronic symptoms. 

Chiropractic Care For Spine Health

Thankfully, seeing a chiropractor can help you improve your spine health and your overall wellness. Adjustments can take pressure off of injured discs and help improve blood flow to those areas to promote healing. Putting the spine in proper alignment reduces muscle strain and tension, which can relieve symptoms. Some other benefits of chiropractic care for the spine include improved balance and energy levels. Many of our patients see improved symptoms with treatment. 

When you come to Wall Family Chiropractic, we will do an initial health assessment. This includes asking questions about your health history and examining you for potential injuries. The health assessment will allow us to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific conditions. With chiropractic adjustments, strengthening exercises, and health advice, we can help your spine heal. 

Your Local WA Chiropractic Clinic

If you are struggling with pain or other symptoms from spine issues, reach out to Wall Family Chiropractic. You don’t have to suffer through without relief. Our experts are here to help people in the Tacoma area recover and lead healthier lives.

For spinal injuries or any other musculoskeletal conditions, call our office to schedule an appointment today!

Summary & FAQ’s

Your chiropractor will determine whether or not you need an X-ray or an MRI scan. There are a variety of factors that go into the decision, including injuries, symptoms, and the type of accident that they were involved in. X-rays are effective for seeing skeletal issues, while MRI scans are better at seeing soft tissues.