Why Is A Healthy Spine Important?

Why is a healthy spine important? Is it because we need it to stand up straight? Is it because we need it to be able to move about? Can I live with an unhealthy spine? There are many questions to consider when thinking about spinal health. And it’s interesting that many of us innately desire to stand up straight and have good posture. Most of us have been reminded by our parents to do that or to “sit up straight” at the dinner table. But isn’t it an interesting thing that we don’t get much formal education about spinal hygiene—how to maintain a healthy spinal column over the course of our lives?

To answer these questions start with recognizing that your spine develops in utero to surround and protect your spinal cord. This is the very first set of events that occurs embryologically before all other systems develop. The brain and spinal cord form before all other systems because they are primary in your ability to function at all levels. Without the central nervous system, nothing else works! So would you agree it is a good idea to take care of it? What if you feel good---you have no pain. Does this mean your spine is healthy? Not necessarily. Like all disease in the body, spinal decay happens slowly over time. The symptoms of disease show up last. In fact, a great deal of spinal decay can set in over time as your posture slowly devolves without pain. Did you know that only one tenth of your nervous system is dedicated to pain perception? Ninety percent of your nervous system is dedicated to function.

Maintaining a healthy spine is critical to long term health and function in the body. While it is possible to ignore this and live a long life, I would submit that everybody lives a higher quality of life doing things they love without restriction, if they maintain a healthy spine. After all, it’s there to preserve your ability to heal, function and operate at 100% if you do!