The spine is an important part of the human body. It provides  flexibility to the torso, letting you perform essential tasks like moving your limbs, standing upright, and walking. Without a spine, we wouldn’t be able to perform simple tasks that we take for granted. The spine also protects the spinal cord, which is a column of nerve tissue running from the base of the skull to the middle of the back. The spinal cord sends signals between the brain and the body which facilitate movement, reflexes, and bodily sensations. If you have spinal misalignment, it can lead to a wide variety of unexpected health problems. These problems range from limb pain and numbness to fatigue and frequent headaches.

Symptoms Of Spinal Misalignment

• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet (caused by nerve compression)
• Chronic headaches
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Knee pain
• Hip pain
• Stiffness

Having a misaligned spine can affect your general health and increase the risk of several chronic conditions.

What are the 3 most common causes of spinal misalignment?

We asked our London Chiropractor what where  the 3 most common causes for spinal misalignment. Here is what Dr. Anika had to say: “People often think that a single event or injury is to blame for their chronic back problems. But the truth is that a single cause usually can’t be identified, rather there are several underlying conditions that can contribute to chronic pain.”

Muscle weakness

Muscle weakness is one of the most common causes of chronic back pain. This happens when your back muscles lack the strength and stability to support you properly, leading to wear and tear over time.

Some deconditioning naturally occurs as we age, but lack of physical activity is the biggest contributor.

If your back is hurting or you recently injured yourself, you’ve probably started taking it easy or avoiding certain activities. In the short-term, modifying your activities or avoiding things like heavy lifting are often recommended to help your back heal.

But too much inactivity can cause muscles to shrink and weaken. This can cause spinal misalignment.

Poor posture or improper body mechanics

Bad habits can stress your spine and strain the soft tissue surrounding it. And over time, this repeated stress can break down the structural components of the spine.

While posture or body mechanics are part of every movement you make, your work environment can have a big impact. If your job requires regular lifting or repetitive movement, proper mechanics are your best defence against chronic back pain.

For office workers, when you sit at your desk for long stretches without stretching, it can cause your hip flexors to tighten. Over time, this can cause hips and hamstrings to weaken, leading to lower back pain.

If you notice yourself hunching over your keyboard several times per day, you may be developing kyphosis. This excessive curving of the spine is often associated with chronic back pain.

Overuse and repetition of everyday activities

Every day, the little things we do can have a big impact on the amount of stress we put on our bodies and result in spinal misalignment.

• Driving or sitting for long periods of time
• Repetitive motion activities such as walking, bending over, exercising or typing
• Lifting both small and heavy objects (including kids)
• Sleeping in an odd position or on an old mattress

Are you suffering from back pain or neck pain and you are searching for a “Chiropractor Near Me” or a Chiropractor in London?

Call us 07376 243726 for a free consultation with our London Chiropractor. You can also book an appointment online now. You can locate our Chiropractic in Covent Garden.