Kansas City Chiropractor Helps Patients with Back Pain and Posture

Do you lean to one side in the mirror?  You should check...really.

 Why?  This could be an indication that you have misalignments in your back, or a bulging disc, EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS!

 I see so many patients that come in the office and their low back hurts and their upper body is leaning forward or to one side.  This is what we call antalgic posture.  You will HAVE to assume this position to be pain free when you have a disc bulging in your spine, or other major misalignment.  Sometimes long before you have symptoms, your posture starts to change to compensate for a misalignment aka subluxation in the spine.  If you can get adjusted before this becomes symptomatic, then your chances of having severe back pain are much less.  In fact, you may not even have a back pain flare up at all.

 This is part of the reason that I stress regular adjustments as part of your overall wellness plan.  The frequency that your body needs adjusted is different for everyone.  Sometimes at first it is once or twice a week, and then it tapers down to every week, every other week, and then monthly.  I have patients that feel great as long as they get adjusted every 4-8 weeks, and the lucky ones who only need a "tune up a few times a year". 

The patients that need the least amount of maintenance adjustments usually have the following habits:

1. They drink plenty of water

2. They eat minimal sugar and processed foods

3. They exercise - anywhere from regular walks around the block to marathon runners

4. They have good sleeping posture and get plenty of sleep

Why am I stressing the importance of maintenance care? 

Last night I was reminded about the importance of maintenance care on my car.  My engine was starting to run a little hot and then I realized I hadn't checked the fluid in my radiator for way too long.  My car needed fluid in the radiator, and now the problem has resolved!  For the cost of a gallon of radiator fluid (about 5.00!), I saved myself the cost of a new engine (several thousand dollars!).

Just like your car, maintenance care is much less expensive that repairing a big problem that has been ignored.   Sometimes when you keep an eye on the little things, it keeps the big things from happening.  Regular adjustments are an affordable and enjoyable way to have your spine and body checked on a regular basis by a Doctor that is trained to maximize the longevity of your body.  I have found and corrected many little problems with my patient's health long before they were big enough to interfere with work, family, and vacations.  I've even found a few undiagnosed life-threatening problems with patients who were on a maintenance program, and were so grateful for my careful attention to their overall health. 

 Getting adjusted for minor problems or when back pain and neck pain initally starts takes less visits to resolve and is easier to correct and maintain long term.  I invite you to look at yourself in the mirror and look for the following indicators of needing an adjustment:

1. Hips are unlevel

2. Shoulders are uneven

3. Head is tilted to one side

4. The arch of either foot is flat on the ground. (This can cause foot, knee and back problems)

5. Your upper body is leaning to one side or leaning forward.

Great posture contributes to great health!  Maintain your body so that you will be healthy and mobile for decades to come!

 Better Health is only a phone call away!

Dr. Kristine Baker