Getting your health back after a spinal injury can be problematic if you do not approach it holistically. What is meant by the term holistic? In general, it is caring for the person as a whole vs. individual parts, and using techniques that assist different bodily systems.
When dealing with a mechanical spinal problem, the doctor needs to consider the condition of the disks and ligaments, scar tissue, muscle strength, posture, movement, and alignment. A simple prescription, while effective at reducing pain, is not a good solution in the long run. For example, the scar that forms in muscles following an injury is much weaker when NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) are used. The patient needs to also consider the side effects of stomach or gastrointestinal bleeding that can come with long-term use. Leaving joint problems to sit for years while treatment only focuses on masking the pain will just make future rehabilitation more difficult and less effective.
Pain is a protective signal for your body to avoid certain movements. While muscle pain can be a good sign during rehabilitation, if there is ligament or joint pain, then it may mean that you're pushing it too hard. It's hard to maintain exercise in the presence of joint pain. Chiropractic care can keep the spine and other joints flexible while you also approach the other aspects of spine function with specific exercises and stretching.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is also part of any holistic approach. If you're overweight, this adds tremendous stress to your spine. In some cases, it may be important to first get your weight down, before commencing an exercise program or weight training.
In addition to proper weight control, you should also consider sound nutrition in terms of vitamin and mineral consumption. Most patients need to do better at eating green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, and other nutritious foods. One also has to avoid harmful fats and the chemicals/preservatives that are often present in highly processed foods. Supplements such as manganese and glucosamine chondroitin may help joint health. Although there are few studies on how effective these supplements are, the downside or side effects associated with their use are quite minimal.
Your doctor of chiropractic can advise you on integrating a holistic approach with spinal joint care, strength training, flexibility, and sound nutrition.
