Paying attention to the well-being of your spine should not be solely focused on alleviating back pain. The spine forms the backbone of the body, providing support for all the other limbs such as the pelvis, shoulders, legs and arms. It is a crucial element of the body that enables free movement for bending and twisting. When your spinal alignment is in order, you will notice a sense of general improvement in your overall well-being, which is why visiting a chiropractor is so beneficial. An optimally aligned spine results in a more efficient functioning of the entire body.
This article aims to explain the characteristics of an ideal alignment and the reasons why one can experience improved physical well-being through correct spinal alignment.
What is the Correct Spinal Alignment?
The spine ought to appear as a faint “S” shape from head to tailbone when observed sideways, if it is appropriately aligned. The purpose of this curve is to absorb the force of everyday activities such as sitting, standing, walking, running, and jumping. The lordotic (C-shaped) curves in the neck and lower back, as well as the kyphotic (reversed C-shaped) curve in the mid-upper back, are included. However, if viewed from the back, the spine should seem like it is going straight down. If the spinal column is unnaturally curved in any direction, it necessitates being realigned.
How Can Poor Spinal Alignment Affect You?
The spine has two crucial functions which are to support the body’s erect posture and safeguard the central nervous system (CNS). If proper spinal alignment is not maintained, it can result in limited mobility and hinder living a painless life. Failure to correct spinal misalignment can lead to restrictions on movement, intense joint stiffness, and postural and health problems in the future.
A poor spinal alignment can have detrimental effects on the central nervous system, which is responsible for communication between the brain and body. When communication is obstructed or limited, optimal bodily function is impossible. A misaligned spine can interfere with this communication, leading to distorted or ineffective messages from the brain to the body. This can result in slower response times and coordination, leading to dysfunction in the body’s nine organ systems. Essentially, the body’s systems cannot work together effectively when spinal alignment is poor.
When your spine is misaligned, it can affect the even distribution of weight in your body. This is similar to having bad posture, where leaning forward, to the side, or twisting creates imbalances in your muscles, joints, and discs. When these areas lose efficiency, other parts of your body may have to work harder to compensate. The physical symptoms that may indicate a spinal misalignment include:
- Chronic headaches /migraines.
- Lower back pain.
- Neck pain and upper back pain.
- Fatigue.
- Tingling or numbness in extremities.
- Poor sleep.
- Poor posture.
Not addressing spinal misalignments can result in more severe consequences for the body, such as:
- Reduced mobility and joint stiffness.
- Excessively slouched or hunched posture.
- Bone spurs.
- Arthritis.
- Respiratory dysfunction.
- Digestive problems.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Herniated or slipped discs.
- Sciatica (pain due to pressure on the sciatic nerve).
6 Spinal Alignment Advantages
Many outstanding athletes, including Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, and Michael Phelps, comprehend the significance of spinal alignment when it comes to sports performance. They frequently seek chiropractic treatments, similar to numerous other exceptional athletes, to naturally boost their skills. One major advantage of chiropractic treatment is that it is free of medication, eliminating any potential side effects and providing a safe avenue for enhancing athletic abilities.
You’ll experience these benefits if your spine is appropriately aligned:
- Fewer Injuries. Misalignments not only affect your spine but can also cause tightness in your muscles, ligaments, and tendons, increasing your risk of injury. Regular visits to your chiropractor will decrease misalignments, known as subluxations, and help you avoid aches, pains, and serious injuries.
- Better Balance. Correcting subluxations may also have a positive effect on your balance, improving your ability to make a save, avoid a fall if you stumble or perfect your balance beam routine. During spinal manipulation treatment, your chiropractor uses gentle, hands-on pressure to improve the alignment of the vertebrae in your back and neck.
- Improved Strength. Strength, an important factor in many sports, can decrease if you have a subluxation. The problem may affect your ability to grip or catch the ball, tackle opponents, run long distances or make key plays. Chiropractic provides a natural strength-boosting option. Brazilian researchers discovered that manipulating the vertebrae in the neck offered significant increases in strength. Judo athletes who received cervical (neck) spinal manipulation therapy improved their grip strength by 16 percent on the right side and 11 percent on the right side. Their results were published in the January 2012 issue of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
- Quicker Healing Time. Correcting subluxations can also help you reduce healing time after an injury. Manipulations, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, and other treatments decrease inflammation, ease spasms, enhance healing and improve the flow of blood and nutrients to the injured area.
- Faster Recovery Time. Sports take a toll on your body, no matter how diligently you stretch and warm-up before starting an activity. Without an adequate rest period following exertion, you may increase your risk of injury. When your spine is aligned properly, you may notice that it doesn’t take quite as long to return to top form.
- More Flexibility. Spinal manipulation, massage, and other treatments loosen tight joints and muscles, in addition to improving spinal alignment. These treatments increase your range of motion, prevent the formation of scar tissue, and decrease stiffness caused by tight muscles and joints. Thanks to your visits to the chiropractor, you may find that it’s easier to follow through when you swing a golf club or racquet or notice that you can stretch a little farther when making a diving catch.
- Enhanced Performance. You’ve probably noticed that your performance suffers if your back and neck hurt, your muscles are tight, or you have a throbbing headache. Fortunately, aches and pains due to subluxations won’t prevent you from excelling when you make chiropractic therapy part of your training regimen. Treatments may also improve nerve function, improve your reaction time, and even help you breathe more deeply.
