Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine
- The following tips can help you take
better care of your spine:
1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned
and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions
are on your back or side.
2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small
stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees
should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by
maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight.
3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back.
Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help
support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so
that your knees are level with your hips.
4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your
back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in
proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using
your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted
close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum.
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More Information
Topics:
- A Brief History Of Chiropractic
- The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on
September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born
teacher and helter. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the
cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a
janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport,
Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over
17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer
discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected
that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned
the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments,
much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored.
Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and
science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today,
advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment,
scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health
care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care
choice.
- Chiropractic Philosophy
- The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes
two fundamental concepts:
1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body
functions and its ability to heal itself;
and
2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining
health and in the healing processes.
Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions,
its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from
modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a
holistic ("total person") approach to healing which
combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that
health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation
from such laws can result in illness.
- Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care
- The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught
the attention of several health associations and government
agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine
reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to
providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of
visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and
chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical
therapies.
A follow
up report published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments
had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with
"overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by
an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by
practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%."
Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic
care within the previous year.
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- The ABCs of Subluxations
- Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones
(vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous
system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor
posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips
or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself.
Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations
and restoring optimal health.
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