There’s a proverb that says: “Dig your well before you’re thirsty.” It’s an illustration of the wisdom and practicality of being proactive, and when it comes to the health of your spine, and its role in spinal cord and brain function—the foundation to ALL your body functions —this couldn’t be more true.
Why Proactive Spinal Care Matters
Science is very clear that our spine and nervous system aren’t separate from the spinal bones but integrated into them at the joints where your spinal bones (vertebrae) come together and move. Your spinal bones protect your spinal cord, support movement, and through this movement stimulate the millions of nerve endings in each spinal joint. This is why the optimal function and alignment of your spine is critical to your overall health.
Daily spinal stressors—like desk work, long drives, workouts, or phone use—can create problems that gradually wear it down. Add to these past injuries from falls, sports impacts, and even birth trauma, and the risk of progressive spinal dysfunction and degeneration grows. By the time symptoms like low back pain, neck pain, headaches or posture problems arise, the issue may have been brewing for many years. This is why the belief that you are healthy until you feel pain is a dangerous one. The fact that research studies suggest only 10% of the nerves of the body are even able to sense pain gives us a good clue that the absence of pain isn’t a very robust indicator of health.
The key takeaway? Don’t take your spinal health for granted! The consequences of spinal degeneration are profound including severe chronic pain, increased medication use, poor general health, accelerated aging, loss of function and mobility leading to the loss of independence. For these, and many other reasons, the best time to care for your spine is before it cries out for help.
Invest in Your Future Health
You only get one spine—and unlike a car or phone, you can’t trade it in when it wears out – and you may not like the one you’re stuck with if you wait too long to take care of it! Actively manage your spine on a daily basis by making healthy spinal movement and sitting choices. Also, by investing in regular chiropractic care, you’re not merely treating pain reactively — you’re correcting the cause of spinal degeneration and proactively preserving your spine and nervous system and your freedom to move, work, help others and enjoy all life has to offer!
Don’t wait until you’re “thirsty” to dig your well! If you live in the Ottawa area, contact us today to schedule your new patient exam. Give your spine the proactive care it deserves, right here in downtown Ottawa at Ascension Chiropractic Health Centre.
Dr. Derek Haughton