Why Spine Health Matters
Signs of an unhealthy spine can often appear before you experience serious pain or discomfort. Your spine protects your nervous system, which is made up of a complex network of nerves and cells that send messages between the brain, spinal cord, and every part of the body. It’s quite fascinating when you think about it.
That’s why maintaining a healthy spine and good posture is so important. Doing so helps prevent spinal decay and ensures clear communication between the brain and the body.
When you start to notice reduced range of motion, pain, misalignments, or poor posture, these may be early signs of an unhealthy spine. These issues can affect your physical performance, concentration, and even your ability to carry out everyday tasks.
15 Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Spine
1. Poor Weight Distribution
Stand on two separate bathroom scales with each foot on a scale and compare the weight distribution. If the weight is unequal, this is a strong indication that your spine, hips or head are off-center. Oftentimes, loss of proper curvature or holding poor or uneven postures for long periods of time causes this to occur.
2. You Have Headaches, Backaches, and Sore or Tender Spots in Your Muscles or Joints
Pain is a signal from your body telling you that something is not working right, no amount of pain or soreness is normal and should be ignored. Headaches, neck pain, soreness or tenderness are often a strong indication that you have shifts and misalignments in your spine, and these can lead to a range of health issues if not addressed.
3. One Leg Appears Shorter Than the Other
Lie face down with your shoes on. Then have someone else look down at your feet and compare the length of your leg by comparing the heels. If one is longer than the other, spinal or pelvic shifting may be affecting your spine and your lower limb articulations.
4. You Are Often Fatigued
Misalignment of the spine can cause interference in the brain and body communication and can lead to fatigue and a lower state of health.
5. You Have Trouble Concentrating
Any restricted functioning of the spine can have effects on brain health and function; as neuro signaling is affected, so is our mental stamina and ability to focus.
6. You Are Unable to Take a Satisfying Deep Breath
Restriction on the movement of the thoracic spine can also lead to decreased lung function due to the inability to take long, deep inhales.
7. The Heels of Your Shoes Wear Out Unevenly
This can be due to uneven leg length, which as we discussed, is often caused by the postural shifts and misalignment of the spine.
8. You Have to “Crack” Your Neck, Back or Other Joints Frequently
Abnormal movement of the spine can cause a person to “feel stiff and stuck” prompting them to want to adjust themselves—or in other words “crack” their spine on their own. Self-adjustments are not recommended as they can’t be specific to where the problem areas may be for joint dysfunction.
9. Your Jaw “Clicks”
Your jaw can be affected by misalignments in your neck, causing a clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth.
10. You Cannot Twist or Turn Your Head or Hips to Either Side Equally or Easily
Pain, discomfort or reduced range of motion while twisting and turning is often a symptom of spinal dysfunction.
11. One or Both Feet Flare Out When Walking
Check your feet when you walk. If one or two feet appear to flare outward or inward, your spine and pelvis may be unbalanced which can lead to unwanted wear and tear on your knees and hips.
12. You Have a Low Resistance to Disease
Spine dysfunction can affect your neuroendocrine and immune systems. These systems play a crucial role in the resistance to disease and your ability to fight infection.
13. You Feel Stiffness in Your Back and Neck
Spinal misalignments decrease spinal mobility and create stiffness. This stiffness is a classic symptom of an unhealthy spine.
14. You Feel Stressed or Tense Constantly
If you feel tension or stress in your muscles or joints, especially in the neck and upper back, it could be a sign of an unhealthy spine.
15. You Just Do Not Feel Right, or You Are in General Poor Health
A decrease in overall health is a common result of neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunctions or spinal misalignments.
How to Improve Your Spine Health
Weight Management
Excess weight, especially around the midsection, can pull on the back, weakening abdominal muscles, which can lead to lordosis in the back.
Develop a Regular Program of Exercise
Regular exercise keeps you flexible and helps strengthen muscles to support proper posture.
Purchase a Quality Mattress
A good medium-firm mattress supports the spine and helps maintain proper alignment, similar to what you’d see with an upright posture. If a mattress is too firm, it can place pressure on the hips and shoulders, especially for side sleepers. Do your research and consider exploring the mattress I most often recommend to my patients for balanced comfort and spinal support.
Pay Attention to Injuries from Bumps, Falls and Accidents
Injuries in youth or young adulthood may cause growth abnormalities or postural adaptations to the injury or pain that can show up later in life. It is important to diagnose and address even minor injuries before they develop into bigger issues.
Be Conscious of Your Workspace
Is your chair high enough to fit your desk? Do you need a footrest to reduce pressure on your legs? Whenever possible, modify your workstation to support a neutral body position. This posture keeps your joints naturally aligned and minimizes stress on your muscles, tendons, and joints. Consider investing in an ergonomic chair with adjustable seat angles, proper back and elbow support, and a height-adjustable desk to encourage healthy alignment. For more workplace and ergonomic tips, read my blog on creating a spine-friendly workspace.
See a Chiropractor
Most people will, at one time or another, feel basic “wear and tear” on their spine from simply everyday living. Getting a professional assessment is the way to go to ensure any immediate issues can be rectified. Chiropractors can help address misalignment and loss of curvature to mitigate most of the signs mentioned above. If you are local, my staff and I would be happy to see you for an evaluation, or perhaps I’ve seen you before, but it has been some time since we’ve seen you.
Good posture looks and feels good. It plays a vital role in how your nervous system functions, influencing every cell, organ, and tissue in the body, as well as your energy levels and mood. Straighten up, take care of your spine, and schedule a chiropractic checkup to keep your body performing at its best.
So now it’s your turn. How healthy is your spine? Book your appointment today to find out.
This blog was originally written in November 2022 and has since been updated for accuracy and relevance.