Page 42 - Oct-Dec 2024 Edition

ACK PAIN is a very common
Bcondition and will affect most of us
at some time in our lives. The causes
can be wide -ranging and complex. The
| SPINE CARE good news is that in most cases it isn’t
a serious problem, and it might just be
By Sarah Worthington caused by a simple strain to a muscle
or ligament.

o, what do we do about it? Firstly, we need The Central Nervous System is one big
Sto understand what is causing the pain and information highway carrying vital messages to
how to improve it. But, perhaps more importantly, all parts of your body. This is one of the main
we need to understand how to prevent pain and reasons why it is imperative to look after your
recurrence. spine; there’s no such thing as a spine transplant!
Back pain can affect any part of your spine; the Back pain is most commonly caused by injury to
most common occurs in your low back – your the structure of the spine; the joints between the
Lumbar spine. Pain in your upper back – your vertebrae, the intervertebral disc and associated
Thoracic spine (and frequently across your muscles and ligaments. Injury can be sudden
shoulders) is often related to bad posture. Neck i.e. from an accident, fall or lifting something
pain – Cervical Spine pain commonly results heavy. Or it can develop over time due to age-
in headaches. The spine is made up of 24 related degeneration, bad posture and repetitive
individual bones (Vertebrae) separated by a strain. Uncommonly, some diseases and other
jelly-like Intervertebral disc. At the base of the conditions can cause back pain. This is why it is
spine several vertebrae are fused into the Sacrum important to get a proper diagnosis for the cause
which is connected to the pelvis. of your pain. This can be done by a Medical
doctor, Chiropractor or physiotherapist.
Treatment options include:
Medical intervention; usually in the form of pain
medication for uncomplicated mechanical pain.
Pain medication and continuing normal activities
will often result in resolution of your pain as most
conditions are self-limiting – the body has an
amazing capacity to heal itself.
However, this does not address the cause of the
problem and it is therefore likely to recur at some
time.
Whereas manual treatment such as that provided
by a Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, acupuncturist
or massage therapist often avoids the need
The spine protects the spinal cord, which is part of for medication, and addresses the dysfunction
the Central Nervous System. It is like segmented whilst also aiming to provide rehabilitation and
armour that can bend and move naturally with the prevention of recurrence.
body. Under the armour a lot is happening.
Messages travel from around the body up and Prevention
down the spinal cord and into the brain. The brain We cannot easily control against Injury, disease
processes these messages and sends replies and age. But we are able to prevent spine
back down the spinal cord to the body. disorders that result from Misuse or Lack of
use. When we understand these factors we can
recognize how to prevent most spinal issues.
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