I am a total sucker for anything healthy or new, in the line of health related topics. At first I am a hard core cynic, but as soon as I am convinced of something you might as well slap a sold sticker to my forehead. I had been having some neck pain after I woke up on Easter Sunday with a crik in my neck. The crik turned into pain, headaches, and an overall nauseous dizzy feeling. I caved and went to a chiropractor that Tonya and Deeann go to. Chiropractors have always been quacks in my book, all that popping and twisting and jumping around on your spine. No thanks!, no man was going to lay his hands on me and do that. (all Chiro's are male in my town)
Well this guy is all about health, nutrition, hormonal balance and just uses a popper to adjust you. The even better news is that it was just $40 bucks a visit and that included x-rays on both visits. The other cool thing was that he could show you what a normal spine looks like compared to yours. Well my neck was pencil straight, and if you know anything about the spine you will know that is not good. Your neck should curve outward and your spine should have an S flow to it. He told me that my pencil neck was holding up an 8 pound watermelon at a tilted right angle, which caused my top to vertebrae to twist and rotate in an odd way. I could see it all in the x-rays and my head is off center, which must explain why information doesn't stay in my head, it leaks out. I had x-rays the first day, adjustment day 2 followed by x-rays to see how much improved I was, and how much more adjustment I need. I go back one more time and then he said to treat chiropractic care like you do the dentist, just once or twice a year for maintenance is all you need. My straight neck is not good because it can lead to osteoarthritis, and my pelvis was tilted to one side and that can cause lower back pain. I was also amazed to find out that 90% of your nerves do not feel pain, so if your spine is off or nerves are pinched you might not feel it but it can totally affect so many areas of your health like liver function, sinuses, digestion and all sorts of things. See, sucker fits, because I could go on and on.
9 comments:
Dear Sucker : ) : )
Well another thing that you might consider is this. A well maintained "muscular girdle" also known as your core muscles can do soooo... much to alleviate pain and help you maintain your well adjusted spine and neck. Your abdominal muscles should share the burden of your holding yourself upright with your back. As we women get older we tend towards a core muscle weakening thus poor posture and relaxing the stomach muscles instead of using them to continually help support our weight. After practicing trapeze for three years I had learned how to control and use my core muscles. It was amazing how much it helped me to stop having back pain. I think chiro's are great but they need the help of a well muscled core. Hanging from a bar, yes just hanging, can do a lot. The thing is that you have to 'hang' correctly. You have to keep your shoulders square, your shoulders should not be near your ears! You should try and connect the part of your body that is below the waist with your upper torso. So tuck in your booty and try to shorten the area between your, sorry to be blunt, pubic bone and your collar bone. This is more a mental picture than anything. You just try and use your stomach muscles to hold you firmly together while hanging instead of a like a rag doll. Get Nathan to install a bar downstairs and try hanging for 30 seconds each day. It is harder than it sounds if you do this correctly. In time you will develop a stronger core and not 'slip' out of alignment so easily.
Love ash
I'm with Ashley. While adjustments may be fine, if your muscles are doing their job your spine and other bones will not be out of alignment! God designed our muscles to hold our bones in place to support our bodies. Chiropractic does not fix the problem (weak muscles from poor posture, lack of exercise, etc.); it alleviates the symptoms of the problem (out-of-alignment joints). JMO of course!! :) :)
Courtney
P.S. Before you do too many adjustments, please read up on strokes caused by pinching of the artery in the neck which can happen with chiropractic adjustments. There was a recent article on cnn.com, although you should find plenty on google as well. I don't want to scare you, but I think you should be an informed patient! :)
Thanks, I am not going to a regular chiro, he only taps with a little instrument. Once you are off though, muscle training won't realign my neck or get it back in the proper rotation, but keeping it aligned should entail what you suggest. Although, I don't know how keen I am on the idea of hanging upside down on a bar. If it was a pole I might convince Nate to install one, but I digress.
I've always thought you had the perfect room for one.
Girls, girls...now really, I don't want to have to flag this blog : )
Now I am being serious. You have to hang from your hands!
Alright Catrina,
No more excuses! I found the perfect work out program for you.
http://www.poleexercise.co.uk
Have fun!
Ash
Ash,
Now your talking my language.lol
The irony is that I am too inflexible to do any good with either a pole or bar.
Your gas thread was hilarious!!!!!!!! HAHA I am bad about it but I don't think that bad. LOL
loved your comment about why you can't remember anything. Maybe I need to be adjusted to.
also, wanted to let you know that I'm still praying for you guys and Dania.
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