Do you catch yourself pounding your fist on your back every now and then during a long day at work, or even just by simply lounging at home whilst surfing the net on your phone? Back pains are commonplace – in fact, the Global Burden of Disease study has identified back pain as a worldwide health problem and categorized it as one of the top ten common conditions and challenges faced in this century.
Our spinal discs are complex pieces of cartilage that sit between the vertebrae or bones that form our spine. The illustration below shows how a normal and healthy spinal disc would look as compared to defective ones. They serve three main roles – to absorb shock, to hold the vertebrae of our spines together and to allow flexibility of the spinal column.
But what exactly causes my back to hurt?
This occurs when any of the spinal discs get damaged or are pressing onto our spinal nerves. But let us look at some of the spinal disc problems that you may have been facing for a while now but are unaware of.
- Herniated Discs (Slipped Discs)
These are characterized by sharp and stabbing pains when certain movements are made. Symptoms are often dependent on the part of the spine that gets affected, and usually only occur on one side of your body.
- Degenerative Discs
These result from the breakdown of one or more spinal discs, which is often attributed to old age or injuries. This causes the discs to wear out and lose their gelatinous texture, eliminating its role of acting as a shock absorber.
- Thinning Discs
Due to a loss of moisture over time, the discs get thin and the distance between the vertebrae begin to collapse. A fun fact for all of us because this is why we tend to get shorter as we age (so unfortunately, the doctor did not misjudge your height).
How can I benefit from Chiropractic care?
Be proactive about your health and wellbeing starting from now. Prevention is always better than only reacting when something actually happens to you. The proactivity in question here includes integrating frequent workouts, stretches and adequate chiropractic care into your daily lifestyle.
Atop of all that, it is also crucial to maintain a balanced diet which should include a myriad of minerals, vitamins and omega fatty acids. We recommend these few food items that help tackle back pain – avocado, salmon, sardines and nuts such as almonds and walnuts.
By taking a proactive approach with your spinal health today, you are providing yourself with the best opportunity to stay healthy and pain-free for years to come. Speak to our chiropractors today to inquire about the chiropractic adjustments and treatments that are most optimal for you and embark on your chiropractic journey.
