|
Back |
Spine and Disc Degeneration |
|
The vertebrae begin to lose their smooth shape and deform; the discs swell, shrink; the spinal ligaments, tendons, and muscles begin to harden and weaken; and the entire spinal column shrinks and distorts as it loses its flexibility, stability and strength. What is happening? The spine is degenerating. Spinal degeneration affects the
body in many ways; the bodies chemistry is changed by the longstanding
stress, the organs begin to suffer from loss of nerve supply
- the overall ability to adapt to the pressures of life is compromised.
In time the person afflicted loses the spring The spinal column is subject to many stresses throughout a lifetime; - disease, accidents, emotional tension, falls and other injuries. Over time the spinal column's many complex parts - intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons, and the very bone itself - deteriorate. Stress often causes the spinal vertebrae to shift from their proper places, or become misaligned and irritate the surrounding nerves, bones, discs, ligaments and other soft tissues. Spinal DecaySpinal decay or degeneration is often such a painless problem that by the time a person notices its effects or feels any pain, the vertebrae may have been deteriorating for many years! The damage is caused in a number of ways. The vertebral misalignment alters the spine's centre of gravity, putting more stress on some vertebrae than others, and the bone responds to the extra stress by remodelling and distorting its shape so as to keep the spine as stable as possible. When misalignment causes nerve stress or nerve pressure, this wears away the vertebrae and surrounding soft tissue - the discs, ligaments and tendons. The Chiropractic ApproachSpinal degeneration is a barometer of spinal health. Yet we need not sit and passively await our spine's destruction. Chiropractic spinal adjustments can decrease the rate of degenerative joint disease and improve the chances of the joints, nerves, discs and other tissues remaining healthy and strong throughout our lifetime. PreventionThe sooner chiropractic care is begun, the better. |