After spending 12-16 hours a day writing for almost a year, I had managed to create quite a bit of pain in my neck and back area.
Admittedly, I haven’t always had the best posture (although I work on it day after day), so a lot of my pain issues could have probably been avoided completely but that didn’t change the fact of where I was and how much difficulty I was having staying behind the computer monitor.
Looking for a solution to my problem that would help me deal with some of the pain and still keep working, I decided to give a chiropractor a try. I had always resisted them in the past as I was well aware that once you started going, it seemed like you could never release yourself from their grasp.
It would be something you’d have to do forever and that didn’t exactly sit well with me.
However, while that notion was the very thing that kept me from going to them for care, it has now become something that I understand more fully thanks to probably having the best chiropractor in the world (I may be a little biased on this one).
He fully explained why regular attention to your spinal column is just as important as your semi-annual visits to the dentist.
Of course, I wasn’t about to forego my six month cleanings to remove tarter and all the other gross stuff on my teeth as I want to keep them well into my golden years. Well, that same thought process had to be applied to my back.
After all, who wants to have pain and discomfort when you’re going to be entering the retirement period of your life that is based on enjoyment and finally doing the things you’ve worked so hard to do?
I’d like to share with you what I learned so that you can make an informed decision as to whether chiropractic care is suitable for you. Here are just a few things that I learned about the benefits of having regular back realignments:
1. Greater range of motion
Although most people seek out a chiropractor due to pain issues, one of the advantages of proper alignment of your body is the ability to move about with ease.
You enjoy the full range of motion that you need to engage in day to day activities, such as doing laundry or keeping up with yard work. Your arms and legs move like they’re supposed to so you can keep up with life’s duties and obligations.
In addition, you’ll find that when your spine functions at its optimal capacity, your hobbies are easier to partake in too. For example, if you like to golf, you’ll enjoy a better swing. And, if swimming is your thing, you can do many more laps in the pool as you’re not plagued with pain and discomfort.
2. Improved digestive function
One little known fact about your spine is that it houses all of your nerves that control the rest of your body’s functions.
So, if you have problems with regularity in the bathroom, for instance, a spinal adjustment may be what you need to get your body to expel the toxins and waste that is left in your intestines at regular intervals – just like it is supposed to.
I was surprised to learn that several people who start chiropractic care enjoy this positive side effect. Why would you want to endure chalky drinks or bad tasting fiber tablets when all you have to do is show up for your regular back-cracking sessions?
3. Happier reproductive organs
In addition to having a happier digestive system, your reproductive system responds to regular back realignments as well. When the nerves that go to your reproductive organs are blocked, it can create a number of consequences.
Women who had been previously unable to conceive may find it easier to become pregnant when their back is in place. Also, if you have painful periods, a regular visit to the chiropractor can help relieve the monthly cramps that typically plague you and make PMS much more tolerable.
4. Stronger immune system
When your spine is misaligned and cutting off the pathways to keep your body healthy and strong, of course you’re going to face repercussions. It’s like putting a crinkle in the gas line to your car and still expecting it to run like a champ.
Your brain has to have open access to all cells in your body in order to create an immune system that nothing can get through. So, if even one part of your spinal column is out of place you are left with cells that aren’t operating at maximum capacity – which opens them up to illness and disease.
5. Drug free pain relief
In this world, a lot of people are quick to go to the medicine cabinet to deal with all of their aches and pains. There are numerous prescriptions that doctors can hand out that will help mask the discomfort and make daily living easier. But, that’s like putting a bandage on a broken bone. It may stop you from seeing the problem area, but it isn’t going to help it heal.
If you want to take care of the cause instead of just the symptoms, you have to get to the root of the pain. While it may take several adjustments to get you back into place, isn’t that better than zoning out on pain meds for years, if not decades, to come?
Chiropractors focus on total health. They are there to help you get your body so that it is more than just functional for today, but also functional for tomorrow.
Take care of your back the same way you take care of your teeth. Protect it now so it can protect you later.
I saw that Christina moved from law enforcement to writer. I left law enforcement to become a chiropractor, and I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this article. Thanks for the great read!