Take a lesson from orthodontists

An orthodontist is a highly regarded dental specialist designed to treat misaligned teeth by looking at the teeth and jaw in a very dynamic manner and often utilizing dental braces to bring alignment back to the teeth. It is quite important to have straight, properly functioning teeth for many health reasons, in addition to cosmetic purposes. Most orthodontist’s work is not covered by insurance, though patients pay out of pocket because the importance of straight teeth has been ingrained in each of us from a young age.

Perhaps we need a specialty more along the lines of spinal orthodontics! We tend to deal with a crooked spine (scoliosis) much differently than the common sense dental model. Treatment for scoliosis is typically no treatment at all. Usually x-rays are taken to measure the degree of crookedness. If the crookedness is not so severe than surgery isn’t needed, no treatment is offered. This is not to say that treatments for scoliosis aren’t available or effective. Exercise, guided stretching, chiropractic treatments, and physical therapy can all help to prevent or reverse scoliosis! However, no consensus currently exists for treating scoliosis let alone guidelines for what profession should primarily treat it.

The first step: Get away from the cliff

Though back and spine care is not near the preventative level that dental care is at, a good first step is avoiding the proverbial back pain cliff through regular check-ups with a chiropractor. Teetering on the edge of this cliff means one simple stress on your body can push you into the abyss of back pain. Regular check-ups create a larger space between your body and the edge of that dangerous cliff. It is the little things, like daily stretching and exercise, that make your body most resilient and prevent small issues from turning into big catastrophes.

The second step: No excuses

If your teeth break or wear down, they can be mended or replaced. Unfortunately, dentures for the spine just aren’t an option and artificial discs and vertebrae don’t work very well and create many complications. You only get one spine, so take good care of it. And no, getting older is not a legitimate reason to lose back function or become less active. No matter what your age, activity level, flexibility, etc. there are gentle stretches and movements you can do to strengthen your back and prevent injury and pain.

The final word

If you’ve ever had back pain, as most people have, you’ll surely understand the appeal of prevention rather than treatment. Our spines should be regularly monitored and preventatively treated just like our teeth. At-home routines, the spinal equivalent to brushing and flossing, must become everyday habits for everyone.

© 2008 Dr. Tod Sinett and Dr. Sheldon Sinett

Author Bio Dr. Todd Sinett is the owner of the Midtown Chiropractic Health and Wellness practice in New York City (www.midtownchiro.com), which provides chiropractic care and applied kinesiology, nutritional and supportive counseling, and physical and massage therapy to thousands of individuals, including noted sports figures and celebrities. The center hosts weekend wellness programs and corporate informational seminars and publishes a periodic online newsletter, Balance in the Body (www.balanceinthebody.com). Sinett has appeared as clinical expert on many television programs including The View, FoxMD, and Good Day New York. Visit his website at www.drsinett.com.

For more than forty years, Dr. Sheldon Sinett was a leading chiropractor and pioneer in combining chiropractic medicine with a variety of cutting-edge, holistic practices.

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