What is Spinal Decay?

January 3, 2013 by

What Is Spinal Decay

Like tooth decay, spinal decay can occur without obvious symptoms and at any age.

I know you want to avoid tooth decay – so you brush after meals, floss, and make regular dental appointments to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

So what is spinal decay? Do you know that some signs of spinal decay can be just as silent as those related to tooth decay and that, by the time you notice something – the condition may be fairly well advanced?

The main “job” of the spine is to protect the spinal cord and all the nerves that travel from the brain, through your spinal cord, to communicate with and control every function of your body.

When the spine is misaligned in any way, this puts pressure on your nervous system, which can affect your health. As a result, the spine may actually start to decay.  Dr. Richter can help you here in east county.

Many think this is just the effect of growing older. But just as tooth decay doesn’t result from aging, neither does spinal decay – it results from neglect and poor spinal hygiene.

Spinal decay usually starts with some type of trauma – a car accident, a fall, even the birth process itself can initiate it! The thing you want to remember is this. It doesn’t have to HURT.

In its first phase, spinal decay results in a loss of proper spinal curves or a reduced ability to turn and bend. If left untreated, your body responds by depositing calcium onto the affected joint surfaces, ligaments and connective tissues, in an effort to “splint” the affected spinal joint. At this point, you may still have NO noticeable symptoms; this allows the decay to continue.

By the third phase, spinal decay has permanently damaged the spine, causing neurological changes that result in chronic health problems – usually just the kind we see in an aging population.   And here in El Cajon we care.

Regular chiropractic checkups, just like regular dental exams, are designed to locate areas of the spine that are not functioning properly before they become major areas of concern. At our office, we check your spine to determine where it may be compromised in some way. Then, through a series of corrective adjustments, we provide the intervention you need to help you avoid the crippling effects of spinal decay.

If you have NOT been checked, make an appointment today. If you’re getting checked, then make sure that you bring your friends and family members to this office to be checked. You don’t want them to have spinal decay.

 

Filed Under: Chiropractic, Chiropractic Tips, health, Natural Remedies, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

3 Tips to Fit Exercise Into Your Busy Day

March 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

It seems our lives are becoming more hectic every day and it is getting harder and harder to find the time to do the things we want to do for ourselves, even here in sunny El Cajon.  We often find getting enough exercise to keep you healthy and energized is very difficult.  And chiropractic care can help.

1. Consider setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier in the morning to give you time for a 20 minute workout.  If you did this 3 days a week you can get an hour of exercise time in that you did not have before.  Exercising in the morning before your day gets going is often easier as you are not yet caught up in all that you have to do that day.

2. If your day includes business luncheons and dinners, consider if it might be more effective and better time management to do some of this business on the phone.  Do you really need the hour and half for the dinner meeting to conduct this business?  Can it be done in an hour instead?  Use this ‘extra’ time to do some physical activity, even if it is just a a brisk 30 minute walk.

3.Exercise while at work.  There are several things you can do while seated at your desk to get some exercise in while working.  One example is to keep some small weights in your desk and use them while on the phone, especially if you think it is going to be a long call.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator.  If you work on the 75th floor, take the elevator up to the 70th floor and walk up the last 5 floors.

Use these tips as a starting point and be on the lookout for more spots in your day where you can fit in a little exercise.  You don’t have to go all out for some 45 minute sport to reap the benefits of exercise.  Short exercises done throughout the day add up and don’t seem like such a daunting task.  And regular chiropractic visits will help you maintain your better health!  I wish you all the best.

Filed Under: Chiropractic, Chiropractic Tips, health Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Improving Performance in Sports

February 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

What do Evan­der Holyfield, the heavyweight champion of the world, John Smoltz, the 1996 Cy Young award winner, and Dan O’Brien, the 1996 Olym­pic Gold Medalist in the decathlon have in common?

They have all been on the cover of Today’s Chiropractic Magazine sharing their excitement about the benefits of Chiropractic Wellness Care.

Evander Holyfield stated in the December 1988 issue, “I do believe in chiropractic. I found that going to a chiropractor three times a week helps my performance. Once I drove 20 miles to see a chiropractor before a fight. I have to have my adjustment before I get in the ring.”

Dan O’Brien said in the August 1996 issue, “you obviously can’t compete at your fullest if you’re not in alignment. It was the holistic idea that I liked about chiropractic. I really think chiropractic is essential in running. If I could put a percentage on it, I think I compete eight to ten percent better from regular chiropractic use, if not more. It is essential for me and my training routine,” declared O’Brien.

Ten percent is a huge amount for an athlete, or anyone for that matter. For Dan O’Brien it was the difference between him winning the gold medal and not even making the team.

Can you imagine if your entire life improved by ten percent? What if your energy, sleep, healing ability, and immune function were all improved by 10%? How about a 10% improvement in hormonal balance and digestion efficiency? If your entire body was functioning just  ten percent better it would make a huge difference.

Mace Richter, El Cajon Chiropractor

 

Filed Under: Chiropractic, health, Natural Remedies Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,