|
|
Millions of people suffer from neck pain each year. Neck pain can be
caused by a variety of reasons, and can start from as early on as
birth. Believe it or not, the stress of the birth process is very
traumatic for a newborn. The extreme pressure as well as the
twisting involved is often the cause of an individual's first
subluxation. If left uncorrected, this nerve interference could lead
to other more serious problems later on in childhood and even into
adulthood.
Ergonomics often play a vital role. If a person sits, sleeps or
works consistently in a poor position, the muscles weaken and fail
to function properly resulting in a variety of symptoms such as neck
pain, headaches, numbness and tingling into the shoulder, arm, elbow
or hand.
The Brain And Spinal Cord:
The brain and spinal cord make up your central nervous system. They
are the undisputed commander of all organs and systems of the body.
It is housed in the skull and spinal column and contains 12 to 15
billion nerve cells, all of which are present at birth. The brain
itself is the most active organ. It uses 45% of the oxygen we
breathe and 2/3' of the energy producing glucose we ingest, although
it is less than 5% of the total body weight.
The brain and spinal cord must constantly monitor incoming nerve
messages from all parts of the body which inform it of the exacts
demands the organs and tissues must meet to maintain good health.
Upon receiving these demands, it immediately issues the responses
necessary to meet them.
The brain, like the physician, diagnoses the state of the body.
However, it does it by the mili-second 24 hours a day. Because the
brain is directly connected to every cell or group of cells in the
body, it not only makes a perfect diagnosis, but also orders the
perfect response. For the brain to function properly, there must be
no interference in the receiving and sending signals. Your
Chiropractor is the one best qualified person to see that the
central nervous system is free from impediment so that it may
continue to do the job for which it was designed.
When nerve channels of communication are kept open, the brain will
diagnose the body's needs and direct proper response to those needs.
All chemicals necessary for life are normally made by the body and
prescribed by the brain in the most exacting manner.
For the sick individual, Chiropractic is a means of health
restoration by opening nerve channels so the body may heal itself.
For the healthy individual, it is a periodic check-up to insure
early correction of potential nerve interference.
HOME CARE:
There are many things that you, yourself can do to maintain a
healthy body.
Exercise
Daily exercise will help keep your muscles and
cardiovascular system strong. Stronger muscles will decrease your
chance of injury. Participate in simple exercises to strengthen your
body, but avoid jarring activities which place stress on your neck
and spine.
Eat Right
What you put into your body effects your body's overall
performance. It's like your car, if you put cheap gas into it, you
may experience a decrease in gas mileage, or even find that it
"spits and sputters." Your body is the same way. What you eat
affects your organs and adrenal functions.
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, starches and sugars. Alcohol
destroys the covering around the nerves and further irritates them.
Caffeine and nicotine and other stimulants excite the nervous
system, as do sugars and starches which excite the pancreas and
adrenals. Avoid them if you can. If not, be smart and keep their use
to a minimum.
Take Care
Be careful. Don't lift heavy objects. Avoid sudden turns
and twists of movement beyond the normal limits of motion,
especially of the neck. Also, be careful not to bend sharply to pick
up objects, remember to bend with your knees to minimize the strain
on your lower back.
Posture
How is yours? Watch yourself when you walk by a mirror or
window. Are your shoulders sloping? Are you standing or sitting
properly? make an extra effort to stand tall, sit tall and THINK
tall. |
