What Is A Spine and Its Role In Our Body?
The spine, also known as the backbone, is a complex vertebrate structure that supports the head and trunk of an upright human or another animal. It serves as a shock absorber that protects the spinal cord from being damaged by impacts to the body and it holds up both organs and muscles.
It contains nerve cells, which are responsible for sending messages to and from our brain. Therefore, the spine is a vital part of both the central nervous system as well as sensory-motor system. It also serves as an osseous structure that provides points of attachment for muscles and protects the spinal cord.
The spine has four main components which are the neck, thorax, lumbar region and sacrum respectively. Each section is responsible for different things.
- The Neck consists of seven vertebrae. It has two main groups which are the cervical vertebrae, with one being the atlas or axis at the topmost part of the neck and the remaining six being named after the bones of the wrist. This part is responsible for movement in all directions.
- The Thoracic region has twelve vertebrae, which are the uppermost part of our spine. It is filled with nerve cells that make up the spinal cord and is responsible for the sensation in both arms and legs.
- The Lumbar region contains five vertebrae. The majority of people have a lumbar curve which helps with strength when standing upright. This part is responsible for posture.
- The Sacrum has five vertebrae, which are fused early in life to form one bone. This serves as the attachment for the pelvic bones that have several important roles such as allowing us to stand upright.
The human spine has four natural curves. The cervical spine (neck) has a lordosis, the thoracic spine has kyphosis, the lumbar spine has a lordosis and the coccyx is in alignment with the femur. The curvature in a person's spine is due to the natural composition of an adult's skeleton.
The spinal cord is responsible for the innervation of all voluntary skeletal muscles, but it also serves as a major pathway for sensory information (both tactile and proprioceptive) to travel to and from the brain. It does this by sending nerve signals down the spinal cord which controls muscle contraction to allow motion.
Different Spinal Disorder and How It Affects One's Life
A spine disorder can be the cause of serious discomfort and can even affect your overall health. It has been estimated that about 80% of people will experience some type of spinal injury or disorder during their lifetime. Some types of these injuries and disorders include:
- Herniated discs- A herniated disc is a bulging disc in which part of the soft, central portion has broken through an area of the outer layer. This can result in sciatica, which is a pain that radiates from the lower back down one or both legs. The leg pain associated with this disorder is typically worse than the back pain.
- Slipped vertebral disc- Also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, this occurs when something in the spine (a disc) moves out of its usual position. The most common cause is lifting or straining during everyday activities.
- Kyphosis- This disorder causes the spine to curve inward, resulting in a hunchback appearance. It is more common in women and elderly people.
- Spondylolysis- Although this condition can affect any of the bones in the spine, it usually affects the lowest bone (called L5) which attaches to the sacrum. It is caused by an injury or stress on the spine and can be worsened through repetitive motions.
- Spondylolisthesis- This disorder occurs when one of the bones in the spine (called a vertebra) slips forward over the bone below it. It's most common in the lower back and is often caused by injury or by chronic stress on your spine, such as from arthritis.
- Scoliosis- This is a disorder that causes an abnormal sideways curve of the spine. It can occur at any age, but it's most common during the growth spurts before puberty and in teen girls. Stress on the spine can cause scoliosis or make it worse.
- Spinal stenosis- This disorder is characterized by a narrowing of the spinal canal, which can increase pressure on the nerves in your back. The condition typically affects people over age 50 and more women than men.
The spinal cord provides the brain with nerve signals about the body's every move. If the nerve signals are blocked, then movement is blocked as well, resulting in paralysis.
What Is Spinal Cord Adjustment and How Does It Work?
Spinal cord adjustment is a safe and effective method of removing restrictions in the spine and working to restore motion to the joints, which helps improve flexibility and function. Spinal adjustments are performed by chiropractors and doctors of osteopathy (DOs). Spinal adjustments are considered a form of alternative medicine.
