How much do you know about your spine? Many of us take it for granted on a day-to-day basis and only notice how instrumental it is to our health and well-being when something goes wrong. The spine and spinal cord play a key role in making sure that we can stand upright, move our limbs, and have sensations such as touch. In this article, we’ll go through some of the most common spinal injuries and how they can be remedied, both by traditional methods and natural at-home treatments.
Atlantoaxial Instability
Atlantoaxial Instability is when two of the vertebrae at the top of the spinal cord become too ‘loose’ because of an abnormality in the bone or ligament. It isn’t a well-known spinal injury, but it is quite common. It can be caused by a variety of different problems, both congenital and non-congenital. One of the most common causes of Atlantoaxial Instability is trauma to the head and neck, but it can also be a symptom of Down’s Syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the best ways to treat AAI or to reduce the severity of the symptoms include yoga, regular chiropractic sessions, and physiotherapy. In severe cases, surgery can be performed to fuse the two vertebrae, which often helps with pain.
Cervical Stenosis
Cervical Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal in the neck starts to narrow. This causes problems because the spinal cord runs through the spinal canal and when it is compressed, nerves can become damaged. This can result in weakness and pain throughout the body, so it is important to try and treat it as early as possible. The most common and effective treatment is surgery to decompress the spinal cord, which is usually very successful.
Degenerative Disc Disease
DDD is a disease caused by the degeneration of the discs that are found in-between the spinal vertebrae. This can cause a lot of problems as they serve as cushions for the spine and when damaged, will often be more susceptible to rupture, which can cause intense pain. Oftentimes, there is no obvious direct cause of DDD, but trauma to the spine and aging can be a trigger. Common remedies for DDD include chiropractic intervention, pain medication, massage, and in severe cases, surgery.
Spinal Fracture
Much like any other bone in the body, the spine can fracture, but unlike bones such as your arms and legs fracturing, a spinal fracture can have more severe consequences. It can cause the spinal cord to become pinched and damaged, and this can result in pain and weakness throughout the body. It is commonly caused by traumas such as car accidents and sports injuries. It is commonly treated by bracing the back, rest, and potentially surgery.
Common symptoms of a spinal injury include back pain, weakness or inability to coordinate your movement, paralysis, numbness, and stiff awkward movements. It is important to keep a lookout for potential spinal injuries, as they should be treated as soon as possible, especially if you have recently experienced some form of trauma.