Your spine is a vital support structure to your health. It is the bony protection that covers the spinal cord and is also subject to degenerative changes.
The lumbar spine or low back is typically composed of 5 vertebrae and accompanying discs and spinal nerves. It may be subject to injury through repetitive strain, related to its weight bearing role or through acute trauma. The spinal nerves in your low back are responsible not just for controlling pain and sensation in the area but they are also motor supply to the legs and control the function of your bowel, bladder and reproductive organs. Therefore when irritated these can lead to symptoms such as low back pain, sciatica, constipation, bloating, weakness in the legs, shin splints, growing pains and muscle spasm to name but a few. All of which may affect your ability to play at your best.
Degeneration or arthritis is not a natural part of getting older. Your spine and your teeth are similar when it comes to decay – if properly cared for they can last for quite some time. However like your teeth the spine will start to wear with a build up of stress. This will often be physical such as repetitive trauma but may also include chemical stress such as nutrition or smoking and emotional stress. The difference however is that your teeth can be replaced. Seeking preventative care from an earlier age can often pay dividends in later years.
It is also important to consider how injuries in other areas may affect your lumbar spine. For example a bad ankle sprain or injury to the knee ligaments will alter your normal walking patterns. As your body compensates and adapts to cope with the injury you will often put more strain on the low back as a result. This in turn may lead to further discomfort and time off for recovery.
Chiropractic care is not just designed to cope with pain. As a chiropractor it is our job to detect where the build up of pressure is on the nervous system and through specific adjustments relieve this pressure. When the pressure is off the spinal nerves your body can take over and do the healing itself.
We also will look at you as a whole person, even though you may be primarily concerned with injury to the low back it is important to address areas that may be compensating as a result, therefore knee, ankle and hip function will also be addressed. However the best way for anyone to improve their spinal health is also to take a proactive role in their own health and review the stressors that may be causing the problem as well. We run complimentary health classes at our practice addressing these issues. However these presentations can also be brought to the club so if this is something that you would like to hear more about please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you would like to hear more why not pop along to one of our family open afternoons. Alternatively call the practice on 028 90202003 or visit our website www.pringle-chiropractic.co.uk
