Understanding and Treating Spinal Problems

A lot of people don’t really give much thought to their spinal health unless they suffer an injury or a progressive condition such as degenerative disc disease has begun to take a serious toll on their quality of life. However, there is an extensive variety of ways that problems with misalignment in your spine and nerve pain can affect you. They aren’t all readily obvious or firmly rooted in the realm of common knowledge. Here are some important things that you should understand about the etiology of spinal conditions, the symptoms that they present, and strategies to address them.

Misalignments in Young People and Children

There is a general misconception that health problems involving the spine affect only older individuals. While it’s certainly true that you’re more likely to experience back pain as you age, problems such as misaligned vertebrae or impinged discs can also affect young adults who are in fairly good health. They may also afflict growing adolescents or even very young children.

Subluxation among children can manifest symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. When children are unable to maintain proper alignment in their spinal column due to hypermobility or chronic issues with their posture, they tend to exhibit clusters of symptoms above and beyond localized pain. When vertebrae don’t house discs in the correct position, children can have continuous or intermittent nerve pain. 

Misalignment in the cervical spine affects muscular, neurological, and psychological well-being. In fact, children suffering with this condition might exhibit elevated levels of anxiety or irritability. 

Chiropractic adjustment is an excellent treatment option for children because it is minimally invasive. Targeting the root cause of nerve pain is preferable to merely dulling it with anti-inflammatory medications, particularly when treating young people whose bodies and minds are still developing.

Spinal Health and Technology

There is a growing segment of the population suffering from spinal pathology induced by overusing or improperly using technology. Millions of people spend a huge portion of their day looking down at their phones to use messaging apps or scroll on social media. Likewise, people who work in offices or have job roles that keep them behind a computer screen all day are prone to health problems resulting from poor ergonomics.

When you crane your neck down to look at your phone, it interferes with your spine’s ability to maintain its natural, healthy alignment. When this occurs, your posture may change considerably, making you appear hunched over or causing your head to jut forward. One of the biggest problems with this phenomenon is that it gets much worse in a hurry. The farther forward your head sits in front of your spine, the heavier it feels. It becomes harder and harder to hold your head up straight as the weight becomes unsupportable. 

To alleviate “tech neck” or “text neck,” changing how you use electronic devices could make a huge difference. Putting phones and tablets on a stand or holding them eyelevel will allow you to avert motions and postures that generate pain, exacerbate spondylosis, and instigate worsening heavy-headedness. Chiropractic adjustment as well as physical therapy exercises geared towards strengthening the muscle groups that support your spine may reduce pain levels and improve posture considerably.

CerebroSpinal Fluid and Neurological Function

Spinal problems in close proximity to the base of the head can interfere with the body’s production and cycling of CerebroSpinal Fluid. CSF runs through the length of a person’s spine. It moves from the bottom of their sacrum all the way up through the brainstem and the brain itself. 

Your body generates and recycles this liquid several times a day. It supports cellular and neurological activity. 

Orthopedic treatment providers and physiatrists are gaining more awareness about this fluid’s greater role in regulating brain chemistry and stimulating the vagus nerve. Some individuals have found that exercises that push the fluid upward can alleviate pain and even improve energy levels as well as focus. 

Ultimately, you should try to be conscientious managing spinal health and addressing concerns. When you or someone who you love experiences a problem, early detection can facilitate manageable, effective treatment.