Why is Spinal Hygiene Important for Spinal Health in Zionsville?

Spinal Hygiene in Zionsville

You've probably heard your dentist talk about oral hygiene... but have you ever heard a Zionsville Chiropractor talk about your spinal hygiene?

Chiropractors and dentists are both all about preventive care and maintaining a healthy mouth and body before it becomes unhealthy.

Both professions are able to treat disease and dysfunction but what we both really like to focus on heavily is prevention.

An Ounce of Prevention

We all know that if we have a tooth that has been hurting us and we go to the dentist the culprit is probably a cavity. But the cavity did not start when the pain started. The cavity began to grow when proper preventative care was not being accomplished weeks and months beforehand.

The dentist will have to remove the cavity and fill the tooth in order for the problem to be fixed. Then the dentist will probably remind you how important regular brushing, flossing, and checkups are in order to maintain a healthy smile.

People have known for years how important it is to practice daily oral hygiene habits. We know that by doing all of these preventative measures that our teeth will be healthier in the long run and will last us much longer.

If we can prevent cavities or gum disease in the first place then there will not be a need for more invasive and expensive procedures to fix the problem. This concept makes a lot of sense. If we dedicate just a few minutes a day to our teeth we are able to keep them clean and healthy!

We do all of these things daily to maintain the health of our teeth... but what are we doing on a daily basis to help improve the health and function of our spines?

Don't Limit Your Options by Waiting

Alyssa Delgado, who has a masters in dental hygiene and understands the importance of preventative care writes "Often times our patients wait too long until a tooth hurts or something bothers them, but as we know by that time the amount of damage and decay that has occurred usually has progressed to a point that preventive measures will not restore the health and function of the tooth."

"The same principles apply to chiropractic care. If you wait until a muscle group, joint, or nerve causes pain and limits your ability to function, your options with preventive measures are limited based on the extent of the damage at that time. By implementing consistent preventive adjustments, you can work collaboratively with your chiropractor to ensure that you keep your body functioning for a long and successful career..."

The spine is a dynamic structure that supports our entire body. The hard bones (vertebrae) that make up our spine surround the most delicate and important tissue that our bodies contain, the nervous system. Our nervous system controls every aspect of our bodily functions. Without spinal health and a healthy nervous system, there will be dysfunction in the body which can lead to sickness and injury. When the nervous system is working properly the body can self regulate and heal properly without aches and pains.

Spinal Health in the Modern Age

Dentists often talk about how our culture's sugar intake is responsible for a heavy increase in tooth decay. In the Chiropractic profession, we see that technology is the culprit for a worrying amount of spinal decay.

Let's take a look at how we live our lives with technology. Although technology is an important tool and makes many things easier for us, the overuse of technology and the ways we sit and use it all day every day is rapidly deteriorating our spines.

Take a mental note right now of the posture that you're in while reading this. Are you hunched over with your shoulders rounded forward and scrunched up towards your ears? Is your head bent forward? Has your low back lost its normal curve?

These are some of the "common" postures that most people end up in. But just because these postures are common does not mean that they are healthy or normal. Before 2020 Americans spent an average of 10 hours a day sitting. We have to imagine that during this pandemic, people are sitting now more than ever. The vast majority of people are stuck in this chronic poor posture which puts stress on our spines and can have detrimental effects on not only our backs but our health in general.

Can you imagine what your teeth would look like if you ate a bunch of sugar/candy and never brushed, flossed, or went to the dentist? I know, I don't want to imagine that either!! That is exactly what is happening to our spines. Chronic poor posture and bad habits cause damage to slowly accumulate and after time we start to see discomfort and dysfunction.

So What can you do Daily to Promote Proper Spinal Hygiene?

Here are some ideas:

1. Use a sit to stand desk
2. Figure out your proper workstation ergonomics
3. Go for a walk
4. Practice daily stretching/movements to support the flexibility of the spine
5. Sit on a Yoga Ball instead of a chair
6. Move your body against resistance- lift weights or do bodyweight exercises

These things will not only help your spine but are small things you can do daily that will help support a healthier lifestyle. Along with daily activities that promote spinal hygiene one of the most, if not the most important, activity that you can do to improve your spinal hygiene is to see a chiropractor and get adjusted. Chiropractors have the education to determine the health of your spine and things that you should be doing in order to help promote proper spinal hygiene.

Resources

Dentistry IQ