Spinal misalignment is a part of daily life

In fact, your spine is most likely misaligned as you read this. But misalignment does not necessarily need to be a cause for concern if you view your spine through the right lens. Too many people view their spine as a single structure, immutable and rigid. The truth is, your spine is a shifting mosaic of spinal motion segments, each specifically designed for a different type of motion.

• Cervical: provides flexibility and stability for the neck and supports the weight of the head,
• Thoracic: provides for rotation, flexion and extension of the upper body. 
• Lumbar: supports the weight of the upper body, and provides stability to prevent excessive range of motion from damaging the spine 

Despite what it may seem, your spine is designed for movement. But movement, and more importantly, lack of movement, are precisely the forces that help move your spine out of alignment. Misalignment is a natural part of life; it becomes a problem when:

• Musculature develops unevenly
• It causes dysfunction in the nervous system
• It contributes to spinal degneration 
• It contributes to pain. 

What you can do to prevent misalignment throughout the day

Sitting is the body’s most unnatural position; given the choice, your spine would prefer to stand up or lay down. But what your spine really doesn’t want is to sit for long periods of time without moving. Ironically, stagnation is the catalyst that contributes to many people’s spinal misalignment. The problem is that when you don’t move, your muscles shorten in length and create a pull on the spine. The solution is to move:

• Take frequent breaks: even taking your hands off the keyboard counts. Perform gentle stretches and motions to relieve the tension that accumulates in the different parts of your body while sitting. 
• Stand up at least once an hour: if possible, add in a quick brisk walk. Transitioning between different positions is an excellent way to boost your spinal health. 
• Trade your office chair for an exercise ball: it keeps your core muscles engaged and your posture neutral. It forces you to take more frequent breaks in order to let the muscles rest. 
• Hydrate: to aid in circulation and lubricate spinal joints.
• Focus on posture: frequent movement helps you reset your posture and keeps it fresh in the mind. 

Resolving spinal misalignment in Dunedin

At Hayes Family Chiropractic, we prioritize spinal mobility and alignment to help you feel better in the here and now while preserving the longevity of your spine long into the future. We detect and correct problematic spinal misalignment to help improve nervous system function, range of motion in the spinal joints and circulation. If you are interested in finding out more about the insidious nature of spinal misalignment, give our office in Dunedin a call to schedule an appointment today.