The Spinal Column and Chiropractic Care

Here at Absolute Chiropractic & Wellness Center we talk about the spine all the time -- everybody has one, after all -- but what is it really? What is it made of, what does it do, and why does it cause problems for so many of the patients we see every day?

Your spinal column consists of 24 bones, called vertebrae, stacked vertically to form a strong, curved support for the entire skeletal system. These vertebrae are grouped together in three basic sections. The five cervical vertebrae make up the neck, followed by the thoracic vertebrae of the upper back and finally the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back. They are connected to each other at four movable points called facet joints, with a gelatinous disc cushioning each vertebrae. Ring-shaped sections called laminae extend from the vertebrae to enclose the spinal cord. The spinal cord acts as the central communications hub for all of your nerve impulses -- major nerve roots stretch out from it to form all the smaller nerves that make up your central nervous system.

Anatomy of Neck Pain and Back Pain

Because the spinal column supports your body while also enveloping the spinal cord, a spinal misalignment often translates into acute or chronic pain. If an accident, injury, or longstanding imbalance shifts your vertebrae out of their correct position, the discs can bulge or rupture painfully. Pressure on the nerve roots in the affected can cause shooting pain, numbness, tingling, weakness or loss of function in any part of the body those nerves communicate with. Such imbalances should be treated as early as possible, and luckily for Herndon and Reston pain sufferers, we are experienced in restoring that balance without any need for surgery or other invasive procedures.

Our Herndon chiropractor, Dr. Walmsley, knows how to evaluate your spinal conditions and correct them through precise adjustments, allowing your body to do the healing itself.

Did you experience an injury recently that is causing discomfort? Tell us about it here!