Do You Have Spinal Decay?
Most of us in Stillwater know what to do to avoid tooth decay – we brush after meals, floss, and make regular dental appointments to make sure our teeth and gums stay healthy.
But what do you know about spinal decay? Do you know that some signs of spinal decay can be just as silent as those related to tooth decay and that, by the time you notice something – the condition may be fairly well advanced?
The main “job” of the spine is to protect the spinal cord and all the nerves that travel from the brain, through the spinal cord, to communicate with and control every function your body. When the spine is misaligned in any way, this puts pressure on your nervous system, which can affect your health in many ways. As a result, the spine may actually start to decay. Many think this is just the effect of growing older. But just as tooth decay doesn’t result from aging, neither does spinal decay – it results from neglect and poor spinal hygiene.
Spinal decay usually starts with some type of trauma – a car accident, a fall, even the birth process itself can initiate it!
In its first phase, spinal decay results in a loss of proper spinal curves or a reduced ability to turn and bend. If left untreated, your body responds by depositing calcium onto the affected joint surfaces, ligaments and connective tissues, in an effort to “splint” the affected spinal joint. At this point, you may still have no noticeable symptoms; this allows the decay to continue.
In its third phase, spinal decay has permanently damaged the spine, causing neurological changes that result in chronic health problems – usually just the kind we see in an aging population.
Regular chiropractic checkups, just like regular dental exams, are designed to locate areas of the spine that are not functioning properly before they become major areas of concern. At our office, we check your spine to determine where it may be compromised in some way. Then, through a series of corrective adjustments, we provide the intervention you need to help you avoid the crippling effects of spinal decay.
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