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Spinal Curves

When you think of your spine, do you think of a straight row of bones that go from the bottom of your brain to the bottom of your back? In reality, the spine is made up of four different curves that provide balance and flexibility to your body and help prevent injury. These curves also allow the spine to support 10 times more weight than it could if the curves were missing! You can more easily see these curves when you view a model of the spine from a side view.

The four types of spinal curves are:

spinal

• Cervical Lordosis – A backward “C”-shaped curve located in the upper part of the spine. This curve helps to keep your head from moving too far forward. Neck pain usually results when there is any type of significant loss to this curve.

• Thoracic Kyphosis – The “C”-shaped curve of the upper and mid back, comprised of 12 vertebrae

• Lumbar Lordosis – The five vertebrae of the lower back that are also in the shape of a backward “C.” This are of the spine faces backward when seen from a side view.

• Sacral Kyphosis – The sacrum is a triangular-shaped bone at the base of the spine, between both hip bones. It is also a “C”-shaped curve.

As a fetus develops, it has only one type of spinal curve, the kyphotic “C”- shaped curve. As an infant’s motor skills begin to develop, the baby learns to hold its head up, sit, crawl, stand up and walk – all causing significant muscle development and allowing more weight to be shifted to the spine. This also begins the development of the additional spinal curves.

It is important that these curves be properly maintained to balance your body and to avoid pain and injury. Proper lifting requires that you bend at the knees, instead of at the waist, to keep your spine from straightening.

Of course, regular chiropractic check ups and adjustments help to maintain your proper spinal curves. In addition, there are specific products, such as cervical pillows, that also help to keep spinal curves in place and keep you out of pain!

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Drs. Cooper Asks some important questions of interest to Marysville residents - Chiropractor Marysville Drs. Cooper Asks...

Why does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works because your nervous system, consisting of your brain, spinal cord and all the nerves of your body, controls and regulates every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body. A chiropractor locates and reduces areas of nervous system compromise (usually along the spine) so your capacity to heal is restored. Chiropractic works by helping your body work as it was designed.
What is the purpose of pain?
Pain prompts many Marysville folks to begin chiropractic care. But pain isn't the problem! Pain is just how your body alerts you that a limit has been reached (or exceeded), that something isn't working right and that some type of change is needed. As a chiropractor, my job is finding the underlying cause and recommending the changes needed to bring your body back into balance.