Best Ajax Chiropractor

Best Ajax Chiropractor

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How your back works and why it hurts

Your back has an important job. It supports your head and torso, enables you to bend, twist and stretch and provides protection for your spinal cord. In order to perform all these tasks, your back is made of a complex maze of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons, each being susceptible to pain and injury. When your vertebrae are out of alignment, because of injury, muscle tension, muscle spasms or loose, weak muscles, you experience pain.

Vertebrae
Your spine is comprised of 33 bones called vertebrae. Vertebrae contain canals for nerves and intricate joints and are attached to muscles and ligaments. Because your vertebrae are not all the same and have different functions, they are defined in the following three segments.

1. Cervical vertebrae in your neck are smaller and more delicate, so you can move your head freely, in a number of directions.
2. Thoracic vertebrae connect with your ribs and provide some flexibility.
3. Lumbar vertebrae, located where your lower back curves, do heavy lifting, providing support for the body and important mobility. Because they carry the bulk of the weight and have a major role in bending at the waist, they are most prone to pain and injury.

The sacrum and coccyx are actually fused vertebrae. The sacrum is the larger, shield-shaped bone that supports the lumbar vertebrae and protects the pelvic area. And your coccyx, a reminder of our very early ancestors, is a tail.


Discs
You may have heard the terms ruptured disc and herniated disc. Discs are fluid-filled sacs that fit between each of your vertebrae , serving as shock absorbers, holding your vertebrae together and making it easier to move. Sometimes discs slip out of position or rupture. This causes pain, particularly if it presses on a nerve.


Spinal Cord/Nerves
Made of nerve fibers, the spinal cord has the critical job of sending messages to and from the brain and the rest of your body. Sometimes these nerve fibers become irritated because of conditions such as a herniated disc, misaligned disc, injury or degeneration of the vertebrae. When this happens you may well feel symptoms like pain, headache, tingling, numbness or weakness. Your chiropractor has a number of techniques for relieving these symptoms.


7 ways to avoid back pain

1. Maintain good posture when sitting or standing.
2. Watch your weight; excess weight places additional strain on your back.
3. Warm up before doing physical work or exercise.
4. Stay active and follow a regular pattern of exercise to keep your muscles and joints flexible.
5. When lifting, bend at your knees, hold the object close to your body and lift from your legs.
6. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, which can strain your neck and back.
7. If your work requires you to spend long periods of time in a chair, talk with your chiropractor about the best ergonomic options.


About the Author:
To learn how to find the best chiropractor in Ajax, check out my free guide at http://www.BestAjaxChiropractor.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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