The Benefits of Spinal Care

Let’s be honest; many of us don’t put much thought into the importance of the spine, at least not until we encounter a spine injury or chronic condition within the spine’s intricate structure. However, the spine deserves our attention because, for most of us, its proper function is an integral part of our everyday movements and lifestyle.

Whether you’re currently experiencing pain related to a spine dysfunction, have had a spine condition for years, or just want to ensure your spine is as healthy as possible, you’ll want to read on. 

 

This post goes over:

• The abilities and function of the spine
• The structure of the spine
• How you can proactively care for your spine
• The benefits of spine care
• Chiropractic solutions for spine care
• And more

 

Let’s jump in…

 

Why Is the Spine Important?

The spine, also known as the backbone, is a crucial skeletal structure that provides support to your body. It plays a vital role in connecting various components of your musculoskeletal system, which encompasses the bones and soft tissues, such as muscles. 

 

The spine is essential for enabling many everyday activities and movements, such as:

• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
• Twisting 
• Bending

 

However, the spine also plays a role in other elements, including:

• Body structure and shape
• Posture 
• Protection for your spinal cord (nerves that connect your brain to your body)
• Flexibility
• Balance and stability

 

As you can imagine, when the integrity of the spine is compromised, effective solutions should be implemented as soon as possible so proper function and movement patterns can be achieved. 

 

The Complex Structure of the Spine

The anatomy of the spine is complicated and intriguing. It starts just below the base of the skull and runs down the back into the tailbone. There are five connected yet distinctive regions of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx. 

The structure is made of 33 bones interlocked from the spinal column. The bones are called vertebrae, and each is separated by a shock-absorbing intervertebral disc comprising a gel-like center surrounded by a harder outer casing. 

 

Other parts of the spine include:

• Facet joints: spinal joints with connective tissue that allows the vertebrae to slide against each other
• Spinal cord and nerves: a column consisting of 31 pairs of nerves that branch out through vertebral openings and travel through your spinal canal, allowing communication between your brain and muscles
• Soft tissues: ligaments connect the vertebrae to hold your spine in place, muscles support your spine and contribute to movement, and tendons connect muscles to bone and help prevent muscle injury while moving

 

For the body to be fully effective and efficient, each part of the spine must work well and work together to minimize the risk of compensation, pressure, and tension that can cause further dysfunction and pain.  

 

Proactively Caring for the Spine

Proactive care is preventative care, meaning when you give your spine and body the support needed before an injury occurs, it can reduce your chances of injury and discomfort and help you heal faster and safer.

 

Natural, safe, and effective proactive spine care includes:

• Engage in regular low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, and yoga
• Stretch your neck, back, and hips daily
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Strengthen the core muscles 
• Learn and adhere to good posture and lifting techniques
• Create an ergonomic workstation
• Warm-up before and cool-down after physical activities
• Get plenty of quality sleep
• Stay hydrated

 

These tips and practices can help keep your spine protected and contribute to your overall well-being and health. 

 

Why Spine Care is Important 

There are many benefits to keeping your spine healthy. Obviously, doing so can discourage injury and chronic conditions, but there are many others to consider. 

 

Common benefits of a healthy spine include:

• Improved overall comfort, range of motion, and flexibility
• Reduced restrictions and stiffness 
• Improved movement patterns
• Improved focus and energy
• Improved posture 
• Improved balance and stability

 

Without spine health, you may experience any number of symptoms, injuries, and imbalances, including:

• Sprains, strains, and inflammation
• Disc herniation or bulging discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis
• Scoliosis
• Back, neck, and hip pain or stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Weakness and numbness
• Loss of range of motion and flexibility 
• And others

 

How Chiropractic Solutions from Tangelo Nurture a Healthy Spine

Your local chiropractor can treat spine dysfunctions and injuries and give you tips on how to keep your spine safe. As said above, proactive care is always ideal, but not always the way it works out. 

 

At Tangelo, we offer several chiropractic solutions to treat spine injuries and dysfunctions non-invasively, including: 

• Chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulations 
• The Graston Technique 
• Active Release Technique 
• Cupping  
• Kinesiology taping    
• Functional rehab
• Guidance, education, and insight
• And more

 

Partnering with our chiropractic clinic for spine injuries can encourage:

• Fast, lasting, and effective pain relief without the need for pain medication and aggressive treatments
• Better mobility
• Alignment
• Injury and re-injury prevention 
• Correct posture
• Overall good health and a strong body

 

Once the dysfunction within the spine has been treated and corrected, we will provide the tools to help you stay strong, active, and healthy with a supportive, fully functioning spine. 

Our experienced chiropractic team will create a solution that caters to your injury and comfort. What are you waiting for? We invite you to book your appointment today with either of our Seattle chiropractic clinics or our Portland chiropractic clinic.