Well-Adjusted: The Chiropractor's Corner

Like most of us, Carol Davis has to deal with a lot in life. She's a single mother, she holds a full-time job, she cooks dinner, she sorts the mail. And, like most of us, she suffers from bouts of back pain. Most back pain is caused by muscle strain or ligament sprain brought on by poor posture, improper lifting or being overweight. Other causes include osteoarthritis, herniated discs, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. Factors like stress, a sedentary lifestyle and lack of sleep aggravate the condition.

At one point or another, 50%-80% of people in the US have experienced back pain; we spend over $24 billion annually in hopes of banishing it. Traditional medicine frequently leads sufferers of back pain to the operating table, but back surgery often ends poorly. Not only does it neglect the root of the problem--the cause of the back pain in the first place--but in one post-op scenario, the body overcompensates by putting pressure on other joints, creating new problem areas to replace the surgically-repaired originals. Human hands are an alternative to knives; chiropractic spinal adjustments help relieve pain and keep the spine properly aligned.


Professionals Only: Just because you can crack your knuckles doesn't mean you should attempt to adjust yourself. A chiropractor must apply precisely the right amount of pressure at precisely the right location. "Popping" your back by stretching or twisting it can be counterproductive and even dangerous.

The Backstrong Challenge: Gregory Kolwaite, DC, offers tips for pain-free days.

• Stand straight and keep your head directly over your shoulders--good posture is key.

• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight. Yoga, swimming and walking all keep the body fit and limber, benefitting the spine by keeping off excess pressure.

• Get 8 hours each night. For high-quality Zzz's, take your last meal at least three hours before you hit the hay and set your thermostat below 70 degrees. Sandwiching a pillow between the knees relaxes the spine.

• Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day--not coffee, juice, or soda--to ward off dehydration. Dehydration negatively impacts your spinal discs and muscles, leading to stiffness and increased injury.

O Canada: Even 15 minutes per day spent off the couch and on your feet will help combat back pain. To that end, the Canadian Doctors of Chiropractic launched a website to promote the Fit-in-15 habit.