When your whole body is 'set' in the most efficient place with your spine, it can prevent you from developing long-term pain, allow you to have good posture, and allow your nervous and muscular system to function optimally!
On the flip side, when there is a misalignment in the spine, this could degrade your body's Range-Of-Motion (ROM) and cause agonising problems that can affect your ability to live and function with ease. You may be able to tell if there is a misalignment in your spine, as you will more than likely experience symptoms around several joints in your body:
These often start with one lesser symptom and progress to the next of can spread to other areas as your body compensates. the order of these symptoms typically goes like this:
1) Stiffness (restriction)
2) Aches
3) Pain
Misalignment?
Although exercising, stretching, changing your daily routine and environment may be a workaround for some, you could very well be suffering from tormenting misalignment.
If this misalignment is the case, we would advise that you seek treatment from an expert Chiropractor to help manipulate the spine and aid the correction of the natural curvature in your body, thus preventing future poor efficiencies in your movement system. And this may be more the case if you require your body to work and function (plumbers, builders, athletes etc.). But also for sedentary office workers who don't want to see added immobility.
The spine is made up of multiple segments and each segment is typically joined together with three joints. Two very sensitive joints at the back of the spine and a big disc filled joint at the front of the column.
While this is complex we may take still our spines for granted and do not know how much the spine contributes to our daily routine!
If you didn't know, our spine is critical for our balance and to stand upright.
Your spine consists of three different sections when viewed from the side & each section curves differently to create a balance.
In total, there is a significant chest component of 12 segments curving forward. Then the lower (5 segments )and neck (7 parts) combine to form 12 pieces in total, bending backwards.
You can see these curves, starting top to bottom, called the:
- Cervical spine - neck
- Thoracic spine - chest spine
- Lumbar spine. - lower back
Further, the spinal curves are composed of smaller bones called the vertebrae segments.
These vertebrae rise from the pelvis to your skull and, as aforementioned, provide stability and support for your upper body.
Basic Cases
In a basic case (noticeable postural changes, one zone of mild pain/ no pain), this initial process takes adults about 2-3 weeks with two spinal corrections throughout the week.
Once the spine is showing to hold the alignment in the correct position consistently for one week,
the treatment would then be moved to about once a week for another 3-4 weeks of adjustment sessions.
When it comes to seeking a medical professional specialising in musculoskeletal and nervous systems, including the spine, you do not want to choose anyone!
You want to do your homework on your chiropractor, as the spine's bones are very fragile and not easily manipulated.
If you suffer from spinal misalignment, your spine must spend more time in alignment to stabilise. Another way of putting this is that the muscle memory needs to develop, so the further question is:
Now I am aligning and pain-free. How long until the muscles start to normalise/ hold the position?
When you have misalignments, poor posture, reduced range of motion and pain, these are all indications that the health of your spine is not in good condition.
These restrictions may be burdening your ability to perform physically and carry out essential functions properly. So how do you know if your spine is loading your health? Well, of course, nothing can replace a musculoskeletal evaluation performed by a chiropractor. Still, there are some ways to get a better idea about the well-being of your spine and joints. If you are worried about your spine, we have composed a list below of symptoms of an unhealthy spine down, which may help you determine if you need assistance.
