Chiropractic care is designed to address issues related to the natural curves of the spine. Although these curves may seem nonessential, they are more important than you might think. Our Boca Raton chiropractor breaks it down for you. 

The Spine

The spine consists of interconnected bones (vertebrae). These bones are essentially stacked, one on top of the other. There are intervertebral disks between the vertebrae. These gelatinous disks are about half an inch thick, round and flat. Fundamentally serving as a cushion between each of the vertebrae.

The spine is responsible for holding up the head, shoulders and upper body. It also provides the support necessary to stand up straight, twist and bend. Additionally, the spine protects the spinal cord and the nerve roots.

The spine allows us to:

• Bend.
• Turn.
• Walk.
• Run.
• Withstand a certain amount of physical shock.

With proper curves, the spine performs these tasks without any problems. Furthermore, it is the spinal curves that create a spring-like structure, turning the spine into a natural shock absorber.

The Spinal Curves

If you stand next to a mirror and look at your spine from the side, you should be able to see four clearly defined curves. C-shaped curves (normal lordosis) should be visible in your low back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine). Reversed c-shaped curves (normal kyphosis) should be visible in your mid-back and chest area (thoracic spine) as well as in your hip area (sacral spine). If any of these curves are too shallow or too deep, standing up straight becomes difficult, furthermore, balance is affected, making an injury due to a fall more likely. Additionally, your body functions are affected, which negatively impacts your overall health.

How Poor Spinal Curvature Can Affect an Individual’s Health:

• Multiple studies have linked poor spinal curvature to various health conditions.
• Mid-back kyphosis (i.e., humpback) is linked to breathing problems and lung disorders.
• Individuals with kyphosis also experienced more midback compression fractures.
• Overall, a link was found between kyphosis and pelvic organ prolapse, and poor physical function.
• A shallow lumbar lordosis can cause increased pain in the back.
• An improper curvature of the neck can cause neck pain, headaches and the inability to fully rotate the head. Furthermore, this type of discrepancy can result in neurological effects all over the body.

Understanding how the spine works makes it easier to comprehend the symptoms that occur due to a spinal injury or spinal deterioration linked to the natural aging process.

If you notice that your spine looks straighter than you think it should, you are having pain or you would like a spinal evaluation, please contact Shadowood Chiropractic Center today at 561.488.4000 to make an appointment.

Shadowood Chiropractic Center is located at 9799 Glades Road in Boca Raton, Florida.