Is Pain Standing in Your Way?

By Dr. Dallas Humble

Your life depends on you performing at your very best. We all have a limited amount of time on earth and should make the best of every moment. Whether it’s your job, your family or other obligations, the demands of life seem to pull at you in every direction. The one thing that can stand in your way of being all you can be is pain. Pain can prevent you from living a fulfilled life and enjoying those things that truly matter…like the outdoors, recreation, your significant other, your family, your children, and even your grandchildren.

Pain comes in different intensities, types, and frequencies. Regardless of the type, you may experience, the mere presence of pain can take your attention off the important things in life. Whether you suffer from migraines, “occasional” headaches, neck pain, back pain, arm or leg pain, it can be disabling and debilitating. To better understand the cause of these symptoms, let’s take a look at some amazing facts about your spine.

• Back pain is among the most common reason for a physician visit – in fact, approximately 80% of Americans will suffer from this condition at some point during their lives.
• Back pain is also a leading cause of disability claims in the United States.
• Backbones are surprisingly strong and can sustain the weight and pressure of hundreds of kilograms.
• Over 120 muscles and 220 individual ligaments are contained in the spine. These ligaments keep the vertebrae interconnected, which is paramount to keeping the spine, as well as the nerves it’s protecting within the spinal cord, stable.
• Over 100 joints allow for the spine’s extreme flexibility and range of movement. The spine has an excellent memory, and as such, it’s recommended that you take care to provide it with proper support from a young age.

Controlling your posture, engaging in strengthening the back muscles, as well as stretching are all beneficial to the long-term health of your spine. Most people take better care of their automobiles than they do their own bodies. They have regular tunes up’s, oil changes and, if the temperature light indicates a problem, they go directly to the mechanic to find out the cause. Symptoms such as pain and discomfort manifest as your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. You can cover up your “hot light” by masking pain and discomfort with painkillers, however, with every symptom, there has to be a cause. Something as simple as sitting at a desk or standing all day can cause stress to your spine and extremities. This stress can cause joint restrictions, otherwise known as “joint dysfunctions” or “subluxations,” many times without you even knowing it. When spinal joints become restricted in movement, the rest of the body can be affected in ways you never thought possible. Normal nerve communication is inhibited. Your immune system suffers. Your health suffers. Your job suffers. Those who depend on you suffer and, eventually, your lifestyle suffers.

How Chiropractic Helps Reduce Pain and Discomfort

Regular chiropractic adjustments can reduce muscle tension, frequently producing a decrease in stress-related conditions. When one or more joints become restricted in the spine, it causes a lack of motion that, in turn, can cause an interruption of the nerve communication from the brain to the body. This interruption can affect the cells, tissues, and organs of the body many times inhibiting your performance and creating pain and discomfort. Licensed doctors of chiropractic referred to as DCs, apply a gentle, targeted movement to the restricted joints to improve the motion of the body’s spinal column and extremities, thereby enhancing nerve function. This highly controlled procedure is known as a chiropractic adjustment.

Don’t allow pain to stand in your way any longer. Make chiropractic a part of your wellness lifestyle and have your spine checked for joint dysfunctions. Whether suffering from pain or not, keeping your body functioning at its peak may be one of the best investments you will ever make. More and more people are experiencing the benefits of routine chiropractic care. They are learning that chiropractic makes for a much better vitamin than it does an aspirin. Discover how millions of Americans have not only found relief from pain, but also a pathway to wellness and a healthier, more active lifestyle by making chiropractic part of their healthy habit regimen.

_{Dr. Dallas Humble is a chiropractor, author, and executive consultant for various national alternative healthcare organizations. For more information email drdhumble@gmail.com.}