Spinal Adjustment Is Not Spinal Manipulation (sometimes called spinal mobilization) are two different things: Spinal adjustment is a non-invasive treatment that uses the hands to apply pressure and traction to fix problems with the spine. Spinal manipulation, on the other hand, uses a thrusting and rotating motion to stretch the spine and relieve pain. Spinal manipulation is also called a spinal adjustment, but it's very different from an adjustment.
Spinal Manipulation may be dangerous and can cause serious problems. The risks of spinal manipulation include: Nerve damage Muscle strains Bone fractures Vertebral disc injuries and Spinal cord injuries.
Spinal adjustment, on the other hand, is generally considered safe. Spinal adjustment Is not the same as Spinal Decompression because it is a type of traction that can be used to treat back pain. Spinal decompression devices use gentle stretching to take pressure off compressed discs, which can help improve posture and alleviate back pain. Spinal adjustment uses traction (a pulling force) to increase the size of the spinal canal so that nerves don't get crushed.
Why Should You Consult a Chiropractor for Spinal Adjustment?
Spinal cord adjustments also known as chiropractic adjustment is usually performed by a chiropractor. Spinal adjustments at our clinic, Dr. Leigh Sierra Venice, FL, are usually completed in quick sessions that last one to 20 minutes. Spinal cord adjustment may be completed over several sessions. It is a gentle way to treat and prevent painful conditions such as herniated discs and pinched nerves. Spinal cord adjustments can also be used to improve:
- Muscle Spasms Disc
- Bulges Pinched
- Nerves Cartilage Lesions
- Spinal Stenosis
- Neck or Back Pain Arthritis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal deviations
- Kyphosis
- Spondylolysis
This can also help treat conditions outside of the spine that is caused by spinal problems such as migraine headaches and low back pain. It does not require surgery, medications, or exercises and is considered safe when performed by a trained professional. Spinal adjustments can also be used to address a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
Chiropractic Care for Spinal Adjustment's Advantages
Through chiropractic care, we can provide relief from your pain with a spinal adjustment. This treatment is the only FDA-approved drugless therapy for back pain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Spinal adjustments are also known as safe aftercare treatments that work and don't just help to restore spinal alignment but also spinal health.
The following are some of the benefits of chiropractic treatment for spinal adjustment:
- Improving muscle spasms and spinal stenosis
- Reducing the pressure on the nerve root nervous irritations
- Relieving pinched spinal cord or nerve
- Eliminating back pain, neck pain and Sciatica
- Treating herniated discs
- Alleviating leg pain
- Decreasing arthritis and arthritis pain and inflammation
- Improving the Spine's natural healing process
- Improve your overall health
A list of spinal adjustments is done at various levels of the spine to remove subluxations. The number of adjustments depends on the severity, location, and nature of your problem. It causes a popping sound, which may make you feel better instantly. It is not meant to be painful and no twisting is involved. They can also restore range of motion due to the removal of nerve pressure.
Spinal adjustment done at our chiropractic clinic in Venice, FL. is a safe, painless, and effective way to treat back problems with minimal risk of side effects and works by gently restoring lost flexibility and function that may have been caused by spinal subluxations.
The length of time it takes for you to experience relief from your pain depends on many factors including:
- the intensity of your symptoms
- how long you have been experiencing the symptoms The severity of the injury
- your overall health and age
Your doctor may not be able to determine a specific treatment plan early on, however. It is important that you do another X-ray of the spine to determine the diagnosis and whether the bones are making contact again.
After this treatment has been completed, we can discuss beginning an exercise program to maintain flexibility, strength, and stability in your back.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a gentle way to treat your back pain, a spinal cord adjustment may be the answer. These adjustments are usually completed in quick sessions that can last anywhere from one minute to 20 minutes depending on what is being addressed. Spinal adjustment may also require multiple visits over time before symptoms improve if they do at all. However, with these treatments, it’s possible to see significant relief of painful conditions such as herniated discs or pinched nerves which often have more serious implications than just sore muscles and joints. We want you to feel better, so call Dr. Leigh Sierra today!
