With the onset of cold weather, a brand new danger lurks it's ugly head for those with underlying structural problems associated with their spine. The drop in temperature can affect our hydration levels and the overall tone of our muscles, but more importantly ice is everywhere and can lead to lots of back problems from the trauma... even if you don't actually fall down.
How can this be? Let's start with the fall. It's pretty obvious that if you fall down, you will likely affect your spine. The impact and shock of hitting the ground can move things out of place. It's that movement of vertebrae out of place that can cause spinal problems. The effect may not occur right away. You may just notice that "something's not right," but not enough that you decide you absolutely must do something about it right away.
It's these warnings that are the easiest to ignore. Many times people will ignore the warning signs and simply wait until they are bending down to do a simple task like picking up socks when they unexpectedly cannot move. They are doing something "dangerous" like throwing a small pillow when their back seizes up. These are the types of stories I hear everyday.
The overlooked trauma is when you don't actually fall. You come close, maybe grab on to something nearby. Still, your muscles tense up, you get scared, and then thank your lucky stars that you didn't actually fall on to the ground. It's these "near misses" that can still affect your spine.
That sudden seizing up of the muscles can also throw things out of place. The muscles attach to the spine and when they tense up, knot up, or spasm they will cause the joint to stop functioning as it is designed. Time to see the chiropractor.
The chiropractor will find the areas of your spine that have moved out of place, help move them back into place, and restore the body's normal function. The relief happens pretty quickly in most cases. A problem caught early is always easier to take care of before the crisis occurs. Not to mention how much a frozen back can ruin your entire week.
Dr. Matthew Fiebelkorn is a Stillwater Chiropractor who teaches,speaks, and writes about wellness and health issues for adults and children and on improving their quality of life through healthier lifestyle choices. For more information on Dr. Fiebelkorn, visit his web site. Or Call Today (651)300-0150!
No comments:
Post a Comment