November 01, 2011

picture of man lifting“I got it! I got it!” you confidently shout to your Richmond fellow workers as you go to lift something all by yourself. Then, snap. There goes your back!

Are you one of those men - or do you know one of those men - who thinks he can do it all? That doesn’t need any help? Well, Johnson Chiropractic sees them - and their bad backs - all day long!
 
Men who have no history of back pain or leg pain and do a lot of strenuous physical activity like lifting heavy things are at higher risk for hospitalization later on in life for a herniated lumbar disc. (1) Heavy workloads strain even the manliest of men’s lower backs!

image of nucleus pulposus“Why?” our Richmond chiropractic patients often ask. Well, there are lots of reasons, but one reason for concern in those who overdo it at work and have a predisposition for degenerated lumbar discs is that degenerated discs tend to respond to spinal loading negatively. (2) The nucleus pulposus - the center of the disc - is most at risk of damage when it is degenerated. It just can’t absorb the load like a normal disc can. It’s worn out! But that's where Johnson Chiropractic comes to the rescue. Our Cox Technic is relieving!

What starts disc degeneration? Possibly, overloading the spine. The spinal cells need their nutrients and oxygen, and loading and compression disrupt the system. The functional spine depends on a healthy disc to do its job of moving nutrients in and out. (3) And smoking…Don’t! It induces disc degeneration. (4) Further, too much loading of the spine may lead to inflammation, degeneration and cell death. (5) Inflammation irritates nerves. Degeneration shrinks the spinal canal area. And you certainly don’t want your cells to die! So, be careful, you Richmond men. Come let Johnson Chiropractic work on your overloaded discs to help them do their jobs better.

Don’t let this information scare you away from doing what you want or need to do. Fear avoidance sets you up for more disability, so the important thing is to balance your workload activities. (6) So move, work, exercise and do what you need to do, but don’t go too crazy! Accept help when offered from others...and from Johnson Chiropractic!

Count on Richmond’s chiropractic services at Johnson Chiropractic. We help Richmond residents get rid of their back pain and inflammation and manage their disc degeneration all the time!  Johnson Chiropractic’s spinal manipulation, Cox Technic, and therapies like ice, ice/heat, and electrical stimulation drive out that inflammation and sedate the irritated nerves. Bottomline: you get back pain relief.

Read these reference papers, and contact Johnson Chiropractic today